Corsica Tours

French Mediterranean island · Haute-Corse and Corse-du-Sud

Corsica's Cliff Towns, Mountain Trails and Boat-Only Coves

Where to stay, the best tours and realistic itineraries — everything you need to book Corsica with confidence.

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CorsicaRound Genoese stone watchtower on granite rocks above the Corsican sea.
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Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean, with four airports and ferries from Marseille, Toulon, Nice, Livorno, Genoa, Savona and Piombino. On the west coast, the Calanche of Piana, the Gulf of Girolata and the Scandola Reserve form a UNESCO World Heritage Site usually seen by boat. In the far south, Bonifacio sits on white limestone cliffs. A car is the practical way around, as public transport is limited and roads take longer than maps suggest.

Good to know

  • Airports at Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi and Figari
  • Ferries from France and Italy
  • Train links Bastia, Corte, Ajaccio and Calvi
  • No motorways or toll roads

Why visit Corsica

  1. Islands and beaches by boat

    Boats run from Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio to the Lavezzi Islands for snorkelling, and from Saint-Florent to the Agriates beaches of Saleccia and Lotu.

  2. From the GR20 to coast paths

    The GR20 runs 16 stages from Calenzana to Conca over about two weeks. The easier Sentier des Douaniers loops Cap Corse from Macinaggio to Centuri.

  3. A railway over the mountains

    The Bastia–Ajaccio line crosses the island via Corte and the Vizzavona pass, on viaducts and through tunnels. A branch runs to L'Île-Rousse and Calvi.

  4. Nine wine appellations

    Taste Niellucciu, Sciaccarellu and Vermentinu wines alongside Corsican charcuterie, chestnut products and cheeses.

  5. Genoese citadels and old towns

    Hilltop Corte has its citadel and the Museum of Corsica; Calvi and Bastia have citadels, and Ajaccio has its Napoleon trail.

The map

Corsica at a glance

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The main places of Corsica on one illustrated map — open it full screen to zoom in, or download it to print.

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Where to stay

Where to stay in Corsica

Ajaccio

First-time visitors

The capital on the west coast, with Napoleon sights, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste cathedral and the Saint-Antoine oratory, plus an airport and ferry port.

Which area suits you?

Calvi and the Balagne

A one-week single base

Calvi has a Genoese citadel and a long town beach, and is on the railway. Inland, the craft villages of Sant'Antonino, Pigna and Corbara.

Which area suits you?

Bastia and Cap Corse

Arrivals from Italy or Nice

Bastia is the main port, with the Terra Vecchia and Terra Nova quarters and a daily market. North of it, Cap Corse has quiet villages such as Macinaggio and Centuri.

Which area suits you?

Start here

Things to do in Corsica

When to go

  1. April–June

    Warm sun and fewer people, especially late May and June. The sea is still cool in May. Good for hiking and touring by car.

  2. July–August

    Hottest, driest and busiest, with the highest prices; August is best for beaches. Crowds fill the coastal towns while the mountains stay quieter.

  3. September–October

    Often called the best balance: the sea is still warm while crowds and prices fall. Staffed GR20 huts run until early October.

  4. November–March

    The quietest and cheapest months, with less settled weather, more rain and snow in the mountains.

Weather

Weather in Corsica

Weather by month →

Corsica weather by month

Corsica weather by month
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSeptOctNovDec
High / Low (°C)
9°
5°
10°
5°
12°
7°
15°
9°
19°
13°
25°
18°
29°
21°
29°
21°
23°
17°
19°
14°
14°
10°
10°
6°
Rain (mm)
73
66
64
50
51
22
9
16
51
82
107
77

Average daily high and low (°C) and monthly rainfall (mm) · Forecast: MET Norway (yr.no) · Climate averages: NASA POWER

Tips that save time and money

  • Hire a compact car with enough power for steep roads, as large motorhomes struggle on narrow cliff and village roads.
  • Plan fewer stops per day than maps suggest, because winding roads make every journey slower.
  • Carry cash for intercity buses, where tickets are often bought from the driver.
  • See Bonifacio's cliffs from one of the boats leaving the port, not only from the old town.
  • In summer start hikes early, since storms often build late in the day, and book GR20 huts ahead for peak season.

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