Wonderful Corsica
Corsica is one of the most popular destinations with holidaymakers. Famous for its fine sandy beaches and its authenticity, Corsica wins everyone over. Natural riches and a real change of scene await.
Next stop on our Régiontrip series: Corsica!
It would be a lie to pretend this article didn't take us a great deal of thought.
There is so much to say that we had to make choices about the places we would mention.Corsica, a heavenly island off the Mediterranean coast.
Hugely popular with holidaymakers, this region is packed with natural wonders and authenticity.
Corsica has nothing to envy the mainland, quite the opposite! Its breathtaking landscapes, its distinctive cuisine and its picturesque villages have turned its reputation into a tourism culture all of its own. All of Corsica's well-known towns and cities, namely Ajaccio, Bastia, Porto-Vecchio and Bonifacio, have a great deal to offer. I'd recommend going as soon as you get the chance!
In this article, though, I've chosen to talk instead about the natural side of the island.Its intoxicating natural settingIts heavenly stretches of water:
First of all, it's no secret to anyone: the mind goes straight to the idyllic beaches dotted all along the coast: Marinella beach near Ajaccio, Palombaggia beach in Porto-Vecchio, and Arinella beach and the Ficaghjola cove in Bastia.
There are also natural freshwater pools such as the Cavu valley and the Piscia di Gallu waterfall in the Ospedale forest. It's the largest waterfall in Corsica, so do take the time to go and see it. The Aitone forest in the Gulf of Porto is another Corsican must-see.Its remarkable walks:
There's no shortage of walking routes in Corsica!
Among the best known is the GR20, which crosses Corsica from north to south. And its little brother, the Mare a Mare trail, which crosses the island from east to west.
The customs officers' path: it starts at Macinaggio, a hamlet completely off the mass-tourism map. A three-hour walk running from Macinaggio beach to the village of Barcaggio. Perfect for immersing yourself in local culture.
The Restonica gorges: an essential walk, setting off from the Grotelle sheepfold. Along the way you'll come across Lake Melo at 1,711 m above sea level and Lake Capitello at 1,930 m.
In Bastia, with the help of a local guide, you can take the Terra Nova and Terra Vecchia walks, which will lead you further inland.Its breathtaking viewpoints
If viewpoints are your thing, then you've come to the right place. I've put together a list of my favourites.
The Pointe de la Parata, the perfect spot for a stunning view over the Îles Sanguinaires.
The Col St Roch path offers a beautiful view of the cliffs.
The Ospedale forest, with its view over Porto-Vecchio.
La Revellata and Notre Dame de la Serra: a wild peninsula you can walk right around, and the finest viewpoint over the bay of Calvi.Its picturesque villages
Corsica is particularly known for its little stone villages perched high on the hillsides.
Our selection includes Sartène, Cargèse, Ota and Corte, nicknamed the sentinel of the island. Nonza, a small village tucked away on the tip of Cap Corse, is well worth a visit for its restaurant "La Sassa" and its black pebble beach. Finally, for heritage lovers, you can also follow the Balagne villages route.Places not to be missed
Here again it's impossible to list every option, so I'll share my own favourites.
The Gulf of Porto, with the town of the same name and its magnificent underwater scenery.
Full of idyllic spots, it's also home to the Calanques de Piana and their viewpoints.
The Scandola nature reserve: reachable only by boat and protected from mass tourism.
The seabed, with: the Revellata peninsula. The wreck of the B-17 bomber near Calvi. Les Cathédrales, towards Ajaccio. The Marifaja amphitheatre and Merouville, in the Lavezzi islands nature reserve.
The Agriates desert: wild country with walking routes that lead straight down to unspoilt beaches.
L'Île-Rousse: a small island in the heart of the gulf. It has an authentic town centre and market, overlooked by its tower, which is open to visitors. There's a lovely viewpoint by the island's lighthouse, especially at sunset!Its authentic food
Brocciu, a sheep's or goat's milk cheese. Figatellu and lonzu, pork charcuterie. Fiadone, the traditional Corsican dessert: a brocciu flan flavoured with lemon zest. Pietra, the famous Corsican beer. Pulenta, made from Corsican chestnut flour. And finally canistrelli, dry biscuits flavoured with lemon, aniseed or hazelnut. Admit it: just reading about it is enough to make your mouth water!
To that we should add the wine route, and in particular the town of Saint-Florent with its Patrimonio vineyards and the oldest AOC wine on the island.I hope this little escape, for the length of a read, has given you at least a taste of all Corsica's natural wonders.
My friendly parting tip: plan several trips to Corsica, because once you start you always want to see more.Don't forget to update your welcome book and add any spots that might be missing, especially the unusual corners only the locals know about!
Authenticity is the finest discovery of all.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hike to do in Corsica? The GR20 crosses the island from north to south and remains the benchmark trail, alongside its shorter cousin the Mare a Mare path, which crosses it from east to west. The Restonica gorges, starting from the Grotelle sheepfold, are also well worth it: they lead up to Lake Melo and then Lake Capitello, higher in the mountains.
What are the most beautiful beaches in Corsica? Marinella beach near Ajaccio, Palombaggia beach in Porto-Vecchio, and Arinella beach along with the Ficaghjola cove near Bastia are among the must-sees. Each sits on a different stretch of coastline, so you can explore several depending on where you're staying.
What should you eat in Corsica? Brocciu, a sheep's or goat's milk cheese, is the base of many recipes, including fiadone, a lemon-flavoured flan. You'll also find figatellu and lonzu, two pork-based charcuterie, plus canistrelli, dry biscuits flavoured with lemon, aniseed or hazelnuts. All of it pairs well with a Pietra, the local beer, or a glass of Patrimonio wine.
How can you visit the Scandola nature reserve? The Scandola reserve can only be reached by boat, which keeps it away from mass tourism. That's exactly what makes it a place apart, still wild despite its fame.
Which typical villages should you visit in Corsica? Sartène, Cargèse, Ota and Corte, nicknamed the island's sentinel, are among the stone villages perched on the hills that shouldn't be missed. Nonza, tucked away on the tip of Cap Corse, is also worth the detour, especially for its restaurant "La Sassa" and its black pebble beach. The Balagne villages route rounds off this heritage tour nicely.
How long does the customs officers' path take? This hike starts at Macinaggio beach, a hamlet far from mass tourism, and ends at the village of Barcaggio, taking about three hours. It's a good option for soaking up local culture without committing to a route as long as the GR20.
Here is an overview of the main hikes and their respective characteristics.
| Hike | Route | Duration | Immersion Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| GR20 | North to south across Corsica | Multi-day | Classic reference |
| Mare a Mare Trail | East to west across Corsica | Multi-day | Alternative crossing |
| Customs Trail | Macinaggio to Barcaggio | 3 hours | Local immersion |
| Restonica Gorge | Grotelle hut to Melo and Capitello lakes | Multi-day | Altitude and landscape |
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