How to Visit Corsica – The French Island the Elite Want Kept Secret

 

Let’s get something out of the way: Corsica is not a secret, at least not to the elite of Europe and very well-traveled But it is quietly protected—like the vintage Bordeaux in your friend’s dad’s wine cellar: technically visible, but don’t you dare touch it.

The elite of Europe (and yes, we’re talking old-money Parisians, yacht-owning Italians, and people who pronounce “villa” with a soft ‘L’) have been summering in Corsica for decades. And you? You were probably distracted by Santorini’s infinity pools or Amalfi’s selfie spots. That’s fine. That’s what they want. Because Corsica is kept just secret enough to remain wild, stunning, low-key, and refreshingly free of beach clubs with minimum spends that resemble mortgage payments.

So let’s ruin their gatekeeping just a little, shall we? That is, as long as you promise to be a good traveler, and keep it classy over there!

Where is Corsica and What Country Owns It?

You might be still wondering, where is Corsica? And that’s a very valid question – most people don’t actually know! It’s nestled below the fabulous rivieras of France and Italy, and just above another hidden gem Mediterranean island, Sardinia (where I live half of the year). 

Corsica has an interesting history of being owned and conquered by various countries, but as of right now, it is owned by France.

Corsica 101: What They Don’t Tell You

• They speak Corsican (which is closer to Italian than French), but French will do. A few polite phrases get you far. English, not so much, make sure you have an eSIM installed to use Google Translate.
  
• Tourists are mostly French, which makes it feel distinctly un-touristy to anyone else. That being said, please don’t be loud or obnoxious there, they will stereotype you as a “loud American”, and side-eye you accordingly.
  
• It’s not cheap, but it’s also not Monaco. Think: “I splurge on quality, not clout.” If you’re on a budget, aim for one of the more remote towns, like the outskirts of Porto Vecchio.
  
• Don’t expect flawless service—if you’ve heard the stereotype that French people aren’t exactly friendly, that’s pretty accurate here, but do expect fresh seafood, warm sun, and a total absence of tourist crowds.

How to Get to Corsica

There are several modes of transportation to get to Corsica, so let’s go over all of them!

Getting to Corsica by Plane:

Corsica has four airports—Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi, and Figari—and if you’re flying from mainland France or parts of Italy, it’s weirdly easy. Direct flights from Paris take about 90 minutes. From Nice or Marseille? Barely a coffee’s length.

However if you fly into Corsica, you are definitely going to need to rent a car. There are not many tours offering transportation in Corsica, especially since most of it is a wild National Park. So be sure to look up rental cars before opting to fly there.

I usually use Skyscanner to find cheapest flights and car rentals!

Taking the Ferry to Corsica

If you want to earn your vacation like a real Mediterranean sailor (or just dramatically arrive), take a ferry. Ferries run from Marseille, Toulon, and Nice, and also from Italian ports like Livorno and Savona, or in Sardinia, from Santa Teresa di Gallura. Most land in Bastia or Ajaccio. Bring a book, or stare pensively at the sea like you’re in a French indie film.

You can find ferries on websites like FerryHopper.com.

Pro tip: Book a night ferry with a private cabin. You’ll feel like a 1950s movie star and arrive semi-rested, which is more than can be said for Ryanair.

Sailing Over on a Yacht

For those of you ballers out there, or just people ready to splurge on “Successful person summer”, renting a yacht is probably the most fabulous way to get to Corsica. It will obviously be expensive, but considering that it combines both your transportation and accommodation — it might be worth it!

You can check websites like ClicknBoat.com to find multi-day/week rentals depending on where you’re trying to come from. You can come from a main city like Nice or Rome, or fly to Corsica first and rent one from there. Feel free to send me an invite if you do this option.

Taking a Day Trip from Sardinia to Corsica

This is what I did because I went to Corsica last minute and couldn’t find any ferry departures that still had car spots available. Instead, I drove to Santa Maria di Gallura and took a day trip on a boat.

Since it was last minute though, the only boat options were the RIB (rubber inflatable boats) which I shared with three families, and that wasn’t too bad. The bad part, for me, was the looks of pity as we passed all of the mega yachts. Other than that, it was a good option to get a taste of Corsica in one day.

Here’s an overview of what the day trip from Sardinia to Corsica includes, and some of my tips:

• Meet at the Porto Turistico at 8:00am even though we didn’t end up leaving until 9am. Paid parking is available (download ParkEasy if you don’t feel like figuring out the meter)
• 1 hour boat ride straight to Bonifacio first
• 2-2.5 hours free time in Bonifacio in the morning, which is good and bad. Good because it’s early and no crowds/heat, so be sure to go straight up to the castle and roam the old streets inside. Bad because most restaurants don’t open until 12pm. There will still be a few open though. I had a cheese crepe and champagne at a restaurant in the Port and it was pretty delicious!
• 30 minute swim stop at a sandbar around the Lavezzi Islands – that was my favorite stop, but sadly the shortest. This is where renting a private boat would have be really nice!
• 2 hours ON Lavezzi Island: this was kind of nice but mostly just very hot and a bit crowded. I tried to hike around to the other beaches but the best one was Plage de la Cala di u Lioni, and none were as nice as the sandbar.
• Return around 5pm!
• Note: food and drinks were not included on my tour, so luckily I ate something in Bonifacio, and brought a bottle of my “Alyssa Sparkling Wine”.

Here’s some recommended tours below including some that include some food and drinks:

 

Staying for Several Days? Excellent Choice

You have taste. Corsica’s beauty isn’t just in the beaches—it’s the mountain villages, maquis-scented air, and the fact that you can eat Michelin-star-worthy food in a place where flip flops are also acceptable.

Where to Base Yourself if Staying in Corsica:

• Calvi: Artsy, bohemian, and just cosmopolitan enough.
  
• Bonifacio: Clifftop drama, fancy restaurants, a traditional Old Town, and the best harbor for boat trips.
  
• Porto-Vecchio: Laid-back luxe with iconic beaches.
  
• Corte: Inland gem, ideal for hiking and pretending you’re in a nature documentary.
  

   

• I’d highly recommend booking everything in advance to get the best rates and options, but I did check hotels last minute and found some that were do-able…if your budget is $150+.

What to Do in Corsica (Besides Smugly Knowing You’re at a Hidden Gem):

• Beach-hop along the southern coast (Palombaggia, Rondinara, Saleccia if you’re willing to work for it), and also if you have a car. If you don’t have a car, you might want to opt for the boat tours.
• Go on a Boat Tour: This is an absolute must, so much so that I made an entire section for it below!
  
• Eat everything: all the seafood, chestnut desserts, local cheeses that smell like someone’s uncle but taste like heaven. And of course, indulge yourself in a few glasses of French Champagne
  
• Drive the coast: it’s not for the faint of heart (cliff edges, no guardrails, the occasional rogue goat), but it’s stunning, and again, if you have a car.
  
• Hike the GR20 or don’t, but talk about it like you were considering it. This is an intense multi-day hike that definitely requires an experienced guide!

Boat Tours In Corsica: An Absolute Must

Corsica by land is beautiful. Corsica by boat? Transcendent. And Essential. Corsica is basically known for it’s stunning beaches, and the best/easiest way to see them, is by boat.

Whether you’re in Bonifacio, Calvi, or Porto-Vecchio, boat day trips are easy to book and 100% worth it. You’ll see limestone cliffs, sea caves, and coves that literally have no road access—AKA. the rich people beaches that are of course accessible by yacht.

My favorite area was the Lavezzi Islands SANDBAR. As in the space between Corsica island and the smaller Lavezzi Islands. It’s called “The Maldives of the Mediterranean” for a reason (although incorrect, because the islands are not made of coral like in the Maldives).

One-Day Boat Trips from Corsica

There are several towns and ports in Corsica that offer boat day trips along the coast and to the smaller islands. It all depends on what you want to see, where you’re staying, and your vibe! Here’s some help deciding:

• Bonifacio boat tours: Explore the Lavezzi Islands (aka the “Maldives of the Med”), dip into sapphire waters, and pretend your rental isn’t shared with a family from Lyon. I’d definitely recommend a sailboat tour to truly get that fancy French island vibe.
  
• Porto-Vecchio: Great for beach hopping more than the tours from Bonifacio are, and likely a lot less crowded. Palombaggia and Santa Giulia = chef’s kiss.
  
• Sail vs. Speedboat: Sail = slow and fancier looking, but also pricier sometimes. Speedboat = fast and affordable, but you might be hiding your face passing the mega yachts. Choose your vibe accordingly.
  

   

  
  

Insider hack: Some local companies offer semi-private tours that cap at 8–10 guests. It’s like business class without the pretension.

Here’s some boat tours if you’re already in Corsica:

 

 

Forget what the yacht crowd wants. You deserve this island too. Whether you’re dipping in for a boat day or staying for a week of barefoot bliss, Corsica delivers the goods—and lets you feel like you discovered it.

Just don’t tag the location. Let’s keep some secrets, yeah?

Planning on visiting Sardinia or Corsica? Let me help you plan your trip! I do custom planning for a great price! Send an email to info@mylifseamovie.com!