Introducing Corsica
Shaped like a bunch of vine-ripened grapes, Corsica (Corse) ripples with mountain ranges covered in vivid green chestnut and pine forests, pastures and fragrant maquis scrubland. Grape cultivation dates back over 3000 years, with exceptional vineyards on the island. Bastia, in the north, is famed for its laidback feel and lively spirit, without being heavy on tourism.
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Corsica’s coastline curls around 1000km of chic seaside towns like Ajaccio, plunging cliffs at Golfe de Porto and glistening beaches and bays at Calvi. The silhouette of Bonifacio's cliff-top citadel morphs seamlessly into the serrated limestone cliffs rising up from the sea. But until the early 19th century, the coast was considered worthless, susceptible to invasion. Corsicans took shelter in the mountains, and even today it’s Centru di Corsica, encompassing the town of Corte (Corti), that defines the culture. Typical Corsican cuisine consists of inland victuals like cured sausages, cheeses and lamb seasoned with wild herbs. Fishing traditionally took place around Cap Corse (the rugged ‘stem’ in the northeast). Away from the coastal resorts and bustling ports, the interior – which often stays snow-capped until July – is still where you’re most likely to encounter Corsica’s language, Corsu, as well as its distinctive customs and festivals.
The mountains make for exhilarating hikes, the most famous and challenging of which is the legendary GR20. (The death-defying switchback roads make for some dizzying driving, too.)
Pick your timing carefully – Corsica swells to bursting with summer visitors; all but withering in winter when many activities, accommodation and transport services slow or cease. The wildflower-filled spring and red-hued autumn months let you experience this Île de beauté (island of beauty) at its best.
Last updated: Mar 24, 2009
Tips & articles
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15 November 2010
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Hotels & Hostels in Corsica
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Adagio City Aparthotel Aix Centre
From US$58.57 per night
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Best Western Hotel De L Arbois
From US$54.02 per night
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Grand Hotel Roi Rene Aix en Provence - MGallery Collection
From US$116.14 per night
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Corsica
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Corsica Overview
- Places in Corsica
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Things to do
- All things to do (195)
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Our Top Picks For Corsica
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1 Cap Corse
A rugged, maquis-clad peninsula studded with Genoese towers and quaint fishing villages
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2 Désert Des Agriates
A sun-scorched landscape bordered by crystal-clear waters and the stunning Plage de Saleccia
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3 The Balagne Craft Trail
Huddles of picturesque villages along this scenic road in the Balagne interior
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4 Calvi
A long sandy beach, a well-proportioned citadel and a host of exceptional festivals
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5 La Castagniccia
A rich tapestry of lush valleys, mountain streams, chestnut forests and ancient villages
Our favourite Corsica Blogs (beta)
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Queen to Play: A Tale of Chess in Corsica
Blog: A Traveler's Library - 9 November 2011
Wednesday Matinee Destination: Corsica Movie: Queen to Play by Jane Boursaw I knew right away I’d like Queen to Play, a French film set on the gorgeous island of Corsica. You geography buffs will know immediately where that is, but I had to look it up. Corsica is a mountainous piece of land in the [...]This content is a post from: A Traveler's Library To comment on this post or search for related information, click on the link to A Traveler's Library. We'll leave a light on for you.
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Corsica's Mare a Mare Sud: Travels With Uncle Berny
Blog: AlpacaSuitcase - 16 May 2010
After visiting Uncle Berny’s ancestral home in Cap Corse (Corsica’s Cap Corse: Travels With Uncle Berny) we drove south along the eastern Corsican coast on our way to meet Berny’s friend Gael and his friends. Our plan was to meet Gael somewhere near the midpoint of Corsica’s Mare a Mare Sud (“southern sea to sea”) trek and hike with him for a few days.
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Corsica's Cap Corse: Travels With Uncle Berny
Blog: AlpacaSuitcase - 13 May 2010
Standing in the chilly Puno, Peru train station twenty-three years ago, no two people could have been more dissimilar. Bernard was a swarthy, French communist who didn’t speak English and hated Americans and I was a blond-haired, blue-eyed American capitalist who spoke no French, nor had ever been to France. We both were up before sunrise to buy tickets for the Puno to Arequipa train, a line that no longer runs. Peru in the 1980’s was more dangerous than it is now; local Peruvians advised us to band together for safety while on the train.
