Cap Corse

Nonza

Cap Corse, often referred to as the island within Corsica, is a peninsula covered in maquis whose history sets it apart from the rest of the island.

 

Cap Corse Travel Guide

A driving tour of Cap Corse is a very popular excursion with visitors, offering many interesting landscapes, villages, ports and beaches.

 

General Tips

Almost all visitors drive around Cap Corse counterclockwise, starting near Bastia and ending near Saint-Florent. They follow this direction because the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so the coastal scenery is best seen to the east in the morning and to the west in the evening.

 

Is Cap Corse worth a visit?

If you love wild landscapes where mountains dramatically plunge into the sea, Cap Corse is definitely worth a visit – but it’s very different from the rest of Corsica, so adjust your expectations!

This region, one of Corsica’s most stunning, is dominated by rugged mountains, with 10 peaks over 1000 meters, the highest being Cima di e Follici at 1324 meters. The Serra massif descends steeply into the sea, leaving little room for urban development, and the only interruptions in the dramatic landscape are its picturesque villages. The east and west coasts also have distinct characters, with the west being steeper and more rugged.

 

Cap Corse Tour: 1 or 2 Days?

While some visitors choose to linger, it’s possible to explore Cap Corse in one day, but it will be a long and full day. A single-day tour likely won’t allow for visiting both Bastia and Saint-Florent, and you might only have time for a brief walk along one or two beaches, without a leisurely lunch or much time for relaxation.

The main road through Cap Corse is about 125 kilometers, but exploring all the charming spots along the way will likely have you driving closer to 175 kilometers, much of it on winding, slow-paced roads.

If you’d prefer not to spend too much time driving, a two-day tour offers more opportunities for beach visits, scenic coastal walks, and dining at local restaurants. Keep in mind, though, that accommodation options are limited in the northern part of Cap Corse, so plan accordingly.

Note: While this region is fascinating to explore, there isn’t an abundance of activities, and most tourists don’t spend more than two days here.

 

Top 5 things to do in Cap Corse

Cap Corse map

 

Travel time:

 

See Cap Corse

Of course, much of the appeal of Cap Corse is the scenery, and it is good to leave the car from time to time and stroll along the beach or coastal path.

You can start your Cap Corse trip from Bastia. The citadel and old port are the main attractions of this one of the oldest and largest towns in Corsica. See the Bastia Travel Guide.

Bastia

Bastia

 

East Coast of Cap Corse

Traveling north from Bastia, you will have to travel a few kilometers, which are very built up, but a little further and you will reach Erbalunga. This small village and port have kept their old character and charm intact.

Erbalunga Cap Corse Corsica_evening

Erbalunga

Then you will pass the small harbour at Pietracorbara and continue to Porticciolo. It is even smaller than Erbalunga and the walk around the harbour will take you only a few minutes.

The next stop is Macinaggio, near the northern tip of Cap Corse. It is in and around these northernmost 15 kilometers of Cap Corse that many of its main attractions can be found.

Macinaggio is a small town with a port, a few cafes and shops, but it is better known as the starting point of the coastal path that follows the north, passing various beaches and continuing along Barcaggio, one of the best beaches in Corsica.

At Macinaggio, the road turns west, crossing the Cap Corse peninsula, and allows access by road to Barcaggio, as well as the small port of Tollare and the hillside village of Rogliano. All are well worth a visit.

 

The West Coast of Cap Corse

On the west coast, another highlight of northern Cap Corse is the port of Centuri. Very unspoilt and very traditional, this picturesque port and village requires a detour from the main road of about 10 kilometers, but it is worth it. It is also one of the few places in northern Cap Corse where there are many restaurants.

Now you can travel south along the west coast. The main attraction is still the scenery: on the east coast the road is usually almost at sea level, but in the west it is usually higher, with cliffs, mountains and paths descending to the coast.

Then you can stop for a walk along Pino and go down to the coast to see a tiny marina and a chapel.

Further south, much of the coastline is very picturesque, but you will also have to pass by an old asbestos mine that closed over 50 years ago but still mars the landscape. Also because of the asbestos mine, the beaches here are usually dark grey. Unusual, but not very enticing compared to the beautiful white sand beaches that can be found elsewhere in Corsica.

Nonza

Nonza

From here you will soon reach Nonza, a village high on a cliff above the sea with a prominent watchtower.

About 10 kilometers beyond Nonza you can turn east towards Bastia and pass through the village of Patrimonio. There is not much to see here, but there is a beautiful church on the edge of the village, and Patrimonio is also known as one of Corsica’s most important wine centers.

Patrimonio

Alternatively, you can continue south to Saint-Florent, a small resort town but with a lively harbour and a centre that is also very pretty. See the Saint-Florent guide.

Saint-Florent, Corsica