Roccapina visitor guide

Visit Roccapina, France

Roccapina is situated between Bonifacio and Sartene in south-west Corsica. It is a popular destination with visitors because it has a lovely sandy beach and a panoramic trail and viewpoint.

Visiting Roccapina

Your visit to Roccapina will have two parts: a walk through the countryside to a viewpoint along the coast and some time spent on a lovely beach. Most people will prefer to do a walk first so that's where we started...

Roccapina belvedere walk

The walk starts at the hamlet of Roccapina, in a large parking area on the main N196 between Bonifacio and Ajaccio. There is also a cafe here.

Note: it is worth a visit for the views even if you don't plan to do the short walk...but the walk leaves from the middle of the car park, is clearly signposted and only takes about thirty minutes to complete so we suggest you find the time!

As well as giving visitors a chance to enjoy the countryside your children will enjoy the chance to see two large rocks that look just like animals: one if the 'Lion de Roccapina', a lion shaped rock that overlooks the cost and the beach, and the other (only seen if you do the walk) is in the shape of a large elephant.

The viewpoint at the end of the trail has views extending a very long way along the coast in both directions, and far below you is your next destination, the beach...

Roccapina beach

The good news is that this is one of the most scenic beaches in Corsica. It is a curved sandy beach in a natural bay with rocks to the sides and overlooked by the Lion de Roccapina.

The bad news is that to reach the beach you need to drive quite a long way along a road that is quite rough in places. A four-wheeled drive vehicle would be ideal but lots of 'normal' cars manage to get along here as well.

You will need to take a look and decide whether your car will be OK or not: of course very low cars might be more of a problem than others. The first section is in worse condition than the later parts. You can always park at the beginning of the trail and walk: it is quite a long walk (2.5 kilometres) but the beach is more than recompense for your efforts!

Attractions nearby

There is another long sandy beach a short distance to the north of Roccapina Plage called the Plage d'Erbaju that can be reached by a trail across the headland and past the ancient tower.

In the countryside north of here there are various prehistoric monuments such as the Alignement de Pagliaju, the Alignement de Stantori and the Alignement de Renaju.

We enjoy visiting the historic town of Sartene to the north of Roccapina, and of course Bonifacio to the south is one of the most popular and impressive destinations in Corsica.

See more scenic highlights in France. You can find more travel ideas in the Corsica guide.