Activities |
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Corsica |
Golf de Porto, west coast
Today the invaders of this island, which gave birth to Napoleon and Columbus, are thousands of holidaymakers who flock particularly to the east coast with its long sandy beaches and pretty fishing villages. The west coast has awe-inspiring scenery with cliffs and rocky inlets, while the mountainous interior remains largely wild, in between cultivated groves of olives, pine plantations and cork forests.
Resorts
See our separate guides to the following Corsica holiday resorts: Porto, Ajaccio, Bastia, Cap Corse, Bonifacio, Corte and Balagne
Excursions
Filitosa
The most celebrated prehistoric site in Corsica, Filitosa is worth a visit for its megalithic menhir statues, which have been carved to represent human faces or armed figures. The purpose of these granite structures is still unclear, and many mysteries surround the many ancient structures on the site. Filitosa V, with its sword and dagger, the face of Filitosa IX, and the five menhir statues around the foot of a 1,200-year old olive tree, are the most important structures of the prehistoric site of Filitosa. A small museum offers further menhirs, as well as some ancient tools and pottery found in the caves, dating back to 3,300 BC.Address: The site lies 11 miles (17km) north of Propriano, and about 25 miles (40km) south of Ajaccio; Website: www.filitosa.fr; Telephone: (04) 9574 0091; Opening time: Daily 8am to sunset, April to October; Admission: €5
Iles Sanguinaires
The four small islands in the Gulf of Ajaccio, with their red rocks and jagged outline are a popular destination for boat trips from Ajaccio. They are a sanctuary for birds, rare fauna and flora, and offer secluded swimming spots and good walking. The islands lie just off Pointe de la Parata, where there are some walks and beautiful coastal scenery.Les Calanques
The mass of intriguing red rock formations along the coastal road between Porto and Piana are known as Les Calanques, and are a highlight of a visit to Corsica. The narrow, twisting road reveals a landscape of spectacular vistas and panoramas that outdo each other at every turn, where wind and sea have eroded the pink granite rock into pillars, huge boulders and weird shapes. The scenery is most spectacular at sunset, when the setting sun highlights the natural red and pink colours of the rock, and the drive is best appreciated in the direction from Piana to Porto.Scandola Nature Reserve
The Cape Girolata peninsula is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and encompasses the Scandola Nature Reserve, an ecological treasure covering 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of scrub and sea. The promontory is marked by incredible rock formations that were formed by Monte Cinto's volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The subsequent erosion has fashioned caves and grottoes deep into the rock. The headland and its surrounding waters support significant colonies of seabirds, dolphins and seals, as well as 450 types of seaweed and some remarkable fish such as the grouper, a species more commonly found in the Caribbean. Scandola is off-limits to walkers and can be viewed only by boat; trips can be arranged from both Calvi and Porto.