Corsica travel guide

Corsica is one of France's greatest surprises – a wild outpost with an independent spirit that runs deep, despite more than two and a half centuries as part of the mainland. This wildness extends to the landscape, whose mountainous spine and sweeping, rocky coastline is crisscrossed with thigh busting walking trails. Follow our Corsica travel guide to find out how to make the most of your time on this most beguiling of islands.

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Corsica travel guide

A craggy, forested mass rising sharply out of the Mediterranean, diminutive Corsica may come in a small package but it wields a mighty impact. A wonderfully diverse world-of-its-own, it offers everything from deep, dark woods, to vibrant coastal cities, to magical villages perched high on mountains or sprawled across cliffs. Ceded to the French by the Genoese in 1768, Corsica feels apart from mainland France in many ways, from the island’s Genoese fortresses and Baroque churches, to its distinct language and cuisine that feel more Italian than French.

There is a raw, unfettered beauty to Corsica—the glittering bays and breathtaking valleys, the sawtooth peaks and fiery wines

Activities are as varied as the landscape. There are enough museums, churches and castles to keep any history buff entertained, as well as beaches to suit both glitz seekers and lovers of solitude. And then there are the island’s walking trails, including the renowned GR20, one of the longest and toughest walks in Europe.

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Corsica is…

paradise for walkers, with trails to suit everyone from hardcore hikers to reluctant ramblers

Corsica isn’t…

mainland France. Corsicans are fiercely independent, with their own culture, food and language.

Things to do in Corsica…

Corsica’s most feared and respected walking trail is the GR20. One of the toughest in all of Europe, it’s a 170km slog across the island’s spine. If you can deal with the terrain, and the sometimes unstable climate, it will take you at least two weeks to terk the entire route, walking five to 10 hours a day through dense maquis and Larico pines, and up steep, rocky paths. Accommodation is usually a mattress on the floor of a tiny wooden refuge, or a tent pitched out in the elements, but some tours offer private gîtes, carrying only daypacks, and have more rest stops built in. Flavourful and steeped in history, Corsican cuisine borrows from France and Italy but maintains its own character. On any self respecting Corsican’s table, there’s room for sheep and goat milk cheeses as well as an array of charcuterie. There’s also rich game from the mountains and forests, such as hare, wild boar and wood pigeon, plus excellent wines. Cakes are made from chestnut flour, a local staple that sustained many Corsicans during times of adversity. Corsica’s a great place to step back in time, and if you’re hoping to mix medieval fortresses with 15th century Genoese villages and magnificent baroque cathedrals, you’ve come to the right place. Stunning remnants of the island’s past are found scattered throughout the island, and collections of French and Italian art live in its museums, including one dedicated to Napoléon, Corsica’s most famous son.

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Things not to do in Corsica...

Attempt the GR20 solo. Unless you’re an experienced mountaineer, then avoid taking on the GR20 alone. Reading route notes, locating your position on a map, and navigating your way over narrow rocky climbs without the aid of an experienced guide could lead you into difficulty, unless you know exactly what you’re doing. Aside from the safety benefits of walking as part of a small group, having others to talk to, and to share the aches and pains when the going gets tough, can make the GR20 that little bit easier.

Light fires. Wildfires can be a problem and in Corsica the wounds of widespread fires in 2017 are still fresh. Never light fires in the wild, and don’t discard glass bottles which can act as incendiary devices if hit by rays. If you see glass litter, pick it up and dispose of it carefully. If you encounter a fire, call for help immediately from the fire brigade and locals. Do not fight it yourself.

Hide away in a resort Corsica is a fascinating island with strong local traditions and plenty to explore, so it would be a shame to spend all of your time hidden away at one of the island’s ever growing number of all inclusive resorts. Keep this proud isle as idyllic as you can by supporting locally owned businesses at every turn, staying with them and eating in family owned restaurants.

Corsica travel guide