Corsica Travel Guide: Top Things To See & Do

The beach at Palombaggia is arguably the most famous, most popular, and finest beach on the island. It is easy to see why, with giant red granite rocks, vibrant green pine trees, fine white sand, and crystal-clear blue sea. It is the perfect place to just kick back and relax.

If Palombaggia is the best beach on the island then Plage de Santa Giulia is surely the most photogenic, sitting in a magical horseshoe bay. Its waters are pretty still and shallow too, making it a great place for children to have a swim.

Cala Rossa boasts unique, red-tinged sand, majestic villas, and is backed by the stunning scenery of the Bavella Needles. If you want to try sailing or water sports, this is the pick for you.

Your visit to the Maison Bonaparte will begin on the second floor with an introduction to the history of Corsica. This is followed by four rooms that are dedicated to different members of the Bonaparte family. The first focuses on Charles and Letizia, the second, Napoleon and his siblings, the third which is thought to be Napoleons personal room, and the fourth details the family history.

The first floor contains the family’s various rooms, including the drawing room, Madame Mère’s bedroom, gallery, boudoir, dining room, and so on. In particular, you can see the room where Napoleon himself was born, and the trapdoor that Napoleon used to reach the port on October 6th, 1799.

To get into Maison Bonaparte a full price ticket is €7. The price is discounted to €5 for groups and non-EU residents aged 18-25 and if you are an EU Resident under 26, or a teacher with an Pass-Education, admission is free.

To get the lastest info on pricing and tours visit https://musees-nationaux-malmaison.fr/musee-maisonbonaparte/en/practical-information

The Escalier du Roy d’Aragon is one of the most iconic attractions in Bonifacio, and not to be missed. This steep staircase of nearly 190 steps dates back to around 1420, carved directly into the rock of the cliff face. Legend has it that it took King Alfonso V of Aragon’s soldiers just one night to carve them. As you ascend, marvel at the stunning panoramic views and the glittering light reflecting from the turquoise waters below.

Take a detour and climb up to the fortress’ terraces for the most breathtaking and unique views over the port and craggy cliffs. From this point you can even see the Italian island of Sardinia, which is around 16 kilometers away from Corsica at its shortest distance.

Visiting Calvi is all about taking a stroll along the winding streets of the historic Citadel. Take your time and wonder down quaint alleyways and admire the interesting wall art around the city. Though the walk to the top might seem arduous, it is most certainly worth it for the breathtaking views you will see along the way.

Audio guided tours of the Citadel are available for adults and children in four different languages: French, English, German, and Italian, accompanied by a map that lists the 11 landmarks of the tour. Traditional music accompanies the story of the fortress and the many characters that have formed its reputation.

There is one singular road that cuts through the red cliffs of the Calanques, and the drive should take you around 2 to 3 kilometers along the Road D81. For the best colors, drive along the roads during late afternoon or sunset, and remember to drive it in both directions to see all the different views.

The Calanques de Piana Boat Tour departs from the marina at Porto Ota, taking you all the way along the cliffs to under the tower of Capo Rosso. There are many different options to choose from, including small speedboats and a larger hybrid boat. The boat tours should last around 1 hour 30 minutes depending on the weather.

The most famous walk in the area will take you through the Calanques de Piana: the château de Piana trail, or the tête du chien. It is worth noting that the château is not actually a castle, but a square rock. However, the views from here are stunning nonetheless. It is best to do this walk in early or late summer but be aware that the carparks can fill up quickly. The trail should take around 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes to complete.

The GR20 Trail runs from Calezana in the North to Conca in the South. It is up to your preference which way around you do the hike as there is no real advantage in going either direction. The trail spans a distance of 112 miles or 180 kilometers, with an average completion time of 11 to 12 days. However, the amount of time needed to hike the route can vary considerably from hiker to hiker. In general, fast hikers with light supplies can complete the GR20 in 5 to 7 days, whereas it might take some hikers 15 to 16 days.

The best time to hike the GR20 trail is between early June and late October for the best weather, as this makes the trail easier to navigate and spot its red and white blazes for directions. Not to mention, better weather means better views! Due to some areas of the trail being completely exposed to the elements, it can be beneficial to factor in an extra day or two just in case. It is also worth noting that the trail can become quite busy during the summer, so avoid July and August if you want to avoid the crowds.

There are many mountain huts, or Refugios, along the GR20 route that offer basic accommodation and food. Though it is a good idea to take a tent and supplies, the Refugios are a good place to stop and refuel, get a good night’s sleep, replenish your supplies, and check out the weather forecast.

On a hot day, there is nothing better than cooling off in one of the fantastic natural pools along the GR20. The crystal-clear swimming holes are adorned with little waterfalls and boast insanely good views of the surrounding rocky landscape.