Top 5 most beautiful Corsican towns to discover

Interested in a Corsican getaway this summer? Check out our top 5 most beautiful Corsican towns to discover this year! Towns between sea and mountains, where Corsica's gentle way of life and magnificent landscapes make the Isle of Beauty a top destination for holidaymakers in search of authenticity and beautiful discoveries. Between cultural and historical heritage, discover a Corsica that's both endearing and surprising, full of life and that never leaves travelers indifferent.

What to do in Bastia Popular town, art and history

A picturesque town founded by the Genoese and the former capital of Corsica, Bastia has managed to preserve its distinctive charm despite a turbulent past. With its picturesque alleyways, multicolored facades, old port, Baroque architecture and oratories, the town offers a wonderful immersion in Corsican history. At Bastia's citadel, on the Place du Donjon, a magnificent panoramic view of the port and sea awaits you. And if you have a good view, you'll even be able to see the island of Elba and some of the islands of the archipelago.

Also not to be missed: the Sainte-Croix oratory, Caraffa's Palais Bronzini, the Cathedral of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, the Cathedral of Sainte-Marie with its silver Madonna and the Musée de Bastia, formerly the Palais du Gouverneur.

While Bastia is packed with historic monuments, it's also a beautiful port town where you can relax, stroll and enjoy the sea. After a stroll through the Corsican scrubland around Bastia, it's time to relax. Numerous beaches and coves await you in and around Bastia: Grigioni beach (2 km north), Miomo beach (4 km north), Lavasina beach (5 km north), Erbalunga beach (7 km north)... In addition to sea cruises and excursions, the more adventurous can try their hand at deep-sea fishing. Take advantage of a sea trip to discover the fabulous landscapes of the Finocchiarola Islands Nature Reserve and explore the magnificent seabed of Cap Corse.

A city of culture and festivities, Bastia and its region regularly organize a variety of events to suit all tastes and desires. Cultural exhibitions, Corsican song concerts, themed fairs with local producers such as the Fiera di Bocca di u Pratu (Breeders' Fair - end of July), thea Fiera di a Nuciola (Hazelnut Fair - mid-August)... Fairs that liven up the autumn and spring months, not forgetting the summer festivals!

Various accommodations, such as the Best Western Montecristo Bastia hotel, 10 minutes from the center of Bastia, are ideally located for discovering the city of Bastia: a 3-star address close to the port and train station, and just a few minutes from the Arinella and Marana beaches. With Bastia Poretta international airport, the city opens up to the world, making Corsica the benchmark destination in the Mediterranean.

The must-see seaside resort of Ajaccio

An imperial city on the west coast of southern Corsica, Ajaccio is the ideal starting point for discovering the most beautiful sites on the Île de Beauté. Ajaccio boasts exceptional natural sites such as Capo di Feno beach, the Parata site and the Sanguinaires islands.
Renowned for its fine sandy beaches bordered by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea, visit the beaches of Barbicaja, Cala d'Orzu, du Rupione, Marinella, Mare e Sole and Terre Sacrée. With the most sunshine in France, it's the ideal destination for unforgettable vacations all year round!

The birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, Ajaccio is a Corsican town with a Genoese architecture that leaves no one indifferent! On foot or by bike, discover the old town with its colorful streets, old port, market stalls and lively terraces. Once a fishing village, Ajaccio has retained its island charm, where life is punctuated by the comings and goings of colorful boats. Like most of Corsica's major coastal towns, Ajaccio also boasts a beautiful citadel built in 1492, unfortunately closed to visitors. Nevertheless, the region boasts an exceptional natural heritage, including the Rospa-Sorba national forest with its pine forests, the Vizzavona forest and the beautiful Bracca and Tolla lakes.

Among its cultural facilities, Ajaccio is also home to the Palais Fesch and its collections of Italian paintings, as well as a library containing over 40,000 books dating back to the 15th century.

Ajaccio is a modern city open to the world, with an international airport serving the major European cities and also accessible by boat from Toulon, Nice and Marseille.

In terms of activities, Ajaccio is the ideal starting point for numerous outdoor activities for all levels: canyoning, trekking, climbing, mountain hiking (4x4, motorcycle, quad, mountain bike, pedestrian, equestrian), accrobranches... For fans of water sports, pedalos, kayaks, windsurfing boards and catamaran or jet ski cruises are available for unforgettable land-sea excursions.

Ajaccio is also home to a host of cultural events, including the Eramu in Cantu show to discover traditional Corsican songs (in September),the Musiques du Diamant to enjoy Ajaccio songs (every Monday in July and August) and the Relève de la Garde to relive the splendors of the Empire (every Thursday in July and August).

Numerous top-quality hotels welcome you all year round, such as the Radisson Blue Resort & Spa near Porticcio, or the Sofitel Golfe d'Ajaccio Thalassa Sea & Spa located at the tip of the peninsula between Porticcio and Ajaccio.

What to see in Porto-Vecchio, the city of salt?

Among Corsica's top destinations, the town of Porto-Vecchio deserves its place in this Top 5. Located in southern Corsica, the town of Porto-Vecchio offers many tourist attractions for a relaxing and discovering holiday. The town is also rich in cultural, natural and historical heritage, so there's something for everyone!

Visit Place de la République to discover the charms of the old town and soak up the friendly, relaxed atmosphere. To learn more about the history of Porto-Vecchio, there's nothing better than a trip up to its beautiful citadel , founded in the 16ᵉ century. Despite its somewhat austere appearance, it conceals some fine relics of the Genoese empire: the Church of St. John the Baptist, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, the Bastion di A Funtana Vechju, L'impasse Ettori, the Bastion de France, La Porte Génoise and Le Bastion de la Porte Génoise. From here, you'll be able to admire different viewpoints of the marina, the salt marshes and almost the entire gulf!

A lively town, especially after dark, with its night-time shopping, wine bars and colorful terraces. You'll also be thrilled by Corsican polyphonic songs, and in the morning you can sample the flavors of the town's Sunday market. Meet local craftsmen and producers and discover the island's traditions and know-how! And don't hesitate to sample some of the region's richly flavored culinary specialties.

At the height of summer, numerous coves and beaches await you for a day of relaxation and rest! The beaches of Palombaggia, Tamaricciu and Santa Giulia will delight young and old alike. With its turquoise waters, you can enjoy a pleasant swim and a wide range of water sports: kayaking, water-skiing, stand-up paddling, windsurfing, jet-skiing and even combining discovery, cruising and diving at the Cerbicale Islands nature reserve, for example. Between an excursion to the Pointe de la Chiappa with its beautiful view of the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio and a beautiful hike or mountain bike ride in the Ospedale forest, your stay in southern Corsica will be one to remember!

As in all Corsican towns, various cultural events are organized throughout the year: fairs, cultural exhibitions, concerts, sporting events such as the Saint André trail, cinema, and much more!

Discover Bonifacio, one of the most beautiful towns in France!

Located 28km from Porto-Vecchio, discover the town of Bonifacio! A picturesque town dominated by a thousand-year-old fortress, and perched above 70 meters of cliffs, Bonifacio continues to fascinate and attract travelers. A veritable open-air museum, plunge into the history of Corsica and step back in time: 8500 years of history await you! With its rich historical heritage, Bonifacio is home to 40 different sites: military constructions, mythical staircases, historic architecture, religious heritage, vestiges of ancient civilizations...

As for the beach, Bonifacio boasts some magnificent white sandy beaches. A picture-postcard setting just 1h30 from Paris! So pack your little basket and don't forget a hat, sun cream and plenty of water to keep you hydrated. Here are our favorite Bonifacio beaches: Balistra beach (north of the Sant'Amanza gulf - the track is in poor condition, but it's worth the effort and the peace and quiet is guaranteed!), the beaches of Cala Longa (south of the Gulf of Sant'Amanza - 15 mins from the town center), the beach of Grand Sperone (south of the Gulf, Pointe de Sperone), the beach of Petit Sperone (north-east of Pointe de Sperone), la Tonnara and Campo Mezzano beaches (Gulf of Ventilegne), Rondinara beach (between Porto-Vecchio and Bonifacio) and Stagnolu beach (southern Gulf of Ventilegne).

A visit to Bonifacio also means discovering the largest nature reserve in mainland France:the Bouches de Bonifacio Nature Reserve. A marine park covering 80,000 hectares of limestone cliffs and granite chaos, combining coastal and marine environments. A delight for lovers of island flora and fauna! It's also the ideal starting point for discovering exceptional wild landscapes.

Treat yourself to a spot of scuba diving in the marine park, or for the more adventurous, enjoy walks along the cliffs or along the coastline. The town of Bonifacio is a land of hiking and seaside pleasures, with a multitude of sensations in store for you!

Destination Corte and its villages: the most beautiful hikes in the north

The fifth town in this magnificent top 5 of the most beautiful towns in Corsica is Corte. We're in Haute-Corse, inland from the center of the island (68 km from Bastia - 80 km from Ajaccio) and more precisely, in the Restonica valley. Once the capital of independent Corsica, the town of Corte also boasts a citadel (18ᵉ century) housing the Museum of Corsica. Facing the Monte Rotondo (2,622 m), Monte Cardo (2,453 m), Punta Felicina (2,440 m) and Punta alle Porte (2,313 m) mountains, discover a magnificent town with an exceptional historical and environmental heritage. Listed as a Napoleonic town, Corte bears the imprint of two great men who shaped Corsican history: Napoleon Bonaparte andAdmiral Pascal Paoli.

From Corte's citadel, enjoy a panoramic view over the Restonica and Tavignanu valleys. Many other well-preserved and renovated historic monuments are open to visitors: theChurch of the Annunciation, home to relics of Corsica's only Saint: Saint Theophile de Corte, the Chapel of the Holy Cross with its huge canvases, the National Palace and the Arrighi de Casanova house (home of the Bonaparte family).

The perfect starting point for exploring the Corsican hinterland, put on your hiking boots and head into the mountains to discover breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. Whether in the Restonica valley or the Verghellu valley, you'll discover magnificent wild landscapes, pine forests and mountain sheepfolds perched at an altitude of 1400 meters! It's also the perfect opportunity to discover the Melu, Nino and Capitellu lakes. For the more athletically inclined, there's the "roof of Corsica": Monte Cintu (2710m).

On the program: climbing, mountaineering and ski touring. Don't hesitate to take a dip and cool off in the mountain rivers.

A land of chestnuts, brocciu and honey, succulent Corsican specialities await you in Corte. There's something for every taste! Sweet or savory dishes, all accompanied by fine wines, it's easy to fall in love with the Isle of Beauty. Among the local specialities, honey made from local products such as arbutus, chestnuts and almonds is also highly prized by locals and travellers alike! A real treat!

As a mountain region, winters here are harsher than on the coast. If you're planning a hike in Corte, it's best to come between April and September. Rainfall is lower during this period, and you'll be better able to enjoy the pleasures of the mountains.