What are the best beaches in Corsica?

You’re going to Corsica and you’re looking for the most beautiful beaches?

You’re at the right place!

The least I can say is that you will have the choice: there are amazing beaches everywhere in Corsica!

In order to help you find the best beaches in Corsica, I have written this detailed guide with all the most beautiful beaches ordered in 2 categories:

• The best beaches of Northern Corsica
• The best beaches of Southern Corsica.

And at the end of this article, you will also find the beaches map, so you can locate them easily.

So, what are the best beaches in Corsica?

Let’s find out!

The most beautiful beaches in Northern Corsica

Here is the list of the best places to swim during your road trip in Northern Corsica.

1. Saleccia Beach

Let’s start this guide of Northern Corsica’s best beaches with Saleccia.

Saleccia beach is often ranked among Corsica’s best beaches, and is also renowned all over the world.

This white sand beach located in the Agriates Desert features magnificent turquoise waters bordered by pine trees.

You won’t find any building on this wild and remote beach, except a small straw hut behind the trees where you can have lunch. Even if this beach is quite crowded during peak season, you’ll still feel like you’re on a lost island!

It’s clearly the best place to spend a relaxing day swimming and sunbathing.

The easiest way to reach Saleccia beach and the Agriates Desert is to take a shuttle boat from Saint-Florent. It takes less than 30 minutes.

You can find more information about Saleccia in my detailed article: The definitive guide to visit the Agriates desert.

2. Lotu Beach

Lotu beach is another beautiful beach you can discover in the Agriates Desert. This beach is smaller than Saleccia, but just as pretty with its white sand and translucent waters.

Lotu is also a wild beach, with only a small bar located a 5-minute walk along the seaside path. Sometimes, you can even spot a few wild cows enjoying the sun there!

If you want to reach Lotu beach, it’s the same as for Saleccia beach: the easiest way to get there is to take the shuttle boat starting from Saint-Florent. It takes about 30 minutes.

You’ll find every information you need to visit Lotu in my article: Visit the Agriates desert: the definitive guide.

3. Ostriconi Beach

Ostriconi beach is another great beach to discover during your road trip in Northern Corsica.

It’s located at the mouth of the Ostriconi river, between Saint-Florent and Calvi and close to the seaside resort of Ile-Rousse.

This beautiful sandy beach features with crystal clear waters bordered by the maquis and swamps. A real postcard landscape!

If you want to go to Ostriconi beach, you’ll need to park along the road overlooking the beach and walk for 5-10 minutes.

4. Nonza Beach

Let’s move further North, on the West Coast of Cap Corse, to discover a completely different atmosphere at Nonza beach.

This black pebble beach is located below the village of Nonza. It’s pebbles are the remains of an old asbestos quarry. 

As you might have guessed, this beach isn’t the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing afternoon sunbathing! It’s actually way better to admire it from above! 

Many artists and tourists are drawing and writing messages on the beach using white pebbles. You can even read some of them from the village of Nonza!

If you want to make your own piece of art, you will have 2 ways to reach the beach:

• Walk down the steep stairs leading to the beach from the village.
• Get there by car: take the small road starting 3 km North of Nonza.

Nonza beach isn’t the best place to swim in Northern Corsica, as the waters are deep and dangerous when it’s windy.

 

5. Ficajola Beach

Ficajola beach is the only beach in the Calanques de Piana you can access on foot.

From Porto, drive to the village of Piana, and continue your route for 1 km. Then, turn right and follow the narrow and sinuous road to reach a car park. From there, you’ll walk for around 10 minutes to reach Ficajola beach.

This small pebble and sand beach is beautiful, but quickly crowded!

If you don’t feel like driving there, you can also opt for a cruise to visit the Calanques de Piana by boat. From the port of Porto, you’ll sail along the coasts and discover Ficajola from the sea.

You can have more information about this boat trip in my article: Calanques de Piana: The definitive guide.

6. Arone Beach

Arone Beach is one of the best beaches near the Calanques de Piana.

This beautiful large sandy beach, surrounded by mountains and big red rocks, is located 12 km South of Piana, after Capo Rosso. On the road to get there, you’ll admire magnificent views of the Gulf of Porto and the coves.

There is a free parking lot, and several bars and restaurants on the beach. It’s a great place to take a refreshing dip between Porto and Ajaccio!

7. Beaches of the Cap Corse customs officers’ path

The customs officers’ path, in Cap Corse, is one of the best places to hike in Corsica.

This beautiful coastal path connects the villages of Macinaggio, Barcaggio and Centuri.

During your walk along the seaside, you’ll also discover many splendid beaches and coves. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing swim!

The most beautiful beaches along the Cap Corse customs officers’ path are:

• Tamarone beach: The closest beach to Macinaggio, accessible by car or on foot. This large sandy beach is often covered with posidonia. There’s a restaurant on the beach serving good food. You should book your table in advance, especially in summer!
• Cala Genovese: a beautiful fine sand beach with turquoise waters. In my opinion, it’s the best beach along the customs officers’ path.
• Cala Francese: another large beach, located right next to Cala Genovese
• Barcaggio beach: a beautiful sandy beach bordered by dunes and maquis, in a protected nature area. Its shallow waters are ideal for children!

8. Calvi Beach

With its 2.8km of fine sand, Calvi’s beach is one of Corsica’s longest beaches.

This beautiful sandy beach, bordered by a pine forest, offers shallow translucent waters and a beautiful view over the Citadel of Calvi!

You’ll find many bars and restaurants all along the beach, and you can rent deckchairs and umbrellas.

At Calvi beach, you can also enjoy a wide range of nautical activities, such as kayaking, windsurfing, stand up paddle or catamaran.

This beach is one of the most touristy in Northern Corsica, but it’s so big that you’ll always find a quiet place!

9. The other best beaches in Northern Corsica

Now that you know everything about the 8 most beautiful beaches in Northern Corsica, here are a few other great places to swim during your itinerary.

These beaches are a bit less pretty, but just as good if you want to take a refreshing dip!

Most of these beaches and coves are located in Cap Corse:

• Pietracorbara beach, a large sandy beach located a 40-minute drive from Bastia, on the East Coast
• The beach of Cagnano, next to the village of Porticciolo
• Santa Severa pebble beach 
• Meria beach, sheltered from the wind and featuring a Genoese Tower.
• L’Anse d’Aliso, located 9 km south of Centuri. You have to take a secondary road to reach it.
• The Marine di Scalo, 1 km away from Pino
• The Marine of Giottani, 11 km away from Pino. Leave the D80 road and take a small secondary road to reach this small pebble beach.

You want to learn more about the best things to do in Cap Corse? Have a look at my dedicated article: The definitive guide to visit Cap Corse.

The most beautiful beaches in Southern Corsica

Let’s continue this guide of Corsica’s best beaches with all the best places to take a dip in Southern Corsica.

During your trip to Corsica, whether you’re in Ajaccio, Bonifacio or Porto-Vecchio, you’ll discover magnificent beaches, often ranked among the most beautiful in the world!

10. Palombaggia Beach

Palombaggia is one of Corsica’s most beautiful and most famous beaches. You’ll find it on many postcards of the island!

You’ll be amazed by this heavenly beach with turquoise waters, white sand and big rocks at the edge of water, bordered by pine trees.

In Palombaggia, you can also enjoy several trendy bars and restaurants, as it’s one of the trendiest beaches in Southern Corsica.

From Porto-Vecchio, it takes about 15 minutes by car to reach Palombaggia:

• Take the T10 roads towards Bonifacio
• Then, follow the Palombaggia signposts for about 10 km.

There is a paid parking lot (5€/day) near Palombaggia beach. You can also park on the free parking spaces along the road, then walk to the beach.

You should arrive early if you want a free parking space, especially during high season!

11. Rondinara Beach

During your trip to Corsica, you shouldn’t miss Rondinara Beach. It’s often ranked among Corsica’s best beaches!

The magnificent and perfectly shaped Rondinara bay offers calm and translucent waters.

There is a restaurant at the right end of the beach, and you can also rent deckchairs and umbrellas.

If you want to reach Rondinara from Porto-Vecchio, it’s very simple:

• Take the T10 road towards Bonifacio for 13 km
• Turn left towards Suartone/Rondinara.

12. Santa Giulia Beach

Santa Giulia is another beautiful beach located near Porto-Vecchio.

This magnificent bay, located at the foothill of a mountain, offers turquoise and shallow waters. This beach is as renowned as Rondinara and Palombaggia, and is therefore very busy during summer.

There are several restaurants on the beach, and you can rent deckchairs and umbrellas.

You can also enjoy many nautical activities, such as water-skiing, towed buoys or paddle.

From Porto-Vecchio, drive for about 15 minutes to reach Santa Giulia beach:

• Take the N198 road towards Bonifacio and reach Precojo
• There, take the second road  on your left, in the direction of Santa Giulia.

13. The Petit and Grand Sperone beaches

The Petit Sperone beach is another beach you must discover during your holidays in Southern Corsica.

Located near Bonifacio, this beautiful sandy cove with turquoise waters is ranked among the 10 most beautiful beaches in Corsica, and is clearly worth a visit!

This beach is located a 10-minute walk from Piantarella beach (you’ll have more details about it below).

From Petit Sperone, you can also walk for 10 minutes to discover the Grand Sperone beach, a bit bigger and windier but also very pretty!

You won’t find any bars, restaurants, toilets or deckchairs on these 2 completely wild beaches.

14. Piantarella Beach

I’ve already mentioned Piantarella beach earlier. This sandy beach is located right next to Petit Sperone. 

Even if the beaches of Petit and Grand Sperone are prettier, the lagoon of Piantarella is the perfect place if you’re looking for thrilling nautical activities!

You’ll have the choice between wind surfing, stand up paddle, or kayaking. There is also a bar/restaurant.

As there are no parking lots in Piantarella and Sperone, you’ll have to park your car along the roadside.

15. The beaches of the Lavezzi Islands

If you’re planning an itinerary in Southern Corsica, you really should plan a day to discover the sublime beaches and coves of the Lavezzi Islands.

There, you’ll enjoy a magnificent scenery, with huge rocks and crystal clear waters. The best places to take a dip is La Chiesa beach, on Lavezzu island.

You won’t find any restaurant, water, toilets or even garbage cans on this completely wild island. Don’t forget to bring everything you need for the day!

The Lavezzi Islands are accessible by boat from Bonifacio.

You’ll find every information you need to visit these islands in my article: The definitive guide to visit the Lavezzi Islands.

16. Beach of Mare e Sole

The Mare e Sole beach, also called “Plage d’Argent” (Silver Beach) is a beautiful white sand beach with transparent water.

Its shallow waters are ideal if you’re travelling to Corsica with children!

On this beach, you can also rent pedal boats, and enjoy several small beach restaurants.

This beach is located South of Ajaccio and Porticcio. The access is easy and there are many parking spaces.

17. Portigliolo Beach

The sandy beach of Portigliolo is located only 9 km from Propriano, one of Corsica’s most famous seaside resorts.

This 4-km long beach, located at the mouth of the Rizzanese river, is one of the longest beaches in the Gulf of Valinco, in Southern Corsica. The landscapes here are truly magical!

In Portigliolo, you can enjoy many nautical activities, such as towed buoys, water-skiing, pedal boats or kayaking.  You can also opt for a guided snorkeling trip, or rent a boat to discover the surroundings (with or without a license)

There’s also a restaurant overlooking the beach.

18. Roccapina Beach

Roccapina beach is located on the road between Ajaccio and Bonifacio, 20 km South of Sartene.

This small sheltered bay offers beautiful turquoise waters bordered by large rocks.

It’s quite difficult to get there, as you’ll need to follow a dirt track for about 2.5 km, but this beach is still very busy! There’s a large and free car park at the end of the road.

You won’t find any restaurants or deckchairs on this wild beach, but many boats are anchoring a little too close to the shore, spoiling the view a bit.

From Roccapina, you can also walk to Erbaju beach. This wild and remote beach is magnificent!

19. San Giovianni Beach

San Giovianni beach isn’t the most famous in Southern Corsica, but for me it deserves to be ranked among the island’s most beautiful beaches!

This splendid beach is bordered by 2 huge rocks and a Genoese Tower. There, you’ll find several fine sand coves, sheltered from the wind.

If you’re a snorkeling lover, don’t forget your diving mask and explore San Giovianni’s magnificent seabed!

Located in the Gulf of Figari, this beach is quite hard to locate, as there are many trees along the roadside. On the other hand, the beach is very wild and quiet! 

20. Chiuni Beach

Chiuni beach is located near Cargese.

On this large sandy beach, there is a “Club Med” hotel where you can enjoy many nautical activities such as jet skiing or towed buoys. You can also opt for a horse ride along the seaside.

If you just want to spend a relaxing afternoon sunbathing, it’s possible to rent deckchairs and umbrellas on this beach.

And if you’re a hiking lover, how about discovering the Genoese tower located nearby, or even do a 3-hour hike all around the cape?

There is a free car park along the beach, but you can also walk to Chiuni from Peru beach. It takes about 1 hour.

21. Paragan Beach / Fazzio Beach

Paragan beach is a very pretty beach located near Bonifacio.

This large cove, sheltered from the wind, offers shallow and turquoise waters. It’s clearly a great place to take a dip in Southern Corsica!

There is no parking lot, but it’s easy to park along the road, right next to the beach.

From Paragan, you can also walk for 15 minutes (from the left of the beach) to reach Fazzio beach. Surrounded by big rocks and cliffs, this small bay looks a little like a fjord and offers a very nice setting!

22. Tunara Beach / Stagnolu Beach

Tunara beach is another nice beach located in Bonifacio’s surroundings.

It’s easy to get there by car, as there is a large parking lot next to the beach restaurant.

There, you’ll discover a pretty large sandy beach, with shallow waters.

Walk on the path along the seaside to discover several small coves, ideal for a refreshing swim. Continue your walk for 5 minutes and you’ll reach Stagnolu beach.

Stagnolu is a magnificent white sand beach, much wilder than its neighbor! 

From there, you can also follow a coastal trail (on the left) to walk all around Capo di Feno, reach Paragan beach and even go to Bonifacio.

23. The other best beaches in Southern Corsica

It’s now time to conclude this guide of the best beaches in Corsica! I couldn’t mention all of them, as there are many other great places to take a dip in Southern Corsica.

You’ll find here a list of a few more nice beaches that are ideal for a swimming stop:

Between Porto and Ajaccio

• Peru Beach: a large sandy beach with deep waters. There are several bars, and you can rent deckchairs and umbrellas.
• Menasina Beach: a beautiful sandy beach with crystal clear water, ideal for snorkeling.
• Liamone Beach: a large sandy beach, wilder and quieter than the beaches located further north

Near Ajaccio

• Sacred Land Beach: several small sandy coves with large rocks at the water’s edge. It’s for me the prettiest beaches right next to Ajaccio!
• Capo di Feno Beaches: the beaches of Grand Capo and Petit Capo are beautiful but the currents are very strong. It’s the perfect place if you want to go surfing.

Between Ajaccio and Bonifacio

• Agosta Beach: a long sandy beach with fairly deep water. You can enjoy a wide range of nautical activities there.
• Rupionne Beach: a beautiful white sandy beach with big rocks at the water’s edge. This beach also offers many nautical activities.
• Cupabia Beach: another sandy beach in a remote place between Ajaccio and Propriano.
• Tenutella Beach: a large and completely wild sandy beach!
• Olmeto Beach: very pretty with rocks at the water’s edge.
• Campomoro Bay: a very touristy sandy beach, with several small coves located a bit further.

Around Bonifacio

• Maora Beach: a small ocher sand beach with a snack bar and nautical activities.
• Cara Lunga: several small coves, accessible in 5 minutes on foot from the car park. These coves are quite wild, rather cute and there is a straw hut selling drinks and sandwiches.
• San Antonio Beach: a beautiful beach with large rocks and fine sand in the water. The beach is famous for its large reef shaped like a stranded ship.

Near Porto-Vecchio

• Ballistra Beach: a very large, wild and beautiful white sand beach surrounded by the mountain with a pond just behind.
• San Ciprianu Beach: a long stretch of fine sand and shallow water, which makes it ideal if you want to go there with children.
• Pinarellu Beach: a large stretch of white sand bordered by the pine forest. A small part of the beach is private and equipped with deckchairs and parasols.

Renting a boat in Corsica

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your itinerary in Corsica, you should book it with Samboat.

That’s an amazing way to discover some of the most beautiful beaches of the island!

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental.

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Corsica? 😊

Map of Corsica’s most beautiful beaches

I have created for you a map of Corsica’s best beaches, listing all the best places to swim I have talked about in this article. You can display the map legend by clicking on the top left button, the one with a small arrow on it.

 

And you, are you going to spend a lot of time at the beach during your holidays in Corsica?

You’re traveling to Corsica? These articles will help you !

Discover all my articles about Corsica: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Corsica are listed there.

• The 35 Best Things to do in Corsica – The Ultimate Bucket list!

• Itinerary: 2, 3, 4 or 5 days in Corsica – The perfect itinerary for a short stay in Corsica
• Itinerary: 1 week in Corsica – The best Itinerary to visit Southern Corsica
• Itinerary: 6, 7 or 8 days in Corsica – The definitive guide to visit Northern Corsica in 1 week
• Itinerary: 10 days in Corsica – The best 10 days itinerary in Corsica
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Corsica – How to visit Corsica in 14, 15 or 16 days.

• Road trip in Corsica – The best itineraries for 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 15 days

• Ajaccio: The 20 Best things to do
• Bastia: Top 17 places to visit
• Bonifacio: Top 20 things to do and see
• Calvi: The 15 things you must do!
• Cap Corse: The 15 must-see attractions
• Corte: 20 things to do and see
• Porto: Top 12 things to discover
• Porto-Vecchio: Top 17 things to do and must-see attractions
• Saint-Florent: The 12 best things to do

• Agriates Desert – The definitive guide
• Calanques de Piana – How to visit the Calanques de Piana by boat, by car and on foot
• Lavezzi Islands – Oganize your trip to the Lavezzi island easily!
• Scandola Nature Reserve – All my best tips to visit Scandola

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