Best Places to Stay in Mathraki
Accommodation in Mathraki is limited to a small collection of family-run rooms, apartments and guesthouses. There are no large resorts, international hotel chains or conventional luxury hotels on the island.
Most places are concentrated near Plakes Harbour and the southeastern coast, making it easy to reach the ferry, Portelo Beach and several of the island’s places to eat. The exception is Nisaki Mathraki, which occupies a quieter position farther inland.
Mathraki’s short summer season means that accommodation can fill surprisingly quickly between the middle of July and the end of August. Visitors should book well ahead during this period and confirm their ferry arrangements before committing to a stay.
1. Corfu Paradise Mathraki – Best Beachfront Stay
Corfu Paradise Mathraki occupies one of the most appealing locations on the island. It stands at the southern end of Portelo Beach, overlooking a small sandy bay and the clear waters surrounding Mathraki.
The property offers en-suite rooms and family suites, including options suitable for couples and smaller families. Rooms have outdoor sitting areas or balconies, while several look directly towards the sea.
One of the main advantages is having accommodation, a beach and a restaurant in the same place. Guests can spend the day swimming without needing to return towards the harbour for meals. Breakfast, snacks, lunch and dinner are normally available during the property’s operating season.
Corfu Paradise is farther from Plakes Harbour than most of Mathraki’s accommodation. The setting is more secluded, but guests should discuss arrival arrangements and luggage transport before travelling.
This is the strongest choice for visitors who want to spend most of their holiday beside the sea.
Best for: Couples, families, beach access and travellers seeking a secluded setting.
2. Christos Beachside Apartments – Best Near Portelo Beach
Christos Beachside Apartments, also known as Argyros Beachside Apartments, are located near the beginning of the coastal road south of Plakes. The harbour is only a short walk away, while Portelo Beach is directly opposite the property.
The apartments provide air-conditioned accommodation with modern kitchen facilities, private bathrooms and access to a shared sea-view terrace. Their self-catering facilities are particularly useful on an island where restaurants and shops are limited.
The location offers a good balance between convenience and beach access. Guests remain close enough to the harbour to manage luggage and ferry departures easily, but they can also walk straight across to Mathraki’s main sandy beach.
This is one of the most practical options for travellers who want independence without staying in an isolated part of the island.
Best for: Beach access, self-catering and travellers who want to remain close to the harbour.
3. Hotel of Tasos Kasimis – Best for Harbour Convenience
The Hotel of Tasos Kasimis is positioned near the start of the beach road leading south from Plakes Harbour. Despite its name, it operates more like a collection of simple self-catering studios and suites than a conventional full-service hotel.
Accommodation includes twin studios and larger two-bedroom suites. Each unit has a sea-view balcony, private shower room and kitchenette equipped with a refrigerator and small stove.
The property’s principal advantage is its location. Guests can walk from the ferry, reach Dolphins Taverna near the port and continue south towards Portelo Beach without needing a vehicle.
The accommodation is traditional and relatively simple. Air conditioning is not provided, which is an important consideration during the hottest weeks of July and August. Travellers comfortable with a more basic island stay may find that the location and sea views compensate for the limited facilities.
Best for: Ferry access, longer self-catering stays and travellers seeking simple accommodation.
4. Nisaki Mathraki B&B – Best for Facilities and Larger Groups
Nisaki Mathraki B&B offers a different experience from the small studios near Plakes. Its two modern properties occupy a quieter location with access to both the island’s eastern beach and the higher ground overlooking the sunset side of Mathraki.
The accommodation can cater for couples, families and larger groups, with different configurations capable of hosting several guests. Breakfast is included, reducing the need to find food first thing in the morning.
Additional facilities may include electric bicycles, golf carts and exercise equipment. The transport options are particularly valuable because Mathraki has no regular island bus service and distances can feel considerably longer when carrying bags or walking in summer heat.
Nisaki is a good option for a family gathering or group holiday where several people want to stay together. Its more extensive facilities also make it suitable for travellers who prefer a little more comfort and organisation.
Check Nisaki Mathraki B&B on Agoda
Best for: Families, groups, breakfast and guests wanting access to island transport.
5. Kato Mathraki House of Tasos Geis – Best for a Traditional Guesthouse Stay
Kato Mathraki House of Tasos Geis provides simple accommodation in two en-suite double rooms. The rooms share a kitchen and living area, while a balcony offers views across the surrounding landscape and towards the sea.
This is a small guesthouse rather than a hotel, making it better suited to independent travellers who appreciate an informal, home-like arrangement. The shared facilities may also work well for friends or relatives booking the rooms together.
Its location in Kato Mathraki offers a quieter village experience away from the immediate harbour area. Guests should confirm the walking route, luggage arrangements and distance from their preferred beach before booking.
Best for: Independent travellers, friends travelling together and a quieter village setting.
Which Part of Mathraki Is Best for Accommodation?
Mathraki is small, but the location of the accommodation still affects the experience.
Plakes Harbour
Staying near Plakes is the most convenient choice for a short visit. Guests can walk from the ferry, eat near the harbour and reach the northern end of Portelo Beach without complicated transport arrangements.
The Hotel of Tasos Kasimis is particularly convenient, while Christos Beachside Apartments combine harbour access with a position opposite the beach.
This area is best for first-time visitors, short stays and anyone carrying substantial luggage.
Portelo Beach
Portelo stretches south along Mathraki’s eastern coast. Accommodation here provides easier access to the island’s finest sandy beach and generally offers attractive sea views.
Corfu Paradise is at the more secluded southern end, while Christos Beachside Apartments are closer to Plakes. Choosing between them largely depends on whether convenience or isolation is more important.
Inland Mathraki
The island’s interior is peaceful and gives visitors a better sense of its rural character. Nisaki Mathraki B&B provides access to the coast while remaining within reach of higher ground and sunset viewpoints.
An inland stay is better suited to visitors spending several nights on Mathraki rather than those arriving for only a brief stop.
Do You Need a Car in Mathraki?
Most visitors do not need a conventional rental car. The island is compact, and many journeys can be completed on foot. However, the summer heat, uneven roads and lack of public transport should not be underestimated.
Electric bicycles or golf carts can make exploring easier, particularly for families or guests staying away from Plakes. Visitors should arrange these in advance because the available number is likely to be small.
Travellers staying near the harbour or northern end of Portelo Beach can manage most daily needs by walking. Those choosing more secluded accommodation should ask the owner about luggage transfers before arriving.
Is Self-Catering a Good Choice?
Self-catering is particularly useful in Mathraki because the island has only a handful of places to eat. Studios and apartments with refrigerators and basic cooking facilities give visitors greater flexibility, especially at breakfast or when restaurants are not operating.
The available shops carry a limited range, so travellers staying for several days may want to buy important provisions in Corfu before boarding the ferry. This is especially advisable for anyone with dietary restrictions or young children.
There is no need to transport an entire week’s food, but breakfast items, snacks and any essential specialist products can be useful.
When Should You Book Mathraki Accommodation?
Accommodation should be reserved early for stays between approximately mid-July and the end of August. Mathraki does not receive the visitor numbers of Corfu, but it also has very few rooms.
Demand can increase when island families return for summer, during local celebrations or when sailing groups visit the Diapontian Islands.
Outside the main summer period, finding a room may be easier, but fewer properties and restaurants may be operating. Always confirm that the accommodation will be open before arranging ferry travel.
How Long Should You Stay in Mathraki?
Two or three nights will suit most first-time visitors. This provides enough time to walk around the island, spend a full day at Portelo Beach and experience Mathraki after the day visitors have departed.
Travellers who enjoy swimming, reading, walking and genuinely quiet surroundings could stay considerably longer. Those looking for organised activities, nightlife or a wide range of restaurants may find several nights too long.
Mathraki also works as part of a wider Diapontian Islands journey alongside Othoni and Ereikoussa, although ferry connections must be planned carefully.
What Should You Confirm Before Booking?
Because most accommodation is small and independently managed, it is worth confirming:
- Whether the property is operating on the intended dates
- How luggage will be transferred from the ferry
- Whether air conditioning is provided
- What cooking facilities are included
- Whether breakfast is available
- The distance to the nearest beach and taverna
- Whether bicycles or another form of transport can be arranged
- The cancellation policy if the ferry is affected by weather
Visitors should also distinguish accommodation physically located on Mathraki from properties on Corfu that merely use “Mathraki” in their name. Mathraki Studios in Arillas and Mathraki Resort in Gouvia are both on Corfu, not on Mathraki island.
Final Thoughts
The best places to stay in Mathraki are small, personal and closely connected to the landscape. Corfu Paradise offers the island’s strongest beachfront setting, while Christos Beachside Apartments combine Portelo Beach with easy access to the harbour. The Hotel of Tasos Kasimis provides simple self-catering accommodation near the ferry, and Nisaki Mathraki B&B is the most versatile option for groups and guests wanting additional facilities.
Whichever property is chosen, the important step is to book directly and confirm the practical details. Mathraki rewards visitors who arrive prepared, travel lightly and appreciate the simplicity of staying on an island with very little conventional tourism infrastructure.
