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Top 14 Corsica Towns, Villages & Resorts

14 Best Towns & Villages to Visit in Corsica, France

We hope that our suggestions for the top resorts, resort towns, and villages in Corsica will help you choose the perfect spot to stay during your vacation. As a tourist visiting Corsica, you may pick from a wide variety of resorts. You may tailor your vacation to your exact preferences by choosing from the several towns and cities spread over Corsica, each of which has its own distinct character and collection of things to discover.

Top 14 Towns, Resorts & Villages to Visit in Corsica, France

Check out the top Corsica towns, villages, and resort areas to make the most of your stay and enjoy everything the island has to offer, from sleepy rural areas to vibrant urban centers.

  1. Bonifacio
  2. Calvi
  3. Sartène
  4. Sant’Antonino
  5. Saint-Florent
  6. Porto-Vecchio
  7. Zonza
  8. Piana
  9. Ajaccio
  10. Bastia
  11. Ile-Rousse
  12. Corte
  13. Girolata
  14. Centuri

Bonifacio

Bonifacio is a very beautiful medieval town that sits high above a cliff of limestone and overlooks the ocean, and it is one of Corsica’s best towns. The town is full of historical charm and is a maze of winding, tiny streets.

The town of Bonifacio sits within the largest natural reserve in all of Corsica: the Réserve Naturelle des Bouches de Bonifacio. This reserve protects the limestone cliffs and beach grottos that can be seen in this region, as well as the Lavezzi Islands.

Many stunning beaches may be found in close proximity to town. Just an hour’s boat trip away from Bonifacio lies the Sardinian port of Santa Teresa di Gallura.

Bonifacio
Bonifacio

Calvi

Visitors are stunned by Calvi’s magnificent Mediterranean location, which is framed by a background of rugged mountains. Located on the Bay of Calvi, this sunny coastal town is home to a picturesque marina and miles of gorgeous beaches. Calvi is also well-known for its world-class jazz festival held every summer.

The historic fortress of Calvi is a major draw for visitors, alongside the beach, the pool, and the town’s many outdoor cafes, which makes it one of the best towns in Corsica. The citadel is a small, contained world of dramatic cobblestone alleys, narrow passageways, pedestrian stairs, and antique buildings perched atop a cliff with sweeping views of the sea and encircled by towering fortifications.

Sartène

Sartène, in the far southwestern corner of Corsica, is an attractive city. You will undoubtedly pass the route from Bonifacio to Porto. Sartène is one of the best towns to visit in Corsica.

The Genoese kings of Corsica constructed the first section of Sartène in the middle of the 16th century. In order to protect themselves from the Turks and the Barbary pirates, they decided to construct an island sanctuary. This is one of the main reasons why meat is such a staple in Corsican cuisine. Because of the constant threat of attack, the locals have never had many opportunities to learn how to fish.

The city was constructed on many levels, with passageways and staircases connecting them. The village of Sartène has breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding mountains on clear days.

Sartène
Sartène

Sant’Antonino

The historic walled town of Sant’Antonino is perched like an eagle’s nest on a granite hilltop at over 500 meters, providing breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding landscape and the sea. Sant’Antonino, located in the verdant Balagne area, is one of the oldest communities in Corsica and has a Moorish history reaching back to the 9th century.

Sant’Antonino is one of France’s Plus Beaux Villages (Most Beautiful Villages) and one of Corsica’s best towns and villages because of its historic appeal. The town is a medieval maze of twisting cobblestone streets, lanes, and covered passages that will fascinate and amaze visitors.

Saint-Florent

The stunning natural sceneries of the Agriates desert begin in this picturesque town. Not only do the beaches in Saint Florent seem to have been plucked from a fairytale, but the whole town has a certain charm of its own. You may find peace and quiet at the marina, which is tucked away at the base of the hills, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Take a walk through the quaint alleys and then go up to the citadel for a breathtaking view of the setting sun. Then, choose a restaurant in the area where you can indulge in genuine Corsican cuisine. Saint-Florent is one of the best towns in Corsica to experience an ideal Corsican lifestyle.

Saint-Florent
Saint-Florent

Porto-Vecchio

Porto Vecchio is a popular tourist destination in the summer and one of Corsica’s best towns since it is home to some of Corsica’s most beautiful sandy beaches. These shores are increasingly regarded for their vast sandy vistas, mild surf, and pristine natural beauty.

Despite Porto Vecchio’s many beaches, the historic harbor has a magnificent fortress that is well worth a visit in its own right. The Genoese constructed these formidable defenses in the 16th century, and they are still standing today. The fortress is full of charming little plazas, covered walkways, and winding tunnels. Around Place de la République, you can find a great selection of restaurants and stores.

Zonza

Zonza is one of the most beautiful towns on the island of Corsica. It’s surrounded by mountains, which aren’t usually clouded over. Less than 3,000 people call this place home, which is both a blessing and a curse, given how well-preserved it has stayed. If you want to see more of Zonza’s natural beauty, you need to set aside at least a few days outside of the town.

Zonza, located in the island’s natural park, is a picturesque town surrounded by pristine nature. You’ll have to decide between climbing in the majestic Alta Rocca massifs and bathing in the clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The residents in this charming town are friendly and eager to show you around.

Zonza
Zonza

Piana

In the south of Corsica, there are also many beautiful places, each one more beautiful than the last. Piana, with its beautiful landmarks like the Sainte-Marie Church, is one such location which is also one of the best towns in Corsica. The Calanques de Piana is the true jewel in the center of this picturesque village. To fully appreciate the stunning scenery, a visit by water is highly recommended.

Piana is a stunning town that sits atop one of Corsica’s most picturesque regions, the Calanques de Piana. Piana is recognized as one of France’s most picturesque communities. Though modest in size, it is well worth the trip. The baroque church and the nearby mountains are the primary attractions here.

Ajaccio

Napoleon Bonaparte, the most well-known resident of Corsica, was born in this lively capital city, which has a lovely location on the Gulf of Ajaccio. From several points throughout town, you may take in breathtaking views of the water, which makes this town one of Corsica’s best towns.

The Place de Gaulle, a large area in the heart of Ajaccio, is home to a monument of Napoleon on horseback (created in 1865 by Viollet le-Duc).

The Napoleon trail also includes Napoleon’s birthplace, the Maison Bonaparte, which showcases photographs, souvenirs, and family records, as well as a gallery dedicated to Napoleon (containing a collection of medallions and coins that portray Napoleon) inside the Palais Fesch (Musée des Beaux-Arts).

Ajaccio
Ajaccio

Bastia

Visit this vibrant coastal city if you want to see the true Corsica, which is also one of the region’s best towns. Bastia is renowned for its stunning port and charming old town (Terra Vecchia), which is crammed with little alleys and colorful homes.

The Terra Vecchia is home to a number of important churches, including the biggest church in Corsica, the 17th-century Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste, the Baroque Chapelle de l’Immaculée Conception, and the Chapelle Saint-Roch, which looks out over the captivating Mediterranean waves. The historic fortress was built in 1378 on a rocky outcrop to the south of the port.

Ile-Rousse

If you’re looking for something different to do this summer, why not visit the quaint fishing village of Île-Rousse? Relax among the palm palms of the picturesque Place Paoli and watch the locals play a game of petanque. In the center of this Mediterranean beauty, you will find a collection of islands just waiting to be explored.

l’Île-Rousse is presented to the visitor in all its splendor, stretching westward from the sea to the hill of the Sémaphore and the col de Fogata, and is built on a bay limited to the north-west by the rocky islands of red porphyry that give it its name. This small village is one of the Corsica area’s best towns and villages.

Ile-Rousse
Ile-Rousse

Corte

during the “administration of the Corsican country” of Pascal Paoli, the town of Corte in the center of Corsica served as the capital of Corsica from 1755 until 1769. Additionally, German POWs were housed at the hilltop castle during World War One. The rich history and pristine nature make Corte one of the best towns in all of Corsica.

Today, many college students call Corte their home. In spite of its hilltop location, the ancient city is rather approachable. Leave your vehicle in the underground parking garage rather than attempting to park on the street, and you’ll be right in the middle of the Old City.

Girolata

Girolata, a famous town in Corsica, is located right next to the Scandola Nature Reserve. It’s a tranquil haven with eucalyptus trees and a turquoise sea surrounded by picturesque mountains. Girolata is only accessible by boat, and although having a few conveniences for visitors, it manages to keep more of its original charm than other well-known tourist locations.

There are no well-known hotels or car rental agencies in the area, and you won’t stumble across any typical tourist traps. Take some time out of your vacation to visit the nature reserve and observe the local flora and fauna. Girolata is said to be among the most picturesque of Corsica’s little towns, but it is also the island’s most isolated.

Girolata
Girolata

Centuri

Among the greatest spots to stay in all of Corsica is the little harbor town of Centuri, which is also one of its best towns and villages. Pebble beaches, rocky shorelines, and little islands dot the turquoise water, making this community one of the most scenic in the area.

With the harbor and fishing boats as a backdrop, the whole coastline looks like it belongs on a postcard. Since the port is always busy, you may enjoy delicious, freshly caught seafood all day long at any of the area’s eateries.

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