When should you head to corsica ?
Corsica is a paradisiacal island. It is an island full of contrasts, from its landscapes to its culture. Corsica, a blend of modernity and tradition, sea and mountains, offers a thousand aspects to discover season-in, season-out, as you wish. But, how do you know when it's best to head to Corsica?
CORSICA: WHEN SHOULD YOU HEAD THERE?
What's the best time of the year to head to Corsica? Well, you'll need to have some idea of what you'd like to do there: fancy lounging around on a beach? Visiting picturesque towns and villages? Hiking or trekking around outstanding sites? Going to festivals?
Another decisive factor when choosing the best period to head to Corsica is the weather.
You should choose the month that's the best for enjoying your holidays on the Island of Beauty to a full based on the activities you'd like to do during your stay.
Corsican weather
Corsica enjoys a Mediterranean climate,
which means that summers are hot and dry whilst winters are mild and rainy.
Generally-speaking, weather is pleasant
in Corsica from April to November.
In springtime, the maquis is in full bloom, in summer,
the turquoise water contrasts with the red rocks and, in autumn, trees take on their
orangey cloak that tells us winter's just around the corner.
PARTICULARITIES OF HAUTE-CORSE WEATHER
Northern Corsica is slightly drier and warmer than the south and rain is rarer.
On the other hand, Haute-Corse is pretty windy sometimes with the Tramontane (with strong, fresh gusts), the Mistral (dry wind in summer but damp in winter) and the Libeccio.
PARTICULARITIES OF SOUTHERN CORSICA WEATHER
Southern Corsica is cooler than the north yet enjoys the Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Southern Corsica is one of the sunniest and hottest departments of France. It's also influenced by the Sirocco, the hot, dusty wind that comes straight from the Sahara.
What about you, when do you fancy heading to Corsica?
Why head to Corsica?
Each season rhymes with a type of activity: it's up to you to decide what you'd like to do in Corsica to choose the most suitable period.
CORSICA ON THE BEACH
Summertime is perfect if you love lounging around by the sea.
The temperature of the water is great: you can swim in Corsica from the beginning of June through to September.
Corsica has a host of beautiful beaches, including:
- The legendary Palombaggia Beach, ranking as one of the most beautiful in the world
- Rondinara Beach with its two sumptuous bays
- Saleccia Beach close to Agriates Desert
- Santa Giulia Beach
HIKES & TREKS IN CORSICA AND NATURAL SITES
Spring and autumn are wonderful for walking in Corsica: the maquis is in full bloom and the heat isn't overbearing.
The GR20 long-distance trail invites you to trek across Corsica from north to south. It's recommended for seasoned walkers as it covers some 180 km. It takes about 16 days to do on average (with 7h a day of walking), completing one stage a day.
A host of other natural sites are waiting to be discovered during your hikes and treks, in particular:
- Piana calanques
- Scandola Nature Reserve
- Lavezzi Islands
- Agriates Desert
Must-visit towns and villages
You can also head to Corsica to visit one-of-a-kind towns and villages that add to the Island of Beauty's charm:
- Ajaccio, the city where Napoleon was born. Enjoy the fine weather here from April to November. If you head to Corsica in August, you should attend the Napoleonic Days
- Bonifacio, perched high on the white limestone cliffs. Here, too, the weather is mild from April to November
- Porto Vecchio and its citadel
- Calvi, its Genoese citadel, its bay, its beaches
- St Florent and its AOC (CDO) wines
- Corte and its citadel perched on a rocky outcrop
Culinary festivals in Corsica
Corsica is strongly attached to its gastronomy, so lovers of good food can enjoy their stay in Corsica to discover the Island of Beauty's culinary specialities. 2 must-not-miss culinary festivals exist:
- Art’è gustu, in Aléria at the end of April. Lunches, master classes, adults and children's workshops, activities and book signings are on the agenda.
- Fiera di a castagna in Bocognano at the beginning of December. This event, which La Méridionale is a partner of, promotes all local Corsican agricultural, cultural and craft products.
And, many different circuits invite you to discover Corsica's heritage every day
Music festivals and concerts in Corsica
There's a great musical scene in Corsica with a host of concerts and festivals:
- Jazz in Aiacciu in Ajaccio in June
- Calvi on the Rocks in July
- Guitar Nights in Patrimonio in July
- Polyphonic encounters in Calvi in September
- Musicales de Bastia in November
