📍 France

CORSICA COMPLETE: GRANITE CLIFFS AND ISLAND MAGIC

Granite cliffs sculpted by wind, turquoise waters lapping secret coves, trails winding through maquis. Corsica, island of wild beauty.

≈ 21
Days
691
Km
19
Stops
📖 11 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Journey through Corsica between sea and mountain. Discover Ajaccio and its imperial heritage, follow Porto's red cliffs, wander through Calvi and its Genoese lanes, explore Bastia and its harbors, then reach the villages of the Corsican maquis.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Ajaccio

napoleon birthplace colonial charm

🔍

Discover

1
Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption where Napoleon was baptized
2
Bonaparte House - Napoleon's childhood
3
Place d'Austerlitz and Bonaparte cave
4
Marinella Beach - popular beach of Ajaccio
+3 Places visited
🎯

Activities

Ajaccio market on place Foch
Visit to the Fesch museum - collection of Italian paintings
Swimming at Ariadne beach
+3 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 34 km
Travel time: 41min
2
Day

Cargese

greek orthodox coastal village

🔍

Discover

1
Byzantine church of Cargèse - unique in Corsica
2
Latin church of Cargèse
🎯

Activities

Chiuni beach
Peru beach
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 21 km
Travel time: 25min
3
Day

Porto

scarlet granite cliffs dramatic

🔍

Discover

1
Calanques de Piana - red porphyry cliffs
2
Panoramic viewpoints over the Gulf of Porto
3
Scandola Nature Reserve - UNESCO
4
Girolata - fishing hamlet accessible only by boat
🎯

Activities

Boat excursion in the calanques of Piana
Guided cruise to Scandola and Girolata
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 12 km
Travel time: 15min
4
Day

Evisa

mountain village forest altitude

🔍

Discover

1
Spelunca Gorges - hike between Evisa and Ota
2
Zaglia Bridge - historical monument
3
Aïtone Forest - century-old laricio pines
🎯

Activities

Swimming in the gorge river
Hike in the Aïtone forest
Swimming in the natural pools
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 44 km
Travel time: 52min
5
Day

Galeria

beach village western isolation

🔍

Discover

1
Fango Valley - UNESCO biosphere reserve
2
Natural pools of Fango
🎯

Activities

Canoe rental in Galéria
Swimming and family picnic
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 81 km
Travel time: 1h38
6
Day

Calvi

citadel colonial french-genoese

🔍

Discover

1
Old town of Calvi - cobblestone streets and shops
2
Citadel of Calvi
3
Calvi Beach
4
Bonifatu Forest - river and natural pools
+2 Places visited
🎯

Activities

Water activities in Calvi
Hiking on the Revellata
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 8 km
Travel time: 10min
7
Day

Lumio

fishing village coast terraced

🔍

Discover

1
Sant'Antonino - medieval village in Balagne
2
Abandoned village of Oci
3
Speloncato - ancient village with panoramic view
🎯

Activities

Tour of Balagne villages - Zilia, Lumio, Montemaggiore
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 14 km
Travel time: 17min
8
Day

Ile Rousse

sandy bay northern retreat

🔍

Discover

1
Old town of Île Rousse
2
Place Paoli
3
Pietra peninsula and its lighthouse
🎯

Activities

Bodri beach - wild beach
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 46 km
Travel time: 56min
9
Day

Saint Florent

harbor gulf beach charm

🔍

Discover

1
Saint-Florent - the Corsican Saint-Tropez
2
Citadel of Saint-Florent
3
Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral in white limestone
4
Désert des Agriates - maritime shuttle
+2 Places visited
🎯

Activities

Stroll through the narrow streets and around the port
Swimming and relaxation on paradise beaches
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 16 km
Travel time: 19min
10
Day

Bastia

genoese fortress urban grit

🔍

Discover

1
Rue Napoléon - shopping and walking
2
Terra Nova district and citadel of Bastia
3
Sainte-Marie Cathedral with Italian paintings
4
Bastia History Museum at the Governors' Palace
🎯

Activities

Place Saint-Nicolas - restaurants and cafés
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 38 km
Travel time: 45min
11
Day

Macinaggio

cape village windswept north

🔍

Discover

1
Guided cruise to Cap Corse from Macinaggio
2
Nonza - village with black pebble beach
3
Erbalunga - picturesque village
🎯

Activities

Customs officers' trail - hike from Macinaggio to Barcaggio
Patrimonio wine route
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 100 km
Travel time: 2h
12
Day

Corte

interior mountain town heart

🔍

Discover

1
Old town of Corte
2
Cours Paoli - main shopping street
3
Citadel of Corte and regional anthropology museum
4
Sainte-Croix Chapel
+2 Places visited
🎯

Activities

Exploration of the university town
Hike to the Grotelle sheepfold
Swimming in natural pools and basins
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 71 km
Travel time: 1h25
13
Day

Solenzara

east coast river valleys

🔍

Discover

1
Paludone Beach near Diane pond
2
Diane Pond - wild and natural setting
3
Fautea Beach with Genoese tower
🎯

Activities

Côte des Nacres - beaches between Fautea and Solenzara
Canella Beach - quiet and family-friendly
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 40 km
Travel time: 49min
14
Day

Porto Vecchio

gulf marina southern elegance

🔍

Discover

1
Old town of Porto-Vecchio
2
Palombaggia Beach - one of the most beautiful beaches in the world
3
Santa Giulia Beach
4
Rondinara Beach - magnificent bay voted most beautiful beach
+2 Places visited
🎯

Activities

Swimming at paradisiacal beaches
Cavu Valley - translucent natural pools
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 12 km
Travel time: 14min
15
Day

Ospedale

mountain village altitude silence

🔍

Discover

1
Ospedale Forest
2
Piscia di Gallo Waterfall - largest waterfall in Corsica
3
Lake Ospedale
🎯

Activities

2-hour hike to the waterfall
Viewpoints over Porto-Vecchio bay
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 14 km
Travel time: 16min
16
Day

Zonza

massif central plateau views

🔍

Discover

1
Bavella Needles - spectacular rocky peaks
2
Trou de la Bombe - 8-meter tafoni
🎯

Activities

Hike to Col de Bavella
Climbing at the Bavella Needles
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 50 km
Travel time: 59min
17
Day

Bonifacio

limestone cliffs southern sentinel

🔍

Discover

1
Citadel of Bonifacio and bastion de l'étendard - highest in France
2
Port of Bonifacio
3
Trail from Col Saint Roch - best photo spots
4
Petit Sperone Beach - one of the most beautiful in Corsica
+4 Places visited
🎯

Activities

Cruise to see Bonifacio from the sea and the caves
Swimming at Bonifacio beaches
Tour of the main island - 1h to 2h30 hike
+1 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 39 km
Travel time: 47min
18
Day

Sartene

granite villages feudal history

🔍

Discover

1
Village of Sartène - stone houses
2
Sainte-Marie Church on Liberation Square
3
Old town with audio guide
🎯

Activities

Visit to typical shops and restaurants
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 11 km
Travel time: 13min
19
Day

Propriano

gulf harbor fishing tradition

🔍

Discover

1
Propriano - seaside resort
2
Portigliolo Beach - wild and uncrowded
3
Campomoro - natural seaside site
🎯

Activities

Boat excursions to Scandola or Sanguinaires islands
Parachuting in Propriano
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 40 km
Travel time: 48min
20
Day

Ajaccio

napoleon birthplace colonial charm

🔍

Discover

1
Return to Ajaccio - last visits
🎯

Activities

Tasting of Corsican specialties - figatellu, lonzu, brocciu
Discovery of Pietra beer and canistrelli
Wine route - tasting of the 9 Corsican PDOs

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🛡️ Travel advice - France

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 17 and 25 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.