Thinking of booking a trip to Dassia on Corfu? Here’s what to expect from this varied beach resort.
Where is it?
Dassia is on Corfu’s east coast, located north of Corfu Town and Gouvia but before Ipsos.
What’s the vibe like?
Dassia is a resort of two halves.
The southern half is almost entirely taken up by the sprawling Ikos Dassia resort hotel, one of Corfu’s premier luxury hotels. The beach here is a mix of course dark sand and shingle.
The northern half of beach gets progressively narrower and more pebbly. There’s a raises concrete promenade which runs alongside the beach, shaded by mulberry trees and backed by an array of restaurants and hotels to suit all budgets and tastes.
The central access point brings you to the stylish Malibu Beach Bar where you’ll find palm trees, day-beds with waiter service and a boho minimalist theme.
Perhaps because it’s located on a busy section of the main road out of Corfu, or perhaps because it’s home to several resort hotels, but Dassia has a slightly ad-hoc feel.
The main road runs parallel to the beach and is busy and functional with plenty of amenities.
Dassia does score highly for watersports, restaurants and day-trips though, reflecting its popularity with young and active couples staying in resort hotels.
It’s a 5-10 minute walk from the main road to the beach and there’s plenty of parking and amenities.
What’s the beach like?
The main beach at Ipsos is east-facing and 2.5km long.
The southern end (which is occupied by Ikos Dassia) is the sandier part although it’s a course sand mixed with shingle.
There is a small sandy section south of the hotel which is easily accessible to the public – follow the signs for the dive centre.
North of Malibu the beach gets considerably narrower, and the pebbles get bigger.
The sea is usually warm, shallow and calm.
There is a problem with litter and seagrass on parts of the beach, but the water itself is clean and Blue Flag-rated.
Parts of the beach can feel narrow and crowded in the summer, especially on weekends, as Dassia is easily accessible for people living in Corfu Town.
Where the beach is particularly narrow one enterprising taverna has added a wooden platform with space for sun-bathing.
Activities and amenities
There are plenty of activities and entertainment on offer in Dassia.
The Seaworld Scuba Diving Centre is located south of the Ipsos Dassia hotel. They can also arrange private motorboat rentals will take you north around the coast or south to Corfu Town.
At the north end of the beach you will find Dassia Ski Club Watersports which has a wide range of activities including inflatables, parasailing, wakeboarding, SUP, and boat hire.
There are several travel agencies which will organise bus and boat trips around the island and beyond, as well as scooter and ATV rental.
The energetic can hike up Pantokrator, the highest peak on Corfu.
Along the main strip you’ll find numerous tourist shops and restaurants (international as well as Greek), car rental agencies, pharmacies, ATMs, and a supermarket.
For quieter beaches it’s easy to hop on a bus to the north east coast.
And in the evening you can hop on a bus to Gouvia or Corfu Town for dinner and drinks.
Travel and accessibility
From the airport:
Dassia is a 20-minute drive from Corfu Airport and around 35 minutes on the bus from Corfu Town. It’s located on the main road north from Corfu Town.
A private transfer from the airport is around €35. Hoppa is available for shared transfers.
Public transport:
Dassia is served by Corfu’s Blue Bus system (route 7) 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 €1.50 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 if you plan on making multiple journeys.
There are several bus stops in Dassia.
Accessibility:
Dassia is long and flat. Some beach access points require steps.
The main road runs parallel to Dassia beach with wide side streets leading down to the shore. There is plenty of parking.
There is no boardwalk or footpath running the length of the beach however the concrete promenade links street parking to many of the beachfront restaurants.
The beach has Seatrac for wheelchair access.
Prices
Dassia is a varied beach resort with accommodation for all price points.
On the beach, prices for a sun-lounger vary – they get cheaper the further north you go.
Food and drinks prices are generally below average for Corfu.
Where to stay
The main luxury choice here is obviously the Ikos Dassia.
Other beachfront hotels include:
- Elea Beach (4-star)
- Dassia Beach (2-star)
On a budget? There are plenty of traditional guesthouses in Dassia – browse Booking.com for a wide selection.
The northern end of Dassia as it heads towards Ipsos feels a bit windswept and derelict, better to stay in the central area.
For package deals to Dassia check out the main operators:
Looking for a villa? Try VRBO.
Read more:
Where to Stay on Corfu: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide
Corfu – A Quick Island Overview
All images © The Mediterranean Traveller