Northern region

The north of Corsica is rugged, headstrong and surprisingly versatile. Here you'll find a mix of mountain landscapes, old harbour towns and quiet coves. It's a region where nature and history are never far apart.

Northern Corsica: between mountains and sea

Anyone visiting the north of Corsica will quickly notice how the landscape keeps changing. On the Cap Corse, the narrow peninsula at the top of the island, you drive along rocky coastlines, tiny fishing harbours and villages that seem glued to the hillsides. The road winds gently from bay to bay, with the sea always in view.

South of Bastia lies the Nebbio, with Saint-Florent as its best-known town. It makes a great base for beaches like Saleccia and Lotu, which are mainly reachable by boat or via a rough dirt track. The interior here becomes greener and more open, with vineyards and low mountain ranges.

Further inland begins the Castagniccia, a hilly area full of chestnut forests and hushed villages. Here you taste the traditional Corsica: narrow lanes, baroque churches and a pace of life that's wonderfully slow.

Insider tip Plan a round trip of Cap Corse in a single day, but take your time to pop into a small harbour along the way for coffee or lunch.