Visit North Corsica in 7 Days: Top 10 to See

Haute-Corse travel tips for a top stay: 

• ✈️ Book your flight to Corsica (best prices)
• 🚘 Car hire in Corsica: best prices (rated 4.7 on TrustPilot) 
• 🏨 See the best-rated accommodation in Île Rousse

Follow all our adventures on Instagram by clicking here 🩵

Detailed map of northern Corsica: 

1. Visit northern Corsica in 7 days, starting with Bastia 

When you want to visit Haute-Corse, you often arrive in Bastia by ferry or by plane. A lively port city, it keeps a strong Italian identity in its architecture, of course, but also in the vibes it gives off.

Once in Bastia, go and see the Place Saint-Nicolas lined with cafés, lively at any hour. Below, you will find the Old Port with its colourful façades and the Terra Vecchia district, the perfect spot to immerse yourself in the Corsican atmosphere with the Bastia citadel (Terra Nova) and the Romieu garden. 

2. Cap Corse for its wildness

Cap Corse is a narrow, mountainous peninsula that concentrates a variety of impressive landscapes from Bastia to Saint-Florent: wild coves and beaches, maquis, panoramas between sea and mountains, little villages with character, steep cliffs, hiking trails, Genoese towers, and more. Allow 4 hours to go round it, but a little more to make the most of it by stopping for visits. An unmissable stage of your road trip Visit Corsica in 7 days!

Note that the road is winding (for those who suffer from motion sickness) but it is considered one of the most beautiful on the island.
To motivate you, here is what you will see:

• the little village of Nonza and its black pebble beach
• Centuri and its picturesque harbour
• The pretty village of Erbalunga, ideal for a coffee
• Pietracorbara beach
• The very typical Mattei mill

3. Saint-Florent, its little harbour and its gulf

If you are visiting Corsica in 7 days, don't miss a stop at Saint-Florent with its little harbour and pretty shops. A former Genoese town, it is perfect as a starting point for discovering the Agriates desert. We especially love its relaxed atmosphere in the evening, when the terraces come alive around the harbour.

What to see or do in Saint-Florent?

• Stroll along the quays and the citadel
• Enjoy the seaside terraces for lunch and stock up on vitamin D
• Set off on an excursion to magnificent beaches such as Lotu and Saleccia (accessible only by boat or 4x4)

Practical info: If you take the boat shuttle, you will arrive at the little jetty of Lotu beach (see photo below). Allow about 20 minutes (€20 return in high season). Once there, you can reach Saleccia beach either by the inland path (45 minutes) or by the coastal path (about 1 hour 30 of walking with sea views). If you want to go straight to Saleccia, it is possible to go by 4x4, but it is a very small car park.

Book your catamaran cruise (swimming + lunch). If you are wondering where to stay in northern Corsica as a base, Saint-Florent or Calvi are two destinations to favour. 

4. The Agriates desert and its magnificent beaches

Contrary to what its name suggests, the Agriates desert is not a sandy desert, but a vast region of maquis, hills and unspoilt beaches. Note the beaches of Saleccia and Lotu, which are among the most beautiful in northern Corsica. Their deliberately limited access keeps a rare natural character. You get there mainly by boat from Saint-Florent, by 4x4 or on foot.

Which beaches or other landscapes to see in the Agriates:

• Saleccia beach, more secluded
• Lotu beach with its clear water and fine sand
• Wild landscapes far from any development

5. Go to Calvi for its citadel and dream beaches

Calvi is undoubtedly one of the most emblematic towns in Haute-Corse for its citadel and ramparts, but also for its spectacular bay surrounded by mountains. 

What to see or do in Calvi?

• Stroll through the fortified old town
• Admire the Cathedral of Saint-Jean-Baptiste 
• Sit on a café terrace at the marina
• Go for a swim in the turquoise sea, reachable on foot from the centre
• Go to the Notre-Dame-de-la-Serra chapel for its stunning view at sunset
• Take a cruise to the Pointe de la Revellata (you will see the beautiful Alga beach)

Practical info: From Saint-Florent, allow about 1 hour 30 to Calvi.

7. Stop at Île-Rousse, the sweet life in Balagne

We love Île-Rousse for its family atmosphere and its accessibility (perfect for pushchairs or wheelchairs). Only 1 hour from Saint-Florent, don't miss: 

• The legendary Place Paoli lined with plane trees
• The covered market to stock up on fruit and vegetables
• The Pietra lighthouse, reachable on foot, with its exceptional viewpoint and red rocks. The perfect spot to watch the sunset!
• The pretty town-centre beaches such as Napoleon or Caruchettu 
• Take the little beach train linking Île-Rousse to the villages and beaches of Balagne, along the sea

7. Get lost in the perched villages of Balagne

Balagne is often nicknamed the "garden of Corsica", in a way the soul of Corsica. Famous for its perched villages built on hillsides, Balagne offers breathtaking views of the sea and the mountains.

The first village to see if you are visiting Corsica in 7 days is Sant'Antonino. Ranked among the most beautiful villages in France, you will be impressed by its stone architecture. Pigna and Corbara follow, for their crafts and their peaceful atmosphere.

8. Head to Corte, the historic and mountainous heart of Corsica

Corte holds a unique place in Corsica, so don't hesitate to go if you are visiting northern Corsica in 7 days. A former capital under Pasquale Paoli, it is in fact located in the centre of the island, surrounded by mountains. A citadel perched on a rocky spur dominates the town and houses the Museum of Corsica,  ideal for understanding the island's history and identity.

Why visit Corte?

• The citadel and the Museum of Corsica to understand the island's history + identity
• The historic centre
• Admire the panoramas over the surrounding valleys

9. Recharge in the Restonica valley

From Corte, continue your journey to the Restonica valley, one of the most beautiful natural sites in Haute-Corse. Be aware that this road is narrow and winding, so a small car is a must and it's best driven during the day!

You will see a mountain river, natural pools, and hiking trails leading to beautiful high-altitude lakes. An ideal stop to cool off in summer. The road also passes through the Aïtone forest. 

Why come to this valley? For its many activities and its spectacular panoramas.

• Go for a swim in the Restonica gorges and the river
• Recharge in the beautiful natural pools
• Try canyoning, in particular the Verghellu canyon
• Hike to Lake Melo or Lake Capitello

So don't miss adding these beautiful landscapes if you want to visit Haute-Corse in a week!

10. Go to the Scandola nature reserve and Girolata

Located on the west coast and listed by UNESCO, the Scandola reserve is accessible only by sea, which has kept its environment wild and intact.  It is best known for its red and ochre volcanic cliffs that contrast with the deep blue of the sea.

You can go by boat from Porto, Calvi or Ajaccio. Don't miss stopping at the isolated village of Girolata, accessible only on foot or by boat.

What to see or do:

• The volcanic cliffs (arches, sea caves, etc.)
• The marine biodiversity (dolphins, ospreys, European shags...) with its exceptional seabed
• The village of Girolata, a peaceful hamlet, ideal for a lunch break or a swim in the sea.

That's it, our article "Visit North Corsica in 7 days" ends here. We hope all these tips and itineraries help you plan your stay. We wish you plenty of good vibes and a great trip.