Do you want to leave enough time to discover the most beautiful landscapes on the Isle of Beauty?
Here are our tips for choosing the number of days you want to spend in Corsica.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
How many days to spend in Corsica: quick answers
- Minimum to get an overview of part of the island (north or south): 4 to 5 days
- Number of days to see all the best-known sites: 10 to 12 days
- Ideal number of days to really enjoy it, in our opinion: 2 to 3 weeks
- In three weeks, you can do the whole island without running, alternating hiking, beaches, villages and relaxation.
- If you just want to spend some time at the beach… it depends on the number of days you have available and your budget.
There is no universal answer to this question. It depends on a number of criteria. We give you more details in the article to help you make your decision.
Our favorite car rental platform: DiscoverCars
Number of days to see the highlights
In our opinion, the must-see places are..:
- The Calanques de Piana and the Gulf of Porto (UNESCO World Heritage site)
- Bonifacio and its white limestone cliffs
- The Aiguilles de Bavella and their hiking trails
- The southern region’s dream beaches, such as Palombaggia
- Balagne: Calvi, L’Île-Rousse and the villages
- The Old Town of Bastia and its Old Port
- The citadel of Corte, historic heart of the island
- The Agriates Desert and Lotu Beach
- Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte (Emperor of France in the early 19th century)
- Tour of Cap Corse
We think that in 10 to 14 days, you can cover the island’s best-known sites. Corsica is much larger and more diverse than many Mediterranean islands, which explains the need to allow more time than elsewhere.
Find out more in our article on Corsica’s top attractions.
Why take 2-3 weeks to tour Corsica?
Corsica boasts a density of remarkable sites that is rare for an island of its size. From north to south, each micro-region offers different landscapes, gastronomy and atmosphere. We found on site that distances are covered more slowly than expected, due to the winding mountain roads. Two to three weeks will allow you to discover the whole island without spending your stay on the road.
This time also gives you the opportunity to integrate beach days, mountain hikes and stops in inland villages. If we had to recommend an ideal duration, it would be this: three weeks gives you the freedom to stop off when you like a place, extend a stage or modify your itinerary according to your desires.
Size and travel time
Corsica measures around 183km from north to south and 83km from east to west. These dimensions may seem modest, but the mountainous terrain makes a considerable difference to journey times. Most of the roads are winding, narrow in places, and cross mountain passes that impose a slower driving pace than on the mainland.
Always allow a little more time than the GPS indicates, especially in high season (July-August) when traffic can slow down on coastal roads. We recommend that you allow no more than 2h to 2h30 driving time per day, to allow time for sightseeing and relaxation.
Here’s a map with some indicative driving times:
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).
- Remember to take outcomprehensive insurance (some roads are winding and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
What you can see depending on the number of days
4 to 5 days: an overview of part of the island
In 4 to 5 days, concentrate on a single area.
In the south, for example, you can visit Bonifacio, Porto-Vecchio and its beaches, and the Aiguilles de Bavella.
If you prefer the north, Bastia, Cap Corse, the Agriates desert and Saint-Florent are the places to go.
Or Calvi and the Balagne region with its beaches and villages
We don’t recommend attempting the full tour in such a short time: you’ll spend too many hours in the car.
See our itinerary suggestions.
7 days: the great classics
One week is enough to link two regions and cover a few must-sees in the north and south.
You can combine Bonifacio and the surrounding beaches to the south, then head up to the Calanques de Piana, and finish in Balagne (Calvi, L’Île-Rousse).
The pace remains fast, and choices will have to be made. We recommend allowing at least half a day on the beach to take a breather between stages.
See our itinerary suggestions.
10 to 12 days: all the great places
That’s how long it takes to see the island’s main sights without running. You can include Corte and the Restonica gorges, the Gulf of Porto, Scandola by boat, the deep south and a few hikes. We think this is the threshold at which you start to feel the Corsican rhythm, that of an island where you take your time.
2 to 3 weeks: the complete tour
Two to three weeks are enough to tour Corsica in good conditions. Beyond the well-known sites, you’ll have time to explore the mountain villages of Alta Rocca, hike in the Niolo, stroll along the eastern coast, or spend a day on the LavezziIslands. It’s also the length of time that leaves room for the unexpected: a village fete, a roadside cheese producer, a randomly discovered cove. We believe that three weeks is the ideal length of time to avoid any regrets.
See our itinerary suggestions.
WHERE TO STAY IN South Corsica
Option 1: Around the famous beaches
We recommend..:
- Hotel Mariosa with beach and restaurant – see photos and availability
- Résidence U Pirellu, if you want to be able to cook – see photos and availability
- Hotel L’Alivi Santa Giulia with beautiful views over the bay – see photos and availability
Option 2: in the maquis around Bonifacio
We recommend..:
- Hotel Cala di Greco overlooking the citadel! – see prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel A Cheda with its garden and exceptional restaurant – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Version Maquis Citadelle (5 stars) – see prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: in Bonifacio itself (citadel or marina)
We recommend..:
- Hotel Spa Genovese in the citadel – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Santateresa at the top of the citadel – see prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Solemare and its swimming pool with view! – see prices, pictures and availability
Option 4: in Propriano
We recommend
- Hotel Aria Marina for convenient apartments with views – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Marinca for a little luxury and unforgettable views – see prices, photos and availability
Criteria for deciding how long to spend in Corsica
Budget
Estimate how much you can afford in total, so you know how many days you can stay.
Corsica is a destination with a higher cost of living than mainland France, especially in high season. Accommodation, catering and ferry crossings are the biggest items of expenditure. We’ve noticed that prices rise significantly between mid-July and the end of August, for both rentals and restaurants.
Your desires, interests and goals
Spending time at the beach? Hiking? Visiting cultural sites?
Your desires have an impact on the time you need to enjoy your destination.
For example, a cultural immersion may require more days than a quick beach getaway.
In Corsica, the offer is particularly rich and varied:
- Many beautiful beaches:
high (secluded coves, long white sandy beaches, natural rock pools) – see our selection - Many different landscapes:
very high (mountains topping 2700m, laricio pine forests, maquis, jagged coasts, sandy deserts, deep gorges) - Numerous cultural venues:
moderate (Genoese citadels, museums, Romanesque churches, prehistoric sites such as Filitosa) - A wealth of characterful villages:
high (perched villages of Balagne, Sant’Antonino, Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano, Piana, Nonza…) – see our selection
- Numerous boat excursions:
moderate to high (Réserve de Scandola, Îles Lavezzi, Calanques de Piana, Bonifacio sea caves) - Numerous hikes:
very high (GR20, Mare e Monti, Mare a Mare, Calanques trails, Restonica gorges, Lake Nino…) - A host of gastronomic specialities:
(cold meats (lonzu, coppa, figatellu), cheeses (brocciu), AOC wines, honeys, jams)
If hiking is one of your main objectives, plan extra days. Corsican trails are often technical and require a full day. Likewise, if you want to explore the local gastronomy by visiting producers, detours into the hinterland will lengthen the stages.
Your mode of transport
The way you get around Corsica has a direct influence on the number of days you need to plan. By car, you gain in flexibility, but the mountain roads impose a cautious pace. The public transportation network (buses, trains) exists but remains limited, especially outside the Bastia-Ajaccio-Corte corridor served by the train (locally known as the “trinichellu”).
If you depend on public transport, plan longer days for your trips and stopovers in towns served by public transport.
See our article on driving in Corsica.
Visa
Corsica is part of France and therefore part of the Schengen area. If your passport is outside the Schengen area, the traditional tourist visa authorizes you to travel in this area, including Corsica, for a maximum of 90 continuous days. All you have to do is complete the formalities online.
For EU citizens, no special formalities are required: all you need is an identity card.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
EN South Corsica
- Sea kayaking under the cliffs of Bonifacio – see options
- Diving – see options
- 4WD tour – see options
- Introduction to canyoning at Pulischellu – see availability
- Complete canyoning experience at Pulischellu – see availability
Personal circumstances
Take into account your own schedule, including work commitments and personal responsibilities. This will help you realistically assess how much time you can devote to the trip.
Weather, conditions, seasons
The season you choose can influence the length of your stay. In summer (July-August), beaches and popular sites are very busy, which can lengthen visiting times and complicate the search for accommodation. We have found that June and September offer an excellent compromise: the weather is pleasant, the sea remains warm (especially in September) and the sites are less crowded.
In the off-season (November to March), however, many accommodations, restaurants and activity providers close. Mountain passes may be snow-covered and some inland roads impassable. Spring (April-May) is ideal for hiking: the maquis is in bloom, temperatures are mild, but sea bathing remains cool.
If you’re planning to do the GR20, refuges are generally open from June to October. Snow can persist at altitude until early June in some years.
See our article: when to go to Corsica.
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!
Frequently asked questions
Is 4 days enough in Corsica?
With 4 days, you can discover part of the island, for example the south (Bonifacio, Porto-Vecchio, Bavella) or the north (Bastia, Cap Corse, Saint-Florent). But it’s not realistic to cover both in such a short time: mountain journeys consume a good part of the day.
Is 5 days enough in Corsica?
With 5 days, we think you can see some of the major sites if you focus on a wider area, for example the south and the mountains. Plan for busy days and an active pace. You won’t have much time for relaxation breaks.
Is 7 days enough in Corsica?
In one week, you can visit several areas of the island and discover the most emblematic landscapes. This is a good compromise if you don’t have a lot of time, but you’ll need to select your stages. We recommend that you plan your itinerary in advance, so as not to waste time hesitating on the spot.
10 days is enough to tour Corsica
Technically, it’s feasible to do the Crose in 10 days. But this means having to narrow down the selection to just a glimpse of each region, and spending a lot of time on the road.
Is 2 weeks too long in Corsica?
Not at all. Two weeks allows you to cover the island from north to south without the feeling of running from one place to another. You can incorporate rest days, explore the mountainous interior and sample local specialities in different micro-regions. This is the duration we recommend if you want a complete trip.
Is 3 weeks too long in Corsica?
No, three weeks isn’t too long. It’s even the time we consider ideal for touring the island without missing a thing. Each region of Corsica has its own identity: Balagne, Cap Corse, Castagniccia, Alta Rocca, Sartenais, Niolo… In three weeks, you’ll have time to enjoy each one at its own pace, alternating between sporting activities, cultural discoveries and lazing on the beaches.
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
Where to stay
