Corsica is an island abounding in natural beauty and fascinating tradition, it’s incredible to think that even today Corsica can still feel like something of a hidden gem. Whether it’s a long sandy beach, a dramatic mountain pass or a beautiful hilltop village, Corsica holidays are packed full of rewarding things to do and see. The French know the island as Corse, sometimes they refer to Corsica as 'L'Ile de Beauté', when translated means The Island of Beauty.
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The Beaches
With almost 200 beaches and 1000km of coastline, Corsica is a beach-lover’s dream. The island is blessed with an incredible diversity of beaches from intimate hidden coves to magnificent bays. The most renowned include the sweeping bays of Calvi and L’Ile Rousse in the north, and Palombaggia, Pinarello and San Ciprianu in the south.
Discover more about Corsica's beautiful coastline.
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Perched villages of la Balagne
Time seems to be held in suspension in the hills of la Balagne and a visit to these beautiful villages is a must if you’re staying in the north. Clinging to mountains above the sea, they give a glimpse of the old days in Corsica and afford spectacular viewpoints.
View our walking tour, Villages of la Balagne to find out how you can discover these picturesque villages for yourself.
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Jon Ingall
Désert des Agriates
Situated between la Balagne and St Florent, the Désert des Agriates is an area of arid landscape and savage beauty. The highlights here include the deserted beaches of Saleccia and Loto – with their curves of pearl-white sand and crystal clear water, these are some of the finest beaches to visit during Corsica holidays, offering the perfect picture-postcard scenery.
Find out more about Corsica's beautiful north east here.
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The history of Ajaccio
Famed as the birthplace of Napoléon Bonaparte, it is safe to assume that Corsica's capital is a historically rich destination. From the house that the great man was born in to the beautiful architectural themes present throughout the city, Ajaccio is a fascinating location to explore.
Learn more about Ajaccio, and see our range of accommodation in Valinco and the west coast.
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Scandola Nature Reserve
The coast of the Gulf of Porto is one of Corsica's most famous landscapes, and rightly so - with its dramatic sculpted red rock and sweeping bays it has to be seen to be believed. The pinnacles and ravines of the red granite Calanches soar out of beautiful blue seas framed by the jagged peaks of Paglia Orba. Best explored by foot or by boat, there are daily boat trips from Calvi and more locally, Porto that visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Gorges of Restonica & Tavignano
The region of Corte in the Interior offers beautiful rugged landscapes, two of which are the spectacular glacier-moulded gorges in the Mediterranean right on the town’s doorstep – the Restonica and the Tavignano valleys. These valleys echo with tumbling rivers and rock pools, and sharply sculptured slopes rear from forests of enormously tall Corsican pines, proving the perfect locations for outdoor adventure.
Find out more about Corsica's interior.
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The rugged beauty of the south-west coast
Many of Corsica's beaches are hidden coves accessible only on foot or by boat – there's certainly something magical about exploring the coastal paths and stumbling across a deserted cove washed by the warm deep blue of the Mediterranean. Our favourite coastal stretches include the Gulf of the Valinco, Campomoro-Tizzano, and the Gulf of Roccapina further south.
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Adventure along Cap Corse
The northeastern peninsula poking out to sea towards mainland France, Cap Corse is a rugged and adventurous part of Corsica. Driving along the winding roads here can be enough of a thrill for some, though others may be drawn further, visiting wonderfully wild beaches like that found at Nonza.
Want to know more about Cap Corse?
Explore on foot with our Around Cap Corse walking holiday. It's an undiscovered walkers' dream, full of amazing scenery.
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Fortress town of Bonifacio
This majestic old town sits on a limestone throne at the far south of the island and is one of the most spectacular towns in the Mediterranean. The citadel walls and ancient houses of Bonifacio appear to rise seamlessly out of sheer cliffs that have been hollowed and striated by the wind and waves. Beneath, an inlet about 100 metres wide forms a natural harbour and a series of grottoes and coves.
If you'd like to visit Bonifacio on a holiday to Corsica, visit our accommodation in L'Extreme Sud.
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Bouvier Ben | Shutterstock
Lavezzi islands
Situated between Corsica and Sardinia, the archipelago of Lavezzi is a sublime sight and something of a paradise. The 10 small islands boast a number of secluded beaches, coves and naturally formed pools and the magnificent underwater offer opportunities for some of the best diving on the island. They’re the perfect destination for a day of blissful relaxation and are relatively easy to access by boat from Bonifacio.