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Some destinations just seem to have it all, and Corsica is the epitome of one of these destinations. Whichever of these areas you choose to stay in when you visit Corsica, you are bound to have an unforgettable holiday set against this inimitable backdrop. On your Corsica holidays, no matter where you end up on the Isle of Beauty, you will have a wealth of amazing things to do and places to stay.
With this guide to one of our favourite luxury holiday destinations, you can discover the best areas in Corsica to stay, as well as what to expect once you are there.
Our best areas to stay in Corsica
Discover the white-sand beaches around Porto Vecchio
Porto Vecchio is one of the biggest no-brainer areas in Corsica to spend your summer holidays. The beaches surrounding this picturesque port town and its 16th-century citadel on the west coast belong on a postcard. The beaches are soft and white, lapped against by lazy turquoise waters, enticing you to spend the seemingly endless summer days sprawled on their lengths. Dive into the delights of the most famous Palombaggia beach, or sport a pair of skis across the brilliantly blue bay of Santa Giulia. These beaches, and many more, await you on this slice of paradise in the Meditteranean.
Where to Stay
As one of our favourite areas to visit in Corsica - and one of the most popular - we have made sure that our guests have plenty to choose from. However, Villa Punta is our favourite of the 30-plus villas that we offer in this particular area. This villa, with space for twelve guests, is the perfect size for a fun-filled time with family and friends. Spend days admiring the sea views from the pool and the spacious deck, or spend the day on nearby Santa Giulia.
Explore Maison Bonaparte or the Calanques de Piana in Ajaccio
Ajaccio is one of the most historical areas in Corsica. Here, in the capital of Corsica, the renowned French general and emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, was born. His ancestral home is now on display in a museum called Maison Bonaparte. The baroque Notre-Dame cathedral is another major attraction. But Ajaccio's rich history is not its only attraction. Ajaccio lies on the faultlessly beautiful west coast of Corsica, which is home to some of the most majestic Mediterranean stretches of coastline. Just to the north, you will find regional parks, such as Calanques de Piana and Scandola Nature Reserve.
Where to Stay
Villa Nadia is an idyll poised between the rise of Corsica's mountains and the flat of the sea below. The villa has a small path that winds down to the small shared beach just below. This villa is perfect for visiting Ajaccio and its surrounding region, as it is cradled into the Gulf of Sagone, right between Ajaccio and the Calanques de Piana.
A stone's throw from the Lavezzi Islands in Bonifacio
From the limestone cliffs on which the town of Bonifacio teeters, you can gaze across the cobalt-blue sea to a small archipelago just off Corsica's south coast. Venture out from the mainland to explore this small spattering of islands. A day spent in this nature reserve is a day well spent, with hidden beaches and transparent waters perfect for snorkelling.
Where to Stay
From Villa Lavezza, the view seems to spill down the gentle slopes towards the azure sea below; flat apart from the swell of the islands. It is easy to visit both Bonifacio and the Lavezzi Islands from this plush 16-guest villa. The beach is within walking distance and the villa also flaunts a swimming pool and pool house for your stay in Corsica.
be near the scandal nature reserve in calvi
On Corsica's west coast, a mighty feature of natural wonder exists. The red-hued rocks of the Scandola Nature Reserve, with their scarred granite faces, plunge and rise out of the sea, creating wonderful vistas from boat and great areas for snorkelling. Take a boat from Calvi and set off to the south, hugging the picturesque, almost science fiction-like shores. The park has been named a Natural World Heritage site by the United Nations, and the protection it is afforded has resulted in flourishing flora and fauna, both below and above the sea's shimmering surface. Beyond the reserve, Calvi boasts paradisaical beaches nearby, as well as its medieval citadel.
Where to Stay
Villa Alga, nestled amongst the vibrant foliage, peers over and through its vine-laden pergola, almost in imitation of a farmhouse in wine country. It is a peaceful setting, where days could easily be spent alongside the large swimming pool; sprawled around the spacious bathing area. If you manage to peel yourself away from the villa, you can easily be transported into the otherworldly setting of the Scandola Nature Reserve.
the hilltop villages of the north around corte
Corsica's varied terrain is almost continent-like; it holds some incredible sites, both man-made and natural. Some of our favourite sites in the northern hinterland of the island are the perched villages. Wend along the winding roads that rise and fall with the mountainous interior, going where your whims take you, stopping only to admire the views or wander the streets of one of these quaint hilltop towns. There are plenty of towns to choose from: Corte, Soveria, Omessa, and many others will greet you with their unique beauty.
Where to Stay
Villa Cannicioni is a sanctuary buried amongst the hills of northern Corsica. The villa, which is situated to the northeast of Calvi, appears to be carved from, and a part of, the stunning hillsides on which it is perched. Sea and mountain vistas abound, and a short drive in any direction will either carry you to a beach or to a perched village.
explore the church of saint jean-baptist in bastia
If you visit Corsica, Bastia is must-see. It lies on Corsica's northeastern coast, where the Old Port buzzes with people sauntering along the wharf, pinballing between bars and cafes. It is most recognisable for the twin towers of the Church of Saint Jean-Baptiste. At night, when the church and the town are lit with a warm glow of light, the view is spectacular. The church is a historical monument on the island, and one definitely worth seeing from the sea at night. Bastia is situated at the foot of Cap Corse with plenty to do nearby. Just to the south, you will find the hypnotically peaceful Biguglia National Park, where birdlife abounds and trails lace their way across the waterfront.
Where to Stay
Villa Galea is like a seaside refuge on a Robinson Crusoe-esque beach; it's a sandy idyll where life is meant to be lived outside. Having said that, the inside is pretty plush, too. This neat, lineal villa is stylish and elegant, but its sprawling garden allows you to immerse in its rugged surroundings. Cool off in the pool before padding in for an afternoon nap. Come sunset, head just north to Bastia for a magical view of the church and dinner on the seafront.
sunsets and turquoise waters in propriano
Languid days atop the sandy beaches come with great ease on this southwestern part of the island. This is one of the best areas to spend your days in when you visit Corsica, awaiting the quotidian spectacle of natural wonder that is the sunset. Head to Plage de Capu Laurosu or Plage de Portigliolo for the best views of the sky's blaze. Propriano also backs onto the southernmost parts of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, where you can spend days ambling beneath a canopy of pines, following the mountain trails to waterfalls that spring from vast rock faces.
Where to Stay
Carved into the hillside, overlooking Propriano across the blue bay, Villa Macchia is a sleek and modern villa with a deck that wraps around it. From the infinity pool, the views are gorgeous. The villa also boasts an exercise room and an outdoor jacuzzi. Shops, restaurants, and bars are within walking distance, and the beach is only a short drive away.
cap corse and saint florent
Roam the hiking trails of Cap Corse, or venture to some of the most beautiful secluded beaches on the island. From St Florent, there is a wealth of exploration to be had. Catch the sea shuttle to Plage du Lotu and spread your towel here, or walk further along the coastal paths towards Saleccia, where the most serene beach hugs the lazy sea.
Where to Stay
Panoramic views will be the first of many pleasures to greet you at Villa Frida: the sea disappears into the hazy horizon and the towns of Curzo and L'Île Rousse silently bustle below. Spacious terraces make outdoor living the status quo; outdoor dining and lounging areas, table tennis, and the infinity swimming pool allow you to conduct your life on holiday without having to leave the breathtaking backdrop of Villa Frida.
With Le Collectionist, you can discover these areas when you visit Corsica on your luxury France holidays from one of our luxury holiday homes. Explore our collection of luxury villa rentals in Corsica to begin your next adventure on the Isle of Beauty.
