Situated at the foot of its famous citadel, Calvi’s main beach is one of the most beautiful in the Balagne region. Nicknamed “La Plage de la Pinède” because it’s lined with umbrella pines, it brings together two worlds, between unspoilt nature and urban bustle.
In this article, we share all our useful tips for making the most of Calvi’s main beach.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is Calvi’s main beach worth it?
The beach at Calvi is distinguished by its singular charm in Corsica: a vast expanse of fine sand lined with pine trees, offering both a majestic view of the mountains and a unique panorama of the citadel. Direct access from the city center makes it both convenient and enchanting.
Note, however, that it can be crowded in summer, so be warned!
Beach type: sandy, supervised…
Sand or no sand?
Calvi Beach’s surface is made up of fine white sand. We loved stretching out and walking barefoot. This golden sand stretches for several kilometers, offering generous space for all holidaymakers. The quality of the sand also makes it an ideal playground for sandcastles and beach activities.
Swimming conditions and supervision
Swimming conditions are excellent, with a gentle slope making it easy to enter the water. We found the waters to be generally calm and crystal-clear, despite the presence of a few algae along the water’s edge.
Note also that the beach is supervised in summer in certain areas.
Installations
We found showers and toilets right on the beach. The beach also boasts water sports facilities and deckchair and parasol rental areas. The facilities are well-maintained and distributed along the coastline for easy access by bathers.
Access to Calvi’s main beach
Where is Plage de la Pinède
- In the town of Calvi, in Haute-Corse
- Access from the citadel: 20min walk
- Access from the port: 5min walk
Access by car and parking
To reach the Plage de Calvi by car, head for Calvi town center. Several parking lots are available close to the beach, although parking may be limited during the high summer season. We recommend arriving early in the morning to take advantage of the best parking spaces.
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.
Access from the parking lot
From Parking Calvi, you can reach the Pinède beach in just 10 minutes on foot. Access is easy.
Public transport access
We couldn’t find a direct bus connection from the city center to the beach. Calvi train station, on the other hand, is an 8-minute walk away.
Nicknamed the beach tramway or U Trinichellu, it serves 3 main stations: Calvi, Algajola and L’Île-Rousse. The journey takes about 40 minutes. Ideal for enjoying the Corsican coastline without having to take the car. Timetables vary according to the season (July-August vs. off-season) and can be consulted on the official Train Corse website.
Useful information
Dog
We didn’t see any signs prohibiting dogs on the beach.
Reduced mobility access
There are no facilities for disabled access.
With children
The slope is gentle, so children can wade safely into the water!
The fine sand lends itself perfectly to children’s games, and we spotted an accrobranche course nearby.
Naturism
It is not possible to practice naturism on this beach.
Eating out
You’ll find plenty of waterfront restaurants on the beach.
Alternatively, you can go downtown for more choice. See our selection in our article Where to eat in Calvi: 15 best restaurants (our 2025 reviews).
Hotels
Find all our good addresses in Calvi:
WHERE TO STAY IN Calvi
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Option1: Around the citadel
Hotel Kasano with its modern decor and beautiful views – see photos and availability
Option 2: Beach side
Hotel Onda with its charming decor – see prices, photos and availability
Option 3: on the heights and in the surrounding villages
Hotel La Villa Calvi, 5 stars – See prices, photos and availability
See all our reviews in our article on the best hotels in Calvi.
