What to see in Corsica, an itinerary to discover the wonders of this island, where holidays by the sea on the beautiful beaches can be combined with the visit of very interesting and absolutely worth seeing cities.
Tourist information
Ideal holiday destination to bask in the Mediterranean, off the coast of France and Italy, Corsica boasts beautiful beaches, beautiful mountains, wonderful cities and villages immersed in the enchanting surrounding landscape, with a mild climate all year round .
The hundreds of beaches and the over a thousand kilometers of coastline form the basis of many holidays on the island, for swimming, snorkeling, wind-surfing, scuba diving or simply sunbathing while resting.
The cities of Corsica are very interesting, as well as mountain walks, to be chosen according to your skills.
The Corsica Regional Nature Park, which was established for the protection of the natural environment, includes some of the highest peaks on the island.
The Scandola nature reserve is very beautiful and is accessible only by boat.
For any kind of walker, it is possible to find the most suitable panoramic path in Corsica, choosing from the hundreds available.
If you want a short route you can go to the vast regional park, inquiring at the nearest tourist office.
Corsica's most famous path is the GR20, also known as the Beato Monte.
It is a famous path that crosses the mountains of the island, starting from Calinzana, a town located about 10 km north of Calvi, and continuing towards Conza, heading south-east 20 km north from Porto Vecchio.
The GR20 is 200 kilometers long and it can take over two weeks to complete the entire route on foot.
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Although a restaurant service is available in some refuges, it is always advisable to bring enough water with you for the entire crossing.
Even if the path is well marked, it is advisable to bring a detailed map of the paths.
For the less experienced, or for those who do not have enough time to travel the entire GR20 path, other beautiful less demanding paths can be considered, including the Mare e Monti, from Calinzana to Cargese in ten stages, the Mare Monte South, from Porticcio to Propriano in five stages, the Mare a Mare Nord treks, from Cargese to Moriani in twelve stages, the Mare a Mare Centro, from Ghisonaccia to Ajaccio in seven stages.
For those who are near Saint-Florent, it is possible to follow the coastal path, which goes from Saint-Florent to Ostriconi, crossing the beaches of Saleccia and Loto, and which takes just over two days to be covered entirely, stopping in the refuges of Saleccia and Ghignu for two nights.
What see
Ajaccio, a town of fifty thousand inhabitants located in western Corsica in a sheltered position, has a mild climate all year round.
The origins of today's Ajaccio date back to an ancient Roman city, located on the hill north of the current city.
Place of birth of Napoleon Bonaparte, it contains places of tourist interest on this character, from the birthplace to the museum.
In the Renaissance cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Misericordia, Napoleon was baptized, testified by the baptismal font where the sacrament was celebrated.
The Fesch Museum is renowned for housing a remarkable collection of Italian Renaissance paintings.
Aleria is a small town, located between Bastia and Porto-Vecchio on the east coast of Corsica.
The most important attraction are the Roman ruins, including the remains of the Roman city and the Villa necropolis, which was once here.
The Jerome Carcopino Museum contains some fascinating archaeological finds, including busts, sculptures and ancient ceramics, mainly depicting animal heads.
Bastia is a commercial port in the north-east part of Corsica, characterized by the contrast between the old part of the city and the modern yachts moored in the port.
Bonifacio, the medieval and oldest city of Corsica, is located in the south on the southern tip, just 12 km from Sardinia, with an exclusive port and characterized by palm trees and restaurants lining the quayside.
To visit the Scala del Re d Aragona, useful for reaching the historic center, the monument to the dead and the interesting churches inserted among the medieval houses.
Calvi, located in Balagne, is a port town with a long, narrow white sand beach.
The visit of the Jean Baptiste Cathedral and a walk in the cobblestone streets among the shops of the citadel are a nice way to spend a quiet afternoon or evening.
A pleasant excursion is the one on the hill up to the church of Madonna della Serra, from which you can enjoy a splendid view.
Cargese in Balagne is also known as a Greek village, located 20 km south of Porto.
It is a village made up of white houses, built on a rocky promontory overlooking a deep blue bay.
There is a Latin church and a Greek church, both dating from the nineteenth century.
Corte, a small town in the heart of central Corsica, was once the capital of the island.
It is ideally located for exploring the mountains, valleys and scenery of central Corsica.
Apart from the village, along with its rocky outcrop above the Tavignano valley, the main places of interest are the citadel and the Corsica Museum.
The citadel is visible from anywhere in the area, being perched on a steep rock, and can be reached from the steep narrow streets of the hill.
Do not miss the nearby viewing platform, which offers an excellent view not only of the citadel, but also of the surrounding mountains.
Corte is also a university campus, for this reason there is a large number of students among the population.
There are walks for all standards of fitness and enthusiasm, useful for experiencing the wild side of Corsica for yourself.
Ile-Rousse in Balagne was founded by Pasquale Paoli in 1758, with the aim of creating a port that was not controlled by the Genoese.
With a beautiful beach south of Plage de Rindara and small rocky islands to the north, the Ile-Rousse is located in a beautiful landscape setting.
It is a very refined city with luxurious shops and restaurants along the straight streets.
The city center is in Piazza Paoli, open towards the sea to the west and with a pleasant covered market.
The old part of the city, with its cobbled streets and old houses, is the one of greatest interest to the visitor.
Le Parc de Saleccia is a pleasant 7-hectare botanical garden located north of the city.
Porto is ideally located for visiting many of the region's highlights, including Scandola, Spelunca, Calanches di Piana and the Foret d'Aitone.
Porto-Vecchio, located on the south-eastern coast of Corsica, is a very popular place with tourists.
It is a city built on the marshes, which continues to play an important role in the city.
There are several very interesting beaches, including Palombaggia, an internationally renowned beach for its beauty.
It is also interesting to explore the mountainous landscape located on the opposite side from the sea.
Propriano, dating back to the early nineteenth century, represents one of the most popular places in Corsica, thanks to the numerous beaches present, including the Plage de Lido, located 1 km from the center.
Ferries are available to Sardinia and France.
The village of Campomoro is very popular with its beautiful beach and beautiful tourist setting.
Saint Florent, located in the north-east of Corsica and built in the fifteenth century, is a very popular holiday resort, where the climate, the nearby beaches and the landscape are the main source of attraction.
Sartene, located in the south-west of Corsica a few kilometers in the mountains south-east of Propriano, has a center developed around Piazza della Liberazione.
The old Governor's Palace is also the guillotine square, the Church of Sainte Marie, located on the edge of the square with its characteristic Corsican bell tower, contains the cross and the chain that are worn by a penitent in the long Easter procession, which takes place every year through the streets of the city.
The historic center of Sant'Anna is interesting, with alleys characterized by an incredible mixture of tall old houses, connected by arches and arcades.
