Thinking of booking a trip to Benitses on Corfu, and wondering what it’s like? Here’s what to expect from this east coast beach resort.
Where is it?
Benitses is on Corfu’s east coast, located south of Corfu Town and north of Agios Ioannis.
What’s the vibe like?
Benitses is a well-loved beach resort and a name that will be familiar to many as one of Corfu’s OG beach resorts. As with Ipsos, Dassia and Kavos, its popularity peaked in the 70s and 80s when it was a busy package resort famed for its hedonistic nightlife. At one point, it apparently had up to 100 bars (and 10,000 revellers!).
Since then, Benitses has fallen out of favour with partygoers, calmed down and reinvented itself as a laid-back destination in touch with its fishing village roots. Parts of it can feel run down and derelict (mainly in the south). It has good bones and is ripe for regeneration (especially as the villages to the south are becoming a focus for luxury resort development), but for now is a bit of a mixed bag.
It’s surrounded by lush mountain scenery and has views across to Albania on the horizon. And it’s one of the few resort areas to have an old quarter, with traditional houses, shady cobbled streets, and tavernas that have a great reputation with locals (especially for seafood). Nearby is a new marina. It even has some (minor) Roman ruins.
There are frequent buses to Corfu Town – Benitses is the last stop on the city bus route heading south, making it easy to nip in for the evening. And the airport transfer is a short one.
But the pebble beach is narrow and, in some parts, not very private. And it’s not easy to explore the rest of the island from here unless you have a car.
Benitses vs Gouvia? Benitses is a longer bus journey from Corfu Town and has more of a beach resort vibe – the beach itself is better, it’s prettier, quieter, and has a good selection of tavernas. Gouvia is a working town on the outskirts of city sprawl, surrounded by luxury resorts. It does have better amenities and transport links, a longer season, and livelier bars. The beaches south of Corfu Town are quieter and feel more ‘Greek’ than Gouvia.
What’s the beach like?
Benitses has several small east-facing beaches of fine gravelly pebble. The water is usually calm and crystal clear, beautiful for swimming.
Some parts of the seabed have a sandy bottom.
The northern half of town has a road running alongside the narrow beach and a few sections with sun-loungers.
The southern half of the beach is wider with some trees providing shade, but is backed by several derelict buildings (including the old Stadium club).
Within walking distance, there are some small coves to discover.
Activities and amenities
Benitses is a family-friendly place but has a quaint charm rather than a wide range of activities, and it’s hard to imagine it now as the epicentre of hedonism that it was in the 70s and 80s (apparently there were up to 100 bars lining the main road), although the ruins of a few clubs remain.
There are several travel agencies which will organise bus and boat trips around the island (like this one to Paxos and Antipaxos) and beyond, as well as scooter and ATV rental.
Watersports fans would be better off in the resorts north of Corfu Town.
Along the main strip, you’ll find numerous cafes and restaurants (mostly Greek), as well as a selection of amenities including a small supermarket, banks, and tourist shops. And, of course, it’s easy to hop on a bus to Corfu Town for a change of scene.
The 19th-century Achilleion Palace, a mainstay on bus excursions around the island, is a short drive north of Benitses, but at the time of writing is still closed for renovations and only the gardens are open.
Transport and accessibility
From the airport:
Benitses is a 20-minute drive from Corfu Airport and around 30 minutes on the bus from Corfu Town. It’s located on the main coastal road south from Corfu Town.
A private transfer from the airport is around €25-35. Hoppa is available for shared transfers.
Public transport:
Benitses is served by Corfu’s Blue Bus system (route 6) which serves Corfu Town and the surrounding areas. The main bus station in Corfu Town is San Rocco Square.
Buses tend to run every half an hour until 11pm, less frequently on Sundays and public holidays. Tickets are around €1.70 one way but are more expensive if you purchase from the driver rather than from a shop or kiosk. You can buy a day ticket for €5.50 if you plan on making multiple journeys.
There are several bus stops in Benitses.
For more information, check out: How to Get Around Corfu By Bus
Accessibility:
Benitses is mostly flat and one block deep except the outskirts where some hotels are built into the hills.
The main road runs along half of Benitses beach, and getting down to the beach usually involves a few steps. It does not have Seatrac for wheelchair access.
Prices
Benitses is a budget beach resort, prices are generally below average for Corfu (unless you’re staying at Angsana!).
Where to stay
The luxury 5-star hotel Angsana opened in 2020 up in the hills behind Benitses and boasts an impressive lagoon infinity pool. It’s certainly the most comfortable place to stay in the area, and is only a 20-minute walk into to Benitses (or short taxi) if you want to take advantage of its restaurants.
Similarly upmarket is the Manor House at the San Stefano Estate, a historic villa with its private pool and boat mooring (also a 20-minute walk to Benitses).
But most accommodation in Benitses itself is in traditional rooms and studios. Many hotels are looking a bit dated, but the prices are on the budget end. Benitses has several hotels right on the seafront (although some do have a road in between), so you can get sea views for a steal:
Read more:
Where to Stay on Corfu: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide
Corfu – A Quick Island Overview
All images © The Mediterranean Traveller