Camping Guide and 3 Must-Know for Corsica in France

We have travelled far and wide-from the paradise beaches of Fiji to the breathtaking landscapes of Tasmania, New Zealand and the southwest of the USA. We have pitched our tent everywhere, but no place inspires as much as Corsica. There are over 200 campgrounds on the 8759 km² island, some of which are still quite unknown and haven't even made it onto Google Maps.

Some campsites offer direct access to the sea with their own beach, others are tucked away in the picturesque mountains and forests of the island. But what makes Corsica really unique? You can visit most places spontaneously, as long as you are not travelling in the high season (July-August). Let yourself drift, stay as long as you like or discover a new place every day.

We spent three weeks on this fascinating island and camped in various places with our California Beach. We didn't know in the morning where we were going to spend the next night. At most campgrounds, you can choose your own pitch and if you arrive early enough, there is usually plenty of choice.

Here are three things you should know before you head off:

1. Your ID card will be retained on arrival and returned to you after payment on departure. This may seem strange at first, but it makes your stay less complicated.
2. Most campsites do not provide toilet paper or soap. A shoulder bag with all the essentials is therefore recommended. And honestly, after the pandemic, hand hygiene should be a matter of course. Toilet seats? Not a chance. Such amenities are simply not to be expected here. Most of the sanitary facilities are not separated by gender, which we really liked. So, there was never a queue for the women's toilets 😂.
3. There is almost always electricity, but you often need a long cable - about 25 meters should be enough. We also had solar on the roof of our van, so we could sometimes do without electricity. Many pitches also offer sufficient shade, which is very pleasant.

Average cost per night at the campsite 

In the low season, depending on the location, you will pay between 20 and just under 30 euros, including electricity. In high season, you can expect to pay an additional 5-10 euros, depending on the size of your group.

Camping d'Arone is an exception - even in mid-September it costs over 30 euros per night including electricity. The higher price was due to the proximity to the hike to Capo Rosso and the lack of competition. Although the facilities are a little outdated, we would stay here again in our van at any time.

Camping season and best time to visit

Most campsites are open from mid-April to mid-October. Some start the camping season in May. The summer months of July and August are high season, and it is advisable to book in advance. Temperatures often climb well above 30°C at this time. Temperatures are much more pleasant in May and June, when the maquis is in bloom. We prefer September, as the sea is still pleasantly warm from the summer.

Is wild camping allowed in Corsica?

No, wild camping is prohibited. Although we saw lots of campers in some places, we wouldn't want to camp there. These spots were littered and the vegetation had to serve as a toilet. That really doesn't have to be the case.

Vacation in Corsica with motorhome or caravan

Despite some narrow and winding roads inland and through the Calanques de Piana or Calanche di Piana in Corsican, a vacation with a motorhome or caravan is absolutely doable. In the Calanche, traffic is temporarily closed to larger vehicles and buses so that they can pass. 

This stretch between Osani and Porto (Portu in Corsican) and Piana was the narrowest and most winding road. In the mountains around Corte and to the east, the roads are well developed. The drive to the historic site of Filitosa is also very winding and bumpy, but a new surface is currently being laid, which should make the road easily passable from mid-2025.

The “finger” in the north can also be explored with a larger motorhome. We met three elderly ladies (picture above) from Portugal who got on very well with their motorhome in Corsica.

Best Campgrounds in Corsica?

There are many fantastic campsites in Corsica, but we particularly liked these four on our round trip. Of course, tents can be pitched at all of these sites.

1. Vigna Maggiore

Close to Filitosa, a listed prehistoric site with ancient menhirs and a 1,200-year-old olive tree.

Large pitches partly under eucalyptus trees, very clean sanitary facilities in large numbers, incredibly helpful staff, a beautiful pool and a fantastic sunset. Washing machines were also available, for which you needed a token from reception.

Bungalows are also rented out (by  booking.com), which means that the campsite offers more for every camper, from wellness to a large pool, restaurant and bar. This is a great place to stay for longer.

Not far from the campsite there are also beautiful beaches and a fantastic restaurant “La Crique”. We visited Vigna Maggiore a second time because we enjoyed it so much. Suitable for campervans, but also larger motorhomes and caravans. Navigation Google Maps

2. Camping Corsica Gradelle

Close to Girolata and the Scandola nature reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that can only be visited by tour boat from the sea.

An absolutely quiet and beautiful location with a pleasant plot size for a camper van. Only a five-minute walk to the beach, a restaurant and a coastal walk. There is a nice restaurant at the campsite itself, but it is only open in the evening. The staff are very helpful and speak English.

We spent two nights here and walked to Girolata from the hiking parking lot. There are also boat trips from the campsite to Scandola. The guided tour was cancelled during our stay due to strong winds. You should definitely take this  tour from Porto(Portu) as otherwise the beautiful Capo da Rosso is not included. The best boattour, which includes all the sights, starts further south in Cargese.

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Winding road and narrow access not well suited for large motorhomes and caravans. Navigation Google Maps

3. Camping de la Plage U Stazzu in Macinaggio

This site is located on the east side at the top of the “Finger”. There are terraced pitches, which are in high demand, so you should arrive around midday, and a large parking area that can also accommodate motorhomes and caravans.

The campsite is very clean, continuous reception service with English and German speaking staff. There was a very pleasant atmosphere here. A washing machine and large sinks are also available here.

The campsite was ideally located for the “Sentier des Douaniers” (the old customs officers' path) hike, which I highly recommend (see banner picture at the top). Navigation Google Maps

4. Camping La'Bel Balagne

An easily accessible site, even for larger motorhomes, with extremely helpful staff, very child-friendly and a large pool. As the name suggests, the site in Balagne is not far from L'Île-Rousse and is perfect for exploring the area and relaxing in nature. 

The site is very well maintained, clean, there are plenty of sanitary facilities and washing machines are also available on site. Furthermore, brand new bungalows are also rented out here, which is why this site is also equipped to a higher standard. Navigation Google Maps

What is the best way to get to Corsica?

We took the ferry from Genoa on the way there and drove home via Livorno on the way back. The crossing takes a few hours, so I recommend taking plenty of drinks and snacks with you. Some of the food on board is quite greasy. It is recommended to be at the port approx. 2 hours before the ferry departs. We found the process here to be organized and good, even if it seemed chaotic.

My tip for Livorno: There is an excellent campsite near the ferry port. Just spend two nights there and combine your stay with sightseeing in Pisa. The owners: Federica and Gulia are super nice and helpful, and even late arrivals are no problem. However, it is advisable to reserve your place in advance. Our ferry was extremely late, but our seat number was written on a board, so we were still able to check in without any problems. If we had known how good the location was, we would have liked to stay another night. 

Camping: CAMPEGGIO TAMERICI