Camping by the sea in Corsica

Corsica has two promising nicknames: Mountain in the Sea and Island of Beauty. Both are not too much of a promise. The French island beckons in the Caribbean blue waters of the Mediterranean with contrasting coastlines, from the steep cliffs in the north to countless sandy beaches and bathing bays to the spectacular chalk cliffs of the south coast - and at the same time, a campsite by the sea in Corsica is never far from the island's beautiful mountain landscapes.

Top tips

• The Tramvay de Balagne runs between Calvi and Île-Rousse. The small narrow-gauge railway runs on single-track tracks in the summer months and stops at all the beaches along the route. A stop to cool off is possible in SantAmbrogio, Calenzana-Lumio or Arinella, among others. A fantastic adventure, especially when camping with children.
• You can see the sea from above on many coastal hikes in Corsica. A walk to the peaks above Ostriconi beach is particularly beautiful. The route is also suitable for less experienced hikers or families and at the end you can enjoy swimming at Plage dOstriconi with its fine sand dunes.
• In the west of the island, the Vero adventure course offers adventures at lofty heights. It takes you through the treetops on courses of varying difficulty.

Activities and excursions

Where the high mountains almost reach the beach, hardly any wish remains unfulfilled, from water sports to alpine fun. In addition to its natural beauty, Corsica has some very special outdoor highlights to offer.

A change from fun in the sea: Corsica's swimming pools

In Corsica's rocks, the rivers have created beautiful pools in which crystal-clear water promises a refreshing dip. Shallow paddling pools and deep pools between river cascades offer freshwater fun for all ages in the north-western Fango Valley and the eastern Solenzara riverbed. There are routes for walking through the pools in the centre of the island. Canyoning involves jumping from pool to pool under expert guidance and with protective equipment, sliding down rock slides or reaching the next pool on a rope.

Discover the cliffs of Bonifacio on foot or by boat

Perched high above the sea on the edge of the cliffs is Corsica's southernmost and most impressive town, Bonifacio. The medieval upper town with its colossal fortifications is a must-see anyway. From here, the King of Aragon's Staircase leads down to the sea via 187 steps with a 45-degree incline in the cliff face. A more comfortable way to view the almost seventy metre-high cliffs from below is to take a boat trip from Bonifacio, which takes in spectacular sea caves and the lighthouse at Capo di Pertusato.

Events

Corsica is an island with a strong identity and its inhabitants are a proud people. In addition to traditional and religious festivals, a whole series of events take place by the sea.

April

• Galeria Biker Day: A relatively new event in the Corsican calendar of events. Stunt shows and other presentations about the popular two-wheelers attract interested visitors to the romantic fishing village of Galeria.

July

• Calvi on the Rocks: For six days, renowned DJs play music on the golden sandy beaches of the bay of the harbour town of Calvi. People party and dance to the sounds of techno, house, disco and soul right by the sea.

October

• Le Tour de Corse à la voile: The popular sailing regatta starts and finishes in Bonifacio. It covers 250 nautical miles without a stopover. Those who don't take part themselves can cheer on the sailing boats of different classes from the coast.