Ultimate Guide to Exploring Corsica by Campervan

We found that the best time to visit Corsica is in spring or autumn, although you can travel there at any time of year. Summer is the busiest season for tourism, which means some places can get quite crowded and you might need to book in advance. Since we’re travelling by campervan, it would really bother us if campsites didn’t accept one-night stays, as some of them have a minimum stay requirement. In winter, many campsites are closed, along with lots of other tourist attractions. Some mountain roads might also be closed, which would be a real shame to miss. That’s why we think autumn or spring is the perfect time to travel around Corsica. Even though we visited in autumn and didn’t expect too many crowds, it’s still a good idea to buy ferry tickets in advance. We didn’t make any other bookings, but we did check which campsites were open. Wild camping is heavily fined in Corsica.

Travelling around Corsica by campervan in autumn was wonderful. We found it hard to imagine travelling there in the summer, when it’s so crowded. Especially in the western part of Corsica, where the roads are narrow, steep and quite tricky. There are designated pull-off spots along the way, but in many places, two large campervans couldn't pass each other. Overall, travelling around Corsica is best when you organise it yourself and have your own vehicle. There are so many beautiful viewpoints that really tempt you to stop and take in the stunning scenery. Some travellers also like to explore Corsica through hikes, and others by train.

Since Corsica is larger than it looks because of its rugged terrain, and you really need at least a week to experience the island properly, we put together a rough travel plan. We arrived in Bastia by ferry, then headed north to visit the Cap Corse peninsula. We travelled north along one side of the peninsula and then made our way back south along the other side. The Cap Corse peninsula is full of stunning viewpoints, countless beautiful beaches, charming old villages, and harbours. It’s hard to choose the most beautiful ones. That’s why it’s best to stop wherever something catches our eye. We made a selection, but in the end, we stopped at the places that looked most interesting to us.

The seaside town of Brando is perfect for a stroll. It has a few narrow streets and charming cafés right by the sea. The most famous landmark there is the Torra Ghjenuvese d’Erbalunga tower. With so many beaches, it’s hard to say which one is the most beautiful. We stopped at the beaches of Pietracorbara, Cala Genovese, Nonza, Farinole, and a few smaller ones. Most of them are easy to get to. The Port de Centuri harbour is a small harbour on the northwest part of the peninsula, with the best view from the pass above it. There aren't any big towns on the Cap Corse peninsula, except at the beginning, where the well-known port city of Bastia is, and on the other side, there's the smaller town of St. Florent. There is also a port there, but more for smaller ships and boats. The old town centre with its fortress is lovely to explore.

Like most travellers, we planned to visit the famous historic town of Corte to explore the island's interior. Corte is a town in the heart of Corsica, surrounded by towering mountains. From there, there are plenty of hiking routes, with one of the most popular being the Restonica Valley. Corte is considered a symbol of Corsica. Above the old town centre stands a castle, which houses a museum and offers beautiful views. Corte is also known for its university and vineyards.

The Corsican mountains are stunning. They have over 70 peaks that are higher than 2000 metres. Of course, the best way to explore is on foot, hiking through the mountains. If that’s not an option, it’s still nice to drive along the mountain roads. In this area, you’ll often come across farm animals on the roads, and with a bit of luck, you might spot some wildlife too. What struck us as unusual was how many pigs there were, freely roaming around.

It's up to each traveller where to stop on a drive along the mountain. There are plenty of places to stop, and everyone picks the ones they like best. Along the road that winds through the mountains, you can’t miss the stunning Lac de L’Ospedale. Even though it’s an artificial lake, created by a dam, it’s still really beautiful to look at. What makes it special are the remains of once-mighty trees that used to grow in the area. It’s also a great place for photos.

Since Corsica is known for its high mountains, it’s no surprise there are also many valleys, gorges, and waterfalls. One of the nicest and easiest valleys to visit is the one with many natural pools, called the Piscines Naturelles de Cavu. A simple marked trail takes us right along the river, and the walk takes about an hour at an easy pace. We walked along the river in one direction and took the road back, which is closed to traffic. In the warmer months, the pools are a popular spot for swimming.

After exploring much of inland Corsica and enjoying its mountains, we arrived in Bonifacio, which we found to be the most beautiful town on the island. The old town is full of life. The narrow streets are full of everything from cosy cafés to little shops and galleries. The best way to experience the town is by taking a walk along the cliffs, where you get a view of the sea carving into the rocky hill with Bonifacio sitting at the top. There we hiked down the very steep "Escalier du Roi d’Aragon" stairs along the cliff to the shore, then continued just above the water on a path carved into solid rock. The starting point is from the centre of Bonifacio. It’s a truly fascinating and unforgettable experience. When we paid the entrance fee, we were also given helmets.

Bonifacio is located at the southernmost tip of Corsica. For our return to the northern part of the island, we chose the western side, which is much more rugged compared to the eastern part. About an hour’s drive from Bonifacio is Sartène, a nice stop on our journey, just like it is for many other travellers. They say that Sartène is the most Corsican of all the towns on the island. There, we explored the old town centre with its main promenade and a small square with a church.

The capital, Ajaccio, is located on the western coast of Corsica, where it’s usually quite crowded. It is home to a beautiful seafront promenade, and the old town centre. It’s also Napoleon’s birthplace. We watched a beautiful sunrise at the nearby Pointe de la Parata, which we found to be much more enjoyable than the city. The cape has hiking trails and a ban on traffic. It is a beautiful creation of nature that is worth a visit. There is a parking area before the cape, and from there, you continue on foot. How long you walk depends on you. After around 20 minutes, you can enjoy some of the beauty of the cape or carry on all the way to the end.

The highlight of our trip to Corsica was visiting the Scandola Nature Reserve, located on the island’s western coast. This is a UNESCO-protected area. It can only be visited by sea, so a boat trip is the way to go. Among the many providers, all with very similar prices, we chose Les Croisières Grand Bleu and were very satisfied. The four-hour ride in a large inflatable boat was an unforgettable experience. We cruised along this stunning natural wonder, exploring sea caves and gorges by boat, spotting eagle nests, the remains of an ancient volcano, and even visiting a small village that’s only accessible by sea. We chose Cargese as our starting point.

The western coast of Corsica left us with wonderful memories as well. Not only is the breathtaking Scandola unforgettable, but the drive along the scenic roads is also something truly special. The drive through the Calanques de Piana can be a bit nerve-wracking for some, with its narrow roads and steep cliffs. At the same time, it’s a stunning area, with indescribably beautiful views, surprises around every corner, and a rock with a natural heart-shaped window. There’s also a small stopping point where most travellers pull over to take a nice photo.

The last town we visited on Corsica was the well-known Calvi, a pleasant seaside town, also known as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. The old town rises on a cliff above the sea, with part of it also located down by the water, where you'll find a lovely promenade and a harbour. Its quay is full of restaurants and bars.