One of the jewels in Corsica’s crown of beaches is Palombaggia. With turquoise waters, orange-colored rocky outcrops and fine, white sand, it’s an Instagramer’s dream.
If you’re thinking of taking a flight to Corsica, Palombaggia should certainly be on your list. Here’s a guide to planning your Palombaggia plage visit.
Where is Palombaggia?
Palombaggia Beach is at the southern tip of the French island of Corsica near to the town of Porto Vecchio.
It’s around a 20-minute drive from the town and 40 minutes from the nature reserve of Bonifacio on the island’s southern tip.
It’s easily accessible by car with its nearest airport being Figari airport 21 km away and around three hours’ drive from Ajaccio where there’s also an airport and ferry port.
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The Palombaggia Area
Palombaggia is actually three beaches that stretch a length of around 2 kilometers, but the name is often used to refer to the entire peninsula near to the village of Palombaggia.
The beaches include the famous Tamaricciu which lies to the southwest of the peninsula.
How To Get To The Beaches
The beaches at Palombaggia are easy to get to by a variety of transport options:
- By car
- By taxi
- By bus
- On foot
By car
The easiest way to get to the beaches in the Palombaggia peninsular area is by car. There is so much to see in the area that you’ll be able to stop along the way wherever takes your fancy.
By taxi
If you don’t want to hire a car, a taxi from Porto Vecchio will get you to the beaches at Palombaggia in around 20 minutes.
By bus
During the summer months from July 1 to August 31, there are tourist buses that travel through the Palombaggia area stopping at the beaches and campsites. You can find more information on the buses on the Corsica Bus website.
On foot
If you are staying in the Palombaggia resort area, the beaches are easily accessible on foot.
Most accommodation is within a 10- to 30-minute walk from the beach. Near the beach, however, there are few buildings apart from a few eateries.
When to Visit Palombaggia
Palombaggia is a stunning, natural beauty of a beach and is one of the most famous in Europe. So, unfortunately, you can expect to find the tourist crowd here in the summer.
In the middle of the day, you probably won’t feel the tranquil beachy escape vibe going on.
There are vendors selling things and children playing here, so if this isn’t what you want from your visit to Palombaggia, try visiting at a different time.
If you want a peaceful and relaxing trip to Palombaggia Beach, the best times to visit in the summer months are in the early morning or the evening when the crowds haven’t quite built up.
Also, when the sun is lower in the sky, the light picks up the beautiful pink and orange shades from the granite rocks which is simply magnificent to see.
Things to Do at Palombaggia Beach
Palombaggia Beach is an idyllic beachy paradise of a place.
The sands are a bright white or light golden color depending on the way the light catches. It’s an ideal place to sit back, relax and soak up the sun.
However, if you’re wanting something to do, you can also find a few activities here, including:
Swimming
Many visitors flock to Palombaggia for its calm waters, making it the perfect place to have a dip (or a float!) in the warm sea.
There are lifeguards in the summer months and the water is crystal clear and usually at a temperature of between 22 and 24°C.
The sand slopes down gently meaning it’s great for children who will enjoy sitting and paddling in the water. There are also rocky areas to explore for older children and adults alike.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is a popular choice at Palombaggia thanks to its rocky outcrops and interesting coastline.
There are colorful fish to spot near the rocks. You can buy or bring your own snorkel or hire one easily too.
Watersports
For the more adventurous, various watersports are on offer at Palombaggia beach.
You can hire a kayak, pedal boat or windsurf from the beach and try your hand at something new! Scuba diving here is a great choice too.
Photography
The scenery at Palombaggia makes for beautiful photos.
Whether you’re an influencer or Instagrammer or just want a few pretty shots of your family playing in the sea, Palombaggia is a photographer’s dream.
Try taking photos at different times of the day to capture its beauty in different lights.
Explore the Creek
The creek between Palombaggia and Tamaricciu is a great place to explore.
With smooth white rocks and pine trees, you’ll have amazing views wherever you look.
This is more a part of the Tamaricciu beach, but it’s so close that it’s worth an explore from Palombaggia.
Boat Trips
Nearby Porto Vecchio offers a range of boat trips around the area and across into the waters off Sardinia.
You can enjoy an Escape Excursion to Sardina with drinks on board or visit the Islands of Cerbicale and Lavezzi on a day trip.
Where to Eat
Palombaggia has several restaurants and cafés near the beachfront.
The seating areas are often full on busy days, so get there early to avoid being disappointed. Most of the eateries serve light meals, seafood and salads.
Some also have pizza! Word of warning, however, the prices can be a little high, but this is to be expected at popular places.
Where to Park
If you’ve arrived by car, Palombaggia Beach has places you can park in for free. The parking lot is near to the northeast edge of the beach.
The parking lot isn’t the best and can be a little bumpy and confusing to navigate, but once you’re parked, you’re free to enjoy Palombaggia beach for as long as you like.
However, as you might expect, unless you arrive early, this parking lot will get full very quickly in the summer months. Having said that, it’s next to such a beautiful part of the beach that it’s perfect if you do manage to get a spot.
There are other parking lots along the beach, but these are paying lots as most of the parking areas belong to the beach’s restaurants.
Often, you pay a charge to park for the whole day rather than by the hour, which is useful.
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Final Thoughts on Palombaggia Beach, Corsica
If you’re looking for an island paradise on Corsica with kooky rocks to explore, crystal-clear waters and exquisite white sand, Palombaggia ticks all the boxes.
So, get your flights booked, and travel insurance sorted and pack your bathing suit!
