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Corsica, the fourth largest Mediterranean island, combines beautiful beaches with stylish towns, enthralling history, and endless natural beauty. Belonging to France since 1768, this gem of a destination also boasts plenty of Italian charm thanks to its unique history and geographic location.
There are endless things to do on the island of Corsica, and whether you plan to visit for a long weekend or a multi-week adventure, you’ll never be short of activities to keep yourself entertained. Of all the amazing sights on offer, here is our travel guide to the can’t-miss things to do on Corsica.
Culture and History
Corsica has a unique and historical culture. This culture has been developed by centuries of rule by different Mediterranean powers, including Italy and France.
Historically, Corsica was populated with Italian-influenced villas that were built among spectacular scenery. Later the French brought their own flair, which can be seen in the local language and cuisine. Corsicans are proud of their heritage and the island’s special fusion of Italian, French, and other influences.
National Museum of the Bonaparte Residence
For history fans, The National Museum of the Bonaparte Residence (also known as Maison Bonaparte) is a must-see.
Located in Ajaccio, this charming property is the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. It belonged to the Bonaparte family from 1682 until 1923, and nowadays, the house serves as a museum bursting with fascinating information about the Bonaparte family and Napoleon’s youth.
Multi-language audio guides are available for touring the property, which includes a visit to the room in which Napoleon was born. Unfortunately, not much of the original furniture or art remains, but the thoroughly-researched reproduction is a great glimpse into how life was for the Bonaparte family in the late 18th century.
The museum is open from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm every day but Monday. Tickets can be booked in advance and are €7 or free to EU residents under the age of 26.
Chapelle Notre Dame de la Serra
Notre Dame de la Serra is one of the best viewpoints in Corsica and is a breathtaking place to be at sunrise and sunset. An old legend says if you bring your true love here, you will spend the rest of your life with them. That in itself is reason enough to add this site to your itinerary.
The stunning panoramic vista takes in the entire bay of Calvi, the Réginu Valley, and as far as Lumio. To get there, take the road to Galeria from Calvi for around three miles, then turn left into the small road with a Notre Dame de la Serra sign.
Once you reach the top of the steps at the end of the road, you will be greeted with a small chapel, a pretty courtyard, and the aforementioned view.
Explore Nature
Corsica is a scenic and unique destination, with nature providing an experience that you won’t find anywhere else. It is blessed with lush green forests, including some of the largest chestnut tree groves in Europe, and its varied coastline encompasses both pristine sandy beaches and dramatic rocky cliffs.
Hiking, biking and kayaking opportunities are abundant throughout this picturesque location which provides breathtaking views of the island’s remarkable countryside. Here are some of the best places to experience the outdoors in Corsica.
Take in the Scandola Nature Reserve
Scandola Nature Reserve makes up just under eight miles of Corsica’s northwest coast and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its beauty and biodiversity.
Here, guests can enjoy seemingly endless flora and fauna both on land and under the ocean. One of the most interesting parts of the nature reserve is the maquis shrubland which is home to the evergreen shrubs that are iconic to Europe’s Mediterranean islands.
Scandola Nature Reserve is only readily accessible by boat trip, and most excursions come from Calvi, Ajaccio, or Porto. There are two hiking routes into Scandola, but they are extremely challenging and should only be attempted by experienced trekkers.
Visit Bouches de Bonifacio Nature Reserve
Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve is a UNESCO-listed marine environment that includes all of the water in Corsica’s French territory, from the southern tip of the island to the French Riviera and the Italian coastline.
Covering 80,000 hectares, the highlight is widely agreed to be the Lavezzi Islands Marine Reserve. This is one of the best places for snorkeling and scuba diving in Corsica, thanks to the translucent turquoise waters and colorful fish species, including rainbow wrasse and silver bream.
The reserve also includes fascinating marshland, lagoons, and coastal areas that house many rare species of birds and fish.
There are dozens of companies offering boat tours of the Lavezzi Islands. The island’s boat trips mostly depart from Bonifacio or Porte Vecchio and can be booked in advance.
View the Gorges de la Restonica
Located in the heart of Corsica, Gorges de la Restonica is a magnificent natural wonder, making it an absolute must-see for any traveler visiting the Mediterranean island.
Nestled amongst forests and mountains, the unique Vallée de Restonica is not to be missed. Making up part of a larger park landscape known as “l’Onda,” visitors can explore five kilometers worth of extraordinary wooded ravines, awe-inspiring gorges, and rushing streams.
Embarking on a journey through this stunningly gorgeous site will feel like stepping foot onto a different planet, one blanketed with lush vegetation and steep slopes, where even the crisp mountain air has its own distinct smell.
Gorges de la Restonica could very well become your favorite destination in all of Corsica.
Sample Corsican Cuisine
Corsica is steeped in both French and Italian heritage, so it’s no surprise that the island has an incredible food scene. It’s common for locals to enjoy a leisurely three-course lunch with a few glasses of Corsican wine, and tourists are recommended to do the same.
The most famous dish on the island is wild boar. Look out for Civet de Sanglier, a wild boar casserole, on menus in restaurants and cafes; it’s said to be Corsica’s signature dish, and it bursts with flavor when prepared correctly. Some of the other specialties to look out for are the following:
- Brocciu – a local sheep or goat cheese
- Figatellu – a fresh sausage made with pork liver
- Fiadone – a traditional lemon-flavored dessert
- Pietra – the most famous Corsican beer
These are some of the best places on the island to eat typical Corsican food.
La Bergerie d’Acciola
- $$-$$$
- Website: la-bergerie-acciola.fr
This traditional Corsican spot in Sartene, South Corsica, is an old mill turned restaurant. Tradition is at the heart of the menu, and the chef only uses fresh, local produce to create the dishes on the menu. The panoramic terrace offers splendid sea views, making this a great pick for a sunset snack.
La Bergerie d’Acciola is a small place, and tables book up quickly, so making a reservation ahead of time is recommended.
Aux Bons Amis
- $$ – $$$
- Webiste: restaurantguru.com/AUX-BONS-AMIS-Calvi
Being on the coast! There is also a superb array of seafood on the Aux Bons Amis menu. This popular Calvi restaurant specializes in French and Mediterranean cuisine, such as olive soup and parfait. Fresh brownies and brioches make a fantastic snack if you don’t want a full meal, and the house wine and sangria are worth visiting on their own.
Guests love the atmosphere and the service as much as the food itself. The decor is rustic and cozy inside, and there is also some outdoor seating to make the most of Corsica’s warm summer evenings.
Brasserie L’Imperial
- $$
- Website: brasserielimperial-bastia.fr
Centrally located on the Place St-Nicolas in Bastia, this brewery-style brasserie serves spectacular views and delicious European plates in equal measure.
Located opposite the port, diners can sit on the shady terrace and enjoy an evening of people-watching. The thin-crust pizzas and salads are extremely affordable and of fantastic quality, and the beef fillet with foie gras is a decadent dish that should be sampled at least once.
The restaurant is open from 7 am until 10.30 pm daily except for Tuesdays. Reservations are recommended for lunch and dinner service.
Visit Corsica’s Beautiful Beaches
One of the main reasons that tourists flock to Corsica is the vast array of incredible beaches. Whether you like to lie out in the sun on silky sands, explore hidden coves, or head out onto the water for kayaking and snorkeling, you’re sure to find a beach that will fit your needs perfectly.
The following beaches are some of the most beautiful on the island of Corsica.
Palombaggia Beach
Plage de Palombaggia, or simply, Palonbaggia Beach, is situated on the South coast of Corsica, around 25 minutes from Porto-Vecchio. The Mediterranean Sea on this part of the island is calm and translucent, inviting swimmers to enjoy a relaxed dip in the shallow lagoon-like ocean.
Amenities include several restaurants, toilets, showers, sun loungers, parasols, and boat rentals. Parking is also available.
Saleccia Beach
This remote and rustic Corsican beach is around half a mile long. Saleccia Beach is a nature reserve and is largely underdeveloped, so it’s necessary to plan ahead and bring your own water and snacks.
The closest town is Saint-Florent which is around seven miles away. To arrive in Saleccia, you can take a boat taxi which can also deliver you to neighboring beaches.
Rondinara Beach
Located to the north of Bonifacio, close to Porto Vecchio, Rondinara Beach is a Corsican gem that is popular with families. Rondinara is unique on Corsica due to its crescent-like shape, and the enclosed cove’s sheltered water is perfect for children to enjoy swimming and snorkeling safely.
Despite its beauty, this beach is less crowded than the more famous beaches of Santa Giulia and Palombaggia, so it is a good option if you’re aiming to avoid crowds.
Adventure in Corsica
Corsica is the perfect place for outdoor adventurers! Enjoy snorkeling through crystal clear waters, scuba diving, exploring colorful reefs, or even tackling canyoning through some of the stunning rivers of the island. In addition, Corsica hows a snow season for skiing.
If you like to adventure for comfort, this Mediterranean island also hosts a mountainous train journey.
Here are the best ways to adventure in Corsica.
Go Skiing
Did you know that you can ski in Corsica? Despite being known for its white sands and some of the best European beaches, 80% of the island is covered in mountainous terrain.
Most of the year, the mountains serve as hiking trails, and the likes of Aiguilles de Bavella are famed throughout Europe for their beauty. But it isn’t widely known that some of them also become skiable at certain times of the year.
There are around six miles of slopes in total, and the island’s ski resorts are served by nine lifts. The main three resorts are Haut Asco, Val d’Ese, and Ghisoni. Daily passes can be bought for the resorts, and ski tours are also available.
The snow in Corsica typically comes in late winter, so March is the best time to ski. However, in some of the higher mountains, it’s possible to ski all the way through to May.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Corsica is home to some of the most fascinating waters in the Mediterranean which makes it a hugely popular place to dive and snorkel. So whether you are a beginner or highly experienced, there are some great spots to choose from.
There are numerous nature reserves around the island, including Finocchiarola, Tre Padule de Suartone, Îles Cerbicale, Les Bouches de Bonifacio, and the Scandola, a UNESCO world heritage site.
Divers in Corsica can expect to see incredible wrecks, diverse topography, and diverse sea life, including grouper, moray eels, and many other colorful species native to the Mediterranean.
Corsica’s Most Incredible Diving Sites
If you aren’t sure which location to pick for your diving adventure, here are some of the best things to discover under Corsica’s crystal-clear waters:
- Revellata Peninsula, next to Calvi
- Merouville, Lavezzi Island Nature Reserve
- Punta Locca, near Liamone Beach
- The wreckage of a B-17 bomber near the Citadel of Calvi
- Pecorella Shipwreck, a cargo ship that sank close to Porto-Vecchio
Go Canyoning
Corsica was blessed with diverse and varied terrain that lends itself perfectly to various outdoor activities. Canyoning is one of the best adventures for thrillseekers visiting Corsica, and there are several professional companies available to guide you, no matter how much prior experience you have.
Tip: You must be able to swim to take part in canyoning on Corsica, and it’s important to choose a qualified guide with good recommendations.
Corsica’s Best Places to Go Canyoning
There are plenty of canyons to choose from to suit your skill and confidence levels.
- For a great all-around experience, head to Richiusa Canyon to enjoy an exhilarating mix of diving, toboggans, tyrolean traversing, and more.
- The Bracci Canyon near Propriano is well suited to beginners and children as young as seven.
- The Verghellu Canyon is ok for children aged ten and up. This canyon also offers rope courses, zip lining, and abseiling, making it one of the best spots on Corsica for those seeking a full-on adrenaline rush.
Take the Trinicellu Train
For a different way to explore the beauty of Corsica, look no further than the Corsican Train. Nicknamed Trinichellu (the little jiggling train), this unique mode of transport will give you exclusive access to parts of the island that aren’t reachable by car.
There are two lines: Bastia to Ajaccio and Calvi to Ajaccio. Both cross the Corsica Natural Regional Park, and it’s possible to hop off to explore and then hop back on the next train, so you can easily spend a full day exploring Corsica’s vast wilderness this way.
Most locals agree that the most scenic part of Trinichellu’s route is the two-hour descent from Ajaccio to Corte. During this part of the track, riders can enjoy soaring views and chestnut forests, as well as unspoiled vistas of the 84-meter high viaduct that Gustave Eiffel designed.
Sit on the left for the best views. If you carry on to Calvi, you’ll pass by white water river rapids before following the sandy beach straight into town.
Tickets can be bought on the train or at the station, and there’s no need to book in advance.
Explore and Stay in Corsica
Corsica is known as the ‘Island of Beauty,’ and as you can see from this list of can’t-miss things to do in Corsica, it’s no surprise.
So whether you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday, fascinating day trips, sightseeing tours, or an adventure of a lifetime, Corsica has got you covered.
Featured Image Credit: Andrew Mayovskyy
