Corsica rises from the Mediterranean like a mountain range that decided to become an island. The French island covers 8,681 square kilometres and reaches 2,706 metres at its highest peak, Monte Cinto. Corsica was born 15 million years ago when the Tyrrhenian plate collided with the European continent. This violent geology created a landscape of granite peaks, deep gorges, and white sand beaches. The Greeks called it Kalliste, meaning the most beautiful. Napoleon Bonaparte was born here in 1769. The island has 1,000 kilometres of coastline and 200 beaches. The interior remains wild and sparsely populated. Hiking trails cross chestnut forests and maquis scrub that smells of rosemary and myrtle. Corsica offers a Mediterranean experience that feels more authentic than the French Riviera and more dramatic than the Italian coast.

The GR20: Europes Toughest Long-Distance Hike

The GR20 trail crosses Corsica from north to south over 180 kilometres. It climbs and descends 12,000 metres of elevation gain across its full length. The trail is divided into 16 stages. Hikers typically complete it in 14 to 16 days. The northern section is more technical, with chain-assisted climbs and exposed ridges. The southern section is easier, crossing high-altitude pastures and pine forests. The trail reaches its highest point at the Pass of the Cross, 2,200 metres above sea level. Refuge huts along the route cost 15 euros per night for a dormitory bed (as of 2026). A food pack costs 12 euros. Many hikers book a year in advance. The trail opens from June to September. Snow blocks the highest passes outside this window. Each year about 10,000 hikers attempt the full GR20. Around 65 percent complete it.

Calvi and the Balagne Region: Beaches and Citadels

Calvi sits on Corsica northwest coast. The Genoese built the citadel in the 13th century. It rises 90 metres above the harbour. The walled city within contains 6 streets and 3 squares. Christopher Columbus reportedly came from Calvi, though historians dispute the claim. The beach below the citadel stretches 3 kilometres of fine sand. A sunbed costs 12 euros per day in July (as of 2026). The Balagne region inland from Calvi is called the Garden of Corsica. Olive groves cover 500 hectares. The village of Sant Antonino sits on a peak at 497 metres. It was built in the 9th century and is one of Frances most beautiful villages. The train from Calvi to Bastia runs 145 kilometres through the mountains. A ticket costs 20 euros. The journey takes 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Bonifacio: A City on a 70-Metre Cliff

Bonifacio sits on the southern tip of Corsica. The old town perches on a limestone cliff 70 metres above the Mediterranean. The cliffs have been carved by wind and waves into white sentinels over thousands of years. The marina below fills with yachts in summer. The stairway from the marina to the old town has 187 steps, carved into the cliff in the 12th century. The King of Aragons Staircase has 64 steps cut into the rock. It was supposedly carved in one night in 1420. The Lavezzi Islands lie 15 kilometres offshore. These granite islands have 30 white sand beaches accessible only by boat. A ferry from Bonifacio costs 25 euros return. The archipelago is a protected nature reserve. Swimming and snorkelling are allowed. Overnight stays are forbidden. The water clarity exceeds 20 metres on calm days.

Porto-Vecchio and the Southern Beaches

Porto-Vecchio is Corsica most resort-oriented town. The old town sits on a hill 80 metres above the port. The surrounding beaches are among the best in the Mediterranean. Palombaggia Beach stretches 2 kilometres of white sand backed by umbrella pines. The water is shallow and turquoise. Santa Giulia Beach forms a natural bay 1.5 kilometres across. Its depth reaches only 2 metres for the first 100 metres offshore. Rental cars in Porto-Vecchio cost 50 euros per day in summer (as of 2026). A meal at a beachside restaurant costs 25 to 35 euros for two courses. The town has 8 hotels and 15 guesthouses. Double rooms start at 120 euros per night in July. The nearby Ospedale Forest covers 2,000 hectares of pine and chestnut trees. It offers hiking trails and viewpoints at 900 metres above sea level.

The Corsican Maquis and Interior Villages

The maquis is a dense scrubland of aromatic plants covering 60 percent of Corsica. It contains 2,000 plant species, 200 of which are endemic. The scent of rosemary, myrtle, and lavender fills the air. The maquis has been used for centuries by shepherds and outlaws. The interior village of Corte sits at 450 metres in the Golo Valley. It was the capital of the independent Corsican Republic from 1755 to 1769. The University of Corsica opened here in 1765. The Regional Natural Park of Corsica covers 350,000 hectares. It protects 25 percent of the island. Entry is free. The Restonica Gorge near Corte is a 6-kilometre canyon with natural swimming pools. The road through the gorge is narrow and winding. It closes in winter. Local cheese, brocciu, is made from goats milk. A round costs 8 euros at the Corte market (as of 2026).

Would you tackle the GR20 or relax on the beaches of Corsica? 🏔️

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