Holiday rentals in Corsica

Corsica is a French island off the coast of France and Italy, with its neighbour Sardinia to the south. The picturesque island is known for its diverse and dramatic scenery and for being the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. The heart of Corsica features mountainous landscape and has 120 peaks, with Monte Cinto being the highest at 2,706 metres. This creates enchanting canyons, rock pools, and waterfalls, including Cascades de Purcaraccia in the south of the island. Around 40 percent of the island is protected as part of the Corsica Regional Nature Park, which includes pine forests, the red cliffs of the Scandola Nature Reserve, and the Restonica gorges.

One way to explore this dizzying array of landscapes is to follow the 180-kilometre GR20 hiking trail. The rugged coastline boasts innumerable white, sandy beaches, including Palombaggia to the south, Calvi and Saleccia in the north, Cupabia in the west, and Canella in the east. Historic towns and villages are dotted throughout Corsica, including Sartène and the walled town of Sant’Antonino, as well as the coastal towns of Bonifacio, Bastia, and the capital of the island, Ajaccio.

The busiest time in Corsica is in the summer, when visitors travel here to take advantage of the hot, sunny days on beaches like Palombaggia. In the autumn, temperatures drop, but they are still warm enough to enjoy the sea water, to follow hiking trails, including the GR20, and to try water sports. The winter months are cooler with more rainfall. This is when many attractions and facilities at seaside resorts will close until around March and April.

Temperatures start to rise again in the spring, but the hot and dusty Sirocco winds can blow in during this season, particularly in May. Corsica hosts a number of events during the year, including rural festivals like the Fiera di l’Alivu in Montegrosso in July, when around 10,000 visitors come to celebrate olives. One major historical event is A Notte di a Memoria in Bastia in July, which reenacts the arrival of the new governor, with a procession in the street and a selection of entertainers including flag-throwers and musicians.

Bonifacio

Perched dramatically on cliffs jutting out into the sea, the historic town of Bonifacio is a dramatic sight, 70 metres above the sea in the south of Corsica. The old town is protected by the fortified walls of a citadel that dates back to the 9th century and has labyrinthine narrow alleyways to discover. This stands in contrast to the modern marina with its stylish yachts in the harbour.

Scandola Nature Reserve

Take a boat trip from Calvi or Porto to the Scandola Nature Reserve in the western part of the island. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located on the Cape Girolata peninsula and is known for its striking volcanic red cliffs and rock formations. Look out for seabirds, including giant gulls and ospreys, as well as seals and dolphins.

Gorges de la Restonica

South of Corte in the centre of the island of Corsica is the scintillating Restonica Valley, with the Restonica River winding its way through. Hike through the landscape filled with pine and birch trees and a myriad of flowers, including green hellebores, to reach the breathtaking gorges. Rock pools abound in this area for a refreshing dip.