Thinking of booking a trip to Dassia on Corfu and wondering what it’s like? 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 south of 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 coarse dark sand and shingle.
The northern half of beach gets progressively narrower and more pebbly. There’s a raised 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 massive hotels, but Dassia has a slightly ad-hoc feel. I hear that the number of all-inclusive hotels around has sucked some of the life out of it. Most people choose Dassia for the accommodation rather than the place. The main strip runs parallel to the beach and is busy and functional with plenty of amenities.
That said, Dassia does score highly for watersports, restaurants and day-trips. It’s lively enough that young and active couples won’t get too bored. If you want to stay in a resort hotel but be within walking distance of restaurants and ‘life’ the it delivers.
Dassia is a 5-10 minute walk from the main road to the beach and there’s plenty of parking on the side roads.
What’s the beach like?
The main beach at Dassia is east-facing and 2.5km long.
The southern end (which is occupied by Ikos Dassia) is the sandier part, although it’s a coarse 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 here is usually warm, shallow and calm, and the water itself is clean and Blue Flag-rated. But the beach feels narrow and crowded in the summer, especially when you get the weekend crowd from Corfu Town too.
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 by 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.
More more information check out How to Get Around Corfu By Bus
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 full 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
Dassia now has several choices at the luxury end (though some are located on the peninsulas at either side). The Ikos Dassia and the Ikos Odisia occupy a league of their own – Ikos are 5-star all-inclusives known for their family-friendly facilities.
The Grecotel Dafnila Bay is listed on Google Maps as being in Dassia, but it’s actually further south on the Kommeno Peninsula near Gouvia (near the Grecotel Eva Palace).
Looking for something easier on the wallet? Try the Iolida Corfu Resort, the TRYP by Wyndham Corfu, or the Panorama Hideaway. If all you need is an apartment, check out Solena Di Corfu Studio.
Read more:
Where to Stay on Corfu: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide
Corfu – A Quick Island Overview
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