Corsica: Wild Elegance Across the Strait
Limestone cliffs over sapphire water. Pine-scented ridgelines, river pools, and mirror-calm lagoons. Citadels at golden hour. Just 11 km from northern Sardinia, Corsica is its own world—raw, refined, and deeply authentic. Visit Sardinia designs seamless, bespoke journeys across both islands, or purely Corsica, with time well spent.
Why Corsica belongs on your Mediterranean itinerary
Corsica is where alpine drama meets clear, turquoise seas. Over 40% of the island is protected, so you get untouched mountain trails, scented maquis, and coastal reserves alongside refined seaside towns. Sail between white‑sand bays like Palombaggia and Saleccia, then step ashore to explore Genoese citadels in Bonifacio, Calvi, Ajaccio, and Bastia. The interior is a playground for hikers and canyoning lovers—think granite ridges, river pools, and legendary sections of the GR20—while the coast invites leisurely yacht days, paddleboarding, and beach picnics.
Culture runs deep here. Corsican identity blends French and Italian influences with its own language, polyphonic songs, and village festivals. At the table, expect brocciu cheese, mountain charcuterie, olive oils, and crisp Vermentinu and Sciaccarellu wines—perfect after a day on the water.
- Spectacular variety: crystal-clear beaches, wild mountains, river canyons, and maquis-scented trails
- Heritage-rich towns: Bonifacio, Calvi, Corte, Ajaccio, L’Île-Rousse
- Iconic adventures: GR20, Bavella Massif, Scandola boat tours
- Farm-and-sea cuisine: charcuterie, brocciu, chestnut traditions, and rising-star wines
- Easy access: short flights or ferries from France and Italy, plus yacht and helicopter links
Population: ~350,000
Capital: Ajaccio
sq km of territory
km of coastline
km lenth (N-S)
km width (E-W)
Best places to visit in Corsica
Bonifacio and the Far South
- Bonifacio: A cliff-perched citadel above chalk-white fjords; explore sea caves and striated grottos by private tender.
- Lavezzi Islands: Protected islets with Caribbean-clear water—snorkel, swim, and picnic in silence.
- Porto-Vecchio: Cobbled old town and gateway to Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, and Rondinara.
- Ajaccio: Napoleon’s birthplace with museums, market halls, and a sunny waterfront. A great base for west-coast beaches and ceramic workshops.
The West Coast, Wild and UNESCO
- Scandola Nature Reserve (UNESCO): Lava-sculpted pinnacles, ospreys, dolphins—best by small boat at sunrise or dusk.
- Calanches de Piana: Flame-red porphyry arches and dramatic viewpoints; a golden-hour classic.
- Gulf of Porto and Girolata: Boat-in hamlet, coppery coves, and coastal hikes that meet the sea.
Northern Charms: Balagne to Cap Corse
- Calvi: Honey-stone citadel, broad bay, beach clubs, and a lively quay.
- L’Île-Rousse: Rose-granite headlands, open-air markets, and long sandy strands.
- La Balagne Villages: Pigna, Sant’Antonino, Speloncato—artisan ateliers and panoramic terraces.
- Cap Corse: Tower-dotted coastline, tiny wine appellations, and wind-brushed bays.
The Mountain Heartland
- Corte: Historic interior capital with a clifftop citadel and access to emerald river valleys.
- GR20: Granite spires, alpine lakes, and big-sky traverses—choose guided day sections for all levels.
- Bavella Massif: Needle-like peaks, laricio pines, canyoning in crystal torrents.
Select Beaches and Anchorages
- Palombaggia: Powder-soft white sand, umbrella pines, clear turquoise shallows.
- Santa Giulia: Lagoon glassiness, ideal for paddleboarding and families.
- Rondinara: Perfect crescent bay protected from swell; arrive early or by boat.
- Saleccia and Loto (Desert des Agriates): Dune-backed, wild, immaculate—best by boat or 4×4.
- Ostriconi: Windswept, photogenic, with river mouth and dunes.
Essential Experiences
Sea Days, Your Way
- Private yacht charter around Bonifacio’s cliffs and the Lavezzi archipelago.
- Scandola and Calanches by fast RIB for secluded swims between red rock cathedrals.
- Sunset apéritif cruise off Calvi, with the citadel turning amber.
Mountain Mornings and River Afternoons
- Guided sections of the GR20 or gentler maquis walks perfumed by cistus and immortelle.
- Canyon, rappel, and swim through Bavella’s natural pools.
- Family-friendly river picnics near the Restonica Valley.
Taste Corsica
- Estate tastings in Patrimonio and Sartène: Niellucciu, Sciaccarellu, Vermentinu, and rare muscat.
- Farm tables featuring brocciu, chestnut polenta, wild boar civet, myrtle liqueur.
- Village épiceries for charcuterie greats: prisuttu, coppa, lonzu, figatellu.
Culture and Craft
- Polyphonic concerts in Balagne chapels—ancient voices under starry skies.
- The Artisans’ Route: luthiers in Pigna, cutlers in Sartène, ceramicists in Ajaccio.
- Historic layers: Filitosa’s prehistoric menhirs, Genoese towers, Bonaparte sites in Ajaccio.
Wellness and Ease
- Thermal soaks at natural springs.
- Villa-side massages, sunrise yoga terraces, and forest bathing among laricio pines.
North vs South, At a Glance
- North: More traditional vibe, terraced hills, artisan villages, Cap Corse vineyards, wide sandy strands near Balagne.
- South: Dramatic cliffs, chic beach clubs near Porto-Vecchio, Lavezzi lagoons, Bavella’s granite drama.
- Both: Strong identity, deep hospitality, nature-forward adventures, and a pace that prioritizes time well spent.
Travel Well
- Pace: Roads are scenic and sinuous—our drivers and pilots optimize time and comfort.
- Sustainability: Protected areas are fragile; we plan low-impact routes and partner with responsible skippers and guides.
- Family and Groups: Villa clusters, nanny services, junior ranger hikes, and safe lagoon bays.
Luxury, Curated
- Private Yacht Days: Seamless skipper, concierge tendering to deserted coves, onboard chef with local sourcing.
- Helicopter Perspectives: Bonifacio’s fjords, the orange spires of Bavella, and Cap Corse in a single arc.
- Villas and Boutique Stays: Sea-view estates near Porto-Vecchio, vineyard hideaways in Patrimonio, designer suites within Ajaccio’s old town.
- Michelin and Micro-Table: From starred dining to chef’s-counter tratturelli in mountain hamlets.
- After-Hours Access: Private museum visits, artisan workshops by appointment, stargazing in protected dark-sky pockets.
The Artisans’ Route, Refined
- Pigna: Traditional instruments, intimate concerts, and handcrafts.
- Sartène: Corsican knives, stone alleys, and smoky cellars of charcuterie.
- Oletta and the Nebbio: Embroidery, ceramics, and boutique wineries.
- Corte and Alta Rocca: Woodwork, weaving, and shepherd traditions.
Our concierges sequence studio visits with scenic drives and long, lingering lunches.
When to Go
- May–June: Wildflowers, warming seas, uncrowded trails—prime for hiking and boating
- July–August: Peak beach life, festive evenings, yacht season in full swing
- September–October: Harvest, mellow seas, luminous light
- November–April: Quiet trails and village life; niche hiking and culinary trips
How to Get There
- By Air: Ajaccio (AJA), Bastia (BIA), Figari Sud‑Corse (FSC), Calvi (CLY)
- By Sea: Ferries from Nice, Toulon, Marseille, Savona, Livorno, Genoa to multiple ports
- Private Aviation and Heli: FBOs at main airports; heli‑transfers to villas and marinas
- By Yacht: Smooth passages from the Riviera, Liguria, and northern Sardinia; we arrange berths and provisioning
Corsica and Sardinia, Side by Side
Separated by the 11-km Strait of Bonifacio yet bound by history and shared traditions, Corsica pairs effortlessly with northern Sardinia. We design elegant twin-island itineraries linking Bonifacio’s cliffs, La Maddalena’s archipelago, Gallura’s cork forests, and Porto-Vecchio’s beaches in a single, fluid journey.
Our way: tailor-made Corsica
Tell us your travel window, preferred pace, and non‑negotiables—quiet coves, artisan tables, mountain air. We’ll craft a made‑for‑you Corsica itinerary with guaranteed berths, the right hotel or villa, and the guides you’ll want to see again.
Find answers to popular questions
What is the best time to visit Corsica?
May–June and September–October for warm seas and fewer crowds; July–August for peak beach life.
What are the top things to do in Corsica?
Boat Scandola, swim Palombaggia, hike GR20 sections, explore Bonifacio and Calvi, and taste Patrimonio wines.
How many days do you need in Corsica?
5–7 days for highlights; 10–14 if combining North, West, and the Far South or pairing with Sardinia.