Perfectly crystal clear water made for snorkelling, soft white sand to feel glide between your toes and upon which you can comfortably lie out for hours, lush green surroundings and dramatic and pretty pink rockery framing everything idyllically: the charming beach of Palombaggia is an unbelievable looker and a quasi-tropical gem on Corsica. An utterly picturesque bay that boasts immense natural beauty, this is an ideal place to spend a day at the beach while on vacation in Corsica.
The Plage de Palombaggia is located just southeast of the quaint town of Porto-Vecchio and is the most famous beach in Corsica. In fact, Palombaggia was actually voted as the best beach in all of France by the real travellers and users of the rating website TripAdvisor back in 2019. Not only is it a stunning stretch of the coast, boasting a perfect 1.5km strand of extra fine white sand and glittering turquoise waters, it was also the first tobacco-free beach in Corsica, which helps ensure that its natural beauty remains preserved and untouched. In addition, the area of the beach at Casa di Lume has been specially equipped for the use of those with disabilities and has a monitoring station that is manned during the summer months, which allows for greater access for all to this gem than offered at most other beaches across the world.
Separated into different sections by the characteristic pink rocks along the bay, Palombaggia has, in addition to the area equipped for the use of disabled visitors, a large central section for free use by the general public and private sections to the north with additional services, huts, loungers, various water activities, and more. Meaning that, depending on what you are looking for in a day at the beach or your needs or whether you want to pay for services or not, there is a suitable section along this long beach for you.
As the beach has become incredibly popular in recent years the crowds that descend upon it during the summer months can become quite large. If you want to avoid this you can simply visit in the morning before the vast majority of visitors turn up. If you have found a villa in Corsica and are visiting the island off-season, however, you should have little problem with this and should not encounter large crowds when visiting Palombaggia.
When you are coming, however, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Firstly, the lovely pines that frame the beach produce sharp spines that fall to the sand at the edge of the beach and can be quite painful to stand on. Be sure to keep your sandals or shoes on until you have cleared this area to avoid an unpleasant poke in the foot. Parking can also be an issue. Again, if you are visiting the beach during the high season, your best chance is to visit early in order to get a good space. You will then need to walk for around ten to fifteen minutes to get to the beach. Resist the urge to just abandon your car somewhere alongside the road as you most likely will be fined if you do this. As the beach is just 8km from Porto-Vecchio, plenty of people choose to walk or cycle out to it and it is worth the effort if you're up for it as it completely removes the parking issue. It is also worth noting that there are a few bars and restaurants along Palombaggia so you can choose to bring snacks and drinks but there is the option of getting hot food on-site or enjoying a freshly-made cocktail while taking in those beautiful views before you.
So, if you are have found a villa in Corsica and are planning days at the beach then be sure to pencil in a visit to the most beloved example on the island and in France.
Separated into different sections by the characteristic pink rocks along the bay, Palombaggia has, in addition to the area equipped for the use of disabled visitors, a large central section for free use by the general public and private sections to the north with additional services, huts, loungers, various water activities, and more. Meaning that, depending on what you are looking for in a day at the beach or your needs or whether you want to pay for services or not, there is a suitable section along this long beach for you.
As the beach has become incredibly popular in recent years the crowds that descend upon it during the summer months can become quite large. If you want to avoid this you can simply visit in the morning before the vast majority of visitors turn up. If you have found a villa in Corsica and are visiting the island off-season, however, you should have little problem with this and should not encounter large crowds when visiting Palombaggia.
When you are coming, however, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Firstly, the lovely pines that frame the beach produce sharp spines that fall to the sand at the edge of the beach and can be quite painful to stand on. Be sure to keep your sandals or shoes on until you have cleared this area to avoid an unpleasant poke in the foot. Parking can also be an issue. Again, if you are visiting the beach during the high season, your best chance is to visit early in order to get a good space. You will then need to walk for around ten to fifteen minutes to get to the beach. Resist the urge to just abandon your car somewhere alongside the road as you most likely will be fined if you do this. As the beach is just 8km from Porto-Vecchio, plenty of people choose to walk or cycle out to it and it is worth the effort if you're up for it as it completely removes the parking issue. It is also worth noting that there are a few bars and restaurants along Palombaggia so you can choose to bring snacks and drinks but there is the option of getting hot food on-site or enjoying a freshly-made cocktail while taking in those beautiful views before you.
So, if you are have found a villa in Corsica and are planning days at the beach then be sure to pencil in a visit to the most beloved example on the island and in France.
Photo credit: Donarreiskoffer / CC BY-SA 4.0