Must-dos in CorsicaFrom beaches to mountains!
Whatever your interests may be, you'll never get bored during your stay in Corsica. Whether you go alone, with friends or with your children, there's always something to do in Corsica.
With its fine sandy beaches, its high-altitude forests and villages perched on the mountainside, the Isle de Beauty is one of French people's favorite destinations.
Get on-board one of our ferries to Corsica to discover the incredible landscapes and local culture. With La Méridionale, your holidays begin on-board.
Discover Corsica
If so many of us want to go on vacation to Corsica, it's undoubtedly because the region fulfills the expectations of nature lovers, culture vultures and lovers of good food.
There's no shortage of activities in southern Corsica to suit visitors of all ages.
The variety of landscapes and Mediterranean climate breathe life into flora that you won't find anywhere else. Immortelle and myrtle diffuse their fragrance across the maquis, while laricio pine forests disseminate their scent across the mountains. Along the coast, plants can be seen along sand dunes and craggy rocks, and even more under the sea.
Like the vegetation, the fauna of the Isle of Beauty abounds with endemic species.
Take advantage of your stay in Corsica to observe local birds such as the Corsican nuthatch or the bearded vulture.
The seabed is not to be outdone: groupers, corals and rays populate the beaches of Southern Corsica.
French since 1768, Corsica has long lived under the Italien influence. In ancient times, it was also occupied by Greeks, Vandals and Saracens. The result is a unique identity expressed through Corsican culture, its language, architecture and polyphonic songs.
Another illustration of Corsican culture: its gastronomy. During your vacation in Corsica, you'll be able to indulge in Corsican charcuterie, cheeses, wines and desserts. Not forgetting, of course, specialities made with chestnuts or honey.
Festivals in Corsica
It's impossible to list all the festivals in the region, so many events celebrating culture, history and local products. Remember to check their dates when you're planning your vacation in Corsica!
The most eventful city for festivals is definitely Ajaccio: Napoleonic week in June, Christmas celebrations during Natale in Aiacciu, the British & Irish film festival in December and the comic book festival in November, etc. The imperial city brings its history to life and opens itself up to contemporary creations.
At the beginning of summer, Calvi's beaches are transformed into a concert hall facing the Mediterranean for Calvi on The Rocks. Rock bands and electronic music stars take it in turns to get islanders and visitors dancing. Music lovers also gather in early June at the Musicales de Bastia to listen to singers from Corsica and the rest of the world.
Depending on the dates of your stay in Corsica, you can also attend the Cavall'in Fest in Corte, the chestnut festival in Bocognano or the Autumn Festival of the Rural World in Patrimonio.
Must-sees for your trip in Corsica
Beaches in Corsica
Southern Corsica is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the Corsican coastline.
The Gulf of Valinco is the ideal place for a refreshing getaway or an off-season stroll. If you're cruising the beaches of Propriano during your stay in southern Corsica, take time to explore the coves of Capu Laurosu beach or swim at Lido and Mancinu beaches.
Ajaccio's beaches like Capo di Feno or Ariadne beach stretch for several kilometers. You can relax and initiate yourself to water sports. Canoeing, surfing or paddleboarding: make the most of your vacation to experience other sensations!
Have you chosen to spend part of your holiday in Porto-Vecchio? The beaches of Santa Giulia and Palombaggia, to the south of the town, look like paradise with their almost translucent water and white sand.
20 kilometers south of the beaches of Porto-Vecchio, the beach of Rondinara is nestled in a cove shaped like a seashell. A pleasure for the eyes, but also for swimmers: the sea is always calm there!
And to discover the treasures of the Isle of Beauty via the sea, from inaccessible creeks to secret beaches, compare and book your boat at the best price in just a few clicks with SamBoat.
Hiking in Corsica
Walking is a great way to discover Corsica's landscapes during your holiday.
The best-known hiking circuit in Corsica is the GR20. But, you need to be experienced to cover it. For daily hikes in southern Corsica, you'll find other trails suitable for everyone, including families with young children and beginners.
In the heart of Corsica's natural park, the Restonica valley and its gorges offers beautiful walks. Take the winding track that leads to the Bergeries de Grotelle.
You can then walk at your own pace to Lake Mello and Lake Capitello.
Do you prefer walking along the coastline? If you wonder along the Sentier des douaniers, you'll admire the Îles Sanguinaires. If you take the Bruzzi trail, you can admire the Bruzzi Islands and Arbitru Cove.
Must-visits in Corsica
In addition to beaches and nature reserves, Corsica is renowned for its natural and historic sites.
Corsican towns and villages
Corsica reveals itself through its towns and villages. Here you can meet its inhabitants, sample its local specialties and get lost in the labyrinth of back streets that bear witness to the island's ancestral history.
Named the city of salt, Porto-Vecchio is a typical southern Corsican town. Take advantage of your visit to wander through the old town, head up to the Genoese citadel and admire the boats arriving in the port.
At the southernmost tip of Corsica, Bonifacio overlooks the Mediterranean and seems like it's at the edge of the world. The 189-step Roy d'Aragon staircase takes you from the old town to the sea, and from the top of Saint-Roch, you have a view of the citadel, port and cliffs. When the weather is clear, you can even catch a glimpse of Sardinia.
On your way from Porto-Vecchio to Bonifacio, make a stop-off at Zonza. The village and the surrounding hamlets will delight sea lovers and mountain enthusiasts alike.
Sant'Antonino, Corte, Sartè, Centuri... It's impossible to name all the villages to explore on your Corsican vacation. You'll discover them as you go and as you please.
Must-visit sites
During your visit to Ajaccio, plan to visit the Sanguinaires Islands. This archipelago of four islands turns purple at sunset. Classified Natura 2000, the site is home to seagulls, shearwaters and endemic plant species.
Next, head for the mountains and the Aiguilles de Bavella. In the middle of the forest, the rocks take on shapes and hues seen nowhere else. It is also a very popular spot for hiking in Corsica.
Further north, along the coastline, the red rock cliffs and translucent water of the calanques de Piana offer a striking contrast. On foot, by boat or by car, you'll contemplate panoramas that will remain engraved in your memory forever.
Last but not least, many natural sites are also open-air museums. Corsica has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The statues-menhirs of Filitosa and the megalithic monuments of Cauria are reminders of this thousand-year-old past.
Preserved natural sites and picturesque villages on the Isle of Beauty can be visited all year round. Whether you're going on vacation in southern Corsica in summer or off-season, you'll never be short of ideas for what to do in Corsica.
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Corsica in winter
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Hiking in Corsica
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What to do in Corsica?
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