The 10 best things to do in Corsica

Telegraph

2 days ago

Corsica may be chock-full of neolithic sites, Genoan towers, forts and Catholic churches, but there's no doubt that the best of the island is made by nature. Caves, waterfalls, mountain peaks and rock formations, everything is waiting to be hiked, kayaked or photographed.
While a visit to the birthplace of the most famous Corsican in history, Napoléon Bonaparte, shouldn't be missed if you're passing through Ajaccio, Corsicans couldn't care less about the French emperor. Their hero is Pasquale Paoli, 18th-century independence fighter and Corsican through and through, and there are plenty of museums tracing both Corsica's and Paoli's histories.
All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Corsica. Find out more below or for further inspiration, see our guides to the best hotels, restaurants and beaches.
Find things to do by type:
Best for families
Canyoning in Quenza
Jump into the wildest part of the island
Not for the faint-hearted, canyoning in the Corsican wilderness has you jumping into the void, sliding down almost sheer rock faces and abseiling down the side of waterfalls. The vasques (natural swimming pools made from water erosion) create a natural playground, and one best experienced with a guide. The water is a vivid, crystal clear emerald and stays deliciously cool, even in the height of summer.
Insider tip: For wild swimming without the freefall, hike to the Cascade de Purcaraccia, a picture-perfect series of waterfall-fed pools. It's a round trip of roughly two hours, and in peak season (May to September) going with a guide is compulsory to avoid overtourism.
Kayaking in Erbalunga
Paddle around picturesque creeks
The pint-sized walled port at Erbalunga is beautiful, but beyond the harbour walls is where things get spectacular. In the foreground are a multitude of little stone creeks, many only accessible by kayak, framed by handsome 19th-century manor houses with an air of faded grandeur. Cap Corse's mountains, rising to 1,307m, make a dramatic backdrop.
Insider tip: There's free parking just opposite Terra di Catoni, one of four delicatessen-cum-restaurants on Cap Corse stocking wines from an organic vineyard in Porticciolo. It makes for a great, shady spot for an apéritif when you get off the water.
Best for culture
Maison Bonaparte
Visit the birthplace of an emperor
Corsicans are rather resentful of their Napoleonic fame, as Napoléon was famously disparaging about his homeland. Although Ajaccio-born Napoléon left aged 10 to pursue his studies on the mainland, his life was fascinating, and the Maison Bonaparte gives one of the most complete overviews of his life, travels and early years, all in the birthplace of one of the 'greatest' emperors in history.
Insider tip: Just around the corner, Palais Fesch, the former private collection of Napoléon's uncle, Cardinal Fesch, has a floor dedicated to portraits and sculptures of the Bonaparte family. The basement has an exquisite and unique collection of Corsican art.
Musée de la Corse
Take a history lesson in Corte's Corsica Museum
This little town of fewer than 8,000 inhabitants was once the capital of an independent Corsica. Freedom was short-lived, lasting under 15 years, but Corte still has two claims to fame: the home of the island's only university and of the Musée de la Corse. The latter takes visitors on a deep dive of Corsica through the ages, from Roman, Pisan, Genoan, independent and finally French.
Insider tip: Arguably the most fascinating part of Corsica's history is the 18th century, when Pasquale Paoli fought to make the island free from foreign powers. His story is steeped in legend. The best place to separate fact from fiction is the Musée Pasquale Paoli, Merusaglia.
Best for views
Scandola Nature Reserve
Explore a World Heritage site by sea
Corsica's only Unesco-listed site wasn't pulled to glory for nothing. Boat trips leave the little town of Porto to explore the numerous inlets of the Calanques of Piana and the caves and emerald waters of Scandola. The colours are kaleidoscopic, the volcanic, porphyritic rocks a burnt red. Boat trips also run from Ajaccio or Calvi, lasting all day. Nave Va organises boat trips to Scandola and the Calanques of Piana; Patrick et Toussaint rent permit-free motorboats.
Insider tip: Hire a permit-free motorboat to explore Scandola under your own steam. Pack plenty of water and a picnic, and make sure you respect the environment. Snorkelling is not allowed, and take all your litter home.
The Îles Sanguinaires
Sail to the bloody islands
A short distance from Ajaccio, the Îles Sanguinaires (Bloody Isles) are completely uninhabited, home to an old lighthouse, one hiking trail and an abundance of birdlife. The running commentary aboard visitor ships on a poor quality microphone is jarring, but it's worth it for the sense of remoteness when you arrive. Most boat trips take an hour to arrive, stopping for another hour on the island.
Insider tip: Views from the mainland over the Sanguinaires are arguably better than from the islands themselves, especially at sunset. Park at Parking Tour de la Parata and walk out to the Genoan tower; if you're prepared to scramble you can avoid the wannabe influencers.
The GR20
Hike Europe's toughest trek
It's gnarly, it will make your muscles ache, but as Europe's toughest trek, and one of the best-known in the world, the GR20 merits a mention. More than 100 miles of pure exhilaration, hikers setting out on the two-week GR20 can expect scrambling, hairy descents with the aid of cables and near-vertical ascents using metal staples in the rock.
Insider tip: Organised tours run this route (such as those with Corsica Adventure), but since it's so well marked, if you're a confident hiker there's little advantage to having a guide. Self-guided tour operators that book your refuges and supply logistical guidance, however, are extremely helpful. Prices can vary as tent pitches and refuges are cheap while full, guided package can be expensive.
Best free things to do
Bonifacio old town
Potter the streets of this striking town
Precariously suspended above cliffs, some 70m high, with panoramic views across to Sardinia, Bonifacio is the most striking town in Corsica. The oldest parts of town date from the 9th-century, when it was built to resist Saracen raids. L'escalier du Roi d'Aragon (King Aragon's stairs) links the town to the sea, via 187 vertigo-inducing steps.
Insider tip: A half hour walk east along the coastal path gives you a view of Bonifacio's old town and the cliffs. Time it for sunset and the sun goes down directly behind the buildings for a golden hour that beggars belief.
Best for foodies
Domaine Zuria vineyard
Tickle your tastebuds at a family-run tasting
On a global scale, Corsica's wine isn't well known, but this relative anonymity has given rise to plenty of family-run and organic vineyards. On a limestone plateau overlooking Bonifacio, family-run organic vineyard Domaine Zuria makes its vintages with Vermentino and the Corsican Sciacarello grape. A young vineyard, the family only started producing wine in 2013, and they also run vineyard tours and tastings.
Insider tip: The access to L'Orée du Maquis, a tiny, underground wine bar in Bonifacio's old town, feels like going through a trapdoor. They sell local wines, liquors and charcuterie, and do tastings (space is extremely limited).
Best for souvenirs
Citadella di Calvi
Fill your tote bags in Calvi's fort
This giant sandcastle of a citadelle looks as though it belongs in the middle of the Sahara. Modern by Corsican standards, the present structure dates back to the 18th century. The best way to explore is on foot (step-free access via ramps). It's compact, but make an afternoon of it to get lost in the side streets and take in the views over the bay.
Insider tip: Calvi's fort is home to heaps of creators and artisans, and many of the studios are well hidden. From jewellery using sea coral to decorations made from driftwood, go with a full wallet and return with bulging shopping bags.
How we choose
Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.
About our expert
Anna Richards is The Telegraph's Corsica expert. She christened her move to France in 2021 by hiking the island's legendary GR20, and since then Corsica has drawn her back each year. She lives in Lyon.