Want to avoid the crowds of the main attractions of Corsica?
The island still has some hidden gems for you to discover. We have gathered our favorites in this article, where no long hike is necessary.
These secret places in Corsica are not completely “secret” (nothing is), but you’ll find far fewer tourists than at other attractions, for a better experience.
Cities, ruins, beaches… Let’s go to discover Corsica, off the beaten track.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.
Hidden gems in Corsica, off the beaten track…
Map of the secret places of Corsica, off the beaten track
Before presenting them to you one by one, here is a map to help you locate our selection:
What is off the beaten path? Are there secret beaches in Corsica?
The notion of “secret” or “out of the box” is a matter of perception.
We selected places where we were alone or almost alone.
In this list
There is no real secret beach in Corsica. As soon as a beach is beautiful, people flock to it, even if a long hike is necessary!
But we share with you some beaches that we found beautiful and not taken by storm.
1. Galeria and the Fango Delta
Why we love
Galeria is a beautiful combination of a colorful rocky area on one side of the tower and a beautiful stretch of sand at the foot of the mountains on the other side.
Here the Fango River meets the sea in a lush delta. We love the mix of scenic elements!
It is located north of Piana. You won’t find tourists for a day because they all rush to the famous creeks.
If you are looking for a destination, out of time, you will find accommodation, beach, mountain views… to reconnect with nature.
Practical information
- Beach in North Corsica
- Between Porto and Calvi, a small detour by the coastal road.
- Galeria is easy to reach with good parking.
- You can walk up to the tower to have a 360° view of the bay and the delta.
- However, due to the river, access to the beach is not easy.
- See accommodations in Galeria
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.
2. Speloncato, a less touristic village of Balagne
Why we love
Built on a rocky spur, Speloncato is a typical village of the region. And we love it because it is less touristy than the other villages of Balagne.
Located 570m above the sea, you can get lost in the labyrinth of alleys before discovering rocky landscapes and views to the sea at the corner of a house.
Here, the rocks are part of the architecture. The village seems welded to nature with ochre facades and orange tile roofs.
The place has a long history, with evidence that it was inhabited during the Neolithic period, but the village only began to develop in the Bronze Age.
This is one of the villages where we had the most fun exploring.
Practical information
- On the heights of the Balagne, on the side of Ile-Rousse
- Also written Speluncatu
- Driving time from Calvi = 50min
- Driving time from Ile-Rousse = 30min
- Several small parking lots around, only a few parking spaces in the central square.
- Allow 1 hour
- See our article on Speloncato
3. Beach of Stagnolu
Why we love
Accessible from the beach of Tonnara (with its colored sand), the beach of Stagnolu offers a magnificent environment.
You can admire it from above from the walk between the 2 beaches before enjoying it with your feet in the transparent water.
We like this secluded beach aspect, while being easy to access.
And don’t miss exploring the coves between the beaches of Tonnara and Stagolu with beautiful colored rocks!
One of our favorite beaches around Bonifacio.
Practical information
- northwest of Bonifacio
- small detour from the main road T40
- driving time from Bonifacio = 20min
- then 10 minutes walk on a dirt and rock path
- restaurants in season (on the beach of Tonnara)
- unsupervised beach
- More about Tonnara and Stagnolu
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Corsica
All the information you need for your trip:
- 7 maps that make planning easier
- 130+ pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- + 220 photos to help you choose
4. Inzecca Canyon Road
Why we love
The canyon of Inzecca is a lesser known road in Corsica that crosses the mountains, not far fromAléria.
It’s a short drive just south of Aleria with a narrow road and sharp turns. You can’t stop at many places but just driving between the rock walls is fascinating. The green cliffs, due to the serpentine rock, falls into the river called fium’obu (which means blind river).
We only passed one car in the middle of the day!
Practical information
- Road D344
- East coast, south of Aléria
- allow 1 hour round trip
5. St. John’s Beach
Why we love
Hidden in the bay of Figari, this beach has beautiful smooth rocks spread along the beach. They have different shades of gray and shapes rounded by the elements.
This beach is particularly beautiful on cloudy days.
Photographers particularly appreciate it.
But children and adults too! Our father loved exploring the rocks.
There is even a Genoese tower at one end of the beach.
You have to know that it is there, invisible from the road!
Practical information
- also called San Giovanni beach
- east of Bonifacio
- in the bay of Figari
- driving time from Bonifacio = 30min
- detour from the T40 road
- the 100m at the end of the road are not paved.
- then you have to walk less than 5min to reach the beach hidden behind the vegetation.
- unsupervised beach
- Discover it in more detail.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Get away from it all with Region Lovers’ beautiful destinations!
- Once a month
- Advertising-free
6. Cucuruzzu
Why we love
In the Alta Rocca region, Cucuruzzu is one of the main sites of the Bronze Age.
The trail through the forest seemed mystical, especially in the rain. This site offers a different experience than the other two, because of its position in the mountains. It allows to discover the remains of a habitat in the middle of big rocks offering a habitable surface of 400m2: the Castello di Cucuruzzu, a village-fortress with a tower which dates from about 2000 to 1500 B.C.
Moreover, from the megalithic formations, you can enjoy fantastic views over the valley with the Bavella peaks in the background. We found the place splendid.
It is necessary to make a detour to go and see it, but for us it is one of the most beautiful archaeological sites of Corsica, far from the crowds of Filitosa.
Practical information
- In South Corsica
- In the mountains between Propriano and Porto-Vecchio
- Next to the village of Levie
- Audio-guided visit in 1h30 (or 2h if it’s raining and slippery…)
- Easy walking except for the section in the wetlands
- Opening hours: open from April 1 to October 31 at least from 9:30 am to 6 pm (last entry 2 hours before closing time)
- Price: 4 euros
- No convenience along the walk.
7. Chevanu beach, “secret” beach in Corsica
With many coves but few tourists, this is one of your best choices if you want a quiet day at the beach.
Located in the bay next to Figari, the beach is also known as Kevano.
Although it is not as fascinating as St. John, it offers some photo opportunities with dense vegetation and red rocks.
Practical information
- east of Bonifacio
- in the bay of Figari
- driving time from Bonifacio = 30min
- detour from the T40 road
- the 300m to reach the parking lot are bumpy
- then you have to walk less than 5min to reach the beach
- unsupervised beach
- Discover it in more detail.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Corsica
Inspiration destinations
Best of
- The most beautiful beaches of Corsica
- The most beautiful villages of Corsica
- The most beautiful cities of Corsica
- The most beautiful destinations in Corsica
- The museums of Corsica
- Hidden gems in Corsica
- The most beautiful natural pools
- What to do in North Corsica
- Best things to do in South Corsica
- Canyoning in Corsica
8. Village of Piedicroce
Why we love
In the heart of the Castagniccia region, Piedicroce is a small village located at 650m altitude.
The village itself is not the most picturesque, but it offers splendid views of the surrounding mountains.
Its baroque church of St. Paul dates from the 17th century and is famous for its wall paintings and its organ, the oldest in Corsica.
Not far away, discover also the ruins of the convent San Francesco of Piedicroce.
Practical information
- In the Corsican mountains
- To the north east
- In the Castagniccia region
- Bastia to Piedicroce = 1h drive
- Corte to Piedicroce = 1h drive
- 30min to 1 hour to explore
- Not too difficult to access, mountain roads but not narrow (if you arrive by the main ones)
- Restaurants at 5 to 15min drive
- see the accommodations around Piedicroce
9. Punta di Spanu
Why we love
For something different in Balagne, go to the other end of the bay to Punta di Spanu.
It’s a little less “secret” than the other places listed here, but you’ll find fewer people than on the classic sandy beaches of the area.
The corner has only two small sandy areas. However, there are plenty of giant boulders to play with! 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…
It is one of our favorite places in Corsica.
Practical information
- North of Calvi (on the other side of the bay)
- 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
- See more photos
WHERE TO STAY IN Corsica
- Saint-Florent
for the variety of landscapes and the access to the Cap Corse
see the best rated accommodations - L’Île-Rousse
for the atmosphere and access to the Balagne region
see the best rated accommodations - Around Porto-Vecchio
for easy access to many paradisiacal beaches and to explore the south
see the best rated accommodations - Bonifacio
for the breathtaking views, especially at sunset when the cliffs light up.
see the best rated accommodations
10. Saint-Antoine beach and its cave
Why we love
Here again, we deviate a little from the rules of this list.
It is a less secret beach, and you have to make a small hike to get there.
But it is worth it!
It is not a famous beach in Bonifacio and yet it is very impressive.
It almost looks like another planet.
This is the only beach that looks like this in Corsica that we have seen.
It is located at the southern tip of Corsica, at the foot of magnificent white cliffs that are eroded by water and wind.
Fine sand, transparent waters, and an impressive cave. What more could you ask for?
Practical information
- at Cap Pertusato, south of Bonifacio
- access on foot from Bonifacio (less than 1h30), easy except last 15 minutes
- access by car to the semaphore parking lot (or the parking lot of the Saint-Antoine cave) then a walk of less than 40 minutes
- the last 10 to 15 minutes are very steep and a bit slippery (to go from the top of the cliffs to the beach) – bring walking shoes
- unsupervised beach
- Discover it in more detail.
11. Vescovato
Why we love
Vescovato is a typical Corsican village on the east coast. It is not in the best condition, but still fascinating to visit.
It was established in the 8th century and still has elements of the Middle Ages.
The best section is the tunnel under the church of San Martinu with the stables.
In the 15th century, Vescovato was the residence of the bishop before being transferred to Bastia, hence its name.
It is one of the most beautiful villages of Corsica to have the feeling to travel in time.
Visit the 14th century church of San Marinu in baroque style and don’t miss the Roman chapel of San Michele.
Practical information
- on the north east coast,
- south of Bastia
- a small detour from the T10 road
- Bastia to Vescovato = 30min drive
- Allow 1 hour to discover the whole village.
- Some steep slopes.
- Small parking lot outside the village
- Some restaurants
- Narrow access road
- View the best rated accommodations around Vescovato
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!
12. And a lot of hikes in the Corsican mountains, forests…
And of course, if you’re willing to hike a bit, you can find more secluded spots with breathtaking scenery.
We think for example of:
- I Pozzi of Renoso
- Customs officers’ paths in the Agriates desert
- The path from Galéria to Girolata (but it will be crowded once in Girolata because tourists arrive by boat)
- …
But there are many in Corsica.
What to do in Corsica… our must-sees
I realize that the definition of “off the beaten path” varies from person to person, but I’m going to list a few places that we’ve seen in other articles but that we think are not off the beaten path at all:
- Staircase of the King of Aragon in Bonifacio… nothing in this city is secret…
- The Agriates desert: if you hike yes, you will be far from the crowds but on the 2 known beaches accessible by boat, no…
- The Restonica Valley – absolutely not, you’ll even have trouble parking!
- The Lavezzi islands – as you need a boat to go there, it is certainly less crowded, but it is one of the most famous activities in South Corsica…
And to help you plan your trip, check out all of our favorite places and must-dos.