Azure sea and pristine mountains in Corsica
EuropeCorsica is an island located between Italy and France, and is part of France. The island is known for its beautiful beaches, charming towns, and mountainous interior. This blog post will tell you all about Corsica's highlights.
How to get there?
You can travel to Corsica from both France and Italy. Traveling via Italy is (usually) cheaper than traveling from France. If you're coming from Italy, it's most convenient and affordable to start your tour in Bastia. You can also fly to Corsica; depending on your flight, you'll arrive at one of the island's four airports.
Things to do in Corsica
Check out the view at Plage de Fautea
Near Porto-Vecchio, you'll find Plage de Fautea. It's about a five-minute walk from the road to the beach. The water here is beautifully clear and ideal for swimming. You can also walk from the beach to the Fautea tower for a beautiful view. You'll find many such towers on Corsica. In fact, there are no fewer than 67 towers along the Corsican coast, originally built as defensive towers to protect the island from pirates.
Walk to Piscia Di Gallo
About a 45-minute drive from Porto-Vecchio, you'll find Corsica's highest waterfall: Piscia di Gallo. Along the way, you can stop at Lac de l'Ospedale. The scenery around the lake is different from elsewhere in the area; the dark lake is surrounded by pine-like trees. A little further on, you'll find the parking lot for the hike to Piscia di Gallo. It's a beautiful mountainous area to walk through. The last part of the hike to the waterfall is quite steep, so keep this in mind when choosing your footwear.
Camping La Vetta
Camping La Vetta is located near Porto-Vecchio. It offers spacious, shaded pitches and a lovely swimming pool.
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Explore the city of Bonifacio
In the south of the island lies the town of Bonifacio. What makes Bonifacio so special is its location 80 meters above sea level. The buildings, built on the cliff, all have orange roofs. The views are spectacular both from the town and from a distance. Hiking trails lead to the most beautiful viewpoints of the town, which are easy to find. The town itself features many narrow streets with charming shops and charming squares.
Admire the sunset
In the Calanches de Piana area, you'll see stunning, high, red cliffs. Walking or driving here is a must during the day, but at sunset, the red color is even more striking. From the Tête de Chien point, you have a panoramic view of the sea. If you visit this point, leave well before sunset (at least 30 minutes in advance) for the trailhead to avoid rushing.
Camping Les Oliviers
Les Oliviers is a beautiful terraced campsite with plenty of shade. The campsite has a swimming pool and is located next to a stream.
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Drive and hike through the mountain area near Gorges de la Spelunca
The route from Ota to Evisa is stunning, thanks to its spectacular views. However, be careful while driving, as the road is not always easy to navigate. Sometimes there are rocks or potholes on the road. You might also encounter free-roaming goats, cows, and pigs along the way. Besides driving, it's also highly recommended to hike in this beautiful area. Several hiking trails are marked, including the one to the "Pont Genois de Zaglia" (a bridge). Along the way and nearby, you'll find natural pools where you can swim.
Stand-up paddleboarding on the water at Algajola
Algajola is a small seaside resort in northern Corsica. From the beach, you have a beautiful view of the citadel, but from the water, the view is even more impressive. You can rent stand-up paddleboards on the beach and admire the citadel this way.
Walk to an abandoned village
In the northwest of Corsica, you'll find the abandoned village of d'Occi. A narrow path leads to the village, which is situated on a hilltop. The start point of the hiking trail can be tricky to find, as it's hidden behind some bushes. However, the trail itself offers beautiful views. At the end point, in the village, you'll find several abandoned houses and a small church. The bathtub you see in the photo below has unfortunately disappeared, so recreating this photo is impossible, but the view of the sea remains magnificent.
Exploring the streets of Calvi
On the northwest coast of Corsica, you'll find the port city of Calvi. Next to the harbor is the citadel, perched on a hill. Because of its location, you'll have to climb a few steps before reaching the citadel. The defensive walls surrounding the citadel date back to the 17th century. It feels quieter here than the bustling but charming shopping streets near the harbor. Once you're back down, you can enjoy a drink at one of the many terraces by the harbor.
Corsica is a perfect island for anyone who loves a mix of relaxation and nature!
Useful information
Official language: French (but Italian and Corsican are also spoken)
Currency: Euro
Area: 8,722 km²
Best time to travel: June through September. July and August are the warmest months in Corsica, with average temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius.
