Corsica
3
Day Itinerary •
France
Three days in Corsica gives you the essential island, from the extraordinary clifftop citadel of Bonifacio perched on its white limestone cliffs above the Strait of Bonifacio to the magnificent Genoese towers of the west coast, the extraordinary maquis-scented gorges of the Spelunca and the finest beaches in the Mediterranean at Palombaggia and Santa Giulia. This route covers the soul of Corsica. The extraordinary walled capital of Bonifacio, the turquoise coves of the south, the wild granite mountains of the interior, the ancient Genoese citadel of Porto and the extraordinary Calanques de Piana, one of the most dramatic coastal landscapes in all of Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Best Time To Visit
May to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly into Figari (FSC) or Ajaccio (AJA)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 160 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some coastal walking
DAY 1
BONIFACIO
MORNING
BONIFACIO HAUTE VILLE, THE MOST DRAMATIC CITADEL IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
The extraordinary walled upper town of Bonifacio sits on a narrow limestone promontory 70 metres above the sea, its medieval houses cantilevered over the edge of the cliff. The Eglise Sainte-Marie-Majeure, the extraordinary Escalier du Roi d'Aragon cut into the cliff face with 187 steps, and the views from the bastion over the Strait of Bonifacio to Sardinia are all extraordinary. Entry to staircase approx 3 euros. Drive: 15 min walk to port
MIDDAY
BONIFACIO OLD PORT AND THE LIMESTONE GROTTOS
The extraordinary old port of Bonifacio sits in a long narrow inlet carved from the white limestone cliffs. Boat trips from the port visit the extraordinary sea grottos, the Grain de Sable rock arch and the extraordinary Iles Lavezzi, a granite archipelago of turquoise coves and marine reserve. Boat tours from approx 18 euros. The most extraordinary coastline in Corsica. Drive: 25 min drive
AFTERNOON
PLAGE DE PALOMBAGGIA AND THE COVES OF THE SOUTH
Palombaggia is the most beautiful beach in Corsica, its extraordinary arc of white sand backed by sculpted red porphyry rocks and umbrella pines, the water an extraordinary translucent turquoise. The smaller coves of Tamaricciu and Santa Giulia nearby are equally extraordinary and quieter after 5pm. Arrive early or late to avoid the summer crowds.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Iles Lavezzi nature reserve, 15 minutes by boat from Bonifacio, is the most extraordinary uninhabited archipelago in France. The extraordinary granite formations, crystal-clear marine reserve water and complete absence of development make it the finest hidden gem in southern Corsica. Boat from Bonifacio port, approx 18 euros return.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Bonifacio port Coffee on the quay watching the first fishing boats return. Extraordinary morning light. | Lunch: Kissing Pigs, Bonifacio Outstanding Corsican charcuterie, brocciu fritters and Nielluccio wine on the port. | Dinner: A Madonetta, Bonifacio Extraordinary Corsican cuisine in the haute ville. Local veal, chestnuts and Patrimonio red.
DAY 2
PORTO-VECCHIO AND BAVELLA
MORNING
PORTO-VECCHIO OLD TOWN AND THE GENOESE FORTIFICATIONS
Porto-Vecchio is the most pleasant small town in southern Corsica, its extraordinary Genoese citadel rising above the deep-water gulf. The old town within the ramparts has the finest concentration of Corsican restaurants and cork oak producers. The extraordinary gulf of Porto-Vecchio is one of the finest natural harbours in the Mediterranean, its wooded shores sheltering extraordinary coves. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
THE BAVELLA NEEDLES, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY MOUNTAIN SCENERY IN CORSICA
The Aiguilles de Bavella are the most dramatic mountain landscape in Corsica, their extraordinary granite spires rising to 1,218 metres above a pine forest in the heart of the island. The Col de Bavella at 1,218 metres gives the most extraordinary panoramic views on the island. The walking trails from the col to the Trou de la Bombe rock arch are extraordinary. Free. Drive: 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
SANTA GIULIA AND THE SOUTHERN COVES
Santa Giulia is the most beautiful lagoon beach in Corsica, its extraordinary shallow turquoise water sheltered in a perfect horseshoe bay of white sand. The lagoon behind is a nature reserve of extraordinary colour. The coves of Cala Rossa to the north are the finest in the Porto-Vecchio area. Extraordinary snorkelling in the clear water of the southern gulf.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Ospédale forest above Porto-Vecchio is an extraordinary granite plateau of ancient Laricio pines at 1,000 metres, entirely unknown to most beach visitors. The Piscia di Ghjaddu waterfall, a 60-metre cascade in the forest, is one of the most extraordinary hidden gems in southern Corsica. Free, 45-minute walk from the road.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Boulangerie in Porto-Vecchio Coffee and chestnut cake before the morning drive to Bavella. | Lunch: Auberge du Col de Bavella Extraordinary mountain lunch at 1,218 metres. Local Corsican charcuterie and Pietra beer. | Dinner: La Tonnelle, Porto-Vecchio Outstanding seafood restaurant on the gulf. Local langouste, sea bass and Vermentino white.
DAY 3
AJACCIO AND THE CALANQUES
MORNING
AJACCIO, NAPOLEON'S BIRTHPLACE AND THE FESCH MUSEUM
Ajaccio is the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte and the finest city in Corsica. The extraordinary Musee Fesch contains the most important collection of Italian Renaissance paintings in France outside the Louvre, assembled by Napoleon's uncle Cardinal Fesch. The house where Napoleon was born on 15 August 1769 is an extraordinary museum. The old town and the covered market are wonderful. Entry to Fesch approx 8 euros. Drive: 1.5 hour drive
MIDDAY
THE CALANQUES DE PIANA, UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE COASTLINE
The Calanques de Piana are the most extraordinary coastal landscape in Corsica and one of the most dramatic in the world. The extraordinary orange-red porphyry rock formations of the D81 corniche road between Porto and Piana, sculpted by wind and sea into extraordinary towers, arches and needles above the deep blue Gulf of Porto, are unmissable. The drive is most extraordinary in the afternoon light. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
PORTO AND THE GENOESE TOWER
Porto is the finest village on the west coast of Corsica, its extraordinary Genoese tower on a granite outcrop above the river mouth one of the most photographed in Corsica. The extraordinary Gorges de la Spelunca behind Porto, a dramatic river gorge of orange granite with Genoese bridges, is among the finest short walks on the island. Eucalyptus-scented maquis fills the air.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Reserve Naturelle de Scandola, accessible only by boat from Porto, is the most extraordinary marine and coastal reserve in France. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, its extraordinary volcanic cliffs, sea caves and crystal waters are inaccessible by road. Boat tours from Porto approx 45 euros. Ospreys nest in the cliffs. The finest hidden coastline in the western Mediterranean.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Grand Cafe Napoleon, Ajaccio Coffee on the Cours Napoleon before the Fesch Museum opens. Extraordinary Corsican pastries. | Lunch: Le 20123, Ajaccio Outstanding traditional Corsican menu. One fixed price, everything extraordinary, extraordinary value. | Dinner: Le Maquis, Porto Extraordinary dinner overlooking the Genoese tower. Local seafood and Corsican red wine at sunset.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Bonifacio, Night 1 Hotel du Roy d'Aragon in the old port. Extraordinary views of the cliffs. Approx 110 to 180 euros. Porto-Vecchio, Night 2 Hotel Kilina or a villa rental near Palombaggia. Approx 100 to 200 euros per night. Ajaccio, Night 3 Hotel Fesch in the old town, steps from Napoleon's birthplace. Approx 90 to 150 euros.
Top Tips
1. Bonifacio at dawn, before the day-trippers arrive from Porto-Vecchio, is an extraordinary experience.
2. Palombaggia beach is busiest between 11am and 4pm. Arrive early or after 5pm for an extraordinary visit.
3. The Calanques de Piana are most extraordinary in the late afternoon light. Drive the D81 from south to north.
4. Corsican charcuterie, figatellu sausage and brocciu cheese are extraordinary. Buy from village producers.
5. Petrol stations are scarce in the interior. Fill up whenever you can on mountain drives.
6. The GR20 long-distance trail crosses Corsica north to south. Even a single day section is extraordinary.
Total Budget
100 to 160 euros/day