Corsica is one of French people's favorite destinations, especially during the summertime. While the beauty of the seaside has made the island's reputation, the snow-covered landscapes in winter are just as magnificent.

Thanks to the mild temperatures, you can visit towns and villages, hike through snow-covered forests and hit the ski slopes. You can also sample the local gastronomy with chestnut-based specialities.

Head for Corsica in January

Corsica, renowned for its turquoise beaches, is also a mountainous region. Trees and mountains are covered in white, and ski resorts open their doors in Corsica in January.

3 resorts exists:

  • Ghisoni with 7 slopes
  • Val d'Ese with 4 slopes (including one for cross-country skiing)
  • Vergio with a slope running through the forest
Lac Capitello

Weather in Corsica in January

In Corsica in January, you could say that winter has set in. The particularity of the month of January is that the weather differs greatly from one town to another:

  • In southern Corsica, around Ajaccio, temperatures range between 9°C and 12°C and it rains on average over 12 days.
  • In Bastia, temperatures range from 9°C to 13°C, with less rain lasting an average over 9 days.
  • Bonifacio enjoys mild temperatures (between 11°C and 13°C), with around 10 days of rain, but not that heavy.
  • Calvi, on the other hand, has average temperatures (between 9°C and 12°C) and 12 days of heavy rainfall.
  • As for Porto-Vecchio, the thermometer varies between 12°C and 13°C with only 9 days of light rain.

 

What should you visit in Corsica in January?

In January, we recommend you to go by boat to South Corsica to visit Porto-Vecchio, also known as the city of salt. In the vicinity, numerous archeological sites from the Bronze Age but also a lake and waterfalls are worth seeing; not forgetting beaches with water at 14°C for the more adventurous.

Visiting Porto-Vecchio in January

The town of Porto-Vecchio is an ancient fortified settlement that still features the walls of a 16th-century Genoese citadel remain. It's also known as the City of Salt, as it once exploited salt marshes that produced around 1,000 tons of salt a year. Take time to stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, drink a coffee on the harbor and why not walk to the Chiappa Lighthouse.

Lac Ospedale

Ospedale forest

The Village of Ospedale is located 20 km from the Salt City and offers a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio. The village, far from the marshes, was once home to shepherds and travelers on their way to the mountains. Considered a healthy place, it was given the name derived from the word hospital. There's also a dam with a huge lake that offers a splendid panorama of the Ospedale forest.

Bronze Age archaeological sites

Porto-Vecchio was the birthplace of the Torrean civilization, so numerous archaeological sites from this period can be found in this region:

- Araghju

- Turri

- Ceccia

- Tappa

- Bruschicia

plage palombaggia porto vecchio

Santa-Giulia and Palombaggia beaches

Porto-Vecchio is also home to two of the most beautiful beaches on the Isle of Beauty: the beach of Santa Giulia and the beach of Palombaggia. The water is cool, but the scenery remains sumptuous.

Invitation to travel

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