Writer: Helena Bergström
Plage de Cupabia in Corsica is the most romantic beach we have ever visited. At least that's how we remember it, from our visit ten years ago. Back then, we camped by a palm tree and had a picnic at sunset. What was it like to come back now - ten years later?
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Plage de Cupabia in Corsica
Plage de Cupabia is a stunning sandy beach nestled in a bay, beautifully framed by rock formations and mountains. As there is no town right next to it, the place is very idyllic and scenic.
Plage de Cupabia is located in the south-west of Corsica, between Ajaccio and Propriano. The D155A road leads all the way down.
Plage de Cupabia ten years ago - fond memories
Our memories of Plage de Cupabia are special. Ten years ago, when you didn't have all these apps to guide you on your journey, there was a greater element of chance in every choice you made. Back then, when we followed the signs to "Plage de Cupabia", we didn't really know what to expect, and the fabulous beach was a delightful surprise.
At that time there was a charming and very simple campsite here. "The campsite consists of a meadow of wild flowers, surrounded by small palm trees" we wrote then. We camped here for several days, maybe a week, and we could walk directly from the campervan to the beach, through a simple little wooden gate.
We remember that the beach was very quiet at the time. There were a few more campers, mainly with tents or vans, and the occasional car also found its way down to the small car park, but not many. When we decided to have a beach picnic at sunset, it was just us and the beach. You can read about our first visit to this paradise beach in Corsica here.
Driving to Plage de Cupabia
Now, once again travelling around Corsica, we wanted to get back to Plage de Cupabia, where we have so many fond memories. This time we came on narrow little mountain roads from the north, and it took us a while to drive on the winding, paved roads.
But finally we saw it below, the beach!
Plage de Cupabia today - more tourists and no camping
So, what greeted us when we arrived at Plage de Cupabia in 2025? The small car park at the bottom of the beach is no longer sufficient, and now they have created large simple grass car parks, further away from the beach. The car parks were more or less overcrowded, and there were cars parked on the roadside everywhere. In other words, there were also many more people on the beach now, compared to ten years ago.
As in the past, there is a small restaurant on the beach. Otherwise there are no shops or other restaurants. This is still a scenic gem in many ways.
But alas, alas, the charming little campsite is a thing of the past. We could look at "our" palm tree, and at the little gate where we used to walk down to the beach, but now this area is private and effectively cordoned off. There is nowhere to stay with a campervan overnight, so the beach is only for daytime visits.
Plage de Cupabia - still a beautiful beach
However, Plage de Cupabia is still a very beautiful beach! The bay is surrounded by lush green mountains, the water is turquoise blue and the sand is soft and fine-grained.
If you walk to the far end of the beach, you will find tiny coves where you can sunbathe and swim in privacy if you wish. Some people here also choose to sunbathe and swim textile-free, which is quite common in France, when you find a secluded part of a beach.
Where can you stay or park your motorhome?
But, where to go for the night? As we understand it, it is forbidden to free camp in Corsica, so you will have to find a campsite or pitch when travelling by motorhome.
We chose to roll to Camping L'Avena located at Plage de Tizzano in Sartène, in south-west Corsica. This is a nice campsite with many shady pitches, fresh service buildings, friendly staff and relatively short walk to go down to a nice beach. The price in July was about 42 euros per night.
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
In the vicinity of Plage de Cupabia there are also many other beautiful beaches. You can also go to Filitosa, to see prehistoric remains, in the form of very special megalithic monuments. Another place you don't want to miss in western Corsica is the stunning and dramatic stretch of road Calanche di Piana. We also recommend a visit to the beautiful city of Porto-Vecchio!
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4000mil says:
I usually avoid travelling back for that very reason. It is often more exploited, more people and the experience is not quite what you hoped for. Better then to keep the memory intact.
But your experiences in Corsica and France look amazing. 🙂
20 July 2025 - 9:41
Helena says:
Yes, maybe that's a good strategy! We don't go back very often either, but Corsica is something we've been longing for... When it comes to this particular beach, the memory of the first visit is clearly the best! 😉
22 July 2025 - 9:36
BP says:
Well, sometimes "walks on Memory Lane" can be disappointing, in this case. Such gems are becoming more and more rare I would think. If one person discovers the place, more will follow. That's the way it is everywhere in the world, unfortunately, I think.
But as you write, the beach is still very nice...
20 July 2025 - 20:41
Helena says:
Yes, that's probably the case, and unfortunately those real gems are getting harder and harder to find ... Corsica is still marvellous though!
22 July 2025 - 9:39
Monnah says:
Too bad about the disappointment, but the beach looks beautiful just as you write! I like to relive places, but then preferably without too long a break. Then I want to get what I expect, not be surprised... A little boring I am everything, hehe.
21 July 2025 - 23:20
Helena says:
Yes, it might be a good strategy to wait less than ten years, then not as much has changed ... 😉
22 July 2025 - 9:40
Znogge says:
It is probably quite common that 'little gems' have changed over the years. More people have discovered them and the availability has increased. I remember my train trip in Europe and we found many lovely little towns and villages. Ten years later it was not the same at all. Certainly nice but much more people. Still, it can be fun to revisit a place.
22 July 2025 - 11:19
Lena - gott för själen says:
Oh, what a disappointment it must have been for you. But lovely that it was still nice. Maybe lucky in its way that there is no longer a campsite there.
Hug Lena
01 September 2025 - 10:24