Corsica is not nicknamed "Island of Beauty " for nothing. Indeed, this land, cradle of the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte offers magnificent landscapes to whoever wants to discover it. Corsica located in Mediterranean hides treasures, each one more marvelous than the next. We have chosen to present you 10 must-see places to visit, but there are still many more.
Beginning entirely in the south of the island, discover the spectacular town of Bonifacio consisting of houses with stairs whose slopes are almost as dizzying as the white cliffs falling steeply into the sea. This city is built on a chalky tongue of land. Its port is set in a superb cove and from its edge, you can see Sardinia very well. You can admire in this unique place, the cemetery of sailors and the staircase of the King of Aragon dating from the Middle Ages.
Not far from Bonifacio and at the very end of France, you can go by boat to visit the Lavezzi archipelago. . Facing Sardinia , these granite rocks offer the visitor a unique spectacle. The place is a preserved nature reserve, the water has nothing to envy to the tropical seas so much it is crystal clear and of a unique turquoise blue. You can walk, but also swim in this idyllic setting.
The Palombaggia beach is known to be the most beautiful on the island. It is located at the right end of the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio just as extraordinary to discover. The water of Palombaggia is transparent and borders an expanse of fine sand with an almost white hue. You can sit on this beach during the day under an umbrella pine shading you between the red porphyry rocks to rest while waiting to take a dip in the sea.
Lovers of the sea and pristine nature will be amazed to discover the Scandola Reserve listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Scandola is only accessible by sea. It is also a paradise for divers. The pink porphyry cliffs plunge directly into the deep blue sea edged with the soft green hues of the umbrella pines. To discover Scandola, you can leave from one of the boat rental bases located in the Gulf of Porto .
Still on the Gulf of Porto , the creeks of Piana are surrounded by a small mountain range 400 meters high. Picks also in pink porphyry are very sharp. The creeks are not accessible by car. You can discover this treasure by taking one of the many hiking paths or by sea by boat .
At the very end of the capital of the island, the city of Ajaccio, four small islets and their lighthouse proudly overlook the Mediterranean. These are the Sanguinaires Islands . Above all, visit them at the end of the afternoon and wait for the sun to set over the sea and you will understand why this place of great beauty lives up to its name.
The Cap Corse is the long peninsula located at the very top of Corsica. You should not miss a visit, because the most charming villages perched between the mountains and the sea offer you postcard aspects. Small fishing ports are still preserved and give this cape an even more authentic look.
If you like wild places of breathtaking beauty, go and see the desert des Agriates offering a unique landscape. This desert is aptly named. It is made up of mountains and sea like many places in Corsica, but it is a unique site due to its wild aspect with dream beaches alongside long jagged rocky ridges. Don't miss the heavenly beaches of Saleccia, Ghignu and Lotu .
If you want to discover another one-of-a-kind site with impressive huge rocks rising proudly to the sky, go and see the Aiguilles de Bavella above the town of Sari-Solenzara . Many hiking trails lead you to the needles, the highest of which is called the Punta di u Furnullu culminates at 900 meters above sea level. The GR20 pass here, but the easiest hike is the Trou de la Bombe hike.
Impossible to visit Corsica without spending a day in Ajaccio which is its capital . Discover the old town and its citadel with pretty alleys lined with tall houses, its port in its bay and the large beaches bordering it. Saint-Charles Street , you can see the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte housing a museum exhibiting personal objects of the Emperor. See also the Lativy Palace housing the prefecture and several museums telling the story of the most famous character of the island, but also that of those of the city and the island.
There are still many more fabulous places to discover in Corsica. The GR20 in Corsica is a legendary hiking trail. It crosses the entire island from north to south, passes through the mountains and can be covered in two weeks. The GR20 is one of the most beautiful treks in the world . Some passages are quite difficult in the high mountains, but are quickly forgotten thanks to the sublime landscapes that we discover at random on the way. You can take it if you are used to walking in order to see other incredible natural spectacles of purity and beauty.
