Corsica in summer

Discover Corsica in Summer

The Isle of Beauty is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, picture-perfect beaches, and sunny climate. But it is also a cultural destination. Artists from the region and around the world perform at festivals held throughout Corsica during the summer.

The Weather in Corsica in Summer

Corsica enjoys a Mediterranean climate and can be visited all year round. In summer, the days are hot and dry. Average temperatures reach 22°C in June, rising to 28°C in July and 29°C in August. However, temperatures above 30°C are not uncommon. In southern Corsica, temperatures can reach as high as 38°C in August!

Don't count on rain showers to cool things down. Although thunderstorms can break out in the mountains in the evening, there are only around five rainy days in June and July, and just one in August.

You can, however, find some relief from the heat by taking a dip in the sea. With water temperatures reaching 25°C, summer is the perfect time for scuba diving, water sports, or simply swimming in the Mediterranean.

Would you love to enjoy Corsica in summer but are worried about the heatwave? Visit in June instead. You'll avoid the highest temperatures while still enjoying plenty of sunshine and warm sea temperatures.

That's certainly true, particularly in Bastia, in Haute-Corse. In June, the average temperature reaches 26°C. In July and August, it rises to 29°C. Rainfall occurs on just two to four days a month, and the sun shines for ten hours a day.

In Corse-du-Sud, you'll also get plenty of vitamin D. If you're staying in Ajaccio, expect fourteen hours of sunshine a day in June, twelve hours in July, and ten in August. With an average temperature of 26°C in June and 28°C in August, the Imperial City enjoys typical summer weather. Some rainfall may occur at the beginning of summer. But instead of packing an umbrella, make sure you bring your swimsuit. Sea temperatures reach 24°C in June and 27°C for the rest of the summer.

If you're planning to visit Porto-Vecchio, don't forget your sunscreen and hat. Temperatures reach 27°C in June, 30°C in July, and 31°C in August. With eleven hours of sunshine and just three rainy days a month, you can admire the Piscia di Gallu waterfall beneath a cloudless blue sky.

It's also hot in Bonifacio. However, in this town at the southernmost tip of Corsica, a sea breeze helps keep the air pleasant. The average temperature is 24°C in June and 28°C during the peak summer holiday season. The sea is also slightly cooler than elsewhere on the island, with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 24°C. Nevertheless, you can enjoy sunny days with little or no rain. During the summer season, this clifftop town sees barely two rainy days a month.

Festivals, Concerts and Other Events in Corsica in Summer

From June to September, Corsica welcomes up-and-coming singers and established artists alike, much to the delight of tourists and locals.

Calvi on the Rocks

For four days, rock bands and electronic music stars take over Calvi and its open-air stages. The squares surrounding the citadel, the beaches, and the Théâtre de Verdure have welcomed artists such as Bob Sinclar, Metronomy, Laurent Garnier, Foals, The Do, and Phoenix. To discover the next big names on the lineup, plan your visit for late June or early July!

Lama Film Festival

If you're spending your holiday between L'Île-Rousse, Saint-Florent, and Ponte Leccia, set aside your evenings to attend the Lama Film Festival (U Festivale di u Filmu). For one week in July or August, the village transforms into an open-air cinema. Films and documentaries are screened under the stars at three different venues. Family activities and special screenings for younger audiences are also part of the programme.

Corse en Scène Festival

Calvi's Corse en Scène Festival celebrates music and comedy. Over five days, usually in mid-July, actors and singers take turns on stage. Each evening features a theatre performance and a concert. While a ticket is required for the theatre show, the concert is free to attend.

Corti in Core Festival

In Corte, in the heart of Corsica's regional natural park, July brings the Corti in Core Festival. This relatively new event is a must for fans of pop and contemporary music. There's no need to book tickets to enjoy performances by Naïve New Beaters or Denys and the Roses. Concerts held on the square in front of the citadel are free.

Aio Festival

For one weekend, Ajaccio welcomes some of the biggest names in French popular music. Florent Pagny, Soprano, Michel Polnareff, M, Juliette Armanet, and Angèle have all performed at the Casone open-air theatre.

Les Nuits de la Guitare

Rather than focusing on a single musical genre, the village of Patrimonio puts one instrument in the spotlight: the guitar. During Les Nuits de la Guitare, you can go from a gypsy jazz concert to a French chanson performance. Rock, electronic music, and rap are all welcome, too. This eclectic approach allows the festival to attract major stars such as Luz Casal, Izïa, Louis Bertignac, Marcus Miller, and Julien Doré.

Porto Latino in Saint-Florent

The Porto Latino Festival also embraces musical diversity. While Latin rhythms remain at its heart, the programme has evolved to include pop singers and bands. Today, Yuri Buenaventura shares the spotlight with artists such as Patrick Bruel, while Franz Ferdinand appears alongside Manu Chao.

Jazz in Aiacciu Festival

For over 20 years, the Casone open-air theatre in Ajaccio has been transformed into a jazz club. In late June, international performers and French artists take to the stage in the Imperial City. The festival explores every facet of jazz, featuring artists ranging from Stacey Kent and Manu Katché to Buena Vista Social Club and Didier Lockwood.

Festi Lumi in Bonifacio

Lyon isn't the only city to host a Festival of Lights. Bonifacio holds its own event, Festi Lumi, in early July. Light projections, activities, and performances invite visitors to explore the city after dark. Blending new technologies with poetry, this free festival sparks the imagination of visitors of all ages.

What to Visit in Corsica in Summer

Summer is the best time to take on the GR20 hiking trail. With little to no snow and rain in Corsica between June and September, the route is generally more accessible. And since the trail crosses the Isle of Beauty through mountainous terrain, you won't have to endure quite as much of the heat. While experienced hikers tackle the full 180 kilometres and 10,000 metres of elevation gain, casual walkers and families with children can opt for easier sections.

The route passes through the Aiguilles de Bavella, for example. With its red rocky peaks, Corsican black pines, and wild mouflons roaming freely, the site is considered one of the most spectacular in Corsica, in both summer and winter.

Further south, the Ospedale Forest, with its lake and dam, offers beautiful walks that require relatively little effort. Hiking isn't the only activity you can enjoy here. You can explore the forest by bike or on horseback, or try via ferrata climbing routes and treetop adventure courses.

Another must-see destination when visiting Corsica in summer is the village of Girolata and the Scandola Nature Reserve. The village can be reached after a one-and-a-half-hour hike or by sea. The reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can only be accessed by boat. With its rugged cliffs and turquoise-water beaches, the scenery is truly one of a kind.

The Calanques of Piana are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are particularly spectacular at sunset, when the fading light brings out the intense red hues of the rocks. While waiting for the golden hour, climb up to the Genoese tower to admire the calanques and the Gulf of Porto from above.

Corsica is an island of many contrasts. Leave the Mediterranean coast behind and head into the mountains for a walk through the Restonica Gorges. This river winds its way for 18 kilometres between Lake Melo and the Tavignano River. Following its course, you'll come across traditional shepherds' huts, waterfalls, and natural swimming pools.

Finally, head offshore from Bonifacio to explore the Lavezzi Islands. This archipelago of 34 islands is the southernmost point of mainland France. Above all, however, it's a little piece of paradise. The islands boast beautiful sandy beaches, underwater caves, crystal-clear waters, and schools of fish to discover while scuba diving. The marine cemeteries and granite rock formations add an unexpected and picturesque touch to this stunning landscape.

The Most Beautiful Beaches in Southern Corsica

Do you love relaxing on sandy beaches and swimming in crystal-clear waters? If you visit Corsica in August or early summer, you'll have the chance to swim at some of the most beautiful beaches on the Isle of Beauty and in France.

The most famous beaches are located in southern Corsica, around Porto-Vecchio. Palombaggia, Tamaricciu, Pinarellu, and Cala Rossa beaches look like something straight off a postcard. Sheltered by rocks and umbrella pines, they provide an idyllic setting for a swim, building sandcastles, and taking a few holiday photos.

If you're heading to the beach with young children, opt for Santa Giulia Beach instead. The waters are just as clear but shallower. Nestled in a sheltered bay, the beach is also protected from the wind.

Porto-Vecchio isn't the only place with dream beaches. There are also some paradise-like spots around Bonifacio. Certain beaches, such as Rondinara and Piantarella, look like natural swimming pools. Their curved shapes, white sand, and crystal-clear waters seem almost unreal.

Would you like to try surfing or windsurfing in a stunning setting? Follow the path leading to Balistra Beach. The wind can sometimes make swimming less enjoyable, but it's a blessing for water sports enthusiasts.

To discover the beaches, cliffs, and festivals of the Isle of Beauty, set sail with La Méridionale! During your crossing, enjoy a comfortable cabin, high-quality dining, and onboard facilities to keep the whole family entertained.