Want to visit Corsica but not sure which itinerary to choose? This article is for you! After introducing you to two of my favorite places, Bonifacio and the Calanques de Piana, I’ll share all my practical tips for planning your itinerary to visit Corsica and help you get organized. There’s so much to see in Corsica that it can be hard to know where to start!
I wanted to help you discover all the variety Southern Corsica has to offer, so I’ve put together an itinerary that includes the most beautiful beaches, the main towns, as well as historical sites and mountains…
Here is my itinerary to visit Corsica (the southern part) in a week!
PRACTICAL TIPS TO VISIT CORSICA: ONE WEEK ITINERARY
What the best time to visit Corsica?
Although Corsica is literally taken over by tourists in summer, the beginning and end of the season are very pleasant. May, June, and September are the best months to visit, with September being the best, when the water temperature is perfect! We were there in early September 2019 and it was still very crowded. But if you stray a little off the beaten track, especially for the beaches, the magic is still there…
How to get to Corsica?
Ajaccio and Bonifacio are the two main gateway cities to southern Corsica. If you choose to come by boat, there are daily crossings from Marseille, Toulon, and Nice to Ajaccio. The crossing is very comfortable at night (either in a cabin or as a passenger for those on a budget: a large enclosed room is available for those who wish to bring their own mattress and sleeping bag).
By plane, you can choose between Ajaccio and Bonifacio (more precisely, Figari). Regular flights (especially in summer) serve all major French cities.
You will then need a car to travel around Southern Corsica.
How long does it take to visit Corsica?
Visiting Southern Corsica in a week is doable but feels a bit like a race against time. I would say that you need at least 10 days to really enjoy it. A week-long stay is possible if you exclude the Calanques de Piana, which are quite far away, although it’s a real shame to miss them. But that could be a good excuse to come back to Corsica ;)!
When planning your itinerary, don’t underestimate the travel time! The roads are winding and you drive slowly, especially as the scenery is superb. In general, you should allow at least 1 km = 1 minute of travel time on average.
My itinerary to visit Corsica in one week
Here is a suggested itinerary to really enjoy visiting Southern Corsica in one week:
- 1 day in Ajaccio and the surrounding area, or a morning in the city followed by a trip to Sartène via Filitosa
- 1 day for the Sartène region, Filitosa, and the road to Bonifacio
- 1 to 2 days in Bonifacio and the surrounding area
- 1 day around Porto-Vecchio to enjoy the beaches
- 2 days in the mountains, between Bavella and the Coscione plateau
- 2 days to explore the calanques of Piana (including travel time)
Where to stay to visit Corsica?
Southern Corsica is best explored by traveling around, and it would be a shame to stay in one place, as the distances between sites are too great to see everything. You can therefore plan to change accommodation every day, or for greater comfort, plan several bases depending on your itinerary and explore from there. Ajaccio, Sartène-Propriano, Bonifacio, Zonza, and Piana-Porto are all excellent starting points.
Here are a few examples of accommodation depending on the region and your budget!
Suggested accommodation in Ajaccio
HÔTEL LA PINÈDE
- Beautiful sea view
- Sea side pool
- From €120
HÔTEL SPUNTA DI MARE
- 10 min from Ajaccio center
- Sea side pool
- From €100
Suggested accommodation in Bonifacio
SANTATERESA
- Sea view
- Very good value for money
- From €110
HÔTEL SPA GENOVESE
- Magnificent, in the city center
- With a pool and a view
- From €240
HÔTEL MAORA VILLAGE
- 300m from the sea
- Calm setting, with a pool
- From €80
Suggested accommodation in the mountains
LES HAUTS DE CAVANELLO
- Calm and green scenery
- With a pool and a view
- From €150
AUX BORDS DU TEMPS
- In Zonza center
- Charming B&B
- From €100
Suggested accommodation in Piana / Porto
HÔTEL SCANDOLA
- In Piana
- Magnificent sea view
- From €130
HÔTEL CAPO ROSSO
- In Piana, panoramic view
- With a pool
- From €160
HÔTEL LE BELVÉDÈRE
- Well located in Porto Ota
- Very good value for money
- From €70
What to bring back from Corsica?
There are so many specialties to taste in Corsica! Corsican charcuterie is a must-have souvenir (coppa, figatellu, etc.), as are sheep’s milk tomme cheese and pain des morts bread, made in early November. For those with a sweet tooth, don’t forget to try gelée d’arbouse (strawberry tree jelly), the famous canistrelli cookies, and Corsican honey. As for drinks, myrtle liqueur and Corsican beer are a must!
VISIT CORSICA IN ONE WEEK – DAY 1: AJACCIO
Ajaccio is the perfect starting point for visiting Southern Corsica in a week! Sunny and colorful, Ajaccio is a city that resembles its Italian and French Riviera cousins. But above all, it is the capital of Corsica and the birthplace of Napoleon, as the streets of the historic center will remind you! Napoleon worship, Corsican flags, and nationalist posters adorn the walls, which is part of their charm…
It’s very pleasant to stroll through the streets of Ajaccio and enjoy the city’s relaxed atmosphere. Feel free to lose yourself in the narrow streets to admire the facades and discover the Maison Bonaparte around one of the corners. A few steps away, stop at the cathedral square and continue on to Saint François Beach, which is very pleasant in the city center.
Facing the sea is the 15th-century citadel, built by the Genoese. You can walk around it to reach the small Tino Rossi port, where fishermen unload their freshly caught fish every morning.
Also not to be missed around Ajaccio are the Îles Sanguinaires, red-hued islets that dot the Pointe de la Parata, just a few kilometers from the Corsican capital.
Where to stay in Ajaccio?
Suggested accommodation in Ajaccio
HÔTEL LA PINÈDE – 🛌 Learn more
HÔTEL SPUNTA DI MARE – 🛌 Learn more
Find your accommodation in Ajaccio!
VISIT CORSICA IN ONE WEEK – DAY 2: FILITOSA, THE PREHISTORIC SITE
Now let’s head south to Propriano. On the way, I suggest stopping at the prehistoric site of Filitosa! I must admit I was surprised to discover that Corsica has so many historical sites in addition to its natural wonders. Filitosa is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful, with its sculpted rocks that have yet to reveal all their secrets.
You can stroll among the 70 statue-menhirs scattered across the fortified oppidum and at the foot of a huge olive tree.
Not far from Filitosa, you can also continue on to Cupabia Beach, which is perfect for a moment of relaxation…
VISIT CORSICA IN ONE WEEK – DAY 3: SARTÈNE, THE CHARMING VILLAGE
The title “the most Corsican of Corsican towns” given by Prosper Mérimée is a source of pride for the town! Perched high on the hills overlooking the Gulf of Propriano, Sartène is definitely worth a visit. Less for the village as a whole, which is a little too austere for my taste, than for the surprise of the picturesque narrow streets connected by alleys and footbridges…
As you pass under the porch of the town hall, you will discover this medieval-looking district with its steep staircases, alleys, and narrow passageways. Look for the passage de Bradi, one of the narrowest in the village, or stop for a drink and enjoy the atmosphere where time seems to stand still…
Where to stay in Sartène?
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VISIT CORSICA IN ONE WEEK – DAY 3: BONIFACIO
Now head to Bonifacio, the city of cliffs! Enjoy the journey and feast your eyes, because the road between Sartène and Bonifacio is particularly beautiful, with magnificent views of the maquis and the Mediterranean Sea. You can’t miss Bonifacio if you’re visiting Southern Corsica in a week!
Without a doubt my favorite part of this trip to Corsica, Bonifacio is unique in every way. Perched atop high limestone cliffs, Bonifacio overlooks the eponymous straits and the entire Mediterranean Sea below. Its citadel, the famous Stairway of the King of Aragon, the charming old town, the superb beaches in the surrounding area, the Lavezzi Islands off the coast… Bonifacio is a multifaceted gem that is well worth taking the time to discover.
It’s also an opportunity to discover Corsican culture by sampling the various culinary specialties or attending a polyphonic singing concert.
I invite you to read my dedicated article to find out how to Visit Bonifacio – A Local’s Guide.
Where to stay in Bonifacio?
Suggested accommodation in Bonifacio
SANTATERESA – 🛌 Learn more
HÔTEL SPA GENOVESE – 🛌 Learn more
HÔTEL MAORA VILLAGE – 🛌 Learn more
Find your accommodation in Bonifacio at the best price!
VISIT CORSICA IN ONE WEEK – DAY 4: PORTO-VECCHIO
A fortified town, Porto-Vecchio is now a popular holiday destination. This is evident in the many shops located in the old town. It is best visited early in the morning to avoid the crowds, after a somewhat challenging climb to get there.
For me, the charm of Porto-Vecchio lies more in its superb gulf, which can be explored by boat if possible, and in the succession of idyllic beaches that line the coast between Porto-Vecchio and Bonifacio.
VISIT CORSICA IN ONE WEEK – DAY 4: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES OF CORSICA
Perhaps you’ve already heard of Palombaggia, Rondinara, or Santa Giulia? These beaches regularly feature in rankings of the world’s most beautiful beaches, and are all located on the road between Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio. So, they’re not to be missed when visiting Southern Corsica in a week.
These strips of white sand surrounding a crystal-clear sea are true temples of relaxation. They are every bit as good as beaches in exotic destinations (such as those in New Caledonia, for example), except for their tranquility… Unfortunately, they are very popular, especially in summer when the beaches are completely crowded. Nevertheless, they are well worth a visit, as their colors are exceptional…
I was charmed by Palombaggia Beach, lined with pine trees and dotted with rounded rocks. Take the time to venture along the path south of the beach. It leads to Tamaricciu, one of Corsica’s most famous postcard views!
Rondinara and Santa Giulia will charm you with their beautiful, characteristic crescent shape…
VISIT CORSICA IN ONE WEEK – DAY 5: THE AIGUILLES DE BAVELLA
Now let’s head to the Alta Rocca, and more specifically to the Aiguilles de Bavella. I really recommend exploring the Corsican mountains if you’re visiting Southern Corsica for a week, they’re well worth the detour!
From Porto-Vecchio, the road climbs steeply to the Ospedale forest, and the temperature drops. You can feel that you’re getting into the mountains, even though the transition from sea level to altitude is surprisingly quick!
Take the time to stop at the Lac de l’Ospédale: the site is particularly peaceful, surrounded by forests and dotted with dead tree trunks cut at the base.
The road then continues to climb to the Col de Bavella, which offers the most beautiful view of the Aiguilles de Bavella. These famous stone walls surrounded by pine trees seem to have come straight out of a movie set, such is their unique atmosphere. Steep and austere, they rise up against the sea, 1,200 meters below.
Don’t hesitate to climb a little higher above the statue of Notre Dame des Neiges to admire the panoramic view of the surrounding area. The Col de Bavella is also the starting point for many walks and hikes, such as the Trou de la Bombe, the most famous. If you want to discover the Corsican mountains or simply enjoy the many natural pools in the Bavella forest, this is paradise!
Where to stay in the Corsican mountains?
Suggested accommodation in the mountains
LES HAUTS DE CAVANELLO – 🛌 Learn more
AUX BORDS DU TEMPS – 🛌 Learn more
Find your accommodation in Zonza!
VISIT CORSICA IN ONE WEEK – DAY 6: THE COSCIONE PLATEAU
The Coscione plateau doesn’t necessarily appear in the usual lists of Corsican must-sees, but I’m delighted to add it to my list because it reveals yet another facet of Corsica: its plateaus and wild animals. From Quenza, the road to the Coscione plateau is in very poor condition, dotted with potholes and ruts. It is possible to drive through with a small car if you are very careful, but the few kilometers are very, very long!
This is undoubtedly the price you pay for this remote but oh-so-wild plateau: it’s why people come here! You can hike for several days on this hilly plateau, or simply enjoy it for a few hours. On the agenda: free-range pigs that are sometimes very curious, rocky chaos, wild horses, and the famous pozzines…
These small pools of water dot the green plateaus, which are reminiscent of steppe landscapes. Everything is calm, and you regularly come across wild animals whose total freedom is a pleasure to see. The Coscione plateau is a world apart and, in my opinion, a must-see for nature lovers.
VISIT CORSICA IN ONE WEEK – DAY 7: LES CALANQUES DE PIANA
The Calanques of Piana, a massif of red rocks listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, need no introduction. Located less than two hours north of Ajaccio, they form the northernmost part of Southern Corsica. Between the village of Piana and the town of Porto is one of the most beautiful roads in France, overlooking the calanques and ablaze with color at sunset. It is here that you will discover the famous “heart of Piana,” carved into the rock.
You can explore the region by car, on foot, or by boat to discover all aspects of these exceptional calanques.
Porto is also the starting point for boat trips to explore the Scandola Nature Reserve, another natural wonder listed by UNESCO. A marine, plant, and bird sanctuary, it is a place not to be missed during your trip to Corsica…
For more practical details and photos of this Corsican gem, I invite you to read my dedicated article, which will help you tour the Calanques de Piana.
Where to stay in the Calanques de Piana?
Suggested accommodation in Piana / Porto
HÔTEL SCANDOLA – 🛌 Learn more
HÔTEL CAPO ROSSO – 🛌 Learn more
HÔTEL LE BELVÉDÈRE – 🛌 Learn more
Find your accommodation around Piana!
And for more information on each destination, don’t hesitate to check out Visit Corsica website!
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