Top 10 Free Things to do in Corsica, France

June 28, 2021 Tambra Mccollister

Corsica is a laid-back French island, with a breezy vibe that’s part European weekend and part tropical honeymoon. The port city of Bastia flings its arms wide open to weary travelers disembarking from a long ferry trip. For a truly charming Corsican experience, catch a train through the mountains to the beach, passing by rustic villages and grazing cows along the way. Take a few hours or even a few weeks to explore the island’s famous walking trails, including the varsity-level GR 20.
Restaurants in Corsica

1. Les Calanche Cliffs

Corsica France +33 6 09 49 06 10
Excellent
87%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 621 reviews

Les Calanche Cliffs

These gorgeous red cliffs tower over the Mediterranean.

Reviewed By GlinysW - Witney, United Kingdom

Allow plenty of time to drive and take care in the narrow bits- its all too easy to clip a tyre on the jagged rocks. Piana is a good place to aim for for lunch. Plenty of viewing points but not so easy to find a circular trail

2. Gorges de la Restonica

Corte, 20250, Corsica France +33 4 95 46 10 09
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 583 reviews

Gorges de la Restonica

This forest is a popular destination for cyclists and hikers.

Reviewed By nofla - Corsica, France

Swim in the natural pools in fresh spring water in quiet natural enviroment in hot summer days are so refreshing and energized.

3. Chapelle de Notre Dame de la Serra

Chemin Notre Dame de la Serra, 20260, Calvi, Corsica France +33 6 57 85 49 90 https://www.visit-corsica.com/en/infotour/pcu/id/163/indice/2/page
Excellent
67%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,006 reviews

Chapelle de Notre Dame de la Serra

Reviewed By RoryAtkins - Tewkesbury, United Kingdom

Catholic Church high up in the old part of town with great walks, alleyways and views. Also some street art worth discovering. Well worth the steps and time.

4. Citadel

Calvi, Corsica France +33 6 73 01 64 72 http://www.calvi-tourisme.com/calvi-corse-en-ville.html
Excellent
46%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,619 reviews

Citadel

Reviewed By muchmooching - Ramsbottom, United Kingdom

We took the citadina the free electric bus up the hill and meandered at a snails pace down the little streets checking out the menus and window shopping in the fancy shops, the views over the port are lovely. Loads of places to sit for a drink and to watch the world go by.

5. Desert des Agriates

Corsica France +33 6 62 16 23 76 http://www.stflo4x4.com
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 356 reviews

Desert des Agriates

Reviewed By Jasmine38Chichester - Chichester, United Kingdom

We took a one way boat to Plage du Loto from St Florent. 12 euro with Le Popeye. Took 20 mins. We then walked back along the costal path. We're reasonable hikers and took us 3. 45 hours. It's about 10 miles. Not too difficult but some ups and downs and pretty hot as almost no shade. Plage du Loto is beautiful but there are several others that are just as nice and not as crowded along the way. There is one area where you have to paddle across a small inlet up to your knees. No facilities on the walk so take plenty of water and some snacks. Lovely walk except last couple of miles along a very narrow bit of seaweed covered beach and then along the main road.

6. Aiguilles de Bavella (Bavella Needles)

Zonza, Corsica France +33 9 88 77 35 23 http://www.lesaiguillesdebavella.com
Excellent
72%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,566 reviews

Aiguilles de Bavella (Bavella Needles)

Reviewed By MAF-M_France - Paris, France

We did the trek during not so nice weather, so could mostly see the clouds around:). The trail starts in the forest to take you to the less protected side of the mountain - it was windy, so we needed to cover well. We could not do the full trail due to risk of rain (the train could get muddy so it would be harder to go down).

7. Bonifacio Citadel

Bonifacio, Corsica France +33 4 95 73 50 49 http://www.bonifacio-mairie.fr
Excellent
69%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,678 reviews

Bonifacio Citadel

Reviewed By Londonmum35

We went in the last week of July, and booked the ferry about a month in advance as we couldn't get a clear idea of whether it could become fully booked. However, there did seem to be spaces on the ferry, it wasn't full (for passengers without cars at least), so it's probably fine just to turn up if you prefer not to commit to a date. We arrived allowing plenty of time to find parking - think we arrived at 8.30 for our 10am ferry. We followed the road signs for the ferry terminal, and in fact drove down to it through the tunnel to see if it was possible to park at the terminal itself but it was short term or disabled or staff parking only. On coming back out of the tunnel we immediately turned right and there was plenty of empty blue parking bays right there (just along Piazza Bruno Modesto). Paying was easy using the easypark app (details on the parking meter) and we just needed to then write easypark on a piece of paper and leave it on the dashboard. We hung around at the small cafe kiosk in the coach car park across the grass, and then headed down to the terminal for about 9.20am. If you have print outs of your tickets there's no need to do anything else - just after 9.30 everyone rushed into the ticket office but when we went in they said no need. Perhaps they hadn't bought tickets or it was car related. We didn't board or get asked for tickets till about fifteen minutes before leaving. On arriving at Bonifacio, everyone headed along the harbour. My husband thought they were part of a tour group, so we left the harbour and just started heading up the road to the citadel. In fact on the way back we realised that we had used unscenic roads that were for cars. Along the harbour there are pretty stairs taking you up a more pleasant route to the citadel, so do go that way instead of the road. We did the self guided tour of the walls first, which were fun, then had lunch at a lovely restaurant by the cathedral. The whole area was very full of character and had a lovely atmosphere. Then we meandered through the streets till we reached the King of Aragon stairs, which take you to a nice walkway along the sea. The way back up is tiring, but the steps are wide enough that you can stop for a rest and people can still get past you. We then headed across to the cliffside walk. We didn't go too far as we were tired, just far enough to get a photo looking back to the citadel. We then decided to head down to the harbour, and stopped in the first ice cream place we came too. The shops around here are actually really nice and I wish I'd spent less time just hanging around the ice cream place but had spent a little more time looking around here. I wish I'd also walked around the harbour too to get a photo of the citadel from this angle. We took the 5pm ferry back. The time had flown by in the town - a very lovely day out. Afterwards we drove to the centre of Santa Teresa Gallura to have a stroll through the pretty main street. Would have been lovely to stop for dinner here but we were keen to use the opportunity to see Capo Testa.

8. Plage de Palombaggia

2 rue Fred Scamaroni, 20137, Porto-Vecchio, Corsica France
Excellent
56%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,863 reviews

Plage de Palombaggia

Reviewed By thetravellingfrenchy - Prague, Czech Republic

As an incredibly famous spot in Corsica, Palombaggia’s reputation for being one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world is fully justified by its stunning beauty. The white sand contrasting with the gorgeous blue water makes you want to take a dip right away! Bordered with pine trees, this little slice of paradise is one of the busiest beaches in the South. So head there early or off-season!

9. Purcaraccia

D268, 20122 Quenza, Corsica France
Excellent
64%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
5%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 176 reviews

Purcaraccia

Reviewed By Citizen_Stu - Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Definitely go if you get the chance, it is very beautiful. It’s a hike a bit longer than 1 hr to get to the pools, easy in the beginning, becoming more challenging towards the end as lots of climbing on the rocks is required. Climb as far as you can, don’t stop at the first you see, it is very rewarding. Hiking shoes are a must during the hike, hiking poles can also help if you usually use them. Recommend water shoes for the pools. The rocks in the water can be slippery. Obviously no source of food nor drinking water, bring your own. There is only one downside to this, even in September, very busy, hoards of people going to the same place. This causes 3 issues: parking - the parking is small, thus people park on the road, you’ll see cars park for a couple of kms when busy. Second issue is hiking there and back- the trail is narrow at all times, only space for one. When busy, it just becomes a long queue of people hiking, as if you had a class of 30 students. 3rd problem- all these people will rest, just as you, at the few pools which makes it very crowded. It is probably fantastic if you manage to be there alone, but no matter what, it’s beautiful. I saw plenty of young children hiking the trail without issues. I wouldn’t recommend it for dogs though, it won’t be pleasant for them.

10. Plage De Roccapina

20100, Corsica France
Excellent
63%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 461 reviews

Plage De Roccapina

Reviewed By 146jeanettee

Our favourite anchorage in Corsica. A beautiful. I’ve with clear water and mostly white sandy bottom. Sadly the coral is mostly dead although there are still small fish in the bay.

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