Corsica
5
Day Itinerary •
France
Five days in Corsica lets you explore the full extraordinary length of the Island of Beauty, from the dramatic clifftop citadel of Bonifacio in the deep south to the extraordinary Genoese capital of Bastia in the north, taking in the finest beaches in the Mediterranean, the wild granite peaks of the interior and the most celebrated wine villages of Cap Corse. This route covers the complete Corsican experience. The extraordinary white cliffs of Bonifacio, the turquoise coves of the south at Palombaggia and Santa Giulia, the UNESCO Calanques de Piana on the wild west coast, the extraordinary mountain interior of the Corte region, the ancient Genoese towers of Cap Corse and the finest Patrimonio and Muscat wines on the island.
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 and mountain 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 cliff edge. The Escalier du Roi d'Aragon cut into the cliff face with 187 steps, the Eglise Sainte-Marie-Majeure 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
MIDDAY
BONIFACIO OLD PORT, SEA GROTTOS AND THE ILES LAVEZZI
The extraordinary old port sits in a long inlet carved from white limestone. Boat trips visit the sea grottos, the Grain de Sable rock arch and the extraordinary Iles Lavezzi nature reserve, a granite archipelago of turquoise coves. The most extraordinary coastline in Corsica. Boat tours from approx 18 euros. Drive: 25 min drive
AFTERNOON
PALOMBAGGIA AND THE TURQUOISE COVES OF THE SOUTH
Palombaggia is the most beautiful beach in Corsica, an extraordinary arc of white sand backed by sculpted red porphyry rocks and umbrella pines, the water an extraordinary translucent turquoise. The coves of Tamaricciu and Santa Giulia are quieter after 5pm. The most extraordinary beaches in the western Mediterranean.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Iles Lavezzi nature reserve, 15 minutes by boat from Bonifacio, is the most extraordinary uninhabited archipelago in France. Crystal-clear marine reserve water, extraordinary granite formations and complete absence of development make it the finest hidden gem in southern Corsica. Boat approx 18 euros return.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Bonifacio port Coffee on the quay watching the fishing boats. Extraordinary morning light on the white cliffs. | 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 CITADEL
Porto-Vecchio is the most pleasant small town in southern Corsica, its extraordinary Genoese citadel rising above one of the finest natural harbours in the Mediterranean. The old town within the ramparts has the finest Corsican restaurants and cork oak producers. The gulf of Porto-Vecchio, its wooded shores sheltering extraordinary coves, is unmissable. 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 above a Laricio pine forest. The Col de Bavella at 1,218 metres gives the most extraordinary panoramic views on the island. The trail to the Trou de la Bombe rock arch is among the finest short walks in Corsica. Free. Drive: 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
SANTA GIULIA LAGOON 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. 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 and extraordinary for snorkelling.
💎 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, is one of the finest 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 the Bavella needles. | Lunch: Auberge du Col de Bavella Extraordinary mountain lunch at 1,218 metres. Local charcuterie and Pietra beer. | Dinner: La Tonnelle, Porto-Vecchio Outstanding seafood 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 Italian Renaissance collection in France outside the Louvre, assembled by Cardinal Fesch. The house where Napoleon was born on 15 August 1769 is an extraordinary museum. The old town market is outstanding. Entry to Fesch approx 8 euros. Drive: 1.5 hour drive
MIDDAY
THE CALANQUES DE PIANA, UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE COASTLINE
The most extraordinary coastal landscape in Corsica. The orange-red porphyry formations of the D81 corniche between Porto and Piana, sculpted into extraordinary towers and arches above the deep blue Gulf of Porto, are unmissable. Drive the route in the afternoon light for the most extraordinary colours. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
PORTO AND THE GORGES DE LA SPELUNCA
Porto is the finest village on the west coast, its 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 spanned by Genoese bridges, is the finest short walk on the west coast. Maquis and eucalyptus scent the air.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Reserve Naturelle de Scandola, accessible only by boat from Porto, is the most extraordinary marine reserve in France. Declared UNESCO in 1983, its volcanic cliffs, sea caves and crystal water are inaccessible by road. Boat tours from Porto approx 45 euros. Ospreys nest in the extraordinary cliffs.
🍽 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 One fixed Corsican menu, everything extraordinary. Outstanding value and local produce. | Dinner: Le Maquis, Porto Extraordinary dinner overlooking the Genoese tower. Local seafood and Corsican wine at sunset.
DAY 4
CORTE AND THE MOUNTAIN INTERIOR
MORNING
CORTE, THE MOUNTAIN CAPITAL AND CITADEL OF CORSICAN IDENTITY
Corte is the most extraordinary mountain town in Corsica and the only town never controlled by Genoa. Its extraordinary citadel, perched on a sheer granite outcrop high above the confluence of the Tavignano and Restonica rivers, was the capital of independent Corsica under Pascal Paoli. The Musee de la Corse inside is outstanding. The old town below is extraordinary. Entry approx 6 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
GORGES DE LA RESTONICA, THE FINEST MOUNTAIN WALK IN CORSICA
The Gorges de la Restonica above Corte is the most extraordinary mountain valley in Corsica, its extraordinary clear torrent rushing between enormous boulders of grey granite below peaks of 2,600 metres. The walk to the extraordinary Lac de Melo and Lac de Capitello above the gorge is the finest mountain hike on the island. Start before 9am to avoid crowds. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE NIOLO AND THE LAKE OF CALACUCCIA
The Niolo is the most remote and extraordinary high valley in Corsica, its ancient chestnut villages and the vast Lac de Calacuccia reservoir surrounded by the highest peaks on the island. The village of Calacuccia with its extraordinary mountain setting is entirely unknown to beach visitors. The drive over the Col de Vergio at 1,477 metres is extraordinary.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary village of Casamaccioli on the shore of Lac de Calacuccia hosts the Santa di u Niolu festival each September, the most extraordinary traditional Corsican gathering on the island. The polyphonic singing, livestock fair and pilgrimage to the chapel are an extraordinary living cultural tradition. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Corte old town Coffee below the extraordinary citadel before the museum opens. | Lunch: Osteria di l'Orta, Corte Outstanding Corsican mountain cuisine. Local chestnut polenta, lamb and Nielluccio red. | Dinner: A Scudella, Corte Extraordinary traditional Corsican cooking. Local trout, wild boar and chestnut beer.
DAY 5
CAP CORSE AND BASTIA
MORNING
CAP CORSE, THE WILD FINGER OF LAND ABOVE CORSICA
Cap Corse is the most extraordinary peninsula in France, a narrow finger of schist mountains and maquis jutting 40km north of Bastia. The extraordinary D80 corniche road encircles the entire cap passing Genoese towers, fishing villages and extraordinary coastal viewpoints. The village of Nonza on its extraordinary black sand beach and the tower above it are the finest on the west coast of the cap. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
PATRIMONIO, THE FINEST WINE VILLAGE IN CORSICA
Patrimonio produces the finest wine in Corsica from the only appellation on schist and limestone soils. The extraordinary Nielluccio red and the extraordinary Muscat du Cap Corse, the finest Muscat in France, are both produced here. Visit Domaine Orenga de Gaffory or Domaine Gentile for an extraordinary tasting. The Eglise Saint-Martin with its extraordinary views over the vineyards and gulf is beautiful. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
BASTIA, THE EXTRAORDINARY GENOESE CAPITAL OF CORSICA
Bastia is the finest city in Corsica for authentic Corsican life, its extraordinary Genoese old port of Terra Vecchia entirely different in character from tourist Ajaccio. The extraordinary Vieux Port with its pastel-painted houses, the baroque Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste and the extraordinary citadel above are all remarkable. The covered market and the fish stalls of the port are extraordinary.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary tower and black sand beach of Nonza on the west coast of Cap Corse is the finest hidden gem on the peninsula. The extraordinary 16th-century Genoese tower stands on a sheer black cliff above the most unusual beach in Corsica. Almost entirely unknown outside the island. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe on Cap Corse Coffee at a village bar on the cap before the morning coastal drive. | Lunch: U Minellu, Patrimonio Extraordinary local lunch with Patrimonio wine tasting. Local charcuterie and brocciu. | Dinner: A Casarella, Bastia Outstanding Corsican cuisine in the extraordinary citadel. Local seafood and Patrimonio red.
Where To Stay
Bonifacio / Porto-Vecchio, Nights 1 to 2 Hotel du Roy d'Aragon or villa near Palombaggia. Approx 100 to 200 euros. Ajaccio, Night 3 Hotel Fesch, old town. Steps from Napoleon's birthplace. Approx 90 to 150 euros. Corte or Bastia, Nights 4 to 5 Hotel Dominique Colonna, Corte gorges, or Hotel Pietracap, Bastia. Approx 80 to 140 euros.
Top Tips
1. Bonifacio at dawn before the day-trippers arrive from Porto-Vecchio is an extraordinary experience.
2. The Calanques de Piana are most extraordinary in late afternoon. Drive the D81 from south to north.
3. Corsican charcuterie, figatellu and brocciu cheese are extraordinary. Buy only from village producers.
4. The Gorges de la Restonica near Corte are the finest mountain walk in Corsica. Start before 9am.
5. Patrimonio wine from the north is the finest red on the island. Buy direct from Domaine Orenga de Gaffory.
6. Petrol stations are scarce in the interior. Fill the tank at every opportunity on mountain routes.
Total Budget
100 to 160 euros/day