5 days in South Corsica - My essentials
When you decide to travel to Corsica, you hope to be able to discover as many places as possible but, given the travel times on site (especially during school holidays), it is better to calculate and concoct a feasible road trip. In fact, since it is not possible to discover all the South Corsica and its most beautiful beaches in just 5 days, I made a list of the must-sees of southern Corsica that I integrated into my itinerary:-
- Ajaccio
- Propriano
- Roccapina Beach
- Bonifacio
- Lavezzi Islands
- Rondinara Beach
- Palombaggia Beach
- Porto-Vecchio
- Bavella needles
- Purcaraccia waterfalls
- Sanguinaires Islands
- Ajaccio
South of Corsica in 5 days - Map of my road trip
For a general overview, take a look at the map of my route around the South Corsica in 5 days. Of course, if you have a few extra days, this tour will be even nicer because you will have more time to enjoy the natural sites and especially the magnificent beaches of the South. On the other hand, for a 5-day optimized tour, it is achievable!5 days in the South of Corsica - DAY 1
Southern Corsica in 5 days - Ajaccio
To carry out this road trip, I advise you to leave Ajaccio early in the morning after having visited it in 1 or 2 hours. The best will be to take a short walk in the Ajaccio old town. You can walk through its colorful streets, visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the imposing citadel and the Tino-Rossi marina.
Then without delay, you will take the road for a very long journey towards the South (Ajaccio-Bonifacio road of 140 km).
South Corsica in 5 days - Propriano
You will take a 1st break at Propriano after more than an hour of driving. Why not have a little coffee in this pleasant little seaside resort in the heart of the Gulf of Valinco?Southern Corsica in 5 days - Sartène
Then you will continue the road to the south which passes by Sartène. Personally, I didn't visit the city but I stopped there for some shopping… Here is a good address if you want to buy good and genuine Corsican charcuterie (they also sell cheese):
South Corsica in 5 days - Roccapina
A 3rd step before arriving in Bonifacio: at Roccapina. It is a site with a rock in the shape of a lion and a superb beach. Small swim, a few photos and then we set off again towards Bonifacio.
Southern Corsica in 5 days - Bonifacio
We have finally arrived at theextreme south of Corsicaor a Bonifacio which was built on imposing limestone cliffs! If you rode without too much traffic and left early enough, you will have time to visit Bonifacio.
Where to sleep in Bonifacio?
I present here my favorite hotel which is located on the Citadel of Bonifacio: the Genovese hotel . In truth, it has everything you need:- Dreamed geographical location;
- Panoramic view ;
- Pool ;
- Restaurant;
- Wireless ;
- but also free parking !!!
More information about this hotel
5 days in the South of Corsica - DAY 2
For this second day, you will not have to take the car or change hotels.The Lavezzi Islands
The archipelago of Lavezzi Islands off Bonifacio is characterized by landscapes of granite rocks laid on magnificent beaches where the sea retains exceptional seabed. To fully enjoy the superb beaches of the Lavezzi Islands, it is necessary to plan to spend at least half a day there. Located 1 kilometers from Bonifacio, the crossing takes half an hour. To get there, you can choose to:- take a cruise (Lavessi Islands, Island of the billionaires of Cavallo, turquoise lagoon of Piantarella, caves and creeks…);
- or embark on a shuttle that will take you immediately to a small island in the archipelago: theLavezzu Island.
During the return trip, take some pictures of Bonifacio at dusk, it's just enchanting!
5 days in the South of Corsica - DAY 3
Rondinara Bay
Early departure towards Porto-Vecchio for a 1 er swimming stop at Rondinara beach. Only 18 km from Bonifacio, in a seashell-shaped gulf, the bay of Rondinara beach is a marvel!Palombaggia Beach
About 20 km from Rondinara beach (1 hour journey) is a second exceptional beach in Southern Corsica: the Palonbaggia beach. This is one of my favorites, but only in the off season because otherwise there are too many people! White sand, turquoise waves, this beach is a postcard and offers as a bonus a point of view on the Cerbicale Islands. You will be able to enjoy it until around noon.
Porto-Vecchio
A short tour of Porto Vecchio, an old Genoese citadel, on a hill facing the sea. To explore it quickly, you will have the option of taking the little tourist train or just going up to the Citadel in a quarter of an hour and exploring the old town. For lunch at noon, I can only recommend the only restaurant I tested in Porto Vecchio : the Alta Rocca restaurant (6 Rue Aspirant Michelin). In the heart of the citadel, it offers Corsican cuisine with naturally Corsican cold meats and cheeses!
Zonza
To end this 3rd day of road trip in Southern Corsica, you will have to hit the road again for the journey from Porto Vecchio to Zonza. Located in the heart of theHigh Rocca, Zonza is a village very popular with tourists because it is close to the sea and in the mountains. It offers a nice panorama of the Bavella needles that you will discover the next day.Where to sleep in Zonza?
Here is a good hotel that I recommend because it is not too expensive, it is central, has a swimming pool and free parking:
South of Corsica in 5 days - DAY 4
Bavella collar and needles
Early in the morning, you will set off on the magnificent road which passes by the Col de Bavella and the sanctuary of Notre Dame des Neiges on the road to Solenzara.
Purcaraccia hike
You cannot go to Corsica without discovering its mountains, its torrents, its forests ... And among the essential short hikes in the Isle of Beauty, I suggest the hike to Purcaraccia waterfalls. Very popular in summer, this trail provides access to beautiful slides, natural pools and waterfalls. The hike is not long but it has some difficult passages. So, a word of advice: Don't wear flip-flops! To get there, you have to reach the Col Bocca di Larone which is located between the Col de Bavella and Solenzara. The start of the hike is next to the parking lot after a hairpin bend. A small hiking trail is signposted there (just look for the many parked cars).
Ajaccio
Return to Ajaccio and to end this more relaxed day, you can take a guided tour of the city by small train. To take the little tourist train, you just have to go to the port next to the landing stage for the maritime shuttles.Which hotel in Ajaccio?
For a short stay in Ajaccio, I recommend thehotel Kallisté. Very well located in the center of Ajaccio (400 m from the casino and Saint-François beach), it offers all the comfort and services needed for 2 short nights. His little extra is his private parking !More information about this hotel
South of Corsica in 5 days - DAY 5
The bloodthirsty islands
For this last day of my 5 days in South Corsica, here is the program I chose for:- Discover the Gulf of Ajaccio;
- Stroll towards the north coast and see the house of Tino Rossi, the marine cemetery and the Citadel of Ajaccio;
- Take advantage ofSanguinaires archipelago,
- Stop over on themezumare island to take full advantage of it and at my own pace.
With their steep outlines, these four small islands are impressive for their beauty. They are classified among the most beautiful protected sites in Corsica.
South of Corsica in 5 days - Rental
If for this 5-day tour in South Corsica or to have a good stay in South Corsica, you are looking for a good rental, then I have a little address to share ...See this rental in South Corsica
These are apartments or studios 150 meters from Santa Giulia beach, with terrace and garden. This is my good plan because these rentals are interesting in terms of price and benefit from an excellent location (beach, shops, restaurants).Want to continue to visit Corsica? Why not continue with my 2-day road trip in North Corsica or go to sea for see dolphins in Corsica