The French name Corsica L’Île de Beauté (the Isle of Magnificence) for good purpose: with 20 mountains topping 2000m the Mediterranean island combines dramatic mountain surroundings with lovely seashores, hidden coves, age-old stone villages, and vegetation that ranges from Alpine to dry Mediterranean.
The mountains dominate the island’s western and central areas and type the central bone of the lengthy finger that juts north. Because of this, some seashores within the west are inaccessible by highway or require a 4WD with excessive clearance (your common city SUV is not any good right here!) or a good pair of mountain climbing boots to achieve.
These alongside the a lot flatter east coast are simply accessible and extra appropriate in case you’re touring with youngsters or anybody with mobility points.
We’ve grouped our suggestions in line with the island’s two areas: Haute-Corse (Higher Corsica which encompasses the north and the financial capital Bastia) and Corse-du-Sud (South Corsica which incorporates the executive capital Ajaccio).
There’s a stark distinction in seashore services between the 2 areas – most in Haute-Corse are wild with no facilities in any respect. Come ready: a parasol is obligatory as there isn’t a pure shade and if there may be, chances are high somebody may have discovered it earlier than you! Carry water and test the climate earlier than you set off – if the Mistral wind is blowing it can whip up the waves, significantly alongside the western coast, which might make swimming harmful. Seashores in Corse-du-Sud, nonetheless, supply facilities and a bunch of nautical actions.
No matter which seashore you select, a go to throughout the peak of summer season means you’re unlikely to have it to your self! And bear in mind to carry money – most of the automotive parks and eating places don’t settle for playing cards. With these sensible ideas in thoughts, this is our decide of the most effective seashores in Corsica.
Haute-Corse
1. Ostriconi
This 800m-long, white sandy seashore lies between the Ostriconi river and the ocean. It faces west, which implies on days with sturdy swells it is going to be too harmful to swim. However that is nonetheless the place to be for sensational sunsets that flip the rocks on the northern finish of the seashore purple. On calm days, the vibe could be very totally different – heat, nonetheless water that stays shallow for a good distance out makes the ocean right here a beautiful pure paddling pool for teenagers.
Swimming is supervised in summer season, however carry what you want as there are not any facilities in any respect. Nudist bathers are tolerated on the northern finish the place there are just a few rocks. The seashore is a 5-minute stroll from the free automotive park alongside a sandy path and over a picket bridge – not excellent for pushchairs.
Planning tip: the Sentier des Douaniers (Customs officers’ path) begins right here heading east in the direction of Saint Florent. It’s a two-day hike that may take you by way of Ghignu and Saleccia seashores.
2. Ghignu
Tucked away within the Agriates Desert area, this wild seashore is much much less crowded than the extra common Saleccia seashore additional alongside the coast, however they each share crystal-clear, turquoise waters and white sands. The one methods to achieve it are both by boat or driving an off-road automobile for 13km down a particularly bumpy monitor, making it a fairly well-kept secret. Carry loads of water and a picnic, and admire the 400m stretch of sand from the highest of the dune at its japanese finish.
Planning tip: you may keep in a single day in one of many restored paillers (the place shepherds saved straw) which might sleep 4-6 folks. There isn’t any working water, electrical energy or mattresses however there are communal bogs. In winter you may simply rock up and sleep right here at no cost however it’s on a first-come, first-served foundation. In summer season it’s worthwhile to reserve your spot prematurely.
3. Arone
Set simply south of the Calanques de Piana Unesco World Heritage Web site, Arone is a stunning household pleasant seashore with easy accessibility from the automotive park and a really gently sloping sea-bed, so the water is heat and shallow fairly far out. The maquis-covered foothills of Monte Ravu slip gently into the ocean on the southern finish of the seashore and the low-lying rocks at each ends are good for wannabe explorers of small marine life.
Swimming is supervised in summer season. Three paillotes (seashore huts) supply solar loungers, parasols, showers and informal consuming. If you need a better different, then head to Le Casabianca seafood restaurant perched on low rocks on the western (proper) finish of the seashore. It’s additionally an excellent place to observe the purple and pink columns of the Calanques de Piana glow within the sundown.
Planning tip: Get right here early in case you’re visiting in the summertime or you could discover the free automotive park is full.
4. Calvi (aka La Pinède)
Calvi seashore has an city vibe, significantly throughout the week-long Calvi on the Rocks music pageant held in early July when younger Corsicans and vacationers sway and pose in modern swim-wear on the seashore and within the shallow sea water, typically with a cool glass of one thing in hand, to the sounds of electro-dance music from 3pm till 4am each day.
The remainder of the summer season is a bit of calmer. Paillotes occupy the central part of what is likely one of the longest seashores in Corsica, boasting a few of the softest sand. Add within the light slope to the water and also you get the best seashore for younger kids who can paddle and lick ice cream on the similar time. For older ones prepared to conquer their worry of heights, there’s the Altore journey climb via the pine bushes about halfway alongside the seashore.
Solar loungers and parasols can be found to lease and there are public showers, bogs, and a playground. Swimming is supervised in summer season. Choose one of many many eating places and sip a cocktail while you watch the solar sink behind Calvi citadel to the left of the seashore, then flip your gaze inland and admire Corsica’s highest peak (2706m), Monte Cinto, one of many 5 peaks over 2000m that dominate Calvi Bay.
For those who fancy a change of surroundings, take the little prepare northwards to Ile Rousse to check a few of the different seashores alongside the best way or go diving on the foot of the citadel to see the wreck of a US Air Drive bomber shot down in 1944.
5. Barcaggio
On the northern tip of Corsica on the Cap Corse, you could discover you’re sharing seashore area with a herd of cows. They appear light however don’t attempt to rise up near take an image – it annoys them. They are going to allow you to be in case you depart them alone.
The seashore is accessible on foot from the paying (€2) car parking zone which is about 1km (0.6 miles) away. Or you may attain it by strolling alongside the Sentier des Douaniers that runs alongside the coast (unsuitable for pushchairs and kids below 8) from Macinaggio (2.5 hours) or the seashore at Tamarone (nearly 2 hours). There are one or two paillotes on the seashore and eating places within the close by eponymous village.
Planning tip: Remember that all of the seashores on the Cap Corse are inclined to get invaded by seagrass meadows (Posidonia oceanica) after storms – these are the lungs of the Mediterranean Sea so they won’t look or odor very good, however are very important to the ecosystem. For those who dig into them you’ll discover all types of tiny sea creatures that fish and cows wish to feed on.
Corse-du-Sud
6. Rondinara
An ideal, naturally shaped scallop stuffed with shallow, glass-clear, turquoise water edged by white sand: no marvel this seashore is frequently voted amongst essentially the most lovely in Europe! However its fame is changing into its undoing: from June to September the sand could be very crowded and the various boats that anchor right here churn up the ocean mattress and switch the water cloudy. For those who can’t come out of season attempt coming very early within the morning or late within the afternoon when a few of the previous magic returns.
The one everlasting constructing in sight is a restaurant set again from the seashore amongst the bushes. In the summertime a paillote is about up subsequent to the paying car parking zone (€5/day, money solely). There’s a small nautical middle from which you’ll be able to lease parasols and solar loungers. Wild cows additionally like this seashore, even on the peak of summer season, however don’t get too near them. They’re wild animals and do not respect shut contact.
Planning tip: if the seashore is simply too busy in your liking, head in the direction of the left (southern) finish of the seashore the place you’ll discover a path. A 5-minute stroll via the maquis will carry you to a crescent-shaped seashore the place the sand is a bit rougher and the ocean is not fairly as calm however there are fewer folks.
7. Palombaggia
High-quality white sand, pink and gray granite rocks, umbrella pines (however too far again from the seashore to supply a lot shade) and all this simply 12km (7.4 miles) south of Porto Vecchio. The 1.5km (1 mile) lengthy however very slim seashore is straightforward to entry by automotive (parking is free) but in addition in the summertime by shuttle bus from Porto Vecchio. The simple entry means the seashore is extraordinarily common in the summertime however that’s additionally as a result of swimming is supervised. The ocean is mostly calm and the slope into the water is light, making it excellent for folks with accessibility points and kids. The tongue of flat pink rocks on the northeastern (left) finish makes a really perfect pure armchair by which to sit down together with your toes within the water and watch the snorkellers.
Unusually for a Corsican seashore, there are public bogs. You’ll be able to lease parasols and solar loungers from the seashore eating places and paillotes. There’s a diving membership, a crusing membership and a nautical membership.
8. Santa Giulia
The south-facing seashore, a simple 8km (5-mile) drive south from Porto Vecchio, is alongside a slim strip of land with the ocean to the east and a shallow lagoon to the west. It’s properly shielded from winds and the water is shallow fairly far out – arrive early as younger households will rapidly crowd it on the peak of summer season.
There’ll be fewer folks amongst the large, spherical, gray pebbles that emerge from the ocean in the direction of the left of the seashore. These are pretty to snorkel via however the sea mattress here’s a bit pebbly so that you may wish to put on some water footwear. From right here you can even smile on the antics of novice paddle-boarders and kayakers, and watch sailors hone their abilities aboard small dinghies or catamarans.
Parasols and solar loungers might be rented from one of many eating places and paillotes, additionally open within the evenings. Swimming is supervised in the summertime. Money solely on the automotive park.
Planning tip: For those who go to within the winter you may even see a flock of pink flamingos within the lagoon.
9. Piantarella, Petit Spérone, Grand Spérone
For those who’re into kite-surfing or wind-surfing, the northern finish of Piantarella is the place to be. The seashore is slim and tends to get overcrowded, so stroll south previous the Roman ruins and alongside a 250m (820ft) path via vegetation. It’ll carry you to the Petit Spérone seashore which, along with neighboring Grand Spérone seashore, boasts a few of the whitest sands in Corsica.
If there are nonetheless too many individuals right here, head south and climb the steps minimize into the rocks to achieve the highest of the corniche. Then flip west alongside a shady path via the golf course and 500m (1640ft) additional alongside you’ll attain Grand Spérone seashore which is much much less crowded even in the course of summer season. There are not any facilities at both of the Spérone seashores.
Planning tip: You’ll be dealing with due south with views of the Lavezzi islands – when the climate is obvious you’ll be capable of spot Sardinia.
10. Capo Di Feno
One other seashore for large surf lovers! There are literally two seashores right here separated by a discipline – Grand Capo is large enough to by no means appear crowded, and Petit Capo (aka Sevani) to the south is smaller and attracts fewer folks. You’ll get shaken and stirred on the paved highway to Grand Capo which forks close to the coast. Each the filth monitor on the left and the paved highway to the proper result in the seashore however there’s extra (free) parking on the finish of the filth monitor. To achieve Petit Capo simply stroll to the southern (left) finish of Grand Capo and cross the sector or splash via the rocks.
Swimming from both seashore is harmful when the surf is up. A lifeguard is on obligation in July and August so keep watch over the flag and don’t go into the water if the yellow or purple one is hoisted. Parasols and solar loungers can be found from paillotes.
At day’s finish head over to the Grand Capo restaurant, Casa Nostra the place you may sit together with your toes within the sand, a cocktail in hand and feast your eyes on the altering colours of the sky because the solar units and the final of the surfers trip the waves. On some summer season evenings, there’s reside music right here too. Carry money because the restaurant doesn’t settle for playing cards.
Planning tip: For those who stroll to Petit Capo you’ll should go previous the nudist part on the far left of Grand Capo. For those who’d choose to not, you will have to drive again up the D111B till you attain a turnoff pointing to Plage de Sevani. Drive via the housing improvement to achieve the automotive park by the seashore.
