Email this guide
Print the full guideWhat to see in Corsica
Corsica Attractions
The island of Corsica is an extremely popular holiday destination and boasts spectacular scenery. Most attractions in Corsica revolve around this natural beauty and it is particularly appealing to outdoor enthusiasts like hikers, scuba divers and beach bums. The unique blend of Italian and French influence also makes it an interesting cultural melting pot.
The city of Bastia, in the northeast, is the island's commercial centre and a very attractive city with some incredible Baroque architecture and a well-preserved old port. Just north of Bastia is the Cap Corse peninsula which effectively illustrates the contrast between the east and west of Corsica; it has peaceful coves and idyllic villages on the east, and rugged, steep cliffs pounded by the ocean on the west.
The east coast of Corsica attracts visitors with its long sandy beaches and pretty fishing villages. Porto-Vecchio, in the southeast, is Corsica's most fashionable seaside town, perfect for a lazy but glamorous beach vacation. Bonifacio, right on the southern tip of the island, is a tourist haven with magnificent scenery, ancient attractions and modern style.
Bonifacio has some of the dramatic beauty of the Corsican west coast which attracts hikers, climbers and divers with its immense rock formations, caves and cliffs. Filitosa, the most celebrated prehistoric site in Corsica, with enormous and mysterious menhir statues, can be found near the west coast, just below the capital city of Ajaccio. Napoleon was born in Ajaccio and much of the tourism industry revolves around this famous native son. Porto is a stunning fishing village and a good base from which to explore the breathtaking Calanques - enormous red rock formations - and the Scandola Nature Reserve, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There is a great deal to see and do in Corsica and its popularity as a holiday destination never wanes.
Balagne
The inland area along the northwest coast of Corsica has been renowned since Roman times as an orchard of olive, fig…
Bastia
Situated in the northeast of Corsica, Bastia is the island's major commercial centre. Despite this the old town has retained…
Bonifacio
The ancient town of Bonifacio, at the very southern tip of Corsica, dates from 833 AD but there is nothing old-fashioned…
Cap Corse
North of Bastia is the holiday destination of Cap Corse, a 25-mile (40km) peninsula edged with quiet and quaint fishing…
Corte
For a change of pace on your island holiday, pack some hiking boots along with your swimsuit and head for the dramatic…
Filitosa
The most celebrated prehistoric site in Corsica, Filitosa is worth a visit for its megalithic menhir statues, which have…
Les Calanques
The mass of intriguing red rock formations along the coastal road between Porto and Piana are known as Les Calanques,…
Porto
The small seaside holiday resort of Porto is watched over by the 16th century Genoese Tower standing guard over the fishing…
Porto-Vecchio
Known as the 'St Tropez' of Corsica, Porto-Vecchio is becoming one of the most fashionable towns in southern Corsica.…
Scandola Nature Reserve
The Cape Girolata peninsula is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and encompasses the Scandola Nature Reserve,…
Become our Corsica Travel Expert
We are looking for contributors for our Corsica travel guide. If you are a local, a regular traveller to Corsica or a travel professional with time to contribute and answer occasional forum questions, please contact us.
iExplore
iExplore designs made-to-order, privately-guided adventure tours to France and over 200 other world wonders. Come Back Different!
ADVERTISEMENT
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is one of the world's leading suppliers of small group adventures focused on getting off the beaten track and having real life experiences in France.
ADVERTISEMENT
