Discover Corsica – a dramatic island boasting the most idyllic and (arguably) the best beaches in France – the perfect spot for a European island honeymoon or romantic getaway.
Blessed with a mountainous interior that descends to a 1000km-long coastline indented with secluded coves and more than 200 gorgeous white-sand beaches, Corsica offers a wonderful choice of honeymoon experiences.
Famous as the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte and nicknamed ‘L'île de beauté' ('the island of beauty'), the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean offers visitors a wide range of exciting holiday activities.
Corsica's white-sand beaches lie either framed between beautiful mountain ranges covered in native bush or nestling in picture-perfect idyllic coves lapped by clean turquoise water – just the spot for a honeymoon or romantic getaway.
The best of Corsica’s beaches, include…
It’s easy to find a secluded spot on this unspoiled 1km-long stretch of white sand that nestles between a hillside of maquis-covered sand dunes, a pine forest and a wide turquoise bay framed by mountainous promontories.
Given its location on the edge of the remote Désert des Agriates – a vast uninhabited region covered in cacti and scrub-covered hills – the beach remains uncrowded even in the summer high season of July and August.
This gorgeous beach was used as a location for the invasion sequences in the film The Longest Day. There are no facilities on the beach so you need to take your own food and drinks.
Often considered Corsica’s best beach, Plage de Saleccia is located on the northwest coast of Corsica, around 22km by road from Saint-Florent and is reachable by four-wheel drive or by a 20-minute boat ride from Saint-Florent.
This idyllic beach is similar to Saleccia, although closer to Saint-Florent, from where the beach is best.
Go swimming or snorkelling in the clear turquoise water of the beach’s bay, framed by bush-covered rocky promontories, and enjoy a secluded picnic in the shade of pine trees.
Dig your toes into the soft white sand of this gorgeous crescent-shaped beach that shelves gently into the calm waters of a blue bay.
Lined by sand dunes and shady umbrella pines, this stunning beach is framed by low bush-covered headlands and a scattering of distinctive red- and orange-tinted rocks.
If the beach becomes overwhelmed with crowds in summer, simply follow a hillside trail over the southern headland to find another stunning long white-sand beach. This one continues to a rocky headland that shelters a secluded cove with the same distinctive soft white sand and rocky outcrops.
There are no facilities on Plage de Palmbaggia so you need to take your own food and drinks.
Plage de Palombaggia is located on the east coast, around 12km from Porto Vecchio, which boasts a good range of bars, restaurants and hotels.
Unwind on this gorgeous crescent of white sand that shelves into a stunning, hallow turquoise bay framed by maquis-strewn hillsides.
Facilities include parasols and sun loungers for hire as well as numerous water sports including wind and kite surfing.
Immediately behind the beach lies a lagoon where you can often spot wildlife such as herons and double-crested cormorants.
Plage de Santa Giulia is located 5km south of Plage de Palombaggia and around 9km south of Porto Vecchio.
Dig your toes into the soft white sand of this long beach backed by sand dunes and shelving into a turquoise bay that is perfect for swimming.
A Genoese watchtower stands at one end of the beach, which is framed to the south by a bush-covered headland.
There are no facilities on this secluded and generally uncrowded beach so you need to take your own food and drinks.
Plage de Pinarellu is located on the east coast, around 16km north of Porto Vecchio.
Pick your own spot to sunbathe on this several kilometre long crescent of white sand shelving into shallow turquoise water that is perfect for families with small children.
The beach faces a picturesque 13th century citadel perched on a rocky promontory. You can sunbathe and swim off the rocks beneath the fortress, which is the headquarters of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2REP) of the French Foreign Legion.
Facilities on the main section of the beach include parasols and sun loungers for hire as well as snack bars. A range of cafés, bars, restaurants and hotels are just a short walk away.
To find a more secluded spot on this long beach, simply follow the beachside track around the wide bay. Plage de Calvi is located on the west coast.
Unwind on the white sand of this gorgeous beach that nestles at the end of a green valley between a craggy mountain range and maquis-covered hillside.
This long and secluded beach is accessed by fording (crossing by vehicle) a small river. There are no facilities here so you need to take your own food and drinks.
Plage de Ostriconi is located on the west coast, around 36km from Calvi.
This gorgeous white-sand beach fringes a horseshoe-shaped bay with stunning turquoise water.
There are no facilities here so you need to take your own food and drinks.
Plage de Rondinara is located on the southeast coast, around 14km south of Plage de Santa Giulia.
Relax on this white-sand beach that fringes a long inlet framed by soaring headlands.
There are no facilities on this secluded and generally uncrowded beach so you need to take your own food and drinks.
Plage de Roccapina is located on the south coast, around 21km from Bonifacio and 33km from Propriano.
This dazzling and unspoiled stretch of white sand lies between dramatic rocky headlands and shelves into a clear pristine bay with great swimming.
There are no facilities on this secluded and generally uncrowded beach so you need to take your own food and drinks.
Plage d’Erbaju is located a short walk over the headland from nearby Plage de Roccapina, around 5km away.
Go scuba diving in crystal clear waters or try rock climbing, rafting, horseback riding and hiking through a diverse and unspoiled interior of lush green pastures, native maquis bushland, chestnut and pine forests and rugged mountain ranges that soar to more than 2000m.
A good base for hiking is the charming old town of Corte, with a 15th century citadel and dramatic views of the surrounding mountains and countryside. In Bonifacio, descend the 187 stone steps of the magnificent Escalier du Roi d'Aragon (King of Aragon Steps), which are carved into a sheer limestone cliff face.
From Porto or Calvi, cruise out to the Reserve Naturelle de Scandola – an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site of porphyritic rock and much loved by several species of seabirds as well as dolphins and seals.
Discover a choice of bustling beach resorts, including Calvi and Port Vecchio, which offer a wide range of water sports as well as cafés, bars, restaurants and a choice of honeymoon accommodation to suit all budgets.
Browse lively markets crammed with stalls selling Corsican handicrafts, such as the markets in Bastia, L'lle Rousse and Ajaccio, the island's capital, which also offers a tantalising range of small boutiques along rue Napoleon.
Must-see attractions in Corsica, include…
Go climbing, canyoning and walking in the Bavella massif.
A high mountain path of the famous GR20 walking trail allows you to approach the imposing sharp mountain peaks of Aiguilles de Bavella, one of the most striking and beautiful landscapes in Corsica.
The peaks soar to a height of more than 1600m and the profile of Monte Incudine (2134m) sits behind. Keep your eyes peeled for the area’s elusive mouflons (wild mountain sheep).
Follow an ancient trail through a grove of 2000-year-old olive trees to reach this amazing collection of megaliths and menhirs that date from the early Neolithic era.
Standing around 2 to 3m in height, these impressive granite menhir statues are carved to represent human faces and figures armed with weapons.
Discover also a number of torri, circular structures erected by people known as the Torréens, who were thought to have invaded Corsica around 1300 BC.
Visit the museum to learn more about this fascinating site and see arrowheads and pottery that date back to 3500 BC. Filitosa is located 17km north of Propriano.
Hike through pine and chestnut forests to discover this spectacular landscape of multicoloured spires that soar 300m above the deep-blue Mediterranean Sea.
The granite cliffs and outcrops of Les Calanques de Piana have been carved into bizarre shapes by the forces of wind and water.
The shapes are often associated with animal shapes, such as the Tête de Chien (Dog's Head) that can be seen at the northern end of the cliffs. This UNESCO protected site is just 5km from Porto.
Wander the medieval haute ville (also known as the Bonifacio Citadel), a maze of narrow streets framed by tall Genoese buildings.
Bonifacio sits upon sheer 70m-high dazzling white limestone cliffs that have been striated by wind and waves and overlook the Mediterranean Sea and harbour. Bonifacio is located at Corsica's southernmost point.
Roam the charming, narrow winding streets of the haute ville, which sits perched on a hilltop surrounding the impressive citadel – home to one of Corsica’s premium museums.
Nearby lies the Restonica and Tavignano gorges and a network of marked trails that wind through some of the island’s most memorable mountain scenery – perfect for hiking adventures.
The best time to visit Corsica is between June and September when you can expect balmy temperatures, averaging around 28°C (82°F) in July and August.
For more climate info: Corsica Weather Guide…
Corsica is located in the Mediterranean Sea around 170km (105mi) southeast of the French mainland, 90km (56mi) west of the Italian Peninsula, and 12km (7.4mi) north of the island of Sardinia.
Corsica has four international airports, with the main airports located at Ajaccio and Bastia.
All four airports are served by regional French airline Air Corsica, as well as Air France which offers direct flights to and from Paris-Orly Airport (ORY). Budget carriers such as EasyJet and Ryanair offer seasonal connecting flights to and from all the major cities in Europe.
Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport (AJA), formerly known as Campo dell’Oro Airport, is located around 6km (3.7mi) east of Ajaccio on the west coast of Corsica. Ajaccio is the main international airport serving Corsica.
Bastia – Poretta Airport (BIA) is located 8.4km (5.2mi) southeast of Bastia on the east coast.
Calvi – Sainte-Catherine Airport (CLY) is located 6km southeast of Calvi on the northwest coast.
Figari – Sud Corse Airport or Figari South Corsica Airport (FSC) is located about 5km (3mi) northwest of Figar in southern Corsica, and 24km (15mi) of Porto-Vecchio.
By ferry, Corsica is four hours from Nice, two hours from the Tuscan port of Livorno in Italy and even less from the neighbouring island of Sardinia.
Hire a car or explore the island aboard the island’s famous railway – the Chemins de Fer de Corse (CFC).
Corsica has 232km (144mi) of railway. The main line runs between Bastia and Ajaccio, with a branch line from Ponte Leccia to Calvi. The rail network is an excellent way to get around the island.
For more information: › How to get to Corsica…
Latest update: Corsica honeymoon guide: 24 April, 2022
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