1 week in Corsica: 5 itineraries of 7 days (North or South)

What to see with one week in Corsica?
We have created 5 itineraries for 7 days in Corsica with our favorite places – choose according to your interests and your preferred way of traveling:

A 7 days road trip in South Corsica
A week in South Corsica with a fixed base
A 7 days road trip in North Corsica
A week in North Corsica with a fixed base
A road trip with the most beautiful places of Corsica in 7 days (but a lot of driving)

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.

Content

1 week in Corsica: where to go + general advice

#1 – Road trip South Corsica in 7 days

#2 – 1 week in South Corsica – fixed base

#3 – North Corsica road trip in 7 days

#4 – 1 week in North Corsica – fixed base

#5 – 1 week tour best-of Corsica (West Coast)

1 week in Corsica without car

Frequently asked questions

1 week in Corsica: where to go + general advice

How to visit Corsica in 7 days – is one week enough?

No, in one week you can’t see all of Corsica. It is a rather large island. But with 7 days you can discover one of its beautiful regions, in the North or in the South. Or, if you are ready to drive more, you can discover its most beautiful places. In this article, we offer you these different options.
Here is a map with the driving times, to give you an idea:

Where to go in Corsica for a week? What is the best part?

Frankly, all Corsica is magnificent. You can’t go wrong.
We think that taking a road trip is the best way to discover its beauty (see our 3 suggestions in this article: #1,3 and 5).
But if you want to stay for a week, our favorite places to stay are:

To the North (see our route #4):

L’Île-Rousse
Access to beautiful beaches, villages, historical sites…
See the best rated accommodations
Saint-Florent
With easy access to the Agriates desert, the Cap Corse and the mountains north of Corte.
see the best rated accommodations

To the South (see our itinerary #2):

Bonifacio
With its impressive cliffs, its citadel and its unforgettable sunsets.
see the best rated accommodations
Porto-Vecchio
To explore the south: with the most famous beaches and quick access to the mountains.
see the best rated accommodations

Cliffs affected by the sunset in Bonifacio — Sunset in Bonifacio

How to get there

Corsica is accessible by ferry from several cities in France and Italy.
But beware, ferry crossings are quite long, and for a trip of only one week, the interest of the ferry depends on your point of departure.

See available ferry schedules and book.

Otherwise, there are 4 airports where you can arrive in Corsica: Bastia, Calvi, Ajaccio, Figari. You can locate them all on the map below.
Compare the destinations and flights available from your departure city.

How to get around

It is possible to explore certain regions without a car: There are guided tours that can take you to the most famous places: villages, desert, islands…
But this limits you enormously. There is a lot to see!
We really think that renting/renting a car is the best way to discover the island. See our tips for driving in Corsica.

Beware, in the middle of summer, the parking lots fill up completely, so it’s better to start your day early to enjoy it more.

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.

See the cars

See our tips

Attention, the following North / South itineraries are divided geographically and not according to the official departments of South Corsica and Haute-Corse.

#1 – Road trip South Corsica in 7 days

Summary of this route and Map

During these 7 days in South Corsica, you will see the best of the region: incomparable beaches, mountains, citadels, rock formations…

Map itinerary one week south corsica 7 days — Map – 7 days road trip in South Corsica

For this itinerary, we advise you to arrive by ferry or by plane to Ajaccio.
See available flights from your departure city.

See the cars and offers available on our favorite platform.

Day 1 – Ajaccio to Propriano by the coast

Driving time = 2h

From the airport, head south along the coast. There are many beautiful places. Our favorite stops are:

The peninsula of Isolella with its beautiful beaches. You can stretch your legs a bit by exploring
The beaches of Mare E Sole and Verghia, with a touch of the Seychelles
Visit the site of Filitosa – a fascinating prehistoric site with many statue-menhirs!

Night in Propriano – we recommend:

Luxury Villas
At Residence Terra Thea, you can enjoy a resort with several villas overlooking Propriano.
see pictures and availability
Apartment-hotel
At Residence & Hotel Aria Marina, you can enjoy convenient apartments not far from the beach
see pictures and availability
Unique
Micalona Genoese Tower where you can stay in one of the historical defense towers, not far from Propriano!
see pictures and availability
Seaside in the south of the city
U Liventi offers beautiful cabins, under the trees and near the beach.
see pictures and availability

or See the best hotel and rental offers

Day 2 – Propriano to Bonifacio, via Sartene

Driving time = 2h

Continue your journey to the south. Our favorite stops are:

The old center of the city of Sartene, the most Corsican of Corsican cities with its church and its museum of prehistory.
The view on the beach of Roccapina and the lion of rocks – possibility of hiking
Saint-Jean beach and its beautiful grey rocks
The beach of La Tonnara with its pink sand and colored rocks

Night in Bonifacio (1/2) – we recommend:

Above the rest
At the Santateresa Hotel, you can enjoy a superb view of the citadel and the cliffs from above!
See photos and availability
Near the marina
The Centre Nautique hotel is located on the waterfront and the marina.
See photos and availability
Old town
Another option inside the old town is the Hotel Genovese with a cliff top location and lots of charm.
See photos 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 photos and availability

or See the best hotel and rental offers

Day 3 – Bonifacio and Cap Pertusato

Travel time = 0

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

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

And if you are feeling a bit sporty, you can walk to Cape Pertusato to have exceptional views of the city.
And for a unique beach, once at the lighthouse, you can go down to the beach of Saint-Antoine, completely different from all the Corsican beaches, with its giant cave. See our article.

Night in Bonifacio (2/2)

Day 4 – Lavezzi Islands

Driving time = 40min

Today, we continue the car break. Board the shuttle that will take you 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.

Road to Porto-Vecchio

Night in Porto-Vecchio (1/2) – 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 x Roc Seven, 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

or See the best hotel and rental offers

Day 5 – Beaches of Santa Giulia, Palombaggia…

Driving time = less than 1 hour.

In South Corsica, you will find several of the most famous beaches of Corsica.
They are between Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio. Let us quote:

Palombaggia with its red rocks
Tamaricciu and its postcard bay
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

Night in Porto-Vecchio (2/2)

Day 6 – Bavella and the mountains

Driving time = 3h15

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 stop at the lake.
Continue towards Zonza and the Aiguilles de Bavella. Here you can go for a short hike or continue your journey through the mountains.
It is absolutely beautiful and a radical change from the beaches.

If you’re looking for a little adventure, you can opt for some cool outdoor activities:

Canyoning initiation in Pulischellu – see pictures, details and availability
Complete canyoning experience in Pulischellu – see details and availability
Or sport canyoning in Purcaraccia – see details and availability
Via Ferrata near Porto_Vecchio – see photos, details and availability
Sea kayaking near Propriano (west coast) – see pictures, details and availability
Sea kayaking under the cliffs of Bonifacio – see pictures, details and availability

Night in Ajaccio – our suggestions:

Luxury – Hotel Le Week-End, by the sea
See photos and availability
Hotel central – Hotel San Carlu Citadelle Ajaccio, well located
See photos and availability
Out of town – Hotel Les Mouettes with its pool on the waterfront
See photos and availability

or See the best hotel and rental offers

Day 7 – Ajaccio

Travel time = 0

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
But if you prefer nature, take the boat to the îles sanguinaires! See options and availability

Find all these stops with practical tips and other suggestions in our eBook:

PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Corsica

7 maps that make planning easier
130+ pre-selected locations
Practical advice
+ 220 photos to help you choose

#2 – 1 week in South Corsica – fixed base

Where to arrive?

For this itinerary, the easiest way is to arrive by plane at Figari airport, or by ferry at Porto-Vecchio. But you can also arrive in Ajaccio, that adds just a little bit of road.

See available ferry schedules and book.

Where to base yourself?

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: Bonifacio or Porto-Vecchio.

Bonifacio: See the best hotels and rentals offers
For example, the Hotel Genovese with a cliff top location and a lot of charm – See photos and availability

Porto-Vecchio: See the best hotel and rental offers
For example, Hotel Restaurant Casa Santini x Roc Seven, right on the water
see pictures and availability

Day 1 – Citadel of Bonifacio and Cape Pertusato

Travel time = 0 to 40min

Staircase Roy Aragaon in the citadel of Bonifacio

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

Day 2 – Sartene and Filitosa

Driving time = 3h

Today you go a little north for a little history and prehistory of Corsica.

Your first stop is in Sartene, the most Corsican of Corsican cities.
Enjoy its charming center and its church.
It is a good place to have lunch.
You can also visit the museum of prehistory, to learn more about the region.

Then direction Filitosa, one of the most fascinatingarchaeological sites of Corsica.
We really enjoyed the walking tour that loops around the various points of interest. It leads you to several structures and megaliths and offers breathtaking views of the area. It is especially known for its status-menhirs which make it one of the most impressive sites of statuary art in the Mediterranean.
The artifacts found on the site are displayed in the museum.

On the way back, you can take a break in Rocapinna to enjoy the view and spot the lion in the rocks.
And you can also go and discover a new beach.
We recommend:

Saint-Jean beach and its beautiful grey rocks
The beach of La Tonnara with its pink sand and colored rocks

Day 3 – Beaches of Palombaggia, Tamaricciu and Santa Giulia

Today it is tune beach day between Porto-Vecchio and Bonifacio with 2 options.
Either you stay on the same beach all day to relax, swim, snorkel, explore…
Either you visit the most beautiful beaches of the South to discover a maximum of landscapes.

Among the most beautiful beaches to consider are

Palombaggia with its red rocks
Tamaricciu and its postcard bay
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 4 – Lavezzi Islands

Today, from Bonifacio, board the shuttle that will take you 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.
Take time to relax, discover the different beaches, explore the huge rocks…
See our complete article.

Day 5 – Aiguilles de Bavella and the mountains

If you’re looking for a little adventure, you can opt for some cool outdoor activities:

Canyoning initiation in Pulischellu – see pictures, details and availability
Complete canyoning experience in Pulischellu – see details and availability
Or sport canyoning in Purcaraccia – see details and availability
Via Ferrata near Porto_Vecchio – see photos, details and availability
Sea kayaking near Propriano (west coast) – see pictures, details and availability
Sea kayaking under the cliffs of Bonifacio – see pictures, details and availability

Day 6 – Pinarellu Bay and Fautéa Beach

Today, head north of Porto-Vecchio to discover even more beautiful beaches.
We begin by the bay of Pinarellu. This bay has 2 km of white sandy beaches with shallow waters in a protected environment.
You can choose to settle either at the wild end of the south side of the bay, or near the colorful rocks, on fine sand near the village to enjoy its many restaurants.
From everywhere, you have a view of the bay island and its 500 year old tower.

Then explore Fautea with its 3 beautiful white sand beaches, one in the village and 2 that can be reached by short walks.
The most fascinating is the beach of the Tower in the middle: a beautiful little cove surrounded by lush nature (with juniper trees). The northern point has an accessible Genoese tower in good condition.

Day 7 – Gorge of Solenzara

Driving time from Porto-Vecchio = 50min to 1h10

For a change from the beach, why not go and cool off in a river.
One of the most visited gorges is the valley of Solenzara. It has several sections where it is easy to access the water and enjoy a refreshing swim.
The water is emerald in color, a contrast to the sparkling white rocks of the riverbed.
And the river Solenzara is surrounded by dense vegetation and mountains in all directions.

Again, you can complete this with an adventure:

Canyoning initiation in Pulischellu – see pictures, details and availability
Complete canyoning experience in Pulischellu – see details and availability
Or sport canyoning in Purcaraccia – see details and availability
Via Ferrata near Porto_Vecchio – see photos, details and availability
Sea kayaking near Propriano (west coast) – see pictures, details and availability
Sea kayaking under the cliffs of Bonifacio – see pictures, details and availability

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#3 – North Corsica road trip in 7 days