For my first vacation in Corsica, I wondered where to go in Corsica, where are the most beautiful places in North or South Corsica ?
In fact, I wanted to choose the best place in Corsica to spend a holiday combining tourism, hiking and dream beaches ! And after having had the chance to go, I can confirm that I made the right choice!
To do this, I first studied the main regions of Corsica and their tourist attractions. Then I compared them to be able to select the most beautiful places in southern and northern Corsica.
North Corsica or South Corsica?
When we talk about Corsica, we distinguish the two main territories that make it up: North Corsica and Southern Corsica.
On traveler forums and blogs, I have come to understand that:
- Northern Corsica is wilder, more preserved from mass tourism than Southern Corsica;
- Southern Corsica is renowned for its magnificent beaches.
But, the simple distinction of South Corsica or North Corsica is not enough to choose the ideal place for his vacation.
To go further, I studied more closely the main and different tourist regions that make up the North and South Corsica :
- From Bastia to Cap Corse
- Balagne
- The West Coast between Calvi and Ajaccio
- The region in the south
- Corsica land
Why South Corsica?
Personally, it's in Southern Corsica that I finally chose to spend my first vacation in Corsica. This region corresponds to department of Corse-du-Sud (2A). It has many of the most remarkable tourist sites in Corsica. And above all, there is something for everyone. Tourist visits, paradisiacal beaches, beautiful natural sites, protected reserves, diving, breathtaking landscapes:
- Boniface,
- the superb beaches of Santa Giulia, Roccapina, Rondinara and Palonbaggia,
- the Scandola reserve,
- the creeks of Piana,
- Alta Rocca,
- the Bavella needles,
- the Lavezzi Islands.
But now let's take a closer look at where to go Southern Corsica according to the tastes and styles of vacation.
Where to go in South Corsica for the beaches?
If Corsica attracts so many tourists, it is partly thanks to its paradisiacal beaches! And it is in Southern Corsica where we find the beaches that are said to be the most beautiful on the island of beauty.
Best beaches in South Corsica
Here are the most famous beaches for their beauty in Southern Corsica (see my article The most beautiful beaches in southern Corsica:
- Santa Giulia Beach
- Roccapina Beach
- Palombaggia
- Rondinara
- Portigliolo Beach
Map of the most beautiful beaches in Corsica
If you are looking for a place to spend your holidays near one of the most beautiful beaches in Corsica, you can locate them using the Google Map below:
Where to choose your accommodation in South Corsica?
If you are looking for a quiet place, in an exceptional setting with a splendid view over the bay of Rondinara and access to its superb beach, then I recommend the Residence Les Terrasses de Rondinara.
Located near Bonifacio, this residence is perfect for enjoying the beach (10 minutes walk), the surrounding wild nature and a superb infinity pool with panoramic views!
If you want to camp in South Corsica, then here is my article: How to choose your campsite in South Corsica?
Where to go in South Corsica to visit?
And yes, choose the Southern Corsica allows you to enjoy the beautiful beaches while sightseeing. Because South Corsica is home to some exceptional sites such as the Gulf of Porto and the Calanques de Piana, the Scandola reserve, the Lavezzi islands, the Cerbicales islands and the pozzines of Coscione or even the Alta Rocca and the Bavella needles. .
To visit them, you can choose to make a circuit by car (road trip in Corse du Sud) or take a well-placed accommodation and flit around to visit.
The West Coast between Calvi and Ajaccio
Straddling southern Corsica and northern Corsica, the region which goes from the south of Calvi to Ajaccio is one of the most beautiful coasts of Corsica !
Indeed, there are some wild beaches of great beauty (Nichiareto or Argentella beach), pretty seaside resorts, natural swimming pools in the Fango valley but above all the Scandola nature reserve and the splendid Calanques de piana. Finally, let's not forget the Sanguinaires Archipelago off Ajaccio.
This region is therefore ideal for tourism, beautiful cruises off the most beautiful coasts of Corsica while enjoying the seaside pleasures. See my article: Where to go in Corsica to swim with dolphins?
Where to stay on the West Coast of Corsica?
Here is a very nice hotel 800 meters from the Stagnone Beach, 19 km from the Sanguinaire Islands and 50 km from the Calanques de Piana.
The southern tip of Corsica
As we saw above, the great south of Corsica has the most beautiful beaches in Corsica but also many tourist attractions:
- numerous Genoese towers all along the coast,
- prehistoric sites (Filitosa or the Sartenais sites),
- Maison Bonaparte museum in Ajaccio,
- Bonifacio aquarium,
- vertiginous cliffs and sea caves off Bonifacio,
- Lavezzi Islands Nature Reserve,
- small fishing ports with colorful boats,
- mountain villages in Alta Rocca,
- Bavella granite needles,
- Porto-Vecchio and its splendid gulf ...
It is therefore this region of Corsica that I have chosen to combine tourist visits and lazy vacations on paradisiacal beaches!
Santa Giulia beach apartment
To stay in South Corsica, I recommend the Costa Nera residence. Indeed, it is very well located to enjoy the superb beach of Santa Giulia (150 m) and tourist sites in southern Corsica (5 km from Porto-Vecchio, 15 km from Bonifacio, 55 km from Col de Bavella).
Northern Corsica for a 2nd stay in Corsica
Northern Corsica with the department of Haute-Corse (2B) includes the towns of Bastia, Corte, Ile Rousse and Calvi. It is a large region which also has many beautiful natural and tourist sites: Cap Corse, the Desert des Agriates, Monte Cinto, Bastani and Nino lakes, the Citadel of Calvi ...
North Corsica seduces many holidaymakers because it offers beautiful natural landscapes but also magnificent beaches wilder than in southern Corsica (Tamarone Beach, Barcaggio Beach, Bodri Beach, Ghjunchitu Beach…).
This is why I had decided to keep this part of Corsica for a second stay and for the next road trip in North Corsica.
Where to go in Northern Corsica for wild landscapes?
Corsica is full of wild and unspoiled places, paradise for nature lovers and hikers: High mountains and wild gorges in the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, Lake Calacuccia and Mont Cinto!
But there is one region that particularly attracts me to North Corsica: It is the Bastia-Cap Corse region.
From Bastia to Cap Corse
This part of the island of beauty is characterized by its authenticity, its wild and contrasting landscapes, its deserted coves and beaches, its Genoese towers, its maquis landscapes, its small hilltop villages and its beautiful mountains! You can discover the most beautiful places in this region by taking a road trip along Cap Corse.
Otherwise this region of Corsica can also be discovered by walking. Indeed, it is ideal for hiking because many trails run along the coast, cliffs, Monte Stello, the Col de Santa Lucia ...
Where to stay in North Corsica?
To choose a good accommodation in North Corsica, you have to take into account the proximity to your centers of interest (tourist sites, beautiful beaches, hiking trails, etc.).
For my part, it is the calm, the preserved environment, the proximity of the beach and the very low price which attracts me to the following location: The Gîtes of Cap Corse.
Located on the mountainside, 500 meters from the beach, this rental is a haven of peace in a dream setting.
Where to go in North Corsica to combine beaches and hinterland?
If you want to spend a holiday in North Corsica and enjoy the beaches as well as the hilltop villages and green landscapes, it is in Balagne that you have to go.
This region of Haute-Corse, extends between the mouth of the Regino, at the foot of the Monte Cinto massif, to Calvi via Ile Rousse.
It is a magnificent region which is perfect for enjoying beautiful beaches, the highest temperatures in Corsica, a historical heritage (citadel of Calvi) and a hinterland of incredible beauty.
Which rental in Balagne?
Here is an address that I will reserve for myself very soon: the Residence Dary.
10 meters from the white sand beach and 250 meters from the center of Ile Rousse, the location of these accommodations is top for a holiday in North Corsica.
And for outdoor hotel enthusiasts, here is how to choose a good campsite in North Corsica.
