The Best Places to Visit in Corsica

Ajaccio

Corsica’s capital Ajaccio is a small, colourful city of just 65,000 residents. Napoleon Bonaparte was born here in 1769, and as you would expect the city has many sites relating to him, from his childhood home to seafront statues and street names. Maison Bonaparte has been transformed into a national museum and has temporary art and history exhibitions as well as permanent collections dedicated to Napoleon and his family’s legacy.

Ajaccio is one of the best places in Corsica to visit because it’s got some of the most diverse scenery and architecture, offering a real feast for the senses. Head to the lively market and sample the local delicacies, explore tempting patisseries and boutiques in the surrounding streets, or visit the baroque, 16th-century Notre-Dame Cathedral, where Napoléon was baptised, which contains paintings by Delacroix and Tintoretto. For fans of culture, the Palais Fesch is an incredible collection of art that includes pieces from three collections, including the largest set of Italian Primitive paintings outside of the Louvre.

As well as the cultural offering of the city, Ajaccio is also one of the best places in Corsica for beaches, with Plage St François being the closest but Plage du Ricanto providing more of a laid-back atmosphere. If you’re spending time on the beach you can also explore the pretty harbour, popular with local artists, where smart yachts and fishing vessels moor side by side.

Bonifacio

The spectacular town of Bonifacio, located on the very southern tip of the island, clings to a narrow promontory of limestone cliff overhanging the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. You only have to look at it to understand why we’ve included it on our list of the best places to visit in Corsica.

Bonifacio boasts the title of the oldest town in Corsica, believed to have been founded as far back as 830. The Old Town is located in the 9th-century citadel, and with the centre lovingly restored in recent times, it offers visitors a fascinating maze of streets and alleyways to explore.

Brasseries, cafés and bars spill out onto the pavements and piazzas of Bonifacio, whilst craft shops and boutiques show off their colourful wares, and churches, chapels and palazzi provide historical and architectural interest. If you can bear to tear yourself away from the charming town, the nearby Lavezzi Islands are an excellent location for a boat trip where you can explore the small, granite islets and enjoy the opportunity to snorkel in the protected waters.

If you’re not susceptible to vertigo, you can climb down the cliffs that the town rests on via the Escalier du Roi d’Aragon, a stone staircase originally built in the 1400s. If you make the trip down the 189 stairs, carved at a steep 45-degree angle, you’ll be rewarded with lovely views of the sea and a chance to spot marine life in a handful of tide pools.

Calvi

Boasting a 4-mile stretch of sandy white beach, an impressive citadel overlooking the Old Town, lively restaurants, and buzzing nightlife, Calvi is a prosperous port with an exciting history. Nestled on a rocky spur in the north-west of Corsica, it has been described as a slice of the French Riviera blessed with Italian sunshine.

If you’re wondering where to go in Corsica for some of the best culture on the island, Calvi is a hotspot. Over the summer the town is home to a range of music festivals providing all genres of entertainment for visitors spending the warmest months of the year here. You can also enjoy a brilliant collection of places to eat and some boutique shopping opportunities.

Pass through the citadel gateway and walk around the ramparts, pausing to admire picture-postcard views as you go, then venture in through the narrow, cobbled streets and passages of the citadel to see the Old Town. Constructed between the 13th and 16th centuries, it’s the main point of interest in the town aside from the marina, home to a Cathedral of Saint Jean-Baptiste and a house that is rumoured to be where Christopher Columbus was born.

The beach at Calvi is several kilometres long, meaning that you should easily find space to relax by the water even on the busiest days of summer. The UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site of Scandola, another of the top places to visit in Corsica, is also only a short boat ride away, making it a great day trip destination if you’re staying in the town.

L'ile Rousse

Named after the islets that blush a deep russet red in the sunset, L’lle Rousse is a laid-back seaside town in the north of the island with a central square, lively cafés, restaurants and ice-cream parlours. With one of the warmest microclimates in Corsica, thanks to the sheltering Balagne hills that surround the town, and three gently shelving large beaches in close proximity, L’Ile Rousse is ideal for a relaxing day spent on the coast.

In terms of beaches in L'ile Rousse, Plage du Napoléon is in the centre of town and has the most nearby facilities, but can also be the busiest. Plage Nautique is a popular spot for watersports fans, whilst Caruchettu Beach is a little further out but tends to be quieter, especially as you head further from L'ile Rousse.

During the day, L'ile Rousse town square fills up with pétanque players and pastis-sipping spectators, whilst the Greek-style covered marketplace and little boutiques bustle with locals. This daily market is a real highlight for visitors, offering one of the best places in Corsica for fresh, local produce. After stocking up, relax beside the sea or follow the path up to l’Ile de la Pietra Genoese tower and lighthouse, for fabulous views across the town.