Camping Corsica

Corsica has something for everyone, from stunning beaches to dynamic cities, local specialities to family-friendly cuisine, tranquil hikes to adrenaline-filled canyoning, warm, shallow coves for paddling, swimming and spectacular watersports. There are almost 1,000 kilometres of stunning coastline and over 200 beaches with seas that are among the cleanest and purest in the world. Furthermore, the island's interior lends itself wonderfully to keen hikers eager to explore a broad network of absolutely stunning trails – including the famed GR20 – making it nothing short of ideal for divers and walkers in particular.

Corsica is a French territorial collectivity and a Mediterranean Sea island. It is located 170 kilometres from southern France and 90 kilometres from northwestern Italy, separated from Sardinia by the 11-kilometre Strait of Bonifacio.

Despite its closeness to France and Italy, the lovely island of Corsica retains a distinct history and culture, providing even seasoned travellers with a unique and unforgettable taste of the Mediterranean.

The many dolmens, menhirs, and other megalithic monuments that still survive on the island show signs of human presence dating back to at least the third millennium BCE. Corsica's recorded history began in 560 BCE when Greeks from Phocaea in Asia Minor built the town of Alalia on the island's east coast. Carthaginian dominance followed in the early third century BCE until the Romans captured the entire island in a series of operations from 259 to 163 BCE. Corsica, together with Sardinia, comprised a Roman Empire province under which the island's economy thrived. The Romans also introduced their language, which provided the basis for the modern Corsican dialect.

1. Bonifacio is unquestionably Corsica's most intriguing town. It is built on white cliffs and hangs above the river. Its harbour is well-protected, and the entire town is worth exploring. The Aragon King Stairway, with 189 steps built into the cliffs to access a spring of freshwater, is its most notable feature. You may see it from the water by taking a boat cruise.
2. Évisa. One of the most beautiful villages in Corsica, not so much for the village itself but for its environment. It is surrounded by forested hills (mostly Chesnut trees) and mountains, including the peaks of the Piana Calanques in the background.
3. Calvi is the dominant town in the Balagne area, offering breathtaking views from every direction. You either view the beach and the high mountains, or you see the sea and the fortress, or you see the La Revellata Peninsula. The citadel sits on a peninsula. Calvi is said to be Christopher Columbus' birthplace.

1. Ajaccio. 

Napoleon Bonaparte, Corsica's most famous native, was born in this busy capital city on the Gulf of Ajaccio. Views of the sea may be seen from a variety of locations across the town. The Place de Gaulle, a large area in the heart of Ajaccio, has an equestrian monument of Napoleon (created in 1865 by Viollet le-Duc). The Maison Bonaparte, Napoleon's birthplace, has photographs, souvenirs, and family records, as well as a Napoleon exhibit (containing a collection of medallions and coins depicting Napoleon) inside the Palais Fesch (Musée des Beaux-Arts).

2. Bastia.

This vibrant beach city is the place to visit if you want to discover the true Corsica. Bastia boasts a lovely port and a charming old town (Terra Vecchia) with narrow streets and tightly packed buildings. The Terra Vecchia is home to numerous notable churches, including the 17th-century Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Corsica's largest church; the Baroque Chapelle de l'Immaculée Conception; and the Chapelle Saint-Roch, which overlooks the captivating Mediterranean waves. The historic fortress, which dates back to 1378, is located on a rocky spur to the south of the port.

3. Cap Corse.

The Cap Corse coast, located at Corsica's northernmost tip, is one of the island's most beautiful places. The peninsula is surrounded by hillsides and rich valleys where vineyards, fruit, and olives thrive. Medieval perched towns connect the terrain, including Pino on a forest hilltop, Nonza clinging to a cliffside, and Rogliano, a cluster of hamlets and historic fishing ports. Rogliano includes the towns of Erbalunga, near Bastia, Macinaggio, which has a yacht marina, and Centuri, which has a functional harbour. Plage de Farinole is a beautiful sandy beach with lots of room for sunbathers. Because of the undercurrent, the beach is not ideal for swimming, although surfers enjoy the waves.

4. Sant'Antonino.

The historic walled town of Sant'Antonino, perched like an eagle's nest on a granite hilltop at over 500 metres, provides spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and the sea. Sant'Antonino, in the beautiful Balagne area, is one of Corsica's oldest communities, with a Moorish legacy reaching back to the 9th century. Sant'Antonino has been named one of France's "Plus Beaux Villages" (most beautiful villages) for its old-world beauty. The ancient maze of twisting cobblestone alleys, lanes, and covered tunnels will enchant visitors.

5. Beaches near Porto Vecchio.

Some of Corsica's most beautiful sandy beaches may be found in Porto Vecchio, a popular summer resort. These beaches are sought after for their broad sandy shorelines, calm waves, and natural beauty.

The most well-known beach is the Plage de Palombaggia, which is known for its vast sandy beach and tranquil blue seas. The Plage de Santa Giulia is another wonderful sandy beach. Both of these beaches are located in sheltered bays, which provide a safe setting for swimming. The Plage de Rondinara, a stunning sandy beach on the Rondinara Bay, is a little further away and less crowded. Rondinara Beach's crystal-clear waters offer an almost tropical feel.

1. Take the Trinicellu, the Corsican train.

If you want to do something different than driving or riding your motorcycle throughout Corsica, you should certainly take a train excursion. The Corsican train, lovingly known as the Trinichellu ("the tiny jiggling train") by the locals, is a one-of-a-kind experience. During your tour, you will see breathtaking landscapes that are not accessible by car.

2. Try scuba diving and snorkelling.

The waters around Corsica are magnificent and perfectly clear, making them ideal for exploration under the waves, whether diving or snorkelling. There's a whole new universe to explore, as well as a diversified landscape teeming with plants and wildlife.

Some of the best snorkelling beaches are found in Loto in the north, Roccapina, Rondinara, and Palombaggia in the south, and Marinella in the west near Ajaccio.

3. Eat civet de sanglier (wild boar stew).

Wild boar stew, a trademark of Corsican cuisine, is a must-try for fans of France's famed Asterix comic strip. The soft beef is slow-cooked in a rich red wine and Armagnac ragu and served with melt-in-your-mouth bacon, onions, and carrots. Restaurants would cheerfully serve it alongside freshly prepared tagliatelle. Make sure to finish it off with a Fiadone Corsican cheesecake.

4. Explore the Scandola Nature Reserve.

The Scandola Nature Reserve, which covers a little under eight miles of Corsica's northwest coast, has been designated a Unesco World Heritage Site for its rocky beauty and biodiversity. The easiest way to explore the region is to take a boat from Calvi to the north. The Colombo Line offers a three-hour boat trip along the coastline's red cliffs and volcanic headlands. 

5. Climb to the Chapelle of Notre-Dame de la Serra.

It's a long walk up to this hilltop church overlooking Calvi, but you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views when you get there. The beautiful waves of the Mediterranean, as well as the La Revellata lighthouse, will be seen. The monument of Our Lady of the Serra stands atop a big rock, a static sentinel whose wide arms greet each pilgrim that visits the island. Local superstition says that bringing the love of your life to the chapel will assure many years of happiness.

Traditional Corsican food is complex and diverse, with flavours coming from aromatic producers of goods and services plants and chestnut trees. Look for their outstanding charcuterie, which is prepared from free-roaming wild pigs that have munched their way through many a chestnut, as well as their ethically produced veal and delectable honey and cheeses. Traditionally, Corsicans ate more meat than fish, avoiding coastal areas due to invasion concerns, thus on more traditional menus, you'll find lots of robust meat dishes in addition to a fantastic choice of fresh seafood.

Corsica walking tours.

Although the landscape is rather level, the trails might be rugged and muddy in parts. Sturdy shoes or walking boots are required.

Hiking excursions in Corsica.

Corsica is a hiking enthusiast's dream. Towering wooded mountains span from north to south, rising to above 2,700m and are home to the 180km trekking path. Coastal trails go through the naturally scented maquis and atop magnificent limestone and granite cliffs, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Mediterranean Coast.

As you wander through some of Corsica's most magnificent and lively markets, you will be greeted with wonderful surprises and a feast of colour.

Weekend markets in Ajaccio, Bastia, Île-Rousse, and Calvi throw up a plethora of flavours, colours, and fragrances amid frenetic hand-waving and loud statements espousing the merits of fresh, local items like cheese, charcuterie, and fruits and vegetables ripened by the Corsican sun. Every market has its own personality and uniqueness, offering a glimpse into the region's daily life.

Les Nuits de la Guitare at Patrimonio: Usually in late July/early August.

The Nuits de la Guitare take place at the amphitheatre in the town of Patrimonio. Every July, this famous event attracts artists from the world of guitar, whether it's jazz, flamenco, blues, or rock. 

Estivoce in Pigna: Usually in the middle of July.

A traditional festival of Corsican music and art in and around Pigna. Polyphonic music concerts are held from June through September, with many of the festivals beginning in July.

A Memoria Night - the Relève du Gouverneur in Bastia.

A re-enactment of the French governor's arrival in Bastia, with the citadel illuminated and a drum march through the town.

Ajaccio's Napoleonic Days are in August.

Ajaccio commemorates Corsica's most famous son's birthday in August with period processions and a fireworks show.

Going camping in Corsica allows you to unplug from the busy life and enjoy a vacation in the midst of nature while soaking in the warm Mediterranean sun. When you allow yourself time to explore all the beauties of the island, such as gorgeous beaches, sparkling oceans, fascinating woods, and attractive villages, you will experience genuine bliss. The campsites in Corsica, with their exquisite locations, will immerse you in the heart of the island's untamed environment while providing a pleasant stay. You can pack a lot into your vacation whether you're travelling as a couple, with friends, or with family.

If you are travelling with a camper or caravan on Corsica, you must take precautions: The road conditions, as well as the widths of the roadways, vary greatly. The highways between the bigger towns are in good shape, and there are several fast routes. The traffic conditions along the flat east coast, for example, are excellent. However, you must use caution in the rocky sections of the west coast, especially in the highlands, where roads might be narrow and in bad condition. They are merely single-track in certain locations. Travelling in a motorhome along with the D 81 through the Calanche area demands strong nerves, especially if you meet a coach or truck coming from the opposite direction.

Anyone travelling with a caravan, motorhome, or camper van will be well accommodated at Corsica, as there is a huge range of campsites: In actuality, there are over 200 campsites, most of which are near the shore, while some are further inland. Some have kept their natural appearance and are a little uneven, but the bulk has an electric hook-up. However, having an extension lead on your equipment is usually a good idea. Many of the campgrounds also have their own stores. However, we recommend that you carry your own supplies because imported items and Corsican products may be rather costly during peak season.

 It combines authenticity and elegance, as well as glamour and camping!

You'll discover a broad choice of lodging alternatives for all your vacation and holiday needs, from spacious, air-conditioned cottages for stays with all of your nearest and dearest, to simple and genuine tiny mobile homes for a trip with your spouse. And don't forget about the variety of pitches available if you like to camp in a tent close to nature! Come experience a little style on vacation with glamping in Corsica!

There are numerous holiday parks on Corsica Island. It is surrounded by lush greenery, offers mobile houses with spacious terraces, free Wi-Fi and free private parking. Nearby is a natural pebbly beach, a diving centre, boat rentals. Each mobile house has a private bathroom and a kitchen with a refrigerator. Electricity, water and gas are included in the price.