Corsica: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
Discover the fascination of the French island of Corsica with its relaxed atmosphere and numerous natural beauties. Corsica is considered a dream destination for beach vacationers, hikers, and explorers of historical attractions. This includes the impressive Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral in Saint-Florent, built from white limestone.
Table of contents
Corsica - The most beautiful cities
Porto Vecchio
Endless sandy beaches, cultural treasures, and dreamy hiking areas go hand in hand in Corsica. Shady pine trees offer you a cozy atmosphere at the beach of Pinarello. After a paradisiacal day at the beach, cultural highlights await to be discovered. If you need a little variety from swimming and snorkeling, Corsica offers a wealth of choices. A visit to the Church of Saint Jean-Baptiste and the Place de la République brings back the magic of an old time. An excursion to the forest of L’Ospédale awaits with ancient cork oaks and picturesque viewpoints. The Bonifacio cliffs and the old fortress town also reflect the charm of the island.
Ajaccio
The old town built by the Genoese with its narrow alleys is the first point of contact for visitors traveling by ferry from Marseille, Nice, or Toulon to Ajaccio. Here is also the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, one of many monuments and sights dedicated to Corsica's most famous son. Ajaccio shows its wild romantic side at the Pointe de la Parata. Located at the end of the Route des Sanguinaires, it offers a magnificent view over the sea and the offshore islands. A hiking trail leads through maquis and over steep cliffs to Capo di Feno, a picturesque beach.
Bastia
Start your city tour at Place Saint Nicolas, which forms the centerpiece and regularly hosts markets. From there, you can quickly reach the impressive Saint Jean-Baptiste Church and the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral on foot. On the coast, the Citadel is one of Bastia's landmarks. Those who want to combine a cultural trip with a beach holiday can quickly reach the dream beach of Arinella, located south of Bastia. Between May and October, let your soul unwind in the summer temperatures or cool off by swimming in the Mediterranean. North of Bastia, hikes to Monte Stello are recommended.
Bonifacio
For 600 years, the Genoese ruled Bonifacio, after which the city and island became French. Stroll through the quaint cobblestone streets of the old town with magnificent viewpoints of the mighty citadel and the marine cemetery with its numerous mausoleums and crypts. Also, try a delicious fish dish in one of the cozy taverns. With excursion boats, visit mysterious caves in the limestone cliffs. Discover from the water the famous Staircase of the King of Aragon, whose 187 steps stretch from the sea all the way to the top. An adventurous hike leads from Bonifacio to the 100-meter-high cliff Capo Pertusato with its distinctive lighthouse.
Calvi
The symbol of Calvi is considered to be the stylish harbor promenade. Stroll along here to look at the many yachts, or sit in one of the numerous cafés. The citadel, which was built in the Middle Ages, is one of the oldest buildings in the city, where Christopher Columbus is said to have been born. In the immediate vicinity around the city center, you will find a variety of picturesque beaches with the finest sand. When the thermometer climbs well above 20°C in the summer months, the conditions are ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing. For hikers, day tours to Monte Cinto are also an option.
Corte
Especially for hiking enthusiasts, Corte is worthwhile. Along the Tavignano and through the gorges and mountains surrounding the city, which is situated on a 436-meter-high plateau, you can expect kilometers of tours. The path up to the eagle's nest of the citadel, which houses a museum, is very popular. In the city itself, a stroll along Cours Paoli, the shopping street, and through the old town with the Church of the Annunciation is worthwhile. Near the citadel, along the old fortress wall, you reach a viewing platform from where you can enjoy a view over Corte and the two adjacent valleys.
Zonza
The Genoese towers from the 16th century on the island of Pinarellu invite you to combine beach fun with culture. The magnificent beaches Plage de Vardiola and Plage de Pinarellu entice you to a paradisiacal bathing experience. Calm waters, cozy beach bars, and the view of the turquoise water await those seeking tranquility to unwind. On the hiking trail to Ospedale, you pass three bathing pools, called Bala. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the natural pool before continuing through pine forests and passing a high ropes course. Canyoning and sport climbing are also offered here. You can explore the beautiful Corsican landscape by bike or on horseback as well.
Saint Florent
Since the Middle Ages, Saint Florent has been inhabited, and during your walks through the town center, you will be taken on a unique journey through time. Stroll through the narrow alleys and visit the Pianesque Church from the 12th century and the citadel in the old town. In the hinterland of Saint Florent, there are several wineries open to visitors to taste the noble drops of red and rosé wines. In the summer months, the beaches along the Gulf of Saint Florent invite you to sunbathe, swim, and relax. The turquoise blue Mediterranean promises a refreshing cool down in the bright sunshine.
Corsica - 5 most beautiful natural sights
Bavella Massif
The rock needles of pink granite in the Bavella Massif form a unique natural monument on the French island of Corsica. At an altitude of 900 to 1,218 meters, you repeatedly catch fantastic views of the impressive rock walls and ridges of the mountain group. Below, a forest of pines and firs spreads out. Hiking trails of varying difficulty levels lead past babbling mountain streams and rugged rocks. In addition, you can pursue numerous outdoor activities in the Bavella Massif. Mountain bike trails run through the mountains, and climbing routes like the Via Ferrata ascend the rocks. In a kayak, you paddle down the Solenzara and reach picturesque river bathing spots along the way.
Piana Creeks
Numerous hiking trails take you past the most beautiful of the rugged rock formations of the Corsican Calanques de Piana. The town of the same name, Piana, is a good starting point for your hiking tour. The historic mule track, with its easy trail profile, is well-suited for a family-friendly exploration of the reddish shimmering rocks in the sun. Bizarre rock formations like the Tête de Chien - a stone in the shape of a dog's head - and a rock with a heart-shaped opening cross your path. A special highlight is a hike in the evening sun, which bathes the rocky landscape in magical light and offers impressive photo opportunities for you.
Lavezzi Islands
Since 1982, the Lavezzi Islands have been under nature protection. For environmental reasons, only the islands of Piana, Piramide, Cavallo, and Lavezzi may be accessed. The uninhabited islands are crisscrossed by hiking trails and look quite different: some feature wind-smoothed granite stones, others have magnificent sandy beaches along the coast. In the summer months, ships regularly depart from Bonifacio to the Îles Lavezzi. From the ship, you can already spot Mediterranean wild herbs like bay, thyme, and juniper bushes. In the water, groupers and gilthead breams frolic, and in the air, coral gulls. With a bit of luck, you might see dolphins and schools of tuna.
Restonica Valley
The Restonica Valley is a perfect destination for hiking. One of the most popular tours leads to Lake Melo, surrounded by lush green meadows. They are ideal for a picnic. The tour continues to Lake Capitello, flanked by impressive rocks. At the entrance of the valley, a walk through the cool black pine forests is worthwhile. The valley is also known for its climbing routes. Most of them are located to the right of the road. Families with children often visit the freely accessible bathing spots of the Restonica River in the Restonica Valley. It originates from Lake Capitello and is always refreshingly cool even in the height of summer.
Scandola Nature Reserve
The Scandola Nature Reserve in the west of the French holiday island of Corsica covers 900 hectares of land and 1,000 hectares of sea area. On the ancient volcanic soil in the Mediterranean, Mediterranean maquis grows. The unique landscape with traces of long settlement has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Scandola Peninsula is best reached by boat. From the sea, you can discover caves and grottos along the coastline in the spectacular cliffs. Numerous seabirds such as cormorants and gulls nest in the rocks. The clear water with its fascinating underwater world is a paradise for snorkeling and diving.
Corsica - Climate
With an average of ten hours of sunshine daily, the months from May to August entice with a daily temperature of around 27.9 °C. A light breeze always blows on Corsica, preventing unpleasant humidity even on hot days. At night, temperatures are significantly lower in the height of summer. Therefore, a restful night's sleep without heat is guaranteed in a holiday home on Corsica. Spring and autumn, with maximum temperatures of 16 to 18 °C, invite you to explore the island. The scent of the blooming maquis in spring is enticing, as is the backdrop of colorful deciduous forests in autumn. Except for brief summer thunderstorms, rain falls almost exclusively in the autumn and winter months.
The following graph shows the average weather conditions for the country. Historical weather conditions may vary by region.