Exploring Corsica

If you have the chance to extend your stay, here are some ideas depending on how much time you have.

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🥾 Hikes & Walks

In Sisco

From all the hamlets in the area, you can reach the river — the best spots are up high, near Teghje. There are some natural pools for swimming and well-marked paths to explore.

A marked hiking trail goes from the marina up to the Col Saint-Jean (1,000 m elevation gain, about 4 hours to the top), passing through all the hamlets. You can also start from Barrigione (accessible by car) to shorten the hike to about 2 hours.

You can also continue to the Monte Stello, the highest point in Cap Corse at 1,306 metres, via the Col Saint-Jean — it's truly worth it! Allow an extra 1.5 hours for the ascent.

In Cap Corse

The Sentier des Douaniers (customs officers' trail) from Macinaggio to Centuri (19 km one way — but you have to come back, so 38 km total!).

Elsewhere in Corsica

The hike to Lac de Melo (with the option to push on to Lac de Capitello), starting from Corte. And for the more ambitious: the GR20 or the Mare a Mare.

🏖️ Beaches

You absolutely have to go swimming! The Sisco beach is a pebble beach, but the water is crystal clear and you can spot some fish.

If you prefer sand, head to Pietracorbara, the next marina after Sisco (5-minute drive) — that's where we go all the time.

There are beaches all along the Cap Corse road, so you can try a different one each day. However, none have fine white sand (except Cala Genovese, accessible on foot from Macinaggio).

🏛️ Bastia

Take time to stroll around the city (much prettier than Ajaccio!): from Place Saint-Nicolas to the citadel, passing through the Place du Marché and the old port. The Citadel Museum is well worth a visit to understand Corsican history.

🚗 Suggested itineraries

2/3 days – Cap Corse loop

From Sisco, drive to Macinaggio: the cliff-side road is stunning and there are plenty of spots to stop for a swim.

Stay overnight in Macinaggio, and the next day do part of the Sentier des Douaniers hike to Cala Genovese beach (several white sand beaches along the way, often with cows hanging around). Be warned: no shops or refreshment stands along the trail and it gets very hot — bring plenty of water, a picnic and sunscreen.

The next day, continue to Centuri, a charming fishing port famous for its lobster, then follow the D80 to Saint-Florent, stopping for a night along the way if you like. Don't miss Pino, Nonza and the many beaches en route.

Saint-Florent is a fairly large town with a lovely citadel and a large beach accessible from the centre.

On your way back to Bastia (40-minute drive), stop at Patrimonio, a charming village famous for its wines (including the red we'll be serving at the wedding!) — a few vineyards to visit and wines to taste.

You can also take a ferry back to the mainland from L'Île-Rousse or Calvi (1–1.5 hours' drive from Saint-Florent), both lovely towns worth a visit.

1 week – Cap Corse + Balagne

  • 2 nights in Sisco
  • 1 night in Macinaggio (see the 2/3-day itinerary for details)
  • 1 night in Saint-Florent (see the 2/3-day itinerary for details)
  • 1 night near Calvi or L'Île-Rousse — the beaches between them are gorgeous with white sand, though the area is more touristy than Cap Corse. You can then drive along the coast to Porto: incredible views but a very long, winding road!
  • 1 night in Porto — gateway to the Calanques de Piana, an absolute must-see.

For the return: either continue to Ajaccio (via Piana and Cargèse), or head back to Bastia through central Corsica via Corte. Corte itself isn't a must-see, but it's the historic capital perched in the mountains, and the Restonica Valley nearby is magnificent — with a beautiful river and the starting point for hikes to Lac de Melo and Lac de Capitello.

2 weeks – All of Corsica (lucky you!)

Follow the 1-week itinerary, then continue south:

  • 1 night in Ajaccio — one day is plenty: Napoleon's birthplace, the Fesch Museum, the Sanguinaires Islands, and the Porticcio beach with its beautiful view of Ajaccio.
  • 1 night in Sartène — passing through Propriano, both lovely villages.
  • 1 or 2 nights in Bonifacio — magnificent cliffs, possible boat trip to the Lavezzi Islands. Very touristy though.
  • 1 night in Porto-Vecchio — also very touristy, mainly for the nightlife.
  • 1 night around Porto-Vecchio — to enjoy some of Corsica's most famous beaches: Santa Giulia, Palombaggia, La Rondinara…
  • 1 night at the Aiguilles de Bavella — truly worth it, 1 hour from Porto-Vecchio. Very touristy and the road can get busy.

The easiest option is to fly out from Figari airport, very close to Porto-Vecchio. Otherwise you'd need to drive back to Bastia — a very long journey (3–4 hours depending on traffic) with little of interest along the way.