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A relatively undiscovered jewel of the Mediterranean, Corsica has some stunning nature, including more than 1,000 kilometers of coastline. Nearly half of the island, including some of that coastline, is within a protected natural park. This makes for some beautiful beaches, many of which are deservedly popular. But our top 10 beaches in Corsica are those that are more off the beaten track.
That said, if you like a trendy beach, we get that too. And in that case, Saint-Cyprien might be right your speed.
While most of island’s most popular sandy beaches are in the south, even there, you can find some of our top 10 beaches in Corsica—that is, the ones that feel more special and secret. In the west, rugged nature and isolated beaches reign supreme, with many of the best swaths of sand reachable only by boat or a hike. The north is another wild paradise for those who seek relaxation away from the crowds.
Top Beaches in Corsica’s South
The South is Corsica’s tourism center, and truth be told, some of the most famous beaches can feel a little too busy. But if you know where to look, you can find some peaceful spots.
La Chiesa Beach, Lavezzi Islands
Reached by boat from Bonifacio, La Chiesa beach on Lavezzi Island has zero development on it—it’s even bring-your-own-trash bag. It’s a heavily protected island with excellent bird and marine life, soft white sand, and perfectly clear turquoise waters.
San Giovianni Beach
It can be difficult to find San Giovianni Beach, in the Gulf of Figari, as there are a lot of trees beside the road, which can obscure the entrance. But that keeps the crowds away, and the beach tends to be quiet and wild. It’s bordered by large rocks and a Genoese tower. There are several coves with fine sand, and a good seabed for spotting fish while snorkeling.
Fazziò Beach
You didn’t expect the best, most isolated beaches to be easy to reach, did you? Getting to Fazziò requires walking for about an hour along the Strada Vecia path. The terrain is scrubby with lots of wildlife and some lovely viewpoints. The beach itself is in a cove with steep hills all around it, leading some to compare it to a fjord.
Top Beaches in Corsica’s West
The coast of the Scandola natural reserve is a UNESCO protected site, and parts of the west coast are reachable only by boat. This makes for some spectacular, less-visited beaches.
Portigliolo Beach
Outside of high season, there’s a good chance you could have
a stretch of Portigliolo Beach almost all to yourself. Its sand stretches more
than two kilometers in a preserved environment. It’s at the mouth of the
Rizzanese stream, and it has several ponds around it. The few entrances are not
easy to find.
Isolella West Cove
Peace and quiet are the calling cards for the western point of Isolella. The cove’s beaches, including Plage Ste Barbe, Plage Stagnole, and Anse Medea, has a combination of sand and pebbles, and limited parking. If those aren’t turnoffs for you, it is a fine place to relax by the sea.
Capo di Feno
The Ajaccio region in general offers a great combination of
scenic walking trails and long stretches of gorgeous white beaches. Capo di
Feno, near the Gulf of Ajaccio, is actually two beaches. The larger one is known
to be a prime surfing spot in Corse-du-Sud. But the smaller one on the other
side of a field, Petit Capo, is little known and can feel very private.
Top Beaches in Corsica’s North
Since most of Corsica’s tourism activity takes place in the south, the northern coast of the island generally tends to be a good place for nature lovers and those who simply want to relax in a beautiful place. Many of the beaches have a wild and unspoiled feeling.
Lotu Beach
The best way to reach Lotu Beach is by ferry from
Saint-Florent, a lovely journey of about 30 minutes. It has white sand and
crystal-clear turquoise waters, and not much else. There’s no tourist
infrastructure, and the one small bar is located a five-minute walk away, along
a seaside path.
Nonza Beach
Completely unlike any of the other top beaches in Corsica,
Nonza Beach is made up of dark gray pebbles. The curious color is the result of
the beach’s proximity to an old asbestos extraction plant. They say safety
checks have been carried out and the beach doesn’t pose a danger. That said,
the dark color isn’t ideal for a day of sunbathing. Rather, you come here to
see it, and maybe to add to the collection of artworks that visitors have made
by placing white rocks among the black ones.
Lozari de Belgodère Beach
One of the longest sandy beaches in Balagne, Lozari de Belgodère Beach stretches about a kilometer and a half. Although none of it is empty and secret, the tourist activity tends to center on the northern part, which has many nautical activities centers. But the south is more rugged and wild.
Ficajola Beach
The most easily accessible of the beaches in Corsica’s
gorgeous Calanques de Piana, Ficajola is reached via a ten-minute walk from the
car park. The beach itself is small and made of pebbles. There are also tours
available from Porto that allow you to discover Ficajola Beach and the others
of the region from the sea.
Where to stay while exploring the top 10 beaches in Corsica?
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