The Top Reasons To Visit Corsica

Wedged between France and Italy – and with Sardinia to its south – Corsica may have belonged to France for over 200 years but it still retains some of its Italian heritage. As the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean, Corsica is lovingly referred to as L’Île de Beauté – the Isle of Beauty – a moniker it certainly lives up to. Visitors here will be enthralled by its stunning natural landscapes, delicious foodie offerings, charming old villages and the selection of stunning beaches to choose from. Still figuring out what to do in Corsica? Here are the top reasons to visit.

Explore coastal gems with the unique Culture Trip’s Sailing Trips.

Try French-Corsican fusion cuisine in Corsica

Corsican’s take their food very seriously. Foodies visiting the island should indulge in classic Corsican dishes like civet de sanglier and agneau Corse, or sample its charcuterie – the island offers French-style cured meats with a distinct Corsican twist. The best place to find local products is at the traditional markets in Ajaccio, Bastia, Île-Rousse and Calvi – which are often held on the weekends.

To truly experience Corsica’s beauty first-hand, you need to see it from the waters that surround the island. Delve deeper into the island for a longer spell along with more chances to spot the many species of dolphins and whales that call the seas around Corsica home.

Go hiking in Corsica

Corsica is home to one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world – the GR20 – so no trip here would be complete without a trek through the remarkable landscape. This is easy enough to achieve, though, as nearly half of the island falls within a park that presents endless hiking trails. Whichever you choose, expect to walk through old villages and giant rock formations – and to pass by secluded coves.

Learn more about the Corsican history

It’s impossible to ignore Corsica’s storied history – one that dates back to the third millennium BC – when you’re visiting the island. Over the years, Italy, France, Germany and the UK have all occupied the island, but it has remained – mostly – under French rule since 1769, which is the same year Napoléon Bonaparte was born in Corsica. To discover more about the island’s history, it’s worth visiting a few of its many museums – including Musée de la Corse – to learn more.

Head out whale and dolphin watching in Corsica

The Pelagos Sanctuary – which covers nearly 90,000sqkm (35,000sqmi) of the marine space that sits around Corsica – is home to a variety of different whales and dolphins. Spend a day on a whale and dolphin watching trip from Corsica for the chance to spot sperm and fin whales or common, bottlenose and striped dolphins. The protected area means Corsica is also a great place for avid divers to see the marine life of the Med up close.

Book tickets to a festival in Corsica

Whatever kind of festival-goer you are, there’s bound to be a one on Corsica for you. Music lovers will delight at Calvi on the Rocks, an electronic music and digital arts festival that is often held in early July – or Porto Latino, a Latin festival of open-air concerts held in early August. Food fiends should check out A Fiera di U Casgiu in Venaco, a rural cheese and local produce fair held in early May – or Fiera di U Vinu in Luri in July, which is a celebration of Corsican wines.

Explore its lush natural beauty in Corsica

There’s a reason Corsica is known as the Isle of Beauty – you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else quite like it. Here, expect jagged mountainous terrain contrasted with powdery soft white sand beaches and a vast and varied underwater landscape. The island is also blanketed in lush greenery, among which you’ll find olive groves and grapevines – the latter supplying the island’s wineries.

Drink Corsican wine

A mild climate means Corsica has excellent harvesting conditions, so it’s no wonder it produces a slew of excellent wines. There are three main types of grapes grown here: white grape (Vermentino), red grape (Sangiovese) and unique red (Sciacarello), which is indigenous to Corsica. The best way to sample these is through one of its many wine tasting tours – be sure to pick one that serves its wine alongside local meats and cheeses.

Lounge in beautiful beaches in Corsica

When you’re not hiking, diving or sampling various vinos, it’s time to hit the beach – and luckily, Corsica has many pristine spots to choose from. The popular Calvi beach has glorious views of the Citadel, while the secluded Loto Beach has gorgeous cerulean waters. Palombaggia Beach to the south is lined with pretty pine forests – or head west to the wild Cupabia Beach which you’ll likely have all to yourself.

Embrace the warm weather in Corsica

Being an island in the Mediterranean, it’s a given that Corsica has a temperate climate. During the high season between May and September, temperatures sit at a pleasant 27ºC and the waters are warm enough to swim in. If you’re planning on a hiking holiday here, you’re better to visit in May, June or September, so you can avoid the peak heat of July and August. And if you’re looking for some winter sun, Corsica also has one of the highest annual sunshine records in France.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.