Located on the northwest coast of Corsica, Ile-Rousse (Isola Rossa) is a welcoming and relaxed seaside town .
Sheltered by the hills of the Balagne, it is an ideal place to explore the region.
Here is our guide to help you plan your trip:
- Best things to do in Ile-Rousse,
- map and practical advice,
- excursions,
- where to sleep, where to eat…
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices and paying all our bills in full.
Best things to do in Ile-Rousse in Corsica? Introduction
Is Ile-Rousse a good choice of destination in Corsica?
Absolutely.
Île-Rousse has many advantages:
- It is a charming city with all the infrastructures
- It is easy to walk around
- There is a beach in the city
- The city gives easy access to the whole Balagne region with its villages and beaches: many beautiful places to visit in less than 2 hours(see our guide on what to do in Balagne)
Top 5 – Best things to do in Ile Rousse Corsica
If you don’t want to read the full article (and see all the pictures), here are my top 5 things to do in Ile-Rousse and in the region:
- Walk to the island and the lighthouse
- Enjoy the charm and atmosphere of the downtown area and its market
- Visit the villages of the Balagne
- Enjoy the white sand and the beach of Bodri
- Take the coastal train to the citadel of Calvi
Ile-Rousse, Calvi and Balagne are one of the best destinations in Corsica.
If you are doing a road trip around Corsica(see our tips), we think your itinerary should include at least 2 nights in the region.
Video – Visit Ile-Rousse
Below is a short video of the walk from downtown L’Ile-Rousse to the lighthouse and back. You will see how beautiful and peaceful the place is:
Is Ile-Rousse an island? Why is it called Ile Rousse?
The city Ile-Rousse is not located on an island.
The city takes its name from the small island of Pietra where the rocks turn red at sunset.
Its original name was Isola Rossa, since Italian was the administrative language at the time. This is due to the ochre color of the islands that create a natural harbor.
One of the most beautiful cities in Corsica!
More pictures after the practical advice
Visit Île-Rousse – Map of the city
Ile-Rousse is very easy to visit. You can get a map of the center at the tourist office.
You can easily walk everywhere and the streets are in good condition, so all types of shoes will do.
All our practical advice at the end of the article:
- how much time to allow,
- examples of itineraries,
- where to eat
- where to sleep
- how to get around…
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Corsica
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
1 to 5 – Explore the center of Isola Rossa
Île-Rousse is really very different from the other cities of Corsica.
It was founded by the most famous leader of the Corsican people Pasquale Paoli in 1758 (although the place has been inhabited since antiquity). He wanted a port that was not controlled by the Genoese.
Therefore, the atmosphere is not the same. The roads are straight and the architecture is mostly from the late 18th to early 19th century.
1. Enjoy the main square
The town is organized around a main square where you will find a large parking lot.
It is the Place Pascal Paoli.
In the background is the Church of the Immaculate Conception. As you can see, the palm trees in front are very high. Apparently, they date from 1890.
In the middle of the square is the bust of the founder of the city, Pascal Paoli.
2. Church of the Immaculate Conception
The church of the Immaculate Conception dominates the Place Paoli.
It is surrounded by palm trees.
It was inaugurated in 1893, but had to be rebuilt after a fire in 1914.
Inside, enjoy the stained glass windows and the 17th century paintings.
3. Pedestrian streets, covered market, Scalo tower
One of the main monuments you will notice is the Covered Market where the market has installed stalls. It looks like a Greek temple. It was built in the middle of the 19th century.
It’s a relaxed beach town: not too small and not too big. Its streets are lined with restaurants and stores. It is very pleasant to walk towards the sea like this.
At the seaside walking towards the island, you will notice a first big round tower. It is the Tour de Scalo (or Scalu in Corsican).
It was built in the mid-16th century and restored in 2012. The Fabiani’s wanted a tower to protect their warehouse and stores (installed here before the city was built by Paoli).
Paoli kept it to protect the city. And then the French used it to store gunpowder. And in 1778, thunder struck it and part of the neighborhood was destroyed!
4 – Walk along the Marinella Promenade
For an easy walk, enjoy the Marinella Walk.
It stretches along the sea, right next to the Place Paoli.
This coastal path runs along the city and the beaches.
The views are magnificent in both directions.
5. Statue of the Mermaid
Walking along the water towards the islands, don’t miss the statue of the Mermaid of L’Île-Rousse at Scalu.
It was made in Bronze by Gabriel Diana. It has been sitting there since 2016 near the Orleans Pier.
WHERE TO STAY IN L’île Rousse
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Option 1: near the beach
Hotel Saletta Mare, aparthotel with a superb swimming pool – see photos and availability
Option 2: in the old town center
Hotel Rocabella in the heart of the city, with a soothing natural setting – see photos and availability
Option 3: in the countryside
Hotel Casa Paradisu and its magnificent garden – see photos and availability
See all our reviews in our article on the best hotels in Ile Rousse
6. Lighthouse and islands of La Pietra (red islands) – not to be missed
The main thing to do in Ile-Rousse is to enjoy the island walk to the top of the lighthouse. The process is quite simple, you don’t need a map!
The walk starts flat before climbing to the tower and the lighthouse.
A tourist train makes the same journey in summer for those who do not feel like walking.
But we strongly recommend that you walk back down to enjoy the beautiful views along the way.
Along the way you will discover:
- beautiful orange-red rocks
- a Genoese tower: the Pietra Tower built in the 16th century
- the lighthouse of the Pietra and dates from the 19th century.
The walk is best before sunset or just after sunrise when the rocks of the island are more colorful. Allow 39 minutes walking in each direction.
See all the details of our experience walking to the lighthouse of the Pietra.
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Corsica
All the information you need for your trip:
- 7 maps that make planning easier
- 130+ pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- + 220 photos to help you choose
7 à 11. The beaches of Ile-Rousse (and around)
Île-Rousse has beautiful beaches in town and all around.
You will even find the beaches with the finest sand in Corsica.
Here is an introduction, to know more, read our article about the beaches near L’Île-Rousse.
7. To have fun or to relax at the beach of Ile-Rousse
Île-Rousse has its own fine sandy beach in town. Right next to the Pascal Paoli square. You can really do everything on foot!
This beach is convenient with crystal clear water.
But you also have superb beaches of wild white sand near L’Ile-Rousse. We’ll show them to you later in this article.
It’s a nice place to relax with restaurants on the waterfront and views of the mountains on the other side. Be careful when crossing the railroad tracks.
8. Small beaches and water sports
There is also a small beach here. When we walked along it, it was covered with Posidonia algae but this is not always the case. Impossible to know in advance the very important leaves to regenerate the beaches).
You will find water sports equipment: paddle, kayak…
9. Bodri Beach
Only 10 minutes by car from Ile Rousse is the beach of Bodri.
Fine white sand, green hills and turquoise water. A very beautiful beach!
There is a large parking lot (paying in summer). And then you have to walk 5 to 10 minutes to reach the beach (on the other side of the railroad).
Read more about it.
10. Beach of Ghjunchitu
Moreover, from Bodri, there is a beautiful 10-minute walk between Bodri and its neighboring beach Ghjunchitu. I really recommend the walk through the Mediterranean scrub with the sand.
It is one of the beaches with the finest sand in Corsica. To know more about the most beautiful beaches of Corsica, consult our article here.
11. Beach of Lozari
Lozari is one of the largest sandy beaches of the Balagne.
It extends for 1.5 km with white sand. But it is not as fine as on the Bodri beach side.
It is a great place to relax between the river and the beach.
You are really surrounded by nature with the hills and the water.
Lozari is also the starting point for 2 walks along the coast to a tower or inland along the river.
What a great day to spend!
No supervised, 15min from L’Île-Rousse.
Read more about it.
And more…
Here are some beaches south of Ile-Rousse:
- Beach of Aregno
- Beach of Cala di Furnellu
- Beach of the Davia Navy
- Punta di Spanu
And others in the North:
- Beach of Ostriconi
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12 to 15 – What to do around L’Île-Rousse, in Balagne
12. Visit the villages of Balagne
The Balagne region is also known for its charming villages in the hills with their typical Corsican houses and their unobstructed views between sea and mountains.
Near Calvi, discover:
- Lumio completely in front of the sea (15min from Calvi) and the abandoned village of Occi just above.
- Pigna and its blue shutters (35min drive from Calvi)
- Sant’Antonino, one of the oldest villages in Corsica (30min drive from Calvi)
- Speloncato and its houses surrounded by rock (50min drive from Calvi)
- Learn more about the villages of the Balagne.
If you don’t have a car, there are organized tours that take you to the most famous villages – see the availability of organized tours.
13. Beach train: U Trinichellu
If you don’t have a car (and even if you do), consider taking the U Trinichellu train.
This tourist train runs during the summer from Ile-Rousse to Calvi and back, stopping several times along the way near the beaches.
It stays along the coast the whole time offering splendid views to the travelers!
It takes 50 minutes to go one way, and it often passes every hour in the summer.
14. Explore Calvi and its citadel
And at the end of the train line, or just 30 minutes away by car, you can explore Calvi and its famous citadel.
It is one of the best Genoese citadels in Corsica. And the views from the beach are superb.
Learn more in our article on what to do in Calvi.
15. Park of Saleccia
Spend a relaxing moment surrounded by nature.
The Parc de Saleccia is a magnificent garden with Corsican flora: maquis, pines, myrtles and fig trees, and several types of olive trees. It’s a very relaxing walk.
Latest news on the official website.
THE BEST OF THE Balagne
Discover our articles on the region:
Discover our articles about L’Île-Rousse:
Discover our articles on Calvi:
16 to 18 – Excursions from Île-Rousse (one day)
16. The desert of Agriates and Saint-Florent
From Île-Rousse, you are not far from the magnificent Agriates desert.
You can do organized tours in 4×4 to discover its wild nature, its scrubland (it is not really a desert) and its dream beaches such as Saleccia.
Know more about the Agriates desert.
From L’Île-Rousse:
- 1 hour drive to Saint-Florent then boat to Lotu beach or Saleccia beach
- Tour in 4×4 directly from L’Île-Rousse – See the availability of this tour
17. Bastia
Bastia is 2 hours drive from Calvi.
Main city of the north of Corsica, it goes back to the Roman time when it was called Cardo.
Its historic center overlooks the old port with a fortified citadel.
It is very pleasant to walk through the old streets and around the marina.
The atmosphere is lively.
Not to be missed:
- Discover the citadel district with the surrounding walls on a promontory
- Enter the religious buildings: Oratory of Saint Roch from the 17th century, church of Saint John the Baptist
- Visit the Museum of Bastia in the Governor’s Palace – dedicated to the history and heritage of Corsica
18. The calanques de Piana and Scandola
This trip requires a lot of driving, but it is well worth it!
With the calanques de Piana, the Scandola nature reserve is a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is protected and access is limited. The cliffs and their geological formations are unique. The boat tours allow you to get up close and personal. Read more
From L’Île-Rousse:
- Take the road to Porto Ota (2h15) and take one of the boat tours – book
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Corsica
Inspiration destinations
Best of
- The most beautiful beaches of Corsica
- The most beautiful villages of Corsica
- The most beautiful cities of Corsica
- The most beautiful destinations in Corsica
- The museums of Corsica
- Hidden gems in Corsica
- The most beautiful natural pools
- What to do in North Corsica
- Best things to do in South Corsica
- Canyoning in Corsica
Where to stay
19 to 21… – Activities in L’Île-Rousse
19. Passing your baptism of diving
If you are a beginner, Calvi is a wonderful place to start diving. Between the rich ocean floor and the views of the mountains as you emerge from the water, the experience is unforgettable.
See availability
And for the more experienced, know that there is the wreck of an American B17 bomber at 28m depth in the bay, not far from the citadel of Calvi.
20. Kayaking
If diving is too big a step for you, why not go out in a kayak.
It is for example possible from the beach of Lozari at 15min north of Ile-Rousse.
Read more about it.
21… Canyoning, Via Ferrata, Rafting
If you are in the mood for a little more excitement, you can go up into the mountains and enjoy the many outdoor activities.
Here are some options that require only 1 hour drive from Calvi:
- Canyoning in beautiful valleys, including the Fango valley – see programs and availability
- Via Ferrata to cling to the mountain walls with breathtaking views. There are different courses depending on your level (including juniors) – see programs and availability
- Rafting with 2 levels of intensity depending on your adrenaline search (family or X-tra) – see programs and availability
Hiking around L’Île-Rousse
All around Ile-Rousse you can find hikes of different styles: around the villages of the Balagne, in the forest of Bonifatu or on the slopes of Monte Cinto.
We recommend:
- The loop of the villages of Balagne: Corbara, Pigna and Sant Antonino – 5h30 round trip
- Candia loop in the forest of Bonifatu – 2h
- Seaside between Algajola and Punta di Spanu – 4h30 (or a section)
- Desert of Agriates from the beach of Ostriconi (more or less distance)
- …
Before you leave, always ask about the risk of fire and storms!
Savor Corsica – best restaurants where to eat
Corsica has many delights.
Enjoy the stores and restaurants with : Cookies (canistrellis, courellinis…), cold cuts, cheeses…
- U Bistrotellu d’a Quadrera
In one of the alleys of the city, a restaurant which handles humor and very good Corsican family recipes. You can opt for the soup of the chef’s ex-wife or tackle the entrecote steak topped with its Corsican cheese sauce. Only happiness and conviviality! - The Restaurant Le Rendez-Vous
A must in Ile Rousse, the restaurant of the hotel L’escale Côté sud which offers not one, but two terraces with a breathtaking view on the bay. The menu is wide, enough to satisfy all tastes and appetites. We advise you to combine tapas and a generous salad with good Corsican products. - Acula Marina Restaurant
A restaurant with its feet in the water, overlooking the beach of Caruchettu. What a pleasure to taste swordfish a la plancha or paccheri Sicilian style in such a setting!
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How to visit Île-Rousse – tips, map and itineraries
Where is Île-Rousse in Corsica? Card
- Northwest coast of Corsica
- Region of La Balagne
- Just north of Calvi
- On the main road T30
- You can also arrive directly to Ile-Rousse by ferry
- Easy to get to
- Here is a map to help you find your way
- and see all our tips for planning a dream trip to Corsica here
Driving time – How to get to Ile-Rousse?
- From Calvi to Ile-Rousse = 30min
- Corte to Ile-Rousse = 1h
- Saint-Florent to Ile-Rousse – 1h
- Bastia to Ile-Rousse = 1h30
- Ajaccio to Ile-Rousse = 2h30 (via the inland)
You may arrive:
- by ferry to L’Île-Rousse
- by plane to Calvi airport
- by plane or ferry to Bastia
Ferry to Ile-Rousse
To make your vacation easier you can find ferries that arrive directly to Ile-Rousse. Île-Rousse is served from:
- Marseille (France) in 11:30 with Corsica Linea
- Nice (France) in 4h15 with Corsica Ferries
- Toulon (France) in 7 with Corsica Ferries
- Livorno (Italy) in 5h30 with Corsica Ferries
- Compare prices and schedules, and book
See our guide to choosing which ferry to take to Corsica.
HOW TO GET TO Corsica
Option 1: by ferry
Departure from France and Italy
- See all ferry options in our article
- Compare schedules, prices and availability directly
Advantage: you can take your car!
Option 2: by plane
Airports in Bastia, to visit the North, Figari to visit the South, or Ajaccio convenient for all Corsica.
Compare flights!
How much time should I allow?
- Île-Rousse is not so big. It has a charming downtown area around the island
- If you are in Corsica road trip mode, we recommend at least half a day to explore the center and walk to the islands.
- But to enjoy the area you can stop there for 2 to 4 days.
- If you stay in L’Île-Rousse for a whole vacation, and if you have a car, there is easily enough to keep you busy and entertained for 2 weeks.
- Book early, L’Île-Rousse is a very touristic town – see the best rated accommodations
How to get around L’Île-Rousse
It is easy to explore the old town on foot.
Be careful if your accommodation is in the higher parts of the city, you may want to rent a car or a bike.
And if you want to explore the area, we also recommend renting a car.
Where to sleep in Ile Rousse? Hotels
There is a good choice of accommodations in Ile-Rousse with hotels, rentals, campsites…
We recommend:
- Hotel Rocabella in the heart of the city, with a soothing natural setting.
– see prices, pictures and availability - The Casa Rossa Hotel. It is not just in the center, but not far.
It has a lot of charm. Once inside, we really enjoyed the atmosphere.
– see prices, pictures and availability - The Best Western Premier Santa Maria hotel to be in front of the sea
– see prices, pictures and availability - or See the best rated accommodations in Ile-Rousse
Or see our complete guide on where to sleep in Ile-Rousse (coming soon)
Ile-Rousse in 1 day
If you only have one day, we recommend:
- Visit the city center with the church and the covered market
- Lunch on the waterfront
- Discover the beach of Bodri, only 10min by car or train – with ultra-fine sand
- Return to L’Île-Rousse, walk towards the islands of Pietra and the lighthouse
- Enjoy the sunset
Ile-Rousse in 2 days
Day 1
- Visit the city center with the church and the covered market
- Lunch on the waterfront
- Discover the beach of Bodri, only 10min by car or train – with ultra-fine sand
- Return to L’Île-Rousse, walk towards the islands of Pietra and the lighthouse
- Enjoy the sunset
Day 2
- Make a loop in the villages of La Balagne: for example Pigna, Sant’Antonio then Speloncato
- Finish with the rocks of Punta di Spanu
Ile-Rousse in 3 days
Day 1
- Visit the city center with the church and the covered market
- Lunch on the waterfront
- Discover the beach of Bodri, only 10min by car or train – with ultra-fine sand
- Return to L’Île-Rousse, walk towards the islands of Pietra and the lighthouse
- Enjoy the sunset
Day 2
- Make a loop in the villages of La Balagne: for example Pigna, Sant’Antonio then Speloncato
- Finish at one of the beaches further north: Lozari or Ostriconi
Day 3
- Exploration of Calvi and its Citadel
- Finish with the rocks of Punta di Spanu
Île-Rousse in 4 or 5 days
With everything we’ve listed in this article, you can choose according to your own interests and create a customized itinerary.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Corsica
Inspiration destinations
Best of
- The most beautiful beaches of Corsica
- The most beautiful villages of Corsica
- The most beautiful cities of Corsica
- The most beautiful destinations in Corsica
- The museums of Corsica
- Hidden gems in Corsica
- The most beautiful natural pools
- What to do in North Corsica
- Best things to do in South Corsica
- Canyoning in Corsica
Where to stay
Frequently asked questions
Where to watch the sunset in Ile-Rousse?
The lighthouse area is the best location to watch the sunset. However, this is not the best time to admire the colors turning red.
The section that connects the mainland to the island of Pietra, would be the best to see the colors change.
How to visit Ile-Rousse?
Île-Rousse is best visited on foot.
The center is not large and it is easy to walk around.
If you are in Calvi or St Florent, you can easily book a day trip there.
Calvi or Ile-Rousse: where to stay?
The 2 seaside towns of the Balagne are excellent options for your vacation.
To stay more in the city, with more bars and more beaches, choose Calvi.
For a town with more charm and a quieter atmosphere, choose L’Île-Rousse.
See our complete comparison: Calvi or Ile-Rousse.
What to do in L’Île-Rousse with children
- Enjoy the beach
- Walk of the islands of Pietra
- Visit the citadel of Calvi as a treasure hunt
- The park of Salceccia, north of Ile-Rousse with vegetation, playground and animals
- Discovery of canyoning or Via Ferrata (see ideas 21)
- The villages of Balagne which are like labyrinths
What to do in L’Île-Rousse without a car
- Enjoy the beach
- Join a 4×4 tour to the Agriates desert (see idea 16)
- Make your first dive (see idea 19)
- Walk to the islands of Pietra at sunset
- Take the beach train to visit other beaches
- Take the train to Calvi and explore the citadel
- Take an organized tour in the villages of Balagne – see availability
Festival in L’Île-Rousse
In July the Festival di a Conzona Corsa allows you to discover Corsican music and culture.
In autumn, the Misula CineMusica festival celebrates film and music
