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Corsica has dozens of hilltop villages, but a few stand out from the rest. From Cap Corse to the Balagne and the granite south, these villages clinging to the rock tell the story of the Island of Beauty. Two of them, Piana and Sant’Antonino, even hold the official Les Plus Beaux Villages de France label. To plan your stay in peace, our comparison of luxury campsites will guide you to the must-see villages.
Here is our selection and our advice for visiting them at your own pace!
| Village | Accommodation | Not to be missed |
| Nonza | Cap Corse | Tour Paoline and black sand beach |
| Sant’Antonino | Balagne | Les Plus Beaux Villages de France label, 360-degree view |
| Pigna | Balagne | Workshops of craftspeople, potters and luthiers |
| Piana | Gulf of Porto | Official label and pink granite calanche |
| Sartène | South | “The most Corsican of Corsican towns”, granite houses |
Cap Corse lines up several of the most beautiful villages in Corsica, perched above the Mediterranean.
Nonza looks out over the sea from the top of its 160-metre cliff. The Tour Paoline, built in 1760 on the orders of Pascal Paoli, still watches over the gulf, while a long black sand beach stretches below. Further south, Erbalunga spreads its Genoese houses around a small fishing harbour, 10 kilometres north of Bastia. The village is one of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France and has kept its unspoilt character. On the west coast, Centuri lives to the rhythm of its natural harbour, the first French port for lobster fishing.
These three villages are easy to visit in a single day, along an unforgettable coastal road.
Our favourite: the descent to the black sand beach of Nonza. The path starts in the village and drops down to a dark cove, the remains of an old factory now being reclaimed by the sea. Early in the morning the light is superb and there are few bathers. Wear good shoes, because the climb back up is steep!
The Balagne, in the north-west of the island, is home to some of the most beautiful villages in Corsica, built from golden stone facing the sea:
The south of Corsica and its interior are home to villages with a strong personality, carved from granite.
Piana, at the entrance to the Gulf of Porto, is the second Corsican village to hold the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France label. Its white houses rise in an amphitheatre above the pink granite calanche, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Further south, Sartène is considered the most Corsican of Corsican towns, with its tall granite houses in ochre and grey tones. Bonifacio, for its part, perches its citadel and old town on white limestone cliffs, facing the Lavezzi Islands. Finally, in the heart of the island, Corte keeps the memory of independent Corsica alive: its hilltop citadel overlooks the town and has housed the Musée de la Corse since 1997.
The best time to discover the most beautiful villages in Corsica runs from May to June, then from September to October. Temperatures stay mild, the alleys are less crowded and the mountain roads are more relaxing to drive. As most of these villages sit high up on narrow, winding roads, it is best to set off early and allow time for each stop.
Before setting off for these Corsican villages, keep a few practical tips in mind:
As our team reminds us: “The Corsican villages have to be earned a little, but the reward is immense. Once up there, the panorama and the silence soon make you forget the hairpin bends.”
Fancy pitching your tent at the foot of the most beautiful villages in Corsica? Book your luxury campsite in Corsica now and discover the island at a pace that suits you.
Two villages in Corsica hold the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France label: Piana, at the entrance to the Gulf of Porto and its pink granite calanche, and Sant’Antonino, perched in the Balagne. Both are among the island’s most visited villages for their well-preserved heritage.
Cap Corse has several remarkable villages, but Nonza often comes out on top. This medieval village overlooks the sea from a 160-metre cliff, with its Tour Paoline and its black sand beach below. Erbalunga and its fishing harbour also attract many visitors.
Allow at least a week to explore the main villages of Corsica at a relaxed pace. Each area, from Cap Corse to the Balagne and the south around Bonifacio, deserves about half a day. Staying at a centrally located campsite cuts down on travel time and lets you enjoy each stop even more.
