With its beautiful beaches, chic resorts and breathtaking mountains, Corsica is an understated island that has lots to offer British holidaymakers. With great deals on flights to Corsica available now, there has never been a better time to visit this underrated idyll.
The French island, just north of Sardinia and the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, has all the luxury and glamour associated with the French Riviera but none of the hype and pretension that sometimes goes with it.
Corsica has more than 200 Caribbean-style beaches and a coastline that stretches on for over 1,000 metres, making the island an ideal spot for beach-lovers to relax on the beautiful sands and swim in the clear, turquoise sea.
Resorts in the south such as Porto Pollo, Tizzano and Pianottolli are perfect spots for a stylish and relaxed break, whereas Porto Vecchio, or the St Tropez of Corsica as it’s sometimes known, is a little more ritzy, with its fashionable boutiques, trendy cafes and high-end bars and clubs.
If you like to be a bit more active on holiday, there’s lots to do and with all that beautiful sea, watersports are popular. Most of the beaches will have activities on offer, such as snorkelling and wind-surfing. Some of the larger beaches even offer the chance to try kite-surfing. Calvi, Propriano and Ajaccio along the west coast are particularly good spots for diving. If you’re interested in the sea creatures of Corsica but prefer to stay on dry land, the Aquarium de la Poudrière in Porto is well worth a visit.
To experience the water at a more relaxed pace, take in the cliffs, coastline and caves on one of the many boat tours that leave most days from major towns such as Bonifacio. There’s also plenty of opportunity to explore the pine-covered mountains, olive groves and forests. Climbing and hiking is popular in the Bavella Pass and the island’s mountainous peaks – Aiguelles de Bavella – are a must-see, seeming to magically change colour at different times of the day.
Foodies certainly won’t go hungry in Corsica and it’s especially famous for its selection of cured meats – liver sausage, black pudding, salami and smoked ham are all must-trys.
One of the most famous attractions in Corsica is the Bonifacio Citadel, also known as the Haute Ville, which means upper town. It nestles in the heart of Bonifacio, Corsica’s main town, on a cliff 70 metres above the harbour, flanked by white limestone. Inside you’ll find an intriguing maze of little alleys decorated with medieval designs.
Affordable flights to Corsica and a year-round mild climate make it an idea place to visit in any season, but spring and autumn are perhaps the most idyllic. If you like your holidays hot, summer will provide everything you need.
Lots of visitors hire a car to get around the island of Corsica but hiking holidays are also a popular way to take in as much as possible of the beauty that the island has to offer.
