South Corsica combines striking coastal landscapes with trails through the maquis, cultural heritage and regional delights. Overlooking the Strait of Bonifacio is the limestone plateau of Bonifacio; at the southern tip of Corsica, the landscapes range from the rocky coast near Aullène and the wild Testa Ventilegne to white cliffs, sandy beaches and lagoons. As you plan your trip, you can consider whether the coast, nature, history or cuisine will be the focus of your stay.
Coast Between Rocks, Maquis and Coves
Roccapina is a good starting point for discovering the region’s varied landscapes. Inland, the Roccapina area extends across more than 500 hectares of maquis with tafoni. The bay brings together a beach, dunes and small wetlands with a bright sandy cove and turquoise water beneath a lion-shaped granite ridge. From Roccapina to Santa Giulia, the southern coast is home to the Bouches de Bonifacio Nature Reserve and the land portion of the International Marine Park, established in 2012.
The beaches also reveal different sides of the coast: Santa Giulia Bay is known for its white sand and clear blue sea. Baracci Beach lies in a protected natural landscape and is a good place for swimming, relaxing and coastal walks. These spots offer different ways to include time by the sea in your trip.
Walks and Cultural Heritage
In Roccapina, an approximately 30-minute walk through the maquis leads to viewpoints with panoramic vistas and a large tafone. Another option is Un caminu di a Punta: this free trail starts at the car park on the RT40 and offers a 45-minute walk through the maquis and cultural heritage. The different walking times make it easier to choose between a shorter and a longer route. Access and trail conditions can change; check them before your visit.
Casa di Roccapina is affiliated with the Museum of Prehistory in Sartène. Visits are available with an audio guide or a staff-led tour; outside, there is a reconstructed shepherd’s oriu. Check the visiting schedule and seasonal access before your trip. Other cultural destinations include the Tower of Campomoro, built in 1583 and set in a preserved coastal landscape dotted with many small coves. In the Sartenais-Valinco-Taravo area, cultural sites also include the dolmens and menhirs of Filitosa and the Museum of Sartène.
Water Activities and Inland Trails
The Lavezzi Archipelago lies off Bonifacio and can be reached by boat. Once there, you can explore by kayak or follow an underwater snorkelling trail. Boat services and visitor regulations can change, so check before your trip. The long-distance trails Mare a Mare Sud and Mare e Monti Sud start in the Sartenais-Valinco-Taravo area. Check local route details and conditions before setting out.
Those interested in water activities will find sailing, canyoning, boat trips and diving in the Sartenais-Valinco-Taravo area, among other options. The Aiguilles de Bavella offer a different landscape: they reach 1,899 metres and feature gorges, natural slides, jumps and emerald-green granite pools. Coastal experiences and activities in a striking mountain landscape offer different options for your trip.
Regional Cuisine and Getting There
The cuisine of the Sartenais-Valinco-Taravo includes Brocciu cheese, local pastries, pulenta and seafood. Markets in Propriano and regional olive oil mills are also associated with culinary experiences in the area. Market dates and opportunities to visit individual mills can change. The wine region of southern Corsica includes nearly 40 wineries, or domaines, and produces red, rosé and white wines.
Corsica’s ferry ports include Ajaccio, Porto-Vecchio and Propriano. Ajaccio and Figari are among Corsica’s four airports, with regular or seasonal connections to numerous airports in mainland France and internationally. Timetables and seasonal flight connections can change; check routes for your travel dates. When choosing a hotel, you can start by considering whether coastal towns, walks and cultural heritage, water activities or regional cuisine will be the main focus of your trip.
Discover more destinations: Ajaccio, Alata, Ambiegna, Bastelicaccia, Calcatoggio, Cargese, Coti-Chiavari, Favone, Giuncheto, Lopigna, Olmeto, Osani, Porto-Vecchio, Propriano, Sant Andrea-Dorcino, Sari-D'orcino, Serriera, Tiuccia, Sari-Solenzara, Sartène, Conca, Sotta, Serra-Di-Ferro, Tolla, Pinarellu, Tizzano, Sollacaro, Villanova, Ucciani, Partinello, Quenza, Eccica-Suarella, Piana, Levie, Sarrola-Carcopino, Figari, Zonza, Santa-Maria-Siché, Bocognano, Vico, Lecci, Cuttoli-Corticchiato, Bonifacio, Appietto, Bastelica, Arro, Coggia, Ota, Pianottoli-Caldarello, Zévaco, Valle-Di-Mezzana, Casaglione, Cannelle, Olivese, Cauro, Petreto-Bicchisano, Cardo-Torgia, Pietrosella, Grosseto-Prugna, Letia, Afa, Belvédère-Campomoro, Peri, Évisa, San-Gavino-Di-Carbini, Aullène, Sagone, Monacia-d'Aullène, Santa-Maria-Figaniella, Carbini, Balogna, Tower of Foce, Viggianello, Sorbollano, Marignana, Olmiccia, Bocca del Oro, Soccia, Ocana, Zicavo, Guitera-les-Bains, Casalabriva, Serra-di-Scopamène, Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano, Fozzano, Cognocoli-Monticchi, Albitreccia, Campo.
For the broader travel overview: Corsica.
