Porto Timoni from Afionas

What it is

Porto Timoni is two back-to-back coves, joined by a narrow spit of land, at the far north-west of Corfu. Each faces one side of the Afionas promontory, so you can swim in one or the other depending on where the wind blows from. You cannot get there by car: either you walk down from Afionas or come by boat from Paleokastritsa.

Afionas, the starting point

Afionas is a village at the top of a promontory, 37 km from Corfu town, with views of the Ionian Sea and the Diapontia Islands to the north-west, and Agios Georgios bay to the south-east. It has old houses, cobbled streets and the parish church of Agios Ioannis Lampataris, of 1636. Between the village and Porto Timoni are ruins of medieval fortifications that protected residents from pirates, and a Neolithic settlement was found in the area, whose remains are in the Archaeological Museum of Corfu.

The village streets are narrow: leave the car before entering the village, where there is room, and continue on foot.

The path, step by step

1. Start. A path leaves the village towards the south-west, towards the tip of the promontory.

2. Descent. It is about 20 minutes down a path, with steep stretches. On the way you pass the ruins of the old defences.

3. The coves. You arrive from above at the spit of land and see both beaches at once. Choose the one more sheltered that day.

4. Return. It is all uphill and in the sun for a good part. Allow somewhat longer than on the way out, and more with children.

The Corfu Trail stage ending at Agios Georgios leaves you at the foot of the promontory, in case you want to link them.

By boat

The other way is by sea. From Alipa harbour, in Paleokastritsa, a 4-hour shared boat leaves, stopping for a swim at Porto Timoni and Kastelli and passing the caves, for €50 per person. You can also hire a licence-free boat there and arrive on your own. That saves you the climb back, although you will have less time on the beach.

When to go

For swimming, May to October. In July and August go early: during the day the excursion boats also arrive and the spit fills up. The afternoon is good for light, but then the climb back hits the sun head-on. In spring and autumn the path is better walked, and September water is still warm.

What to bring and safety

Wear shoes with a sole for the path, not flip-flops. Plenty of water, food and an umbrella or something to give shade: do not count on facilities or trees on the sand. They are open coves: in a swell, swim on the sheltered side and do not swim far from the shore. Take your rubbish back with you.

With children or a dog

With children who already walk well, the path is doable; with a pushchair, no. The climb back, in the heat, feels long to them: take it calmly. With a dog, the path is easy for it, but in summer the heat on the stone and the lack of shade are the problem.

Nearby

If you come by car, it fits an afternoon after the Angelokastro castle, which closes at 18:00. To sleep on this coast, the Camping Paleokastritsa is the nearest base among those we list.