3 days in Corsica: where to go? (4 weekend ideas)

Want a long weekend in Corsica, surrounded by mountains and sea?
Several destinations are accessible to spend 3 days: Calvi and the Balagne, Saint Florent, Ajaccio, the beaches of the South… culture, sand, adventure, everything is possible or almost according to your place of arrival.
Here are all our tips for spending 3 days in Corsica: where to go? what to do? where to sleep?

This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices and paying all our bills in full.

Long weekend in Corsica: where to go for 3 days

Airports

Corsica is accessible by ferry from several cities in France and Italy and by plane.
However, the ferry crossings are quite long, and for a trip of only 3 days, it does not make sense.

There are 4 airports where you can arrive in Corsica:

• Bastia in the north of Corsica
• Calvi in the Balagne region in the northwest
• Ajaccio
• Figari in the south of Corsica

Here is a map to help you find your way:

Compare the destinations and flights available from your departure city.

Learn more in our article how to go to Corsica.

Our selection of 3-day stays in Corsica

Below we propose you 4 options to spend your 3 days in Corsica, during a long weekend or during the week.
We have chosen places where few roads are necessary to enjoy the best of Corsica.

• If you don’t want to drive at all and have a nice variety of places to discover, we recommend our 3-day option in Balagne.
• If you want to see the most famous beaches of Corsica, we recommend our 3-day option in South Corsica.
• If you want to experience a Corsican city and museums, we recommend our 3-day itinerary in Ajaccio.
• If you want the wildest nature, we advise you our 3 days tour in the north of Corsica.

3 days in South Corsica in Bonifacio or Porto-Vecchio

Our 3 must-haves for your stay

• The citadel of Bonifacio
• Cape Pertusato
• One of the most famous beaches: Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, Rondinara

Where to land

For this tour, your best option is to land at Figari airport.

• From Figari to Bonifacio = 25 min drive
• From Figari to Porto-Vecchio = 25 min drive

You can also land in Ajaccio but this will add 2 hours of driving each way.

See available flights.

Where to stay

You can land near a beach if you just want to relax on the sand.
But if you want to explore without taking the car all the time, we recommend one of the two main cities (and we have a preference for Bonifacio during a 3 days stay): Bonifacio or Porto-Vecchio.

Please note that neither of the two cities has a beach directly accessible from the center on foot. The beautiful beaches are not far, but you need a car.

Bonifacio

The advantage is that you can enjoy the beautiful citadel and walk towards the Cape of Pertusato.

We recommend:

• Above the rest
  At Hotel Santateresa, you are at the end of the peninsula with free parking included, modern rooms and a fantastic staff! A superb view from above on the citadel and the cliffs!
  See photos and availability
• Near the marina
  The Centre Nautique hotel is located on the waterfront and the marina.
  see pictures and availability
• Old town
  Another option inside the old town is the Hotel Genovese with a cliff top location and lots of charm.
  see pictures and availability
• Luxury
  For a 5-star stay not far from the marina, check out the spacious and beautiful design of the Version Maquis Citadelle hotel.
  see pictures and availability

See the best hotel and rental offers

Porto-Vecchio

We recommend:

• Luxury
  Grand Hotel de la Cala Rossa & Spa Nucca, right on the beach
  see pictures and availability
• 4 stars on the sea
  Hotel Restaurant Casa Santini (Le Goéland), right on the water
  see pictures and availability
• Residence with all services
  At the Residence U Pirellu, we enjoy spacious villas, beautiful views of the maquis and the sea. There is a heated swimming pool and all activities. It is only 10min from Palombaggia and 10min from Porto-Vecchio.
  see pictures and availability

See the best hotel and rental offers

How to get around

If you stay in Bonifacio, you can spend your 3 days there without a vehicle provided you don’t want to go to the southern beaches.
Otherwise, we advise you to rent a car. You will only have to travel short distances, but this will give you more freedom!

In this 3-day itinerary, we try to make you discover a bit of everything.

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Day 1 – Bonifacio

Today take the time to discover all the facets of one of the most beautiful cities of Corsica.
The citadel was built on a small peninsula with cliffs over 70m high.
You can:

• Admire the views from all the ramparts
• Descend the staircase of the King of Aragon dug in the cliff
• Visit the marine cemetery
• Have a drink (or an ice cream!) at the marina
• Take a boat trip to admire the cliffs and caves from the sea
• Walk to Cape Pertusato for exceptional views of the city.

See our article on all the things to do in Bonifacio.

Day 2 – Southern beaches

In South Corsica, you will find several of the most famous beaches of Corsica:

• Palombaggia with its red rocks
• The bay of Rondinara with its perfect shape (often listed as one of the most beautiful bays in Europe)
• The beach of Santa Giulia and its long strip of sand

But you can find plenty of other beautiful beaches with fewer people.
If you like hiking, go see the one of Saint-Antoine next to Bonifacio, it is amazing!

See our selections:

• the most beautiful beaches around Bonifacio
• the most beautiful beaches around Porto-Vecchio (to come)

Day 3 – Lavezzi mountains or islands

For this 3rd day, it was difficult to choose.

The mountains

To complete your Corsican experience, after a citadel and beaches, we advise you to take altitude in the mountains.
Take the road through the forest of Ospedale and up to the Aiguilles de Bavella.
It is absolutely beautiful and a radical change from the beaches.

The Lavezzi Islands

If you don’t want to drive too much, take the boat to the Lavezzi Islands.
We love this wild and protected place.
Only 30 minutes by boat from Bonifacio, you can explore a land full of giant rocks of different colors and shapes.
See our complete article.

Where to eat

In Bonifacio, we recommend:

• L’A Cheda (gastronomic)
  Whether by the pool or in the beautiful dining room, enjoy the rich menu concocted by Chef Lionel Lebrun. You can taste carefully selected Corsican products, from the Mediterranean caught sar, to the Corsican organic veal accompanied by an artichoke with the scent of Clementine… The Mediterranean is in your mouth!
• Da Pasano (light catering)
  This time we are on the port of Bonifacio, with a restaurant that has taken on the mission of inscribing traditional Corsican cuisine in the codes of the moment. You can enjoy tapas and small dishes that revisit the best of Corsican products, from the Zecca soup (spider crab) to the Milk Shake of Bouillabaisse, without forgetting the terrine of rivia (offal of goat and lamb)! Always surprised, never disappointed.
• Lan’k (market cuisine)
  In the high streets of the city, 2 steps from the church of Sainte Marie Majeure, an authentic and simple cuisine. The fish is available in risotto (gambas and scallops) or grilled with sesame (tuna). Remember to make a reservation to get one of the wonderful tables under the arcades.

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3 days in Balagne in Calvi or Ile-Rousse

Our 4 must-haves for your stay

• The citadel of Calvi
• The beautiful city of L’Île-Rousse
• Punta di Panu with its rocks
• The villages of Balagne
• See our list of ideas for visiting the Balagne

Where to land

For this tour, your best option is to land at Calvi airport.

• From Calvi to Ile-Rousse = 30 min drive
• From the airport to the center of Calvi = 10min drive

You can also land in Ajaccio but this will add 2 hours of driving each way.

See available flights.

Where to stay

The region has 2 main cities which are very nice and have beaches in their center: Calvi and Ile-Rousse.

Calvi

We recommend:

• Around the port
  Casa Bianca hotel with its modern decor and beautiful views
  – see pictures and availability
• Along the beach
  Hotel Onda where you will sleep almost with your feet in the water…
  See prices, pictures and availability
• Sir the heights
  a dreamy and luxurious stay in the hotel La Villa Calvi.
  See prices, pictures and availability

Or see all the best rated accommodations in Calvi.

L’Île-Rousse

• Good value for money
  The Casa Rossa hotel has a lot of charm. It is not in the center, but not far. The rooms are spacious with a dining area with kitchenette.
  see pictures and availability
• In the downtown area
  The Perla Rossa Hotel enjoys an excellent location and offers splendid views of the sea.
  see pictures and availability
• Near the islands
  The Best Western Plus Santa Maria is located near the islands. Its rooms with balconies overlook its small beach.
  see pictures and availability
• Luxury
  Casa Paradisu – 5 star hotel with dream pool
  See photos and availability
• Store
  Hotel Rocabella in the center of the city
  See photos and availability

How to get around

It is very easy to get around in Balagne.
There is the train of the beaches to go from Calvi to Ile-Rousse in 50min stopping at several beaches.
Alternatively, you can rent a car to explore with more freedom. There is only a 30min drive between Calvi and Ile-Rousse.

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Day 1 – Calvi and Punta di Spanu

Calvi is very recognizable for its citadel located on a peninsula.
Start by admiring it from the beach, then go and get lost in its alleys!

It was built under the Genoese government, between 1483 and the seventeenth century in order to have stronger defenses. There are impressive fortifications all around.

Inside, you will discover a labyrinth of alleys, stairs, fortifications, and beautiful views in all directions.
Among the monuments note:

• the church of St. John the Baptist
• the oratory of Saint-Antoine.
• MUDACC – the art museum of the citadel of Calvi with works of the Contemporary Art Fund

See our article dedicated to the citadel or our complete guide to Calvi.

For something different, go to the other end of the bay of Calvi, to Punta di Spanu.
The corner has only two small sandy areas. However, there are plenty of giant boulders to play with!
It is one of our favorite places in Corsica.
The exploration is fun with several small coves and many rocks. Some are smooth because of the water, others are cut. There’s even one that’s been cut cleanly in half. You can walk around the point and up to a tower.
Read more about it.

Day 2 – The villages of Balagne

The Balagne region is also known for its charming villages in the hills with their typical Corsican houses and their unobstructed views between sea and mountains.
Near Calvi, discover:

• Lumio completely in front of the sea (15min from Calvi) and the abandoned village of Occi just above.
• Pigna and its blue shutters (35min drive from Calvi)
• Sant’Antonino, one of the oldest villages in Corsica (30min drive from Calvi)
• Speloncato and its houses surrounded by rock (50min drive from Calvi)
• See our article on the most beautiful villages of the Balagne.

If you don’t have a car, there are organized tours that take you to the most famous villages – see the availability of organized tours.

Day 3 – Île-Rousse and Bodri beach

Île-Rousse is the other big city of the Balagne. It is very different from Calvi and other Corsican cities.
It was founded by the most famous leader of the Corsican people Pasquale Paoli in 1758 (although the place has been inhabited since antiquity). He wanted a port that was not controlled by the Genoese.
The main thing to do in Ile-Rousse is to enjoy the island walk to the top of the lighthouse.
See our guide to visit Ile-Rousse.

Then go relax on the ultra-fine white sand.
This beach is just south of Ile-Rousse.
The parking lot is paid in summer but free the rest of the year or you can reach it by train.
From the car, it is a 5 minute walk to the beach.
See more photos.

Where to eat

We suggest, among others,:

• U Bistrotellu d’a Quadrera (L’Île-Rousse)
  In one of the alleys of the city, a restaurant which handles humor and very good Corsican family recipes. You can opt for the soup of the chef’s ex-wife or tackle the entrecote steak topped with its Corsican cheese sauce. Only happiness and conviviality!
• The Restaurant Le Rendez-Vous (L’Île-Rousse)
  A must in Ile Rousse, the restaurant of the hotel L’escale Côté sud which offers not one, but two terraces with a breathtaking view on the bay. The menu is wide, enough to satisfy all tastes and appetites. We advise you to combine tapas and a generous salad with good Corsican products.
• In Calvi, we recommend, among others
• Restaurant A Casetta (Calvi)
  If you are looking for delicious Corsican charcuterie, look no further.
• Restaurant Il Capitano (Calvi)
  And if you are looking for more developed dishes with one of the most beautiful views of Calvi from the terrace on the 5th floor. Here is the right choice for you;

3 days in North Corsica in Saint-Florent or Bastia

Our 4 must-haves for your stay

• The charming center of Saint Florent
• The Agriates desert with its dream beaches
• The city center of Bastia
• Cap Corse

Where to land

For this tour, your best option is to land at Bastia airport.

• From the airport to Saint-Florent = 40 min drive
• From the airport to the center of Bastia = 25min drive

Where to stay

Where Corsica is the finest, at the base of the Cap Corse you have 2 excellent options:
Bastia if you want a city atmosphere, with more culture and dining options.
Or Saint-Florent, for a more beachy and relaxing atmosphere with sumptuous landscapes in the bay.
We have a preference for Saint-Florent.

Saint-Florent

In Saint-Florent, you can be close to the beach while staying in Patrimonio allows you to enjoy a more tranquil experience in the vineyards.

• Hotel in downtown – good value for money
  The Flor Hotel is centrally located, but be aware that it does not have a large enough parking lot for all guests!
  see pictures and availability
• Hotel Tetolla
  Ideal to see the sunsets
  see pictures and availability
• Apartment by the sea
  The Cumaru apartment has a sea view
  see pictures and availability
• In the vineyards
  At the Lustincone Inn in Patrimonio we loved the charm of the rooms, the delicious breakfast and the fantastic views from the terrace and pool!
  see photos and availability
• Store, in the mountains
  The Case Latine hotel is located in the mountains above Saint-Florent, for peace, quiet and beautiful views.
  See photos and availability

See the best hotel and rental offers

Bastia

• Good value for money
  Hotel Continental – 3 star hotel in the heart of the city
  See photos and availability
• Central
  Hôtel Des Gouverneurs, above the water
  see pictures and availability
• Hotel de la Corniche, less central but with beautiful views and calm
  see pictures and availability
• Mister Miot Concept Hotel – Bastia center, with a very pleasant atmosphere
  see pictures and availability
• Apartment by the sea
  The Cada del Mare offers splendid views of the sea
  see pictures and availability

See the best hotel and rental offers

How to get around

If you do not plan to explore the Cap Corseyou can land in Bastia or Saint-Florent without a car.
But for more freedom and to tour Cape Town, we recommend renting a car.
Between Bastia and Saint-Florent, it is necessary to count 30min of road.

Need to rent a car in Corsica?

Renting a car in Corsica is not always easy….

See our 35 tips for renting a car in Corsica without worrying

Find great deals today on my favorite platform: DiscoverCars.com

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See the cars →

Day 1 – Saint-Florent and the Agriates desert

Today enjoy the bay of Saint-Florent to the west.
Start by taking the boat to the Lotu beach and the Agriates desert. Either you enjoy the beach with the beautiful views of the mountains of Cap Corseor you can walk to discover the beach of Saleccia (1h walk in one direction). The place is magical and the views from the boat are superb.
The Agriates desert is one of our favorite places in Corsica.

Once back in Saint-Florent, take a tour of the small citadel with its relaxed atmosphere and spectacular views.
Learn more about Saint-Florent.
And if you still have a little juice, discover the vineyards of Patrimonio at only 10min drive from Saint-Florent.

Day 2 – the tour of Cap Corse

The main excursion is of course the tour of the Cap Corsea wild region with only a few villages and impressive mountains plunging into the sea.
Nonza and Erbalunga are worth a visit. And it is the only place to find black beaches in Corsica. However, the color is not due to volcanic ash (as in other countries) but to an old abandoned asbestos mine on the coast.
It is a wild jewel not to be missed!
See our complete guide to plan your tour of Cap Corse.

Allow 4 hours of driving (non-stop time) to do the complete tour.
Quite easy to drive, but there are some narrow passages on the west coast where passing a bus is a challenge…
We recommend driving counter-clockwise for the best views.

Day 3 – Bastia

After the nature, discover Bastia, the second biggest city of Corsica.
One day is enough to explore the citadel, visit the Governor’s Palace with its many paintings and stroll through the old port.

Where to eat

• Restaurant La Gaffe (Saint-Florent)
  When a Breton gets lost on the quays of a beautiful Corsican port, it gives La gaffe. The lobster from the Gulf of Saint-Florent is served alongside the Norman oyster from Isigny and the Corsican suckling pig is confit with Patrimonio wine. A true polyphony of taste to be consumed without moderation!
• Restaurant L’Auberge du Pêcheur (Saint-Florent)
  As its name indicates, here we eat raw fish directly from the fish market and the boat Saint Christophe! You can enjoy it raw in sushi or sashimi or cooked with vegetables and flowers from the garden. A favorite is the Provençal-style bass, caramelized fennel and parsley tuile…
• Restaurant Delfino (Saint-Florent)
  On the beautiful beach of the Ospedale, a magnificent terrace overlooking the sea. You can enjoy simple, healthy and good food. We like to nibble a truffled focaccia with the sea as our only horizon.
• Le Café des Gourmets (Bastia)
  A soothing restaurant with a glass roof. Ideal for a brunch.
• The Meat Bar Restaurant (Bastia)
  near the Palace of the Governors, and for meat lovers
• Nova (Bastia)
  A generous cuisine, a modern, beautiful and unpretentious atmosphere, a relaxing ambiance.

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3 days in Ajaccio

Our 3 must-haves for your stay

• The Fesh Palace / Museum of Fine Arts and its imperial chapel
• The Sanguinaires islands
• The museum of Napoleon’s house

Where to land

At Ajaccio airport…
Only 10min drive to arrive in the center of Ajaccioo.
And less than 5min drive to reach the beaches of Porticcio

Where to stay

We recommend staying in the old town if you can, so you can walk everywhere.
Otherwise, many rentals are located on the hillside or along the sea. They offer great views, but to return after a long day of walking, you will have to take a cab.

• Luxury
  Hotel Le Week End, by the sea
  See photos and availability
• Central Hotel
  Hotel San Carlu Citadelle Ajaccio with a great location
  See photos and availability
• Out of town
  Hotel Les Mouettes with its pool at the water’s edge
  See photos and availability

See the best accommodation offers

Otherwise, you can stay near the beaches in Porticcio and take the boat to the center of Ajaccio.
For example, we recommend the Agosta Suites – see prices, photos and availability

Otherwise see the best rated accommodations in Porticcio.

How to get around

In Ajaccio, we do not recommend renting a car.
Stay quietly in the center and take boat tours.

You can use the little tourist train to go around the city.

Day 1 – Visit of Ajaccio

Take time to explore the old town, walk around the fort, see the market and visit the churches.
In terms of visits, we recommend

• The Fesch Palace with the fine arts museum inside. The collection of paintings is impressive with great Italian artists. One of the most beautiful in France – schedules and prices on the official website
• The National Museum of Bonaparte House – where Napoleon was born in 1769, and where he spent part of his childhood – schedules and prices on the official website

Day 2 – Excursion

Ajaccio being quite central on the west coast, you have the possibility to discover 2 exceptional places by leaving by boat from Ajaccio.

Option 1: Bonifacio

Discover the impressive cliffs with the citadel above.
You will be impressed when you get there, the feeling is hard to describe!

See availability and reserve your place.

Option 2: calanques de Piana and Scandola reserve

If you like nature, you can also discover the natural reserve of Scandola and the famous calanques de Piana.
On this Unesco site, the cliffs of colored rocks fall into the sea in a very impressive way. It is a fascinating and quite unique geological place.

See availability and reserve your place.

Day 3 – Bloody Islands and Porticcio beach

For this last day, we also recommend a short boat trip, but much shorter.
You will enjoy the views of Ajaccio with the mountains behind and you will explore the îles sanguinaires.
Once on the island, take a walk in this preserved environment. And, if you have the courage, climb to the top for stunning views of the bay.

See availability and make reservations.

And finish with a little trip to Porticcio to enjoy a sandy beach facing Ajaccio.

Where to eat

• Restaurant A Nepita
  An authentic Anglo-Saxon in the kitchen, Chef Simon Andrews, who works with seasonal Corsican products, speaks to us. The menu changes according to the market, with particular attention to the cooking to make the most of the freshness of the products. From the organic veal quasi with an iodized taste cooked at low temperature to the lobster risotto and panzetta, your taste buds will be delighted!
• Restaurant L’écrin
  A little away from the very lively historical center of Ajaccio, not far from the Place d’Austerlitz, this restaurant with a warm setting carries the culinary creativity very high. The beef pincacha will be accompanied by sweet potato and wild pear juice, while the millefeuille will be with pistachio and fleur de sel, and topped with blueberry. Not even afraid!
• A Merendela Citadina
  In the kitchen, Yannick Lambert, who is passionate about Corsica, still goes to the market every morning to select the best local products. In the plate, fritters with fresh cheese from the Alata cheese factory, a chuck confit at low temperature with pietra (Corsican beer) accompanied by coquillettes with juice… We love it!

Frequently asked questions

3 days all inclusive

Several agencies offer short stays in Corsica all inclusive.
But with only 3 days, our opinion is that the choice of the location of the accommodation is essential. We therefore advise you to make your own reservations.

Price for 3 days in Corsica

The price depends on many criteria:

• place of departure,
• month of departure,
• week vs. weekend,
• type of accommodation,
• how much you are,
• …

Between 150 euros per person and 800 euros per person…

What is the most beautiful part of Corsica

Frankly, Corsica is beautiful almost everywhere.
Personally, our 3 favorites are:

• Bonifacio and surroundings
• Ile-Rousse and the Balagne
• Saint-Florent and surroundings

See all our favorite destinations.

3 days trek in Corsica

If you come to Corsica to hike, you can find nice treks that last 3 days:

• the tip of the Cap Corse
• a part of the GR20 south
• Porticcio to Olmetto
• …