Places to Visit in Corsica

The 4th largest Island in the Mediterranean Sea is one of the largest scenic destinations in the world. Given the mixture of cultures, from Roman to French and Italian, Corsicans has a very special personality.

With a mountainous interior, magnificent lakes, fresh and dense forests, and crystalline waterfalls, the island is characterized by its coastline, its turquoise water and the villages that carry its origins and traditions.

Those who want to visit the island have two ways to get to it: by ferry or by plane. The first, although more conventional, is also cheaper and avoids additional costs when arriving on the island. Given that public transports are a terrible solution for those who visit, and taxis practice high rates, it would also be a great option to rent a car from the airport.

The car also turns out to be a great way to get to know the island and begin a road trip with more freedom and availability.

Among the various destinations, we will present the ones we consider the best to enjoy your adventure and stay on this stunning island.

CALVI

Calvi astounds visitors with its unbelievable Mediterranean setting featuring jagged mountains as a backdrop. This sun-drenched seaside town has an attractive marina and a long expanse of beautiful beaches along the Bay of Calvi.
Besides sunbathing, swimming, and spending time at outdoor cafés, a top attraction of Calvi is its ancient citadel. Crowning a crag that overlooks the sea and surrounded by imposing fortifications, the citadel is a little enclosed world of atmospheric cobblestone streets, narrow alleyways, pedestrian staircases, and historic buildings.
Within the citadel, the Cathédrale of Saint-Jean-Baptiste exemplifies Corsican Baroque architecture. The interior features noteworthy works of art, including a 15th-century altarpiece depicting the Annunciation and a 16th-century Virgin of the Rosary statue from Spain. Still in the citadel, you can visit the former palace of the Genoese governors and Saint Anthony’s Oratory.

Calvi is also renowned for its summertime jazz festival, which draws top musical talent, the old town and its paved alleys with many shops and restaurants, the port and the Quai Landry, and Calvi Beach, surrounded by a pine forest. Furthermore, you can try one of the many nautical activities, paddle, catamaran, windsurfing, kayaking or towed buoy. There are also several diving centers offering first dives.

SANT'ANTONINO

Sant'Antonino is a well-preserved village in the Corsican hills between Calvi and L'Ile Rousse. Perched like an eagle's nest on a granite hilltop at almost 500 meters, the ancient walled town of Sant'Antonino offers superb views of the surrounding countryside and the sea. In the lush Balagne region, often referred to as the garden of Corsica, Sant'Antonino is one of the oldest villages in Corsica, with a Moorish heritage dating back to the 9th century.

Cars are not permitted into the village itself as little provision was made for motor cars when the original village developed. However, there is a large car park next to the Church of Annonciation just below the village, so parking is not usually difficult.

The church, greatly modified over the centuries including the addition of a belltower and with little to suggest its ancient origins, contains four notable paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. Behind the church you can see the Chapel de Confrérie.

Thanks to its old-world charm, Sant'Antonino has earned a place on France's Plus Beaux Villages (Most Beautiful Villages) list. Visitors will be delighted by the village's medieval tangle of winding cobblestone streets, alleyways, and covered passageways.

About seven kilometres from Sant'Antonino, in between snow-peaked mountains and the sea, the Convent Saint-Dominique de Corbara is a haven of tranquillity nestled on a hillside with astounding views. The convent is open to the public for visits and spiritual retreats.

Among the small highlights you will notice an ancient bread oven and two small chapels: the Chapel Sainte-Anne et des Bergers low in the village and the Chapel Notre-Dame de Lavasina on a small square higher in the village with a recently restored facade. Elsewhere in Sant'Antonino you will find various small shops and restaurants, including several with terraces with amazing views.

Below the village, close to Aregno, you should visit the lovely Church of the Trinity and Saint-Giovanni, built in the 11th century in the Pisan style using a mix of light and dark stone and includes many original features and medieval statues.

VILLAGE OF PIANA AND CALANQUES DE PIANA

This perched village is also listed as one of France’s Plus Beaux Villages and allows for a delightful discovery. The village's charm is found in its quaint narrow streets, pleasant shady squares, and terraces with gorgeous sea views.

Piana has many whitewashed and pastel-coloured houses and an exquisite Italian Baroque church. The Eglise Sainte-Marie has an ornate interior featuring lovely frescoes and arcades decorated with sculpted medallions.

More awe-inspiring panoramas are found in the hamlet of Vistale, which has an ancient chapel, the Chapelle Saint-Lucie (open in July and August) adorned with Byzantine-style frescoes created by 20th-century Russian artists.

Between the village of Piana and the seaside resort of Porto is a scenic (and challenging) coastal drive on windy roads or boat trip through the UNESCO-listed Calanques de Piana. This calanques (calanche) is an inlet surrounded by rose-coloured granite cliffs and rock formations that plunge into the deep-blue Mediterranean. The area's hiking trails feature panoramic viewpoints, over the Gulf of Porto.

 

RÉSERVE NATURELLE DE SCANDOLA

Within the Gulf of Porto UNESCO-listed nature reserve is a surreal coastal landscape. Only accessible by boat, the Réserve Naturelle de Scandola encompasses a remote mountainous peninsula and offshore islands formed from an ancient volcano. Crystal-clear turquoise waters lap against cliffs and hidden coves.

The Scandola Nature Reserve has some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving in Corsica. Marine life spotted here includes dolphins, seals, moray eels, swordfish, and coral reefs.

Shuttle boats depart frequently from Calvi and less frequently from Porto and Galéria. Many companies offer organized tours, for an easier way to visit. The nature reserve of Scandola is one of Corsica’s must-see attractions. It is strictly forbidden to walk, hunt, fish, or dive there.