3 days ago
The 10 best beaches in Corsica
You're never far from the sea in Corsica, and from some of the remotest parts of the mountains, both of the island's coasts are visible. It would be impossible to count every beach; official data puts it at around 1,000, but with all the unnamed little inlets that figure is likely to be a gross underestimate. Surfers, scuba divers and kayakers have a plethora of choices, and many beaches require a hike to access. There's the easy-to-access, fly-and-flop kind too, though, and the types of sand are as varied as pâtisserie leftovers, the fine, almost white sand like icing sugar, golden and crumb-like, and smooth pebbles like sugared almonds.
All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best beaches in Corsica. Find out more below or for further inspiration, see our guides to the best hotels, restaurants and things to do.
North
Ostriconi
Flanked by hills, Ostriconi sits on the westernmost edge of the Desert des Agriates, making it easier to reach than the more remote beaches (like Lotu and Saleccia below). Paradoxically, this relative ease of access has been its saviour, and Ostriconi has escaped the hype associated with cover-girl Lotu. A half a mile (800m) of sand so fine it could have been sieved awaits you, encircled by dunes. There's lifeguards in summer, and dogs are welcome year-round, kept on the lead. The varying depths of the sea give the water a marbled effect.
Getting there: Drive nine miles (15km) east from Île Rousse to park at Camping de l'Ostriconi, and walk for 15 minutes.
Lotu
Lotu is both one of the most stunning, and most famous, spots in Corsica. Its beauty has almost become its undoing. What was once a remote paradise now sees a lot of footfall in peak season, even though it can only be reached by boat or 4x4. Book the two beach package, which arrives at Saleccia Beach, equally beautiful and slightly larger than Lotu, and walk the 45-minute inland trail or 90-minute coastal trail to reach Lotu (the coastal trail is the prettier of the two).
Getting there: Water taxis take 15 minutes, leaving from Saint-Florent; 4x4s take an hour. Book onto the first sailing of the day (8.30am) for fewer crowds.
East
Santa Giulia
Lagoon or sea, it's your choice at Santa Giulia, where only a narrow spit of sand divides the two. It's difficult to tear yourself away from the powdery sand and translucent water, but hiking up to the ruined hamlet of Ghjuncaghjola is thoroughly worth it to admire the difference between turquoise sea and sapphire lagoon from above. There's plenty of watersports to keep all the family entertained, including waterskiing and flyboarding for the thrill-seekers, or SUP for the explorers who want to potter in and out of the numerous caves peppered along the coast.
Getting there: Drive five miles (eight km) south from Porto-Vecchio, there's free and paid parking in Santa Giulia town.
South
Palombaggia
In the Sixties and Seventies, Palombaggia was a hippie heaven. Up until that point, people had avoided the cream-coloured sands strewn with smooth boulders. After the arrival of the hippies, and later, electricity and water, word started to get out. It's one of the prettiest beaches on the island, and it can get busy, but don't let that put you off. It's the closest you'll get to a tropical island beach in Europe.
Getting there: Drive seven miles (11km) south of Palombaggia. Have lunch at one of the beach restaurants (Palm Beach is particularly good) to use their customer parking.
Roccapina
To enjoy Corsica's best beaches without the crowds, you have to work for it. Roccapina isn't easy to access, roughly a 40-minute hike each way, but that means it's reliably quiet, even on the sunniest days. There's also uninterrupted views over the Genoan tower and the Lion of Roccapina, a curious rock formation on the headland. With a 4x4 you can get within 200m of the beach, but although it's not a short walk, it's not particularly difficult, so go on foot if possible.
Getting there: Park as close as you can to l'Auberge Coralli, the starting point for the trail down to Roccapina.
West
Girolata
Girolata isn't the prettiest beach, but that doesn't stop it from being incredibly captivating. That's partly due to how remote it is: only accessible on foot (via a two-hour undulating hiking trail) or by boat. Cows outnumber people here, and along the shore are a handful of pirate-esque beach bars that back onto palm-fronded rivers. If you're not afraid of roughing it a little, stay at one of the handful of gîtes on-site, and when you wake up in the morning the only other beachgoers will be bovine.
Getting there: Hike for two hours from Porto, book onto a Scandola Nature Reserve boat trip, or hire a motorboat (no permit required) from Porto.
Arone
This beach seems to mark the frontier between civilisation and the wild. If you're heading north from Ajaccio, it will look as though you've arrived in Corsica's Wild West; the rust-coloured rocks look as though they've been scored by a scalpel, and the sand (cut through the middle by a shallow river) has an orange tint. Behind the crescent moon of soft, groomed sand are gentle hills and a smattering of buildings, including some restaurants. There's one narrow road going to and from the beach, in the heart of the Calanques of Piana.
Getting there: Drive to Piana, from where it's a further seven miles (12km) heading southwest.
Cala d'Avena
This crescent of sand is a popular spot for families as it's easy to access by road. Sometimes called Cala d'Avena, and sometimes Plage de Tizzano after the fishing village next door, it's a safe spot for swimming with several restaurants and shops nearby. Ease of access hasn't spoilt it however, as it's far enough away from major towns that it still feels exclusive. West-facing, with plenty of rocks to climb for the best vantage point, the sunset views are spectacular.
Getting there: Drive to Tizzano (parking in town).
Capo di Feno
If you're one of the rare visitors who brave Corsica in the winter, the chances are you're a surfer. Lack of tides doesn't mean a lack of break, and keen surfers head to Capo di Feno, where an exposed reef break makes for consistent surf year-round, although it's best in autumn or winter. The beach is long and formed of soft, white sand, and there are absolutely zero facilities.
Getting there: Drive 8 miles (13km) west from Ajaccio.
Cap Corse
Nonza
Nonza's beach is famous for its art made from stones, and it's perhaps the only Corsican beach that's better admired from above than street level. Artists and tourists alike create mosaics and sign their names in the stone, best viewed from the village of Nonza on the headland. One of the most historic places on the island, Nonza is thought to have been inhabited since the 2nd century BC. As it's not a sandy beach, few people sunbathe here, meaning you'll see a lot of walkers with their dogs. There are no facilities on the beach.
Getting there: Walk for 15 minutes down a steep footpath from the village of Nonza.
Tamarone
The first beach that hikers arrive at when tackling the Sentier des Douaniers (12 miles/19km Custom's Trail) around the northern part of Cap Corse, Tamarone stays quiet even in the height of summer. The sand is latte-coloured and soft, framed by the wild, tangled foliage and granite rocks that are characteristic of the Cap. One reason to make the trek is the excellent beach bar-restaurant, U Paradisu, where diners sit with their feet in the sand shaded by sails hung between beams. There's often a lot of seaweed, a little off putting for swimmers.
Getting there: With a sturdy car, it's a 10-minute drive from Macinaggio, or half an hour on foot.
How we choose
Every beach in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We consider a range of needs and styles, from lively bar-lined beachfronts to quiet coves – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest developments and provide up to date recommendations.
About our expert
Anna Richards is The Telegraph's Corsica expert. She christened her move to France in 2021 by hiking the island's legendary GR20, and since then Corsica has drawn her back each year. She lives in Lyon.
