Introduction
Corsica, the Isle of Beauty, blends rugged mountains, emerald waters, charming hilltop villages and a rich food culture. This guide lays out a 7-day Corsica itinerary focused on top sights, exact addresses, typical opening hours, indicative prices in euros and local tips to help you make the most of your time and budget. Whether you arrive by plane (Bastia–Poretta Airport, Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte Airport, Calvi–Sainte-Catherine Airport) or by ferry (Port of Bastia, Port of Ajaccio, Port of Propriano), this route balances hiking, cultural discovery, beach time and sampling Corsican specialties.
A road trip is the best way to explore the island: renting a car gives you access to hidden coves, perched villages and coastal backroads. Each day includes specific addresses (museums, beaches, restaurants), typical opening hours and estimated costs (museum fees, parking, possible tolls). Prices are up-to-date estimates and may vary by season. You’ll also find practical tips: when to travel to avoid crowds, how to combine hikes and beach time in one day, and which local products make great souvenirs.
This guide is comprehensive but practical: aimed at travelers who want a full itinerary without focusing on a single theme (not just hiking or lounging). The seven numbered sections correspond to full days, planned to cut down driving and maximize discoveries. Each day offers alternatives to match your pace: an active version (hike or dive) and a relaxed version (swim and village stroll). Accommodation and dining suggestions include exact addresses and price ranges to simplify planning. Finally, we add safety tips (water, sunscreen, driving in the mountains) and money-saving tricks (museum passes, local markets, parking).
1. Day 1 – Bastia and Cap Corse: First viewpoints and coastal villages
Start your route in Bastia, a common gateway if you arrive by ferry. Explore the old town and the Old Port for your first taste of Corsica.
Bastia Old Port
Address: Quai des Martyrs de la Libération, 20200 Bastia.
Opening hours: open 24/7; shops and cafés typically 08:00–20:00 (varies in low season).
Price: free (stroll).
Description: The Old Port offers stunning views of colorful fishing boats and Italianate façades. Walk the quay and head up to Place Saint-Nicolas to soak up the local atmosphere.
Bastia Citadel (Musée de Bastia)
Address: Place du Palais des Gouverneurs, 20200 Bastia.
Opening hours: 10:00–18:00 (April–October), shorter hours off-season; closed Mondays outside peak season.
Price: €6–9 (depends on exhibition).
Description: The citadel features medieval alleys and several small museums. The ramparts offer great views over the gulf.
Afternoon: head north along Cap Corse, driving the scenic corniche. Stop in Erbalunga.
Erbalunga
Address: Erbalunga, 20222 Brando (Cap Corse).
Opening hours: village accessible year-round; shops vary seasonally.
Price: free (walk).
Description: A tiny fishing port with a Genoese tower. Perfect for a photo stop and a glass of Corsican white wine.
Local tips: Driving: the D80 runs around Cap Corse; expect winding roads and drive carefully. Parking: paid parking in parts of Bastia (around €1–2/hour). Budget €15–25 for lunch at a bistrot in Bastia.
2. Day 2 – Calvi: Citadel and white sand beach
Recommended drive from Bastia: 2.5–3 hours depending on stops. Head to Calvi on the northwest coast, famous for its citadel and long sandy beach.
Calvi Citadel
Address: Place Christophe Colomb, 20260 Calvi.
Opening hours: 09:00–19:00 (high season), outdoor access 24/7.
Price: free to wander; guided tours €5–8 depending on operator.
Description: The citadel overlooks the bay and features narrow lanes, artisan shops and the Bastion de l’Infirmerie. Don’t miss the view over the turquoise bay.
Calvi Beach
Address: Plage de la Pinède (or Calvi Beach), Boulevard Wilson, 20260 Calvi.
Opening hours: beach open year-round; seasonal services 09:00–19:00.
Price: free access; sunbeds and umbrellas €10–25/day depending on spot.
Description: A fine sandy beach, great for families and unwinding after visiting the citadel. Kayak and paddleboard rentals available (roughly €20–40/hour).
Recommended restaurant: U Fanale, 22 Boulevard Wilson, 20260 Calvi. Hours: 12:00–14:30, 19:00–22:30. Main courses: €15–30 (fish and Corsican specialties). Book ahead in high season.
Local tips: If you have time, hike to the Revellata tower via the coastal trail (45–60 minutes from the point). Expect to pay €5–10 for public parking near the beach in summer. Calvi’s morning market by the port is perfect for buying local charcuterie (prisuttu) and cheeses.
3. Day 3 – The Calanques of Piana and Scandola Nature Reserve
Drive early to the west-south coast (Porto, Piana), a UNESCO-listed landscape known for its volcanic rock formations. About 2.5 hours from Calvi.
The Calanques of Piana
Address: D81A, 20115 Piana.
Opening hours: natural site accessible freely; paid parking possible (€2–5 depending on season).
Price: free access; guided hikes €15–40.
Description: Red rock formations sculpted by erosion, with spectacular sea views. Marked trails like the Calanques walk require sturdy shoes and plenty of water.
Boat trip to Scandola Nature Reserve
Departure: Port of Porto, 20150 Porto.
Operators: Scandola Express, Corsica Natura, etc.
Schedules: departures 09:00–17:00 depending on operator; trips last 2–4 hours (classic trip ~3h).
Price: €25–45 per person (seasonal variation).
Description: Scandola is only reachable by boat: red cliffs, sea caves and dramatic rock faces, with occasional dolphins. Bring sun protection and a waterproof camera.
Local tips: Book boat trips well in advance for July–August. Arrive early to avoid crowds in Porto. For lunch with a view try A Stalla (main restaurant on Porto’s harbor): dishes €12–25.
4. Day 4 – Ajaccio: culture, museums and city beaches
Ajaccio, Corsica’s capital and Napoleon’s birthplace, deserves a proper visit for its heritage, museums and beaches. From Porto expect about 2 hours driving.
Musée Fesch – Fine Arts Museum
Address: Place Fesch, 20000 Ajaccio.
Opening hours: 10:00–18:00 (varies off-season); closed Tuesdays outside high season.
Price: €6–9 (adults), reduced rates for students and seniors.
Description: Significant collection of Italian paintings, bequeathed by Cardinal Fesch. Rotating temporary exhibitions.
Maison Bonaparte
Address: 1 Rue Saint-Charles, 20000 Ajaccio.
Opening hours: 10:00–18:00 (high season); closed some days off-season — check ahead.
Price: €6–8 (guided visit or audio guide may be available).
Description: The house where Napoleon was born, restored and furnished to tell the Bonaparte family story.
Ricanto Beach
Address: Boulevard Roi Jerome, 20000 Ajaccio (Ricanto / Saint-François beaches for options closer to the center).
Opening hours: beach open year-round; seasonal facilities.
Price: free access; sunbed hire €10–20/day.
Description: A sandy city beach, a good afternoon option after museum visits.
Local tips: For lunch, visit Ajaccio’s market (Cours Grandval) to sample local produce: figatellu sausage, brocciu cheese, olive oil. Expect €15–30 per person for a mid-range restaurant meal. From Ajaccio harbor you can also take boat trips to the Sanguinaires Islands (around €25–40).
5. Day 5 – Bonifacio: white cliffs and a cliff-top old town
Head to the far south: Bonifacio, famed for its white limestone cliffs and perched citadel. From Ajaccio allow roughly 2.5–3 hours by car.
Bonifacio Citadel
Address: Rue Fred Scamaroni, 20169 Bonifacio.
Opening hours: the upper town is accessible year-round; museums and some visits 09:00–19:00 in season.
Price: free access to the ramparts; guided tours €6–12 depending on service.
Description: The old town clings to cliffs with narrow alleys and breathtaking sea panoramas.
Stairway of the King of Aragon (Escalier du Roy d’Aragon)
Address: Bonifacio cliffs, access from the port, 20169 Bonifacio.
Opening hours: free access; take care in windy or rainy conditions.
Price: free (observe safety advice).
Description: A staircase cut into the rock leading down to the sea — dramatic views. Alternatively, take a boat ride around the cliffs (€20–35).
Local tips: From Bonifacio port, take a boat tour of the sea caves and cliffs (book in high season). Parking near the upper town is paid — €3–10 depending on location and season. Meals: fresh fish at harbor restaurants, expect €20–40 per person.
6. Day 6 – Porto-Vecchio and the beaches of Palombaggia and Santa Giulia
After Bonifacio, drive up to Porto-Vecchio (30–40 minutes) and spend the day on the iconic southeast beaches.
Palombaggia Beach
Address: Plage de Palombaggia, Route de Palombaggia, 20137 Porto-Vecchio.
Opening hours: beach open year-round; services (parking, restaurants) seasonal (May–Sept).
Price: free access; parking €5–10 in high season; sunbeds €15–30/day.
Description: White sand, umbrella pines and crystalline water. One of Corsica’s most photographed beaches.
Santa Giulia Beach
Address: Plage de Santa Giulia, Route de Santa Giulia, 20137 Porto-Vecchio.
Opening hours: seasonal services 08:00–19:00. Free public access.
Price: parking €5–10; water sports €20–60 depending on activity (jet ski, paddle, guided snorkel trips).
Description: A shell-shaped bay with shallow waters, ideal for families and water sports.
Recommended restaurant: Le Belvédère, Route de Palombaggia, 20137 Porto-Vecchio. Hours: 12:00–14:30 / 19:00–22:30. Price: menus €25–45 depending on choices.
Local tips: Arrive early to Palombaggia or Santa Giulia to avoid full parking lots. Bring cash for parking and tipping. For a quieter alternative, visit Rondinara Beach (D158, 20120 Saint-Cyprien), about 30–40 minutes away.
7. Day 7 – Inland: Corte, the Restonica gorges and Corsican gastronomy
Finish your loop by heading into the island’s heart to Corte and the Restonica valley, a prime spot for hiking and mountain dishes.
Corte – Citadel and museums
Address: Place Paoli, 20250 Corte.
Opening hours: citadel and museum 10:00–18:00 (varies off-season).
Price: citadel access free; museum €4–8.
Description: Once Corsica’s capital, Corte is a lively university town with narrow streets, valley views and a distinctive mountain spirit.
Restonica Gorges
Address: Restonica Valley, trailhead parking near the municipal campsite, 20250 Corte.
Opening hours: accessible year-round; recommended hiking times 08:00–18:00 (daylight hours).
Price: parking €2–5; swimming free; hiking trails free.
Description: Natural pools with crystal-clear water and hikes up to Melo and Capitello lakes (plan 2–4 hours depending on your goal). The water is cold but refreshing after the effort.
Food and shopping: Try a mountain meal at U Museu, 6 Place Gaffori, 20250 Corte (hours 12:00–14:00 / 19:00–22:00). Dishes €12–25. Visit local shops for charcuterie (prisuttu), cheeses (brocciu), jams and honey — €10–25 depending on the product.
Local tips: Mountain weather changes quickly: pack warm layers even in summer for higher-altitude hikes. Driving time back to Bastia or Ajaccio from Corte is roughly 1h15–2h depending on your destination. Approximate daily budget: €40–70 (meals, activities, parking), excluding fuel and accommodation.
Conclusion
This 7-day Corsica route balances nature, beaches, heritage and gastronomy. Total cost depends on your travel style: budget 2–3-star hotels or B&Bs vs higher-end hotels, casual bistros vs fine dining, paid excursions and car rental. A realistic estimate for a comfortable but sensible trip is:
- Car rental: €30–70/day (small car) = €210–490 for 7 days.
- Fuel: €80–180 depending on distances and consumption.
- Accommodation: €60–120/night for a standard double room = €420–840 for 7 nights.
- Meals: €20–40/person/day (lunch and dinner) = €140–280 per person for 7 days.
- Activities and entrance fees: €80–200 (museums, boat trips, equipment rental).
- Indicative total: €930–1990 for two people (approximate, excluding personal shopping and souvenirs).
Final tips: book accommodation and excursions several weeks ahead during high season (July–August). Prefer spring (May–June) or September for pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Carry cash for markets and rural parking; mobile coverage can be patchy in the mountains, so download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me). Respect the environment: leave no litter on trails and beaches and avoid picking protected plants.
Following this route you’ll cross Corsica’s most striking landscapes: wild coastline, perched villages, dream beaches and mountain interiors. Tailor each day to your pace — active or relaxed — but always save a moment for Corsican warmth: a sunset terrace, a plate of cheese and a glass of local wine can sum up the island’s magic.
