Issos is a vast sandy beach, 30 km from Corfu town port and 17.2 km from the port of Lefkimmi.
The beach is located on the western side of the island and surrounded by Halikounas to the north, Agios Georgios beach to the south, and Lake Korission to the east.
It is my personal favourite beach in Corfu, mostly unspoiled by tourist exploitation, as it is part of the protected Natura area of the Korission lagoon, along with neighboring Halikounas. This means you won’t find any massive hotels or organised beach bars and shops nearby.
If you enter the beach through the parking area, you’ll find a cantine (Don’t forget some bottles of cold water!) and a few rows of umbrellas and sunbeds. Facing the sea, always choose to go right (nouth). After a 5 minute walk you’ll be able to enjoy your own little private beach area, as there is plenty of space for everyone, surrounded by endless sand dunes and crystal-clear waters.
Issos is the perfect beach to spend a full day, if you come prepared for a picnic. Due to the beach facing southwest, prepare to enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets of your life.
This is actually our little family tradition: on August 15th every year, when it’s a greek bank holiday, we spend all day at the beach. When the weather is nice (aka when it is not too windy), we also grab our tents and camp on the beach.
Best things to do
Apart from the obvious swimming and sunbathing, Issos beach is also great for:
- Camping. Bring your tent, but leave no trace.
- Picnic day!
- Windsurfing / Surfing. Due to the open sea, there is almost constant surf, making it ideal for surfing and sailing. Frosch windsurfing & water sports center are a pretty good bunch.
- Paddle boarding. If there is no wind, it is the perfect place to enjoy your SUP.
- Explore the Cedar Forest.
Issos beach from Corfu town
If you are located in Corfu town, it takes under an hour to reach this Issos beach by car, but the journey is well worth it. The distance is around 30 km, and much part of it will be by the seaside, driving through Perama and Benitses. Once you’ve reached Messonghi, at the 3 K’S Shopping Centre, turn right onto the road that leads to Chlomos. Follow this road for about 4 km and keep your eyes peeled for the sign to Issos Beach. The last part of the road to Issos Beach is a bit narrow and bumpy, so it’s important to drive carefully and follow the road signs.
Issos nudist area
As a Corfiot, I would say that while it’s not officially designated as a nudist beach, the spacious layout and quieter setting make it a welcoming spot for those who want to embrace the freedom of the sun and sea. Visitors are respectful of each other’s space, and as long as you’re not too close to others, it’s perfectly fine to enjoy the beach in a more natural state. I have tried it myself quite a few times – just make sure you walk a good 10′ minutes away from the busy parking area and more towards the cedar forest.
As the sun sets over Issos beach, casting a golden glow on the sand dunes and gentle waves, it’s clear why this spot holds a special place in my heart.
Whether you’ve come for the adventure of windsurfing or the serenity of sunbathing and swimming in crystal-clear waters, a visit to Issos is a must for any holiday in Corfu.