If you’re looking for the ultimate road trip itinerary around Corsica then you’ve come to the right place. This incredible island in the Mediterranean Sea is perfect for a self-drive holiday and I am a 100% sure you’ll have the best time exploring this drop dead gorgeous island.
Corsica is one of the most diverse islands in Europe when it comes to nature. Wether you want to visit l’Ile de Beauté for its pristine beaches, its historic and charming towns or its spectacular mountainous region. The island of Corsica has something to offer for everyone.
This 7 day Corsica itinerary is perfect for the efficient traveler who loves to visit as many places as possible during their holiday.
I visited Corsica at the start of April and while the weather was pretty okay at times I don’t recommend doing the same. A lot of hotels and restaurants were still closed and some roads higher up in the mountains were still covered in snow. Keep on reading to find out what is the ideal time to visit Corsica.
In this Corsica holiday guide you’ll find a ton of tips for visiting the island, my personal itinerary, the best places to eat and where to stay in Corsica.
I hope you’ll enjoy this Corsica itinerary and if you have any questions feel free to drop a comment below.
The Very Best Corsica Itinerary – A 7 Day Road Trip
Do you want to explore the stunning landscapes and crystalline waters of Corsica? An island steeped in history with a unique culture waiting to be discovered?
With its rolling hills, majestic mountains, rugged coastline, and picturesque villages, you won’t want to miss the chance to witness this spectacular Mediterranean island.
This introductory article will provide an insider’s guide to the very best of Corsica, featuring a comprehensive 7-day road trip itinerary that will lead you through the diverse and breathtaking destination.
From discovering hidden coves to exploring ancient archaeological sites, you’ll find something that suits you in this carefully curated itinerary. So, start planning your journey today and prepare to experience the wonders of Corsica!
How to reach Corsica
Reaching Corsica can be achieved in a multitude of ways. The most convenient way is to fly into one of the region’s four international airports, located in Bastia, Figari, Calvi and Ajaccio. Air Corsica, Air France, and Volotea offer daily flights throughout the year from French destinations including Marseille, Nice, Paris Orly, and Lyon. Other airlines provide seasonal and charter direct flights to and from Corsica’s four airports.
The flights vary in price depending on the season, but there are also ferry services available from France and Italy that can be a more cost-effective option.
Additionally, there are a number of cruises that make a stop in Corsica for a taste of the region’s beauty and culture. These cruises are most popular during the summer months when the Mediterranean climate is perfect for soaking up the sun. Popular cruise stops in Corsica are Porto Vecchio, Calvi, Bonifacio and Bastia.
For my road trip I chose to fly in and out of Figari near Bonifacio and pick up my rental car at the airport.
The best time to visit Corsica
The best months to visit Corsica are May, June and September. During these months the weather is already nice and warm but France and Italy’s summer-holiday crowds are absent. You’ll be able to enjoy all of the activities the island has to offer and hotel prices won’t skyrocket through the roof yet. Especially if you love to go hiking these are the ideal months.
If it’s not possible for you to travel off season then July and August are beautiful months to visit Corsica as well. Just know that temperatures will a lot hotter and you’ll have to deal with the big crowds. If this is the case it’s best to book your accommodation well in advance to avoid steep price increases and the best hotels getting sold out.
I visited in April and while I still had an amazing time it’s really not ideal. The season hasn’t started yet so a lot of hotels and restaurants are still closed. The weather can also be very unpredictable and you’ll have to deal with a lot of rain on certain days. I even drove through a snowstorm so I wouldn’t advice you to go in April for the best experience.
How to get around Corsica
The best way to get around Corsica is to simply rent a car.
🚘 I always use SunnyCars when booking a rental car cause their company policy makes me feel the most at ease.
There’s never any hidden costs with them and free cancellation up to 1 hour before rental start. Their price is transparent and everything is included. So no worries about any extra costs when you pick up your rental. You won’t need any extra insurance cause its all covered in the original price.
Is Corsica worth visiting?
Corsica has a captivating combination of stunning wild landscapes, gorgeous beaches, and ancient historical sites. From the highest mountains in the Mediterranean to the beautiful bays that line the coast, there’s something for everyone.
Whether you’re looking to explore hiking trails, relax in the sun, or take in the historical sites, Corsica has it all.
With its vibrant culture, friendly locals, and unique cuisine, it’s well worth visiting. With so much to offer, it’s no wonder why Corsica is one of the top vacation spots in Europe.
The perfect Corsica Road Trip Itinerary
DAY 1 – Arrive in Figari and visit Bonifacio
There are 4 international airports in Corsica. I opted for Figari Sud-Corse Airport due its direct flight from Brussels Charleroi Airport.
The airport is very small so disembarkation went very fast.
The rental car booth is located right outside of the airport and after picking up my rental car from SunnyCars it was time to drive to Bonifacio.
Bonifacio is the most Southern town in entire Corsica and if there’s one coastal town you absolutely can’t miss it’s this one!
Bonifacio is the perfect starting point of your trip if you land in the airport of Figari, from there it’s only 30 minutes driving to this wonderful village. The roads inside the city itself are pretty narrow but there are plenty of parking lots. Two of them are located near the marine, the other two are closer to the old city.
The Old City of Bonifacio is located in a 9th century citadel and consists of a maze of small cobblestoned streets.
💡 TIP – Hike to the Phare de Pertusatu to get the best views over Bonifacio. It’s an easy hike which will take you alongside the cliffs.
🥘 WHERE TO EAT – Have lunch at Café Des Vestiges and try their Aubergines à la Bonifacienne, a lovely and typical vegetarian dish.
🏨 WHERE TO STAY – Hotel Spa Genovese for an unforgettable stay, a clifftop location and panoramic views.
DAY 2 – Explore the Aiguilles de Bavella
If you love hiking in a spectacular area or you just want to drive across a stunning landscape then you will love this part of Corsica! The Aiguilles de Bavella are only 1,5 hour driving from Bonifacio and consist of rocky spikes of red granite hat dominate the hill of the same name in Corse-du-Sud. The site is characterized by jagged peaks, large rock walls and pine trees twisted by the wind.
Following the route of the Col de Bavella between Sartene and across Corsica towards the east (north-west of Porto-Vecchio), you pass through the Alta rocca mountains. The Col de Bavella itself reaches an altitude of 1218 metres with the peaks of the ‘needles’ reaching more than 1800 metres.
The road up to the Col de Bavella offers some spectacular coastal views and it’s definitely a good idea to stop the car now and then to take them all in!
If you want to adventure a little more I can highly recommend going on one of the following hikes:
- Cascades de Purcaraccia Hiking Trail – a 4.8km out & back trail that will lead you to some beautiful waterfall cascades.
- Tour des Aiguilles de Bavella – A more demanding 11km loop trail that will take you through the stunning Aiguilles de Bavella.
🥘 WHERE TO EAT – Have lunch at Auberge du Col de Bavella and indulge in one of the typical Corsican dishes such as Civet de sanglier (Wild boar casserole) or Veau aux olives (Veal with olives).
🏨 WHERE TO STAY – Hotel Spa Genovese for an unforgettable stay, a clifftop location and panoramic views.
DAY 3 – Calanques de Piana
The Calanques de Piana is my personal favorite place in Corsica to explore. There are a ton of beautiful hikes here to explore the area but even if hiking is not really your cup of tea you’ll find plenty of things to do here!
One of the best things to do is simply drive through the stunning natural site. The Calanques de Piana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring stunningly shaped red rock cliffs plunging into translucent water. From the water it resembles Scandola Nature Reserve but the biggest difference here is that you can also explore on foot or by car.
If you want to visit the Calanques de Piana by car, you have to take the D81 road, connecting Porto to Piana. It’s the only road in the Calanques and its an absolute stunner! There are several small patches next to the road as well if you want to stop for a photo. Another option is to leave your car in Piana and explore on foot from there.
If you want to adventure a little more I can highly recommend going on one of the following hikes:
- The Capo Rosso hiking trail – The 6.9km hike passes by the Genoese tower of Turghiu, one of the tallest towers on the Corsican coast, whose summit offers stunning views of the Gulf of Porto, the Gulf of Sagone and the Scandola Reserve.
- Source des Roches Bleues and Calanchi di Piana hiking trail – The 4.3km route crosses the Dardo stream and offers a magnificent view of the Calanques de Piana.
🥘 WHERE TO EAT – You’ll probably stay here for a couple of days so I would recommend having dinner at Le Moulin and take their home made burger which comes with an incredible Corsican cheese sauce. Another day you should go eat at Le Maquis and order the Escaloppe Milanese! Both finger licking delicious!
🏨 WHERE TO STAY – Stay at Hôtel Bella Vista. There aren’t any luxury hotels in the area but this one comes with incredible panoramic views, a modern bathroom and clean rooms.
DAY 4 – Scandola Nature Reserve and Girolata
Scandola Nature Reserve is a stunning marine and terrestrial nature reserve in the East of Corsica that’s under strict regulated access.
You can’t reach Scandola Nature Reserve on foot or by car, the only way to visit is by boat. Luckily there are a ton of tour operators that offer excursions from the marine of Porto.
You can choose between different lengths but the best one to choose is where you’ll visit Scandola Nature Reserve, Girolata and the Calanques de Piana.
Girolata is a former fishing village that only has about a 20 inhabitants and which can not be reached by car.
There are two ways to reach this hidden gem in East Corsica: on foot or by boat. If you want to go by boat you can book one of the many excursions that leave from Porto and where you’ll also visit the Scandola Nature Reserve.
The hike 9.7km to Girolata is called the Sentier du Facteur and it’s one of the most beautiful hikes in Corsica!
The Sentier du Facteur is called this way because the local mailman used to hike this trail every single day to deliver the mail to the people living in the small town of Girolata.
The hike starts at the Col du Croix where you can park your car and the first part simply goes down through a forest until you reach the Plage de Tuara, a beautiful beach where you won’t find many other people.
🥘 WHERE TO EAT – After reaching Girolata on foot you should have lunch at Restaurant Le Bon Espoir and try some of the best Corsican food you’ll have during your holiday!
🏨 WHERE TO STAY – Stay at Le Bella Vista for a 2 bedroom apartment that offers incredible panoramic views.
DAY 5 – Explore the Balagne region
The Balagne region in Corsica offers a wealth of history, culture, and beauty, making it an ideal destination for those looking to explore the area. Verdant valleys, cobalt blue seas, and pale yellow sand beaches run the length of its coastline, providing beautiful vistas for travelers.
Its winding streets and delicious cuisine also make it an attractive place to explore as well.
A short hike up Monte Cintu offers breathtaking views from the peak, while the neighboring villages are stuffed with history and tradition, perfect for the inquisitive traveler.
With so much to see and experience, the Balagne region of Corsica is sure to be a memorable destination for any traveler looking to experience its culture and beauty.
The most charming villages to visit in the Balagne region
- Montemaggiore – The view of Montemaggiore as you approach the village is one of the highlights – it appears very small compared to the dramatic scenery around the village, which includes the Monte Grosso mountain, and is perched on a ledge overlooking the valleys to the west.
- Lunghignano – The perfect stop after you visit Montemaggiore since it’s only a couple of minutes away.
- Aregno – Aregno is another one of these beautiful mountain villages in the Balagne region
- Sant’Antonino – Because of its dramatic situation clinging around the top of a hill the village is sometimes referred to as the ‘Eagles Nest‘.
- Speloncato – The best town to visit during sunset.
🥘 WHERE TO EAT – L’Altezza Restaurant is your best bet in the area and offers delicious food! Or go to I Scalini for a Moroccan feel roof terrace with panoramic views over the city. Visit U Sechju for a delicious lunch in a historical setting.
🏨 WHERE TO STAY – Stay at Cas’Anna Lidia – Hôtel De Charme, a boutique hotel with an outdoor heated pool and a hot tub overlooking the surrounding mountains. Or stay at Hotel A Piattatella, which is set in gardens, overlooking the Reginu Valley.
DAY 6 – Cap Corse
Cap Corse, which is often called mini Corsica, is the most northern peninsula of Corsica.
The eastern coast slopes rather gently to the sea and is home to many bays suitable for swimming, the most beautiful of which are at Pietracorbara, north of Macinaggio and near Barcaggio.
To the west, the coast is much more rugged and the road sometimes passes well above sea level. The most beautiful village in Cap Corse is probably Centuri, famous for its lobster fishing. Its pastel-coloured houses with slate roofs crowd around the small port.
The ideal is to circumnavigate the Cap in an anti-clockwise direction , from Bastia , in the direction of Saint-Florent . You will thus benefit from better light for your photos, while enjoying spectacular views since you will be driving on the sea side.
For a first discovery of the Cape, one day is more than enough, but the peninsula is extremely diversified and you can also spend several days there without any problem.
Best places to visit during a day trip around Cap Corse
- Bastia – Bastia is both the capital of the department of Haute-Corse and the most important port of the island in terms of maritime traffic.
- Erbalunga – It was once the most important harbor on the Cap Corse, a fact supported by the magnificent houses that still stud the peninsula to this day.
- Porticiollo – A small coastal town on the East side of Cap Corse.
- Pietracorbara Beach – Perfect to lounge and relax during the middle of. theday and catch some waves.
- Moulin Mattei – A short walk will give you beautiful, breezy views from both sides of the Cape. In good weather you can see the Tuscan islands and the Italian coast.
- Centuri – Centuri is a beautiful coastal town that reaches all the way up into the mountains. Centuri port is the perfect place to indulge in some seafood cause the many restaurants will serve their catch of the day.
- Nonza – Its colorful buildings make it stand out from all of the other picturesque towns and form a wonderful contrast to its black beach all the way down below.
- Barrettali – A small town on the Cap Corse peninsula but definitely worth the stop while you’re driving down the D80.
- Saint-Florent – It is a friendly town, and though similar in style, less pretentious and more intimate than St Tropez.
🥘 WHERE TO EAT – Dine at Le Pirate for the most perfect setting and a Michelin star experience or indulge in some of the finest lobster on Cap Corse at Le Langoustier.
🏨 WHERE TO STAY – Stay at the most stunning Misincu, a 5 star hotel that forms the perfect base for exploring the area of Cap Corse
DAY 7 – Corte
Although Corsica is known for its beautiful coastline, most of the island consists of a rugged but spectacular mountain landscape. If you want to explore these mountains, the centrally located Corte is the ideal base.
Corte is a historic town in the heart of Corsica as it was the capital of Corsica from 1755 until 1769 during the “government of the Corsican nation” of Pascal Paoli. And during World War I, German prisoners were held in the citadel on top of the hill.
These days Corte is a university town which houses a ton of students. The old city is perched on top of a hill but is also easy accessible. Don’t even bother trying to park your car on the side of the road, instead simply park it at the underground parking lot and you’ll arrive in the heart of the Old City.
🥘 WHERE TO EAT – Restaurant La rivière des Vins for delicious meats cooked in a wood fire oven, accompanied by homemade french fries.
🏨 WHERE TO STAY – Stay at Dominique Colonna for a luxurious stay on the river’s edge.
This 7-day Corsica itinerary is an unforgettable experience. From the beautiful town of Bonifacio to the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Gulf of Porto, you’ll get to enjoy the best of Corsica’s landscape and get a real feel for culture and history of the island.
Whether you’re a beach lover or a mountain enthusiast, Corsica offers something unique and special to its visitors. Take in the views, explore the charming towns or simply relax on the beaches. There’s nothing like a Corsica road trip.
Charlotte Lint is the founder of Charlies Wanderings.
Charlotte has traveled all over the world and is based in Belgium where she also owns her very own dental practice.
She is an expert on writing efficient travel guides and finding unique places to stay.
Every month she helps over 134.000 people discover the most beautiful places in the world through her detailed travel guides.
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