Visiting Saint-Florent in Corsica is the ideal destination in the north of the island to enjoy a variety of landscapes and experiences: vineyards, beaches, mountains, desert, and much more…
Based on our visits, here is our guide to plan your trip:
- Best things to do in Saint-Florent
- Best excursions
- Practical tips: map, duration, where to park…
- Where to sleep and eat
- …
Best things to do in Saint Florent in Corsica – summary
Is Saint-Florent worth a visit?
The city of St Florent is very well located to explore the north of the island: Only 30min from Bastia, it is nestled between the mountains of Cap Corse and the Agriates desert.
So, yes, it is worth the detour. It is one of our favorite destinations in Corsica.
The original medieval town was called Nebbiu. It has become a popular seaside resort but has kept all the charm of the old town, which is a great combination! It is protected by a 15th century citadel.
Top 5 – Best things to do in the city of Saint-Florent
- Stroll along the water
- Walk to the citadel
- Eat an ice cream!
- Walk to the beach of the Roya and relax
- Admire the sunset on the gulf
It is close to mountains, desert, beaches and more… One of the most beautiful cities in Corsica(see our list)!
The 5 best excursions from Saint-Florent
- Take a boat trip to the beach of Lotu and a hike to the beach of Saleccia, in the Agriates desert.
- Explore the beautiful vineyards of Patrimonio
- To go around the Cap Corse by car with the mountains that plunge into the sea
- Visit the city of Bastia, with its charming marina
- Go down to Ile-Rousse for a different atmosphere.
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.
1. Walk in the old center and around the port
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 on the gulf: on one side the mountain of Cap Corse and on the other side the Agriates desert, in front of the city.
- Don’t forget to try the delicious ice cream!
- And enjoy the many fresh seafood restaurants
- Enjoy the beautiful sunset!
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.
2. Saint-Florent Citadel Corsica
The main point of interest in the old town is the Citadel.
Built in 1440, it was one of the first places occupied by the Genoese.
It was once one of the most important commercial places in Corsica.
It has a very original architecture and shape with 2 square towers and a round one.
Its situation was strategic for the defense of Bastia and the control of the waters of the Mediterranean.
Today, the round building remains because part of it was destroyed in the 17th century. Its architecture is really surprising. We leave you the surprise.
From the tour of the citadel, you have beautiful views of Saint-Florent and the gulf.
It is not a citadel to visit, but it opens for events and exhibitions.
WHERE TO STAY IN Saint-Florent
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Option 1: Center and beaches
Hotel La Roya with direct access to the sandy beach – see photos and availability
Option 2: Patrimonio and its vineyards
Hotel Auberge Lustincorne with its swimming pool and sea view between the hills – see photos and availability
Option 3: Oletta, in the mountains
Hotel La Dimora with its beautiful stone buildings – see photos and availability
For more ideas, see our article on the best hotels in Saint-Florent with our reviews.
3. Cathedral of Sant Maria Assunta (Nebbio)
The other building not to be missed during a visit to St. Florentine is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
In terms of architecture, don’t expect to see one of the huge French cathedrals.
Also called the Cathedral of Nebbio, it dates from the 12th century and is more the size of a church. Nebbio was a diocese and a Genoese province.
You can already admire it from the outside. It is of Pisan Romanesque architecture in white limestone. It has a central nave with pillars on each side and a semi-circular apse.
If you are in Saint-Florent between July and September, you can visit it every day except Sunday.
In this sober interior, you will discover the relics of Saint Flor, sculptures, statues
Practical info: the cathedral is not in the old town, but on the D238 road inland (less than 1km).
4. Bathing at La Roya beach, Ospedale…
You have several beaches around the city of Saint-Florent.
Some are easily accessible.
The main beach of Saint-Florent is La Roya. It is located not too far south of downtown.
Its shallow waters and protection in the gulf make it an ideal place for children.
Free parking along the road.
5. Stroll along the Ospedale beach…
North of the Citadel, you can also find small beaches: Ospedale and Olzu beaches.
One has small pebbles and the other has sand.
However, these beaches are not visually appealing because they are surrounded by hotels.
Most beautiful beaches near St Florent
But the most beautiful beaches of Saint-Florent are located in the desert of Agriates. The most famous is the beach of Saleccia (one of the best beaches in Corsica). See the next section of this article.
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Corsica
All the information you need for your trip:
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6. Exploring the Agriates desert: Lotu and Saleccia beaches
One of the best things to do in Saint-Florent is to jump on a boat and go discover the Agrarian Desert. Even if you can’t hike, the boat transfer is worth it! And if you have the courage, the hike between Lotu and Saleccia is superb.
Here is an introduction, but you can see all the tips and photos in our full article on the Agriates Desert.
Boat to the beaches of Lotu and Saleccia
It takes only 20 minutes by boat to reach the beach of Lotu pear in the gulf. The crossing offers beautiful views of the city, the mountains and the gulf.
Lotu Beach
From the beach of Lotu, you have a fantastic view of the mountains of Cap Corse plunging into the sea.
Even if you don’t do the full hike, take the inland trail for great views with the beach, lagoon behind and mountains.
The water is shallow and transparent and the beach is sandy… it’s a great place to relax.
Beach of Saleccia
Then we recommend you to take the way of the interior towards Saleccia.
You cross the Mediterranean maquis with beautiful landscapes all along.
And at the end you arrive at the famous beach of Saleccia where the colors seem unreal.
The white of the sand, the turquoise of the water…
It is also possible to get there directly by speedboat from Saint Florent.
Read more
4WD in the Agriates Desert
If you are looking for something more exciting than boating, you can opt for a 4WD tour in the desert to reach some beaches.
There are trails from the main road to the beaches. They last about 45 minutes and are very bumpy.
7. See the sunset
Saint-Florent is also one of the nicest cities in the evening.
If the alignment is good at your time, don’t miss the sunset on the Gulf of Saint-Florent.
Then enjoy the bars and restaurants, or a stroll along the harbor.
You can also go to the beach of Roya for beautiful views of the illuminated city.
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8. Enjoy the wines and vineyards of Patrimonio
Only 10 minutes from Saint-Florent is the vineyard 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).
9. Discover the charming churches and villages of Nebbio
Unlike other places I have visited, the churches in Corsica are not very visually appealing.
But my 2 favorites are located not far from Saint-Florent.
Saint Martin – church of Patrimonio
There is of course Saint-Martin in Patrimonio.
It has a beautiful ochre color and an excellent location with the surrounding hills.
It dates from 1653 and was renovated in the 19th century.
Saint Michael – church of Murato
The other is the beautiful Saint Michael of Murato.
The polychromy is fascinating.
It was built in 1140 with white and green stones and remodeled later (that’s why the bell tower is so high).
And you can find many others by exploring the roads on the heights of Saint-Florent.
WHAT TO DO AROUND Saint-Florent
Discover all our articles on the region:
10. Savour Corsica – the best restaurants in Saint-Florent
You can have good gastronomic pleasures in Saint-Florent with fresh seafood and fish, Corsican wine…
In terms of restaurants we recommend
Restaurant La Gaffe
When a Breton gets lost on the quays of a beautiful Corsican port, it gives La gaffe. The lobster from the Gulf of Saint-Florent is served alongside the Norman oyster from Isigny and the Corsican suckling pig is confit with Patrimonio wine. A true polyphony of taste to be consumed without moderation!
Restaurant L’Auberge du Pêcheur
As its name indicates, here we eat raw fish directly from the fish market and the boat Saint Christophe! You can enjoy it raw in sushi or sashimi or cooked with vegetables and flowers from the garden. A favorite is the Provençal-style bass, caramelized fennel and parsley tuile…
Restaurant Delfino
On the beautiful beach of the Ospedale, a magnificent terrace overlooking the sea. You can enjoy simple, healthy and good food. We like to nibble a truffled focaccia with the sea as our only horizon.
11. Eat an ice cream
There’s also a delicious artisanal ice-cream parlour that you shouldn’t miss if you like it, Maison Rovere, located along the harbour among the cafés and restaurants. There may be a line in season, but it’s not for nothing, the ice cream and sorbets are delicious. We sacrificed ourselves for you, and tested…
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
12. Driving north around Cap Corse
The main day trip from Saint Florent is of course the tour of the Cap Corse.
The northern part of the island is one of the most famous regions.
The visit can be done in one day, although we recommend two days to do some walking. You can see our complete guide to plan your tour of Cap Corse.
The Cap Corse is a 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.
Pretty easy to drive, but there are some narrow passages on the west coast where passing a bus is a challenge….
I recommend driving counter-clockwise for the best views.
13. Driving south to Île-Rousse and the Balagne villages
Otherwise, you can head south.
Take the D81 along the Agriates desert, stop at the fabulous beach of Ostriconi and continue to Ile-Rousse.
Here you can discover a city very different from Saint-Florent, built by Pascal Paoli.
Take the time to walk to the lighthouse of Pietra on the main island.
This way you can see the intense color up close and you get fantastic views of the mountains of Corsica.
Île-Rousse is 1 hour drive from Saint-Florent. You can plan your visit with our guide here.
You can also explore the beautiful villages of the Balagne, not far from Ile-Rousse(see our guide to visit the Balagne).
Our favorites are Pigna, Speloncato and Saint-Antonino.
More – Can we visit the calanques de Piana from Saint-Florent?
No. Don’t try to go to Porto and the calanques de Piana for a day trip. It doesn’t look very far on the map, but it’s a long way because it’s a small winding road.
That said, the Gulf of Porto is one of our favorite regions in Corsica, so we recommend you go there. Make it a trip with an overnight stay.
All our advices and lots of pictures in our guide on Piana.
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!
14. Visit Bastia
And if you are tired of nature (I don’t see how that can be possible, but not everyone has the same taste as me…) you can go to Bastia, the second largest city in Corsica.
One day is enough to explore the Citadel, visit the Governor’s Palace with its many paintings and stroll through the old port.
The city is only 30 minutes by car from Saint-Florent.
15. Visit the village of Lama
The nearest village on the edge of the Balagne region, which we love, is Lama, one of the most beautiful in Corsica.
It is an hour’s drive from Saint-Florent.
It’s full of narrow lanes in all directions and offers beautiful mountain views.
What’s more, like us, you’re sure to be surprised by a few middle-class houses with Italian-inspired architecture.
Visit St-Florent, Corsica – tips and map
Where is St Florent – location and map
- Located on the northwest coast of Corsica
- Just at the foot of the Cap Corse
- Located on the road D81
- Bastia to Saint-Florent = 30min drive
- Calvi to Saint-Florent = 1h30
- Corte to Saint-Florent = 1h20
- Ajaccio to Saint-Florent = 3h drive (via Corte) or 5h15 via the coast
- Here is a map to help you find your way
and see all our tips for planning a dream trip to Corsica here
How to get to Saint-Florent
- Easy access from Bastia airport and the port of Bastia.
- Renting a car is essential for a vacation in Saint-Florent
- If you are going to travel around Corsica, we advise you to stay there for 1 or 2 nights (see my advice for your tour in Corsica).
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.
Parking in St Florent – parking and access
- We found St. Florent to be one of the easiest cities to visit in Corsica.
- It has large parking lots near the marina, the Citadel and the stadium.
- Parking lots are not free from May to October
- The city is surrounded by mountains but not too hilly. It is therefore easy to explore on foot
- There are beautiful walkways along the harbor and it is easy to get around.
How long to visit Saint-Florent
For the center of Saint-Florent, 1 hour of visit is enough.
But to explore the region with the Agriates desert and Patrominio, count at least 2 days.
But Saint-Florent is also an excellent destination for vacations in Corsica, alternating beaches and exploration of northern Corsica.
Best time to visit Saint-Florent
Saint-Florent is a popular destination.
So if you can, avoid the summer vacation months (July and August).
For a pleasant water temperature, prefer late June to early October.
Otherwise the landscapes are beautiful all year round.
If you have no choice and are traveling in summer, visit early and book your boat tours in advance.
1 day in Saint Florent
With only one day in Saint-Florent:
- Visit the center, the cathedral and tour the citadel
- Walk to the beach of La Roya
- Explore the hills and vineyards of Patrimonio
Or skip the city and take the boat to the Agriates desert, if you are interested in nature.
2 or 3 days in Saint Florent
With 2 or 3 days, we think that the Agriates desert is a must for tourism in Saint-Florent.
- Day 1: city tour, cathedral, citadel, Roya beach and Patrimonio tower
- Day 2: boat to Lotu beach and hike in the Agriates desert
- Day 3: Either the tour of the Cap Corseor go down to Ile-Rousse
1 week in Saint Florent
If you have more time, you can alternate the activities listed above with relaxing days at the beach.
Or you can explore the mountains around Saint-Florent and even go to the town of Corte in the heart of the island.
