Sant’Ambroggio, Algajola & Davia Pleasure ports, citadels and seaside villages
Long favoured by the discerning British traveller, the Balagne is the perfect introduction to Corsica. Dotted along the coast between the towns of Calvi and l'Ile Rousse lie the sandy beaches and secluded coves that make this area so appealing. Backed by high mountains that remain snow capped until early summer, the landscape demonstrates that Corsica is a mountain in the sea.
The Villages of La Balagne Fortress villages in this “Garden of Corsica” for those “in the know” Honey hued villages with real Corsican character cling to the mountains. Towering above the coast, the villages have changed little over the centuries and you will experience a way of life that is essentially Corsican. Village life is at a slower pace, and is ideal for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the 21st Century, whilst being just a short drive from the Balagne’s beaches.
View La Balagne region information
St Florent The Corsican St Tropez “St Flo”
The intimate “St Tropez” of Corsica, tucked away between the Désert des Agriates and the Cap Corse, has much to offer with its bustling waterfront restaurants, chic marina and the peaceful and charming old town. French in the atmosphere, St Florent is ideal for those looking for a little animation over the high summer months.
Erbalunga A charming seaside village
This cultural enclave, with artists once living here, has been around since the time of the Phoenicians and was once a more important trading centre than Bastia and Ajaccio. Today, Erbalunga is identified by the Genoese tower standing on the headland guarding the tiny port and also famed for the ‘Cerca’, the Good Friday procession ending here.
Bastia A lively town with typically Mediterranean atmosphere
Corsica’s second town was once the capital of the whole island in Genoan days and although Bastia is quite industrial with a quarter of the island’s population working here, it also has the delightful old town of Terra Vecchia with its tightly packed network of knitted streets and alleys, baroque churches and crumbling buildings. To the other side of the port is the tidier, more up market Terra Nova with Vieux Port drawing people in during the evening with its many restaurants.
Cap Corse Wild and untamed
Often called an island within an island, the Cap Corse is a maquis covered peninsula whose history sets it apart from the rest of the island. Forty kilometres long and only fifteen across, the rocky peninsula of Cap Corse gives access to some exceptionally beautiful and unspoilt stretches of coast. Villages perched on cliffs and secluded rocky inlets line the west; tiny fishing ports and sandy coves fringe the east.
View St Florent & the North East region information
Bonifacio, Porto Vecchio & L’Extrême Sud
Bonifacio A border town perched on limestone cliffs
If you are looking for character towns, look no further than Bonifacio, perched precariously on a limestone cliff high above the sea, little changed in centuries. With the Spérone Golf course on its doorstep and the island of Sardinia (page 126) just a hop away, it offers a distinctly cosmopolitan feel.
Porto Vecchio South sea beaches and pine covered hills
The beaches of Porto Vecchio could easily be mistaken for those of far flung lands; crystal blue waters lap silver sand beaches backed by pines and high mountain peaks, some say they are the best in the Mediterranean. Porto Vecchio is in a privileged position between mountains and sea and there is plenty to do for the more active with walking, horse riding and water sports all on offer.
Palombaggia, Rondinara & Santa Manza Simply stunning beaches
Palombaggia is perhaps the most famous beach on the island. Rondinara is a natural formed horseshoe bay with fine white sands which slope gently into the turquoise waters. The hamlet of Santa Manza, is set 10 kilometres east of Bonifacio, with a family friendly beach and a gently shelving shore which is perfect for children and popular with watersports’ enthusiasts.
View L'Extreme Sud region information
Ajaccio & Valinco Gulfs
Ajaccio Imperial cities and spectacular scenery
Ajaccio itself is a small but bustling capital city with old streets, squares, cafés and ample culture. Heading south around the bay you will find glorious and sometimes intimate beaches from Porticcio to Portigliolo with watersports on offer and superb views out towards Ajaccio and the ‘Iles Sanguinaires’, the rocky headland that marks the north of the Gulf the area is ideal for a beach holiday.
View Gulfs of the West Coast region information
Central Corsica
Corte Rugged scenery and adrenalin sports at the island’s heart
Inland away from the coast through pine forests and chestnut woods to Corté and the mountainous interior with a range of outdoor activities including climbing, horseriding, mountain biking, and adrenalin rushing white watersports on offer. The real Corsica with dramatic scenery, this area is to be explored, and you are sure to return refreshed by its sheer beauty.
Gulf de Porto A wild landscape, untamed and raw
With the majestic cliffs that plunge into the sea at Piana, the Scandola National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Gulf de Porto is ideal for hiking with a number of dramatic routes for a more energetic holiday.
View Central Corsica region information
More About the Regions of Corsica
Please view one of the following regions of Corsica for more information about the region including towns & villages, maps, histroy and more...
