4 or 5 days in Corsica: our 4 itineraries (+ tips)

The sea, the mountains, and the Corsican atmosphere… The Island of Beauty has something to delight you whatever the length of your stay.
4 days in Corsica? 5 days in Corsica? Here are the destinations we recommend to see the most beautiful parts of the island: the beaches of the South, the Balagne or the North and the Cap Corse…
Here are all our tips day by day to plan your stay: 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.

4 or 5 days in Corsica: where to go?

Is it worth going to Corsica for 4 or 5 days?

Absolutely.
You will not be able to see all the regions but you can discover either the south Corsica, or the Balagne, or the North of Corsica or make a small road trip for more variety!
In this article, we offer you our 4 favorite stays.

Ferries

Corsica is accessible by ferry from several cities in France and Italy.
But be careful, ferry crossings are quite long, and for a trip of only 4 or 5 days, the interest of the ferry depends on your starting point.
See available ferries.

Airport

Otherwise, 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

You can locate them all on the map above

Compare the destinations and flights available from your departure city.

Learn more in our article how to go to Corsica.

In road trip mode or with a fixed location

Below we propose 4 options to spend your 4 or 5 days in Corsica.
You can choose to stay in one place to explore a region thoroughly and not change hotels every night.
Where you can choose the road trip mode to discover more of the island. In this case, it is necessary to plan a precise itinerary so as not to get lost!

• If you don’t want to drive at all and have a nice variety of places to discover, we recommend our option in Balagne.
• If you want to see the most famous beaches of Corsica, we recommend our option in South Corsica.
• If you want the wildest nature, we advise you our 4 or 5 days tour in the north of Corsica or our road trip in western Corsica.

Personally we would not spend 4 days 5 days in Ajaccio. It’s a little too far from the most beautiful sites.

Option 1 – 4 or 5 days in South Corsica (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

For a 3-day stay, you can be busy without a car.
But with 4 or 5 days, we strongly advise you to rent a car. You will only have to travel short distances, but this will give you more freedom!

In this 5-day itinerary, we try to make you discover a bit of everything.
If you only have 4 days, you can choose the ones that interest you the most.

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

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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 – the beaches between Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio

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

Day 3 – 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.

Day 4 – 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.

Day 5 – Other beaches

A last day to discover the beautiful beach.
If you stay in Bonifacio or Porto-Vecchio, we do not recommend the same beaches to reduce the driving time.

On the side of Bonifacio, you can see:

• If you like hiking, the one of Saint-Antoine next to Bonifacio, it is surprising!
• If you like calm and grey rocks, the beach of Saint-Jean
• If you like colored rocks, the beach of Tonnara

See the most beautiful beaches around Bonifacio

On the side of Porto-Vecchio, you can consider:

• The beach of Favone with easy access
• The beach of Canella with its hay sand
• The beach of Fautea with its Genoese tower
• The bay of Pinarellu with its rocks
• The bay of San Ciprianu, soothing

Activities to include in your program

But if you are looking for a little adrenaline or just a little more activity, still with sumptuous scenery consider one of the following activities in the area:

• Kayak trip on day 5 – see program and availability
• Via Ferrata in the forest of Ospedale in day 3 – see program and availability
• Canyoning on the Aiguilles de Bavella side in day 3 – see program and availability

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Option 2 – 4 or 5 days in Balagne (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. See our comparison of the 2 cities.

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.
But to be able to see more places, and especially to go up to the villages, we advise you to rent a car. There is only a 30min drive between Calvi and Ile-Rousse.

The program below contains 5 days. If you only have 4 days, you can choose the ones that interest you the most.

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

And save up to 70%.

See the cars →

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.

Day 4 – Excursion to the calanques de Piana

With the calanques de Piana, the Scandola nature reserve is a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is protected and access is limited. The cliffs and their geological formations are unique. The boat tours allow you to get up close and personal. Read more

It’s worth the long drive!

From Calvi:

• Take the road to Porto Ota (1h45) and take one of the boat tours – book
• Choose a boat departure directly from Calvi – see if the tours are active this year

Day 5 – Excursion to the Agriates desert

If you prefer a relaxing day with little driving, we suggest you go to the southern beaches of the Agriates desert:

• The beach of Lozari with its small walks in the nature
• The magnificent beach of Ostriconi, one of the most beautiful in Corsica

And if not, after a small stop to see the beach of Ostriconi, you continue towards Saint-Florent. And from Saint-Florent you can take the boat to explore the magnificent Agriates desert with its maquis, its views on the mountains of Cap Corse and its dreamy beaches. To know more about the area.
Saint-Florent is 1h30 from Calvi.

Or book a 4×4 tour directly from L’Île-Rousse – See the availability of this tour

Alternatives: nature activities

If you are in the mood for a little more excitement, you can go up into the mountains and enjoy the many outdoor activities.

Here are some options that require only 1 hour drive from Calvi:

• Canyoning in beautiful valleys, including the Fango valley – see programs and availability
• Via Ferrata to cling to the mountain walls with breathtaking views. There are different courses depending on your level (including juniors) – see programs and availability
• Rafting with 2 levels of intensity depending on your adrenaline search (family or X-tra) – see programs and availability

Option 3 – 4 or 5 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

And save up to 70%.

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 some juice, discover the vineyards of Patrimonio only 10 minutes drive from Saint-Florent.

Day 2 – 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.

Day 3 – Excursion to the Balagne

The Balagne is a region where it is good to walk.
Île-Rousse is only 1h30 drive from Bastia and 1h drive from Saint-Florent.
And once in Balagne, the 2 cities of Calvi and Ile-Rousse are only 30min away.

You can choose between:

• Île-Rousse and the islands of Pietra
• Calvi and its citadel
• The beach of Bodri and its ultra-fine white sand
• The charming villages of the Balagne
• …

We recommend:

• Stop 1 – Calvi and its citadel
• Stop 2 – Pigna village
• Stop 3 – Bodri beach
• End of the day in L’Île-Rousse

Learn more in our article on the Balagne.

Day 4 (and 5) – the tour of the 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!

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.

You can do the tour in 1 day, but to enjoy it more, we recommend you to do it in 2 days by spending a night in Macinaggio or Tomino. See the accommodations.

See our complete guide to plan your tour of Cap Corse.

Alternatives: nature activities

If you are in the mood for a little more excitement, you can go up into the mountains and enjoy the many outdoor activities.

Here are some options that require only 1h drive from Sant-Florent and only 50min from Bastia:

• Canyoning in beautiful valleys, including the Fango valley – see programs and availability
• Via Ferrata to cling to the mountain walls with breathtaking views. There are different courses depending on your level (including juniors) – see programs and availability
• Rafting with 2 levels of intensity depending on your adrenaline search (family or X-tra) – see programs and availability

Option 4 – 4 or 5 day road trip in Western Corsica

Where to land

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

Here is a 5-day itinerary.
If you only have 4 days, remove day 3, 4 or day 5.

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

And save up to 70%.

See the cars →

Day 1 – Ajaccio to Piana

Driving time = 1h30 to 2h

Head north to the villages of Piana and Porto Ota.
Along the road, you will discover several beaches and the town of Cargèse with its 2 churches facing each other.

Once in Piana, go for a boat ride to discover the natural reserve of Scandola and the famous calanques de Piana.
You can also do some hiking.
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.
Learn more in our article.

— See availability and make reservations.

Spend the night in Piana or Porto Ota

We suggest:

• The Capo Rosso hotel for its view and its swimming pool facing the sea.
  – see prices, pictures and availability
• The Capu Seninu Hotel Residence with its breathtaking views.
  – see prices, pictures and availability
• See the best rated accommodations around Piana

Day 2 – Piana to Calvi or Ile-Rousse

Piana to Calvi = 2h
Piana to Ile-Rousse = 2h30

Continue north to discover the Balagne.
During this day we advise you to:

• visit the citadel of Calvi
• visit one of the villages of Balagne like Pigna with its blue shutters
• walk with your feet in the ultra-fine sand of Bodri beach.
• finish the day in L’Île-Rousse with the change of color of the islands of Pietra when the sun sets.

Or make your own program with all our favorite places in Balagne.

Spend the night in Calvi or L’Île-Rousse. We suggest:

• the Rocabella hotel in the heart of L’Île-Rousse, with a soothing natural setting.
  – see prices, pictures and availability
• the Casa Bianca hotel with its modern decor and its beautiful views of Calvi
  – see pictures and availability
• see the best rated accommodations in Ile-Rousse

Day 3 – Île-Rousse to Saint-Florent

L’Île-Rousse to Saint-Florent = 1h
Calvi to Saint-Florent = 1h30

Continue towards the North and the city of Saint-Florent.
On the way stop at the beach of Ostriconi either for 5min to admire the view or for a little longer.
Then continue towards Saint-Florent.
From the port, take the boat to Lotu beach. Enjoy the magnificent views of the mountains of Cap Corse.
From there go for a hike to the beach of Saleccia through the Agriates desert or enjoy the beach. To know more about the desert.
On your return, explore the small citadel of Saint-Florent and eat an ice cream!

Choose your program with our guide on what to do in Saint-Florent.

Spend the night in Saint-Florent. We suggest:

• Hotel La Roya, almost feet in the water – see photos and availability
• the Auberge Lustincorne with its swimming pool, in the heart of the vineyards of Patrimonio – see photos and availability
• See the best rated accommodations around Saint-Florent

Day 4 – Saint-Florent to Corte

Saint-Florent to Corte = 1h20
Calvi to Corte = 1h20 (if you skip this day)

Head to the heart of Corsica and the city of Corte.

Spend the night in Corte. We suggest:

• The Dominique Colonna Hotel surrounded by nature with a decor in accordance
  – see prices, pictures and availability
• The hotel B&B A Chjusellina for those who seek peace and quiet.
  – see prices, pictures and availability
• See the best rated accommodations in Corte
• or finish the road to Ajaccio and spend the night in Ajaccio.

Day 5 – Corte to Ajaccio

Corte to Ajaccio = 1h30

Return to Ajaccio to take the time to discover the city.

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 Palais Fesch 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 rates 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

Spend the night in Ajaccio. We suggest:

• 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

Frequently asked questions

4 or 5 days in Corsica all included

Several agencies offer short stays in Corsica all inclusive.
If you want to stay in a city and relax at the beach, no problem. Enjoy!
But, if you want to see many places, beaches, mountains, villages we advise you to plan by yourself according to your desires.
The choice of your place of stay is essential!

Price for 4 or 5 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 400 euros per person and 1500 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.