Best Places to Visit in CORSICA (FRANCE)

Planning a trip to Corsica, and wondering what are the best places to visit in Corsica?

Corsica is a French island located near France and Italy. Boasting dramatic cliffs and warm weather, it’s a great place to explore.

Corsica is one of the warmest regions in France and has one of the highest sunshine records in the country. Located in the Mediterranean, the island enjoys warm summer temperatures, attracting tourists from all around the world. It is famous not only for its beaches but also it is known as great hiking destination. If you want to experience both — good hiking and beaches — choose Corsica as your next vacation destination.

But what to do in Corsica? To help you prepare for your trip, we have created this list of some of the best things to do in Corsica. 

Check it out!

7 Best Places to Visit in Corsica

Calanques de Piana

Calanques de Piana is a stunning cliff in the northwest of the island.

These jagged cliffs are among the top places to visit in Corsica. Made from red granite rock, they are even more impressive during the sunset. The red of Calanques de Piana contrasts with the blue of the sea, making it a spectacular place to visit. There are a number of hiking trails in the area.

Calanques de Piana is a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Corte

Corte Corsica

Corte is a pretty town in the mountains. 

It is one of the largest towns in Corsica. From 1755 until 1769, Corte was the capital of the island. Perched on top of a hill, Corte offers beautiful views of the surrounding area. The town is home to the University of Corsica Pasquale Paoli, the only university on the island.

Explore Corte’s Citadel and visit the Ghionga grocery store, one of the oldest grocery stores in all of Europe! Walk the Heritage Trail of Corsica to discover the most important historical landmarks in Corte. 

Aiguilles de Bavella

Aiguilles de Bavella Corsica

Aiguilles de Bavella is a group of rocky spikes.

Known for great hiking and beautiful landscapes, they are among the best places to visit in Corsica.

Rocky peaks, pine forests, unique geological formations, and huge ravines — this is what the hikers will enjoy when hiking in Aiguilles de Bavella.

Bonifacio

Bonifacio Corsica

Bonifacio is a beautiful coastal town located on the southern tip of Corsica.

Town is known for the white limestone cliffs it is perched on. The town is protected by a mediaeval clifftop citadel and boasts beautiful cobblestone alleyways. Founded in the 9th century, Bonifacio is the oldest town in Corsica. Bonifacio’s Old Town sits 70m above sea level and offers beautiful views of the harbour below. 

If you are visiting Bonifacio, do not miss Escalier du Roy d’Aragon — 187 steps carved into the cliff and leading down to the sea.

Beaches of Corsica 

Beaches of Corsica 

Beaches are what Corsica is famous for.

Here is a list of some of the most beautiful beaches on the island:

  • Palombaggia — the most famous and best beach in Corsica;
  • Rondinara — a shell-shaped beach, one of the most beautiful on the island;
  • Plage de Saleccia — a quiet and wild beach;
  • Lotu Beach — a beautiful beach backed by low hills;
  • Ostriconi Beach — a pretty beach located at the mouth of the river;
  • Santa Giulia — a nice beach near Porto-Vecchio;
  • Plage du petit Sperone — a lovely beach set in a small natural bay;
  • Calvi Beach — one of Corsica’s longest beaches;

… and many more.

Relaxing on a beach is one of the top things to do in Corsica. 

Corsica Natural Regional Park

Corsica Natural Regional Park

Corsica is known for its mountainous landscapes and an abundance of hiking trails.

When it comes to hiking trails, it’s one place that stands out. And it’s Corsica Natural Regional Park. Boasting 1500 km of marked hiking trails, it’s a hikers’ paradise. This mountainous nature reserve is huge — it covers nearly 40% of the island.

The natural park boasts a number of great places to visit, including Calanques de Piana and Aiguilles de Bavella which are mentioned above. Monte Cinto, the highest mountain on the island, is located in Corsica Natural Regional Park too.

One more highlight of the national park is the Restonica valley. It is known for its natural beauty and scenic hiking trails. From the Restonica valley, you can get to Lac de Melo and Lac de Capitello, striking glacial lakes located in the mountains.

Corsica Natural Regional Park is one of the best places to Visit in Corsica.

GR 20 Trek

GR 20 Trek Corsica

Are you up for a challenging hike? Consider hiking GR 20! 

Nicknamed “Europe’s toughest long-distance trek”, the Grande Randonnée (GR) 20 route is a long-distance trail that diagonally crosses Corsica. With a maximum altitude of 2134 m, the GR 20 trail follows the mountains which divide Corsica in two. The trail is about 180 km long with 12 000 m of elevation gain, and it takes around 15 days to complete it.

The GR 20 route has several stages. So, if you don’t want to do the whole trek, it’s possible to do only a part of it. 

GR 20 is considered one of the most difficult hikes in Europe.

Best Places to Visit in CORSICA

Corsica Travel Tips

  1. As Corsica is a French territory, EU nationals do not need a visa to travel to Corsica.
  2. How to get to Corsica? There are ferry connections with France and Italy. There are also flights from big European cities.
  3. Book a ferry ticket well in advance, to get the cheapest price. 
  4. Corsica’s public transport system is poor, so the best way to travel is by rental car.
  5. The best months to visit Corsica are May, June, September and October. The high season is during the summer months of July and August. If you don’t like crowds, avoid travelling to Corsica during July and August.
  6. The weather can be unpredictable and can change quickly, especially in the mountains.
  7. Some businesses do not accept credit cards. So carry some cash with you.