Corsica

With status as one of the regions of France, Corsica is located in the Mediterranean to the south-east of France, to the west of Italy, and to the north of the island of Sardinia. Given its balmy climate and welcoming atmosphere, it is no wonder Corsica remains a popular holiday destination year after year. Whether you are looking to sample the great local wines or spend time on the beach, you can be sure you will find something here to suit your particular holiday needs.

Corsica’s culture and history is a mixture of French and Italian influences. Napoleon Bonaparte was born on Corsica, in Ajaccio (the capital), and the island has been the birthplace of various internationally-renowned artists. The historic influence of France means most island-dwellers speak French, but the native Corsican (which is closer to Italian than French) is still widely spoken.

Food and drink

Corsican cuisine is famous for its use of a wide range of ingredients, sourced from all around the island. You can expect to find game such as wild boar on the menu at many restaurants, along with river fish like trout and an array of seafood. Corsican pork (porcu nustrale) is used to create delicatessen like ham (prizuttu) and cured meat varieties such as coppa and lonza and figatellu. The famous pulenta (or polenta) is made with local chestnuts.  In terms of alcoholic drinks you can taste brandy, red and white Corsican wines, muscat and the famous export ‘cap corse’.

Places to go

Porto Vecchio

Located in southern Corsica, this stylish resort town is popular with tourists and offers a wide range of excellent bars and restaurants. The historic old town is also full of designer boutiques and a bustling marina which attracts international yachts. With the south coast’s lovely beaches all within easy reach, this is a great choice for a holiday destination.

Alta Rocca Region

This mountainous region is the place to go if you are looking for exciting activities to entertain you throughout your stay on the island. It has rivers, waterfalls and gorges, and ample opportunity for horse-riding, picnicking, quad-biking and visiting some of the traditional Corsican mountain villages (such as Zonza) for delicious lunches.

Things to do

Corsica has a whole host of activities which you can enjoy. You can try your hand at golf at the stunning (and very challenging) Golf de Sperone course, near Bonifacio on the south coast, or at some of the island’s 9-hole courses, or even head across the short Bonfacio Strait to Sardinia and hit at the Pevero Golf Club.

Diving is another of Corsica’s activity highlights, and its coastal waters are some of the cleanest and clearest in the Mediterranean. The marine landscape comprises sheer drops, beautiful rock formations, and a seabed rich with plants and creatures. You can find great diving sites all round the island, from the marine centre at Bonfacio, to Calvi (where you can dive to the wreck of a WWII bomber), to Propriano and Ajaccio. There are 30 diving centres along Corsica’s thousand-kilometre coastline.

For those who enjoy a spot of fishing on their holiday, Corsica is a real paradise, with no permits required for sea fishing. The coastal waters of the island packed with wonderful fish like rainbow wrasse, John Dory, forkbeards, moray eels and brown gouper. You can also fish inland in all of the island’s lovely rivers and lakes, as long as you get hold of a licence from one of the local fishing clubs (this is very easy to do).

Corsica’s ocean-bound nature makes it ideal for sailing of course. The beautiful coastline is perhaps best appreciated by boat, and from the deck of a yacht you can explore the island’s numerous hidden bays and coves. Boat hire and sailing trips (from one-day excursions to week-long adventures) are to be found at various locales around the coast. So, what are you waiting for? Jump aboard a yacht, unfurl those sails, and set out on an exciting adventure on your next trip to Corsica.

Of course, sailing and diving and fishing are not the only water-based activity to enjoy in Corsica. Other options include windsurfing (best done at the bigger bays of the west coast and south east), rock swimming and snorkelling. Equipment can be hired from various licensed sailing clubs. If you are not looking to steer your own boat or yacht or board, then you can easily enjoy a boat trip as a passenger. Pleasure cruises go from St. Florent to the lovely beaches at the Desert des Agriates, and you can also take trips in glass-bottomed boats from Porto and Calvi to the marine preservation centre at Scandola.

Back on dry land, one of the best ways to explore Corsica’s varied topography is to rent a bike. Cycling is not an easy option because of the island’s very steep hills and winding roads, but if you are up to the challenge then it can be a very rewarding way to get around. The optimum time for cycling is mid-season, from May to June and from September to October, when the roads are less busy and the weather is cool enough to make cycling comfortable. There are lots of woodland trails and tracks to explore, as well as coastal paths with stunning views. Mountain bikes are the best vehicles for the job because of rough terrain.

When to travel to Corsica

Boasting more hours of sunshine than any region of mainland France, Corsica is effectively a warm destination for six months of the year, and pleasant even in winter, with temperatures typically falling no lower than 10 degrees Celsius. If you are looking for a beach holiday with plenty of sun, it is best to holiday here between July and August, which is also the peak of the local balls and village festivals on the island. If you want to have the beaches to yourself and enjoy the island’s natural beauty, visit from April to June or in September. During autumn and winter, Corsica offers a really different travel experience from the bustle of the summer months. Hunting season runs from mid August to the end of Jan each year, and skiing, mountain climbing and walking can all be enjoyed in the cooler months. If you are looking for sunshine at Christmas, Corsica is the place to find it.

Holiday Rental Homes properties in Corsica – click here