Corsica calls itself l’île de beauté, the island of beauty, and it rarely takes long for visitors to see why. Snow-capped peaks rise directly above beaches with water clear enough to count pebbles on the seabed, and the interior holds granite villages that feel closer to the Italian and Genoese eras of the island’s history than to mainland France, despite the tricolor flags flying above town halls.
Related: Best Tours & Experiences in Ajaccio, Corsica
Best Things to Do in Corsica
Explore the Red Cliffs of Calanques de Piana
Along the west coast, wind-carved granite formations glow orange and red at sunset, best seen from a boat trip out of Porto or from one of the coastal hiking paths that thread between the rock formations.
Wander the Citadel of Bonifacio
Perched on white limestone cliffs at the island’s southern tip, Bonifacio’s old town sits dramatically above the sea, with a warren of medieval streets leading to a marina full of yachts and fishing boats below.
Hike a Section of the GR20
One of Europe’s most demanding long-distance trails runs the length of Corsica’s mountainous spine, but shorter day sections near Corte or Calenzana let less committed hikers sample its dramatic ridgelines without the multi-week commitment.
Relax on the Beaches of Palombaggia
Pink-tinged sand, umbrella pines growing right to the waterline, and shallow turquoise water make this stretch near Porto-Vecchio one of the Mediterranean’s most photographed beaches, and it’s easy to see why on a clear day.
Visit Napoleon’s Birthplace in Ajaccio
Corsica’s capital is where Napoleon Bonaparte was born, and his childhood home, now a museum, along with statues and squares bearing his name throughout the city, trace the island’s outsized role in French history.
Top-Rated Corsica Tours & Experiences
Best Time to Visit
Late spring and September offer warm sea temperatures without the packed beaches and inflated prices of peak August, when much of France goes on holiday. Mountain trails are best tackled from June through September once snow has cleared from the higher passes.
How to Get There
Corsica has four airports serving Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi, and Figari, with regular flights from mainland France and seasonal routes from other European cities. Overnight ferries from Nice, Marseille, and Toulon are a popular alternative, especially for travelers bringing a car.
Good to Know
The island’s interior roads are narrow and winding, so journeys between towns often take longer than the map suggests, and renting a car remains the most practical way to reach beaches and villages off the main coastal routes. Many restaurants and shops close for a long lunch, particularly outside the busiest resort towns.
Between its mountains and its coastline, Corsica offers a rare combination of alpine and Mediterranean travel in a single, compact island, well worth the extra effort it takes to get around.
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