Looking for the best things to do in North Corsica? The region of Haute-Corse is full of beautiful landscapes! You won’t be bored.
It’s more a question of being able to choose.
So here is, in pictures, our selection of the most beautiful places of North Corsica: beaches, cities, villages… and also our favorite activities.
Everything to help you plan a wonderful trip!
Note, there is no official region called North Corsica. The French department is called Haute-Corse. We speak here, geographically, of the north of Corsica.
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.
1 – Admire the citadel of Calvi, a must in Northern Corsica
Why is this?
The citadel of Calvi is one of the most recognizable places in Northern Corsica.
It was built under the Genoese government, between 1483 and the 17th century in order to have stronger defenses. There are impressive fortifications all around.
The best thing to do is to admire it from the beach, on its peninsula, and then go and get lost.
Read more
Our favorite activities in Calvi revolve around the Citadel:
- Walk on the beach at sunset with a view of the citadel
- Visit the cobbled streets of the citadel
- Visit the MAMAC, museum of modern art
- Admire the views from the walls with the port, the city and the mountains
- Have fun getting lost in the stairs, tunnels and other buildings.
- See our guide to visit Calvi
Practical advice
- Bastia to Calvi = 2h
- Ajaccio to Calvi = 3h
- Wear walking shoes because the floors are old
- You have to climb steps and slopes to explore the Citadel
2 – Explore the most beautiful villages of Balagne
Why is this?
Balagne is one of the most beautiful destinations to go to in Corsica. It combines beaches and charming villages.
These villages of Balagnes are distributed on the hills between the mountain and the sea.
Often installed on the summits to better protect themselves, they have managed to preserve their heritage and their atmosphere.
These small “fortress villages” offer beautiful views and a long history.
Among our favorites:
- Pigna: built on top of a hill recognizable by its blue shutters. It has a lot of charm with its artists’ stores.
- Speloncato: much less known, we loved it. You really feel like you’re traveling through time when you walk through it
- Sant’Antonino: one of the highest and oldest
- See our article on the most beautiful villages of Balagne
Practical advice
- Around the cities of Calvi and Ile-Rousse
- Bastia to Calvi = 2h
- Ajaccio to Calvi = 3h
- Very good choices of accommodations in Calvi and Ile-Rousse. If you hesitate between the 2, our preference is for Ile-Rousse
- Beware, they are quite touristy and small. Parking in the middle of the day in summer is a challenge. Visit early.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Corsica
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
3 – Wonder in the Agriates desert
Why is this?
We love places that are difficult to reach by car, to be surrounded by nature.
And the Agriates desert is particularly fascinating because it combines: paradisiacal beaches of white sand, hikes in the Corsican maquis and views of the mountains of Cap Corse.
This small corner of paradise is really worth the detour, if you pass by Saint-Florent.
One of our favorite places to visit in Corsica.
Practical advice
- Departure of the boats from Saint-Florent
- Bastia to Saint-Florent = 40min
- Calvi to Saint-Florent = 1h30
- Ajaccio to Saint-Florent = 2h50
Our favorite way to explore the desert is to take the boat from Saint-Florent to Lotu beach.
Admire this first beach, then take the easy 1 hour hike inland (or 1 hour 15 minutes along the coast), to reach the famous beach of Saleccia.
But there are also boat shuttles that take you directly to Saleccia, 4×4 tours in the desert and longer hikes.
Learn more in our article on the desert.
4 – Enjoy the beaches of northern Corsica (white sand): Ostriconi, Bodri…
Why is this?
The south of Corsica is best known for its beaches, but the north also offers some very nice experiences.
You can find, among others, beautiful white sand beaches, which are our favorites.
Among our favorites:
- The beach of Ostriconi with its spectacular view from the access road
- The beach of Bodri, accessible by train from Calvi and Ile-Rousse
- The beach of Lozari, quiet and quite large
- The beach of Saleccia in the desert of Agraites (see #3 of this list)
Practical advice
- The beaches between Calvi and Ile-Rousse are crowded during the summer. If you move away a little towards Lozari or Ostriconi, you will have less crowd
- Otherwise, go enjoy the beaches early.
WHERE TO SLEEP IN northern Corsica
Option 1 : L’Île-Rousse
The bay of Saint-Florent is a treat for the eyes. A very nice place to stay!
- The Flor hotel in the center – see pictures and availability
- The Tetolla Hotel almost above the water
– see pictures and availability - or See best hotel and rental offers
Option 2 : Saint Florent
We particularly like the small town of L’Île-Rousse, its relaxed atmosphere and the charm of its streets.
- The Rocabella Hotel, ideal for relaxation – see photos and availability
- The Liberata Hotel & Spa offers a colorful and fun, yet cozy experience – see photos and availability
- see the best rated accommodations in L’Île-Rousse
Option 3 : Calvi
Calvi is the largest city in Balagne. It offers the most activities and options for your stay, especially with its long beach.
- Hotel Casa Bianca around the port – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Onda, to sleep almost with your feet in the water – see prices, photos and availability
- see the best rated accommodations in Calvi
5 – Go around the Cap Corse
Why is this?
The Corsican Cape is very different from the rest of Corsica. Here, the wild landscapes show us mountains that flow into the sea: white sand or black pebble beaches, turquoise waters… The road along the west coast of Corsica is bewitching (but keep your eyes always on the road, be careful!).
You can simply do it all by car from the Cap Corse, the views are magnificent and already very pleasant.
To make stops, we advise you:
- Visit the charming village ofErbalunga with its small port and its ruined Genoese tower
- Hike on the Sentier des Douaniers, to discover beautiful beaches and landscapes far from the cities
- Admire the view from the Mattei Mill
- To have the vertigo in the village of Nonza with its square tower and its black sand beach
- see our complete article on the Cap Corse
Practical advice
- Direct access from Bastia
- From Bastia to Macinaggio (in the north) = 1 hour drive
- We recommend that you visit Cap Corse in an anti-clockwise direction.
- Allow at least 1 day, but if you are doing a road trip, you can stop 1 night in Macinaggio to do a can of walking.
- For example, the Tominio Hotel has a breathtaking view of the northern tip – see prices, photos and availability
6 – See the sunset on the islands of Pietra, in Ile-Rousse
Why is this?
Île-Rousse is one of our favorite cities in Corsica(see our list).
The city is not located on an island. The city takes its name from the small islands of Pietra where the rocks turn red at sunset.
Its original name was Isola Rossa, since Italian was the administrative language at the time. This is due to the ochre color of the islands that create a natural harbor.
The little town is full of charm, enjoy:
- from the beach in the center of the city
- colorful houses
- of the market
- the walk to the islands and the view from the lighthouse, especially at sunset when the colors of the rock stand out even more!
More details in our article about Ile-Rousse.
Practical advice
- Bastia to Ile-Rousse = 1h30
- Ajaccio to Ile-Rousse = 3h30
- Very good choices of accommodations in Ile-Rousse. Charming hotels at 2 steps from the sea.
- Tarred path to the lighthouse
- During the day, the little tourist train allows you to go up more easily
PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Corsica
- 7 maps that make planning easier
- 130+ pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- + 220 photos to help you choose
7 – Take advantage of outdoor activities
The region offers many fun activities to discover nature in a different way.
Here is our selection:
- Diving and snorkeling – learn to dive in Calvi and discover the sea bed! – see program and availability
- Quad between sea and mountain – see program and availability
- 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
8 – Admire Saint-Florent and its bay
Why is this?
Saint-Florent is also a beautiful little town.
The view of the old center with the Cap Corse mountains behind is unforgettable!
Start with the port, it has a vibrant life during the day and night. It is a great place to relax and refresh:
- Stroll along the marina and admire the boats. Thanks to its location at the bottom of the gulf, the port offers a safe anchorage
- Enjoy the view of the gulf: on one side the Cap Corse mountain and on the other the Agriates desert, in front of the city.
- Don’t forget to try the delicious ice cream!
Then explore the city:
Discover the narrow streets of the small peninsula with spectacular views at almost every turn. The historical center is organized around the Doria beach and its fountain.
Find the church of St. Anne, the most remarkable with its pointed tower that overhangs the roofline. It dates from the 17th century.
Practical advice
- The city is not big, half a day is enough – but it is a very nice and relaxing place, we advise you to spend a day there and slow down
- And to take advantage of it to take the boat towards the desert of Agriates (#3 of this list)
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9 – Visit Bastia
Why is this?
Main city of the north of Corsica, Bastia goes back to the Roman time when it was called Cardo.
Its historic center overlooks the old port with a fortified citadel. It is very pleasant to walk through the old streets and around the marina. The atmosphere is lively.
There are many things to discover in the city of Bastia, for example:
- Explore the city on foot with its narrow streets and fortifications
- Walk around the small port
- Visit the Governor’s Palace (also a museum)
- Enter the churches: the 17th century Oratory of St. Roch and the 17th century Church of St. John the Baptist near the marina with Baroque features.
- Rest in the garden of Romieu
- …
Practical advice
- Paved streets, wear comfortable shoes.
- Allow half a day to a day to enjoy the city and its citadel.
10 – Fun in the rocks at Punta di Spanu
Why is this?
Because we like big rocks…
For something different, go to the other end of the bay 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.
We love rock formations and this is the most beautiful place in Balagne for that…
You can alternate swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing and walking (for example to see the Genoese tower).
See more photos
Practical advice
- Driving time from Calvi = 20min
- Driving time from Ile-Rousse = 25min
- You will need a car to get there. No public transportation.
- Be careful, the road has big holes at the end, so drive slowly.
- No monitoring
- There is not much sand.
- No facilities, wilderness location
HOW TO GET TO Corsica
Option 1: by ferry
Departure from France and Italy
- See all ferry options in our article
- Compare schedules, prices and availability directly
Advantage: you can take your car!
Option 2: by plane
Airports in Bastia, to visit the North, Figari to visit the South, or Ajaccio convenient for all Corsica.
Compare flights!
11 – calanques de Piana and Scandola Reserve (North-South limit)
Why is this?
The Gulf of Porto is aUnesco heritage site not to be missed!
The cliffs and rock formations are incredible with its 2 sites: the calanques de Piana and the natural reserve of Scandola.
Geology enthusiasts, as well as lovers of rock formations, will be delighted.
The rocks are predominantly pink, but there are many colors and structures.
Practical advice
Officially, the calanques de Piana are in the region of South Corsica. But geographically they are in the northern half of the island.
If you are in Ajaccio, you can go and see them on a day. But this is not possible if you stay in Bonifaico or Porto-Vecchio.
12 – Discover the vineyards of Patrimonio
Only 10 minutes from Saint-Florent are the vineyards of Patrimonio.
It is an appellation for white, red and rosé wines.
They are very different from other Corsican wines because the hills are composed of clay and limestone.
The main grape varieties are Vermentino and Sangiovese.
Because of the hills and the sea just behind, the landscape of the area is beautiful. So even if you don’t drink wine, we recommend driving through the area.
But if you like wine, you can stop and visit one of the vineyards.
Most of them are family businesses and most of the production is enjoyed on the island (few exports).
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Corsica
Inspiration destinations
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13 – Visit Corte and the Restonica Valley
Why is this?
Corte is the historical capital of Corsica, located in the mountains and in the heart of the island.
It offers a spectacular setting, with a 15th century citadel and 360° views of the mountains.
It is an excellent starting point to explore the mountains of Corsica. We recommend:
- Walk through the streets of the old town
- Visit Museum dedicated to Corsica and its history. Each room is dedicated to a different part of the Corsican culture. It does not overload you with information. We enjoyed the visit of the museum
- Admire the splendid 360° view from the Belvedere
- Go hiking in the beautiful mountains that surround it.
- Take the magnificent (but narrow) road of the Restonica
Practical advice
- Bastia to Corte = 1h
- Calvi to Corte = 1h20
- Saint-Florent to Cortte= 1h15
- Possibility to park near the Citadel and avoid walking up (paying parking)
- If you don’t feel like walking up, there is a tourist train that takes you to the museum
- Allow half a day for the city and the museum.
- Steep cobblestone streets – not so easy to walk on. Wear good shoes.
14 – Hiking
Why is this?
You can find walks and hikes for all levels around Corsica.
For simple walks, the Customs Trails are often good options. These are coastal paths for the surveillance of the island. They are normally in good condition and do not present many difficulties.
Note that the steps are sometimes marked ‘simple’ but they can be steep and hard on the knees.
They take you to magical landscapes mixed with mountains, sea, scrubland, forest …
Which hikes
Some of our favorite hikes are:
- Capo Rosso in the calanques de Piana (technically in South Corsica)
- The customs path in the north of the Cap Corse
- Hiking in the Agriates desert
- The hikes from the Restonica Valley to the lakes of Mélo and Capitello
- …
15 – Visit the Roman sites: Aleria and Mariana
Why is this?
In the south, you have more prehistoric sites, but in the north of Corsica, you find some sites dating from the Roman period. Aléria and Mariana were the 2 main Roman colonies of Corsica.
For Aléria, the location was ideal, with an important river and good land for crops. Aleria, founded in the 6th century BC, is considered the oldest city in Corsica. Nowadays you can visit the ruins with a breathtaking view of the area and the museum.
In Mariana, you will discover another archaeological site and a museum in a modern concrete and glass building. You will find there the collections resulting from the archaeological excavations carried out for more than 50 years in the area. The tour takes you on a journey through time, from Protohistory to Antiquity, the beginnings of Christianity and the Middle Ages.
Practical advice
Aleria
- In the center of the east coast of Corsica
- Allow half a day for the village, the museum and the site, if you have an interest in antiquity.
- The museum is not very big and neither are the ruins.
- Opening hours = at least from 10am to 12pm and from 1pm to 5pm, closed on Sundays.
- Read our full article
- Official website
Mariana
- South of Bastia
- Price: 7€ for a free visit
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 1pm to 5pm and Saturday from 10am to 5pm
- Official website
Best things to do in North Corsica (Haute-Corse): other ideas
Secret corners – Galeria and more
If you move away from the main seaside resorts, you can discover some lesser known gems. We particularly like it:
- Galéria and the Fango delta
- The village of Vescovato
- The village of Piedicroce with its impressive church, views and ruins
- …
Discover small museums
Among the museums of Corsica, there are small ones specialized in villages that deserve a visit. For example:
- The Pascal Paoli Museum in Morosaglia
- The Dian’Arte Museum in Borgo
- Private Museum Savelli in Corbara
- Treasure Museum in Corbara
- Museum of the Adecec in Cervione
- Conservatory of Cap Corse in Canari
- …
Itineraries in North Corsica
5 days in North Corsica
With 5 days, it is impossible to tour, we must make choices.
Either the Balagne – see our detailed itinerary
Bastia, Saint-Florent and Cap Corse – see our detailed itinerary
1 week in North Corsica
With 1 week, we recommend a loop with the Cap Corse, Saint-Florent and the desert of Agraites, the villages of Balagne, Calvi, Ile-Rousse, Piana, Corte and Bastia.
See our detailed itinerary to spend 1 week in North Corsica.
10 days in North Corsica
And with 10 days, we created a slower loop to make the most of each corner.
See our detailed itinerary to spend 10 days in North Corsica.
