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Ajaccio -

Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica, is a busy but attractive city whose most famous native son is Napoleon Bonaparte, born here in 1769.

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Maison Bonaparte -

Bonaparte's birthplace is now the Maison Bonaparte, located on the Rua Saint-Charles. Here, visitors can browse a collection of portraits, memorabilia, and assorted papers and documents.

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Cathédrale d'Ajaccio -

Ajaccio's cathedral draws admirers of 16th-century religious architecture and Bonaparte historians. This is where the future Emperor of France was baptized, on July 21, 1771.

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Bonifacio -

Located on the southern tip of the island is Bonifacio. A well-preserved fortified town, Bonifacio's medieval veneer is strengthened by the landmark citadel, a solid-looking fortress perched on top of a cliff and which overlooks a romantic web of alleyways and ramshackle houses.

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Réserve Naturelle des Bouches de Bonifacio -

Bonifacio is an ideal base from which to explore Corsica's largest nature reserve, the Réserve Naturelle des Bouches de Bonifacio. This beautiful and pristine environment encompasses towering limestone cliffs, hidden grottoes, and shallow bays. The reserve also includes within its boundaries the Lavezzi Archipelago. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Lavezzi Archipelago -

The Levezzi Islands Marine Reserve offers up some of the finest diving and snorkeling in Corsica. A thriving and unspoiled ecosystem supports an abundance of flora and fauna, while numerous coves fringed with powder gold sand lures those who simply want to relax and take in the picture-perfect scenery.

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Calvi -

Corsica's pinup port of call, Calvi pleases the eye with its impressive mountain and Mediterranean perspective. The town's top-draw attraction is its ancient citadel, replete with imposing 15th-century fortifications that embrace a jumble of narrow cobblestone lanes and the historic Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

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Nonza -

Travelers exploring Cap Corse at the northernmost tip of Corsica should make a point of calling in on Nonza, an impossibly pretty village cut from stone that clings to a precipitous cliffside.

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Bastia -

Another must-see Cap Corse destination is Bastia. A busy commercial port, Bastia is fronted by a picturesque harbor, itself backed by the town's historic quarter. Bastia is proud of its traditional way of life, and enjoys a reputation as a center of wine-making. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Sant'Antonino -

Rural Corsica is a joy to explore and features inland gems such as Sant'Antonino. This is one of the oldest villages on the island, with a Moorish heritage that dates back to the 9th century. Perched as it is on a granite hilltop and commanding glorious views of the surrounding countryside, it's no wonder Sant'Antonino was long ago voted one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France—one of the most beautiful villages in France.

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Piana -

Piana is another destination that's earned a place on the esteemed Les Plus Beaux Villages de France list. The village is a delight to discover, a myriad of shady lanes and leafy squares surrounding a lovely little Italian Baroque church, the Eglise Sainte-Marie. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Calanques de Piana -

Piana overlooks the shimmering azure waters of the Gulf of Porto, and it's between the village and the resort of Porto that the magnificent Calanques de Piana, a range of soaring sculptured cliffs, are best admired.

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UNESCO protected -

The pillars, columns, and irregular outcrops of the Calanques de Piana are staggering in their beauty and grandeur. Splashed in pink, ocher, and ginger, the granite rock formations protrude to 300 m (984 ft) above sea level and enjoy UNESCO World Heritage status.

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Gulf of Porto -

The Gulf of Porto itself also falls within the World Heritage Site, which encompasses the Calanques de Piana, Gulf of Girolata, and Scandola Nature Reserve. The region rewards hikers with outstanding views of the coastline and glistening Mediterranean Sea. This photograph is taken from one of the Genoese towers, a series of coastal defenses constructed between 1530 and 1620 to stem attacks by Barbary pirates.

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Sartène -

Granite buildings from the early 16th century still line some of the streets of this handsome medieval hilltop town, a destination best explored at leisure between sampling a glass or two of Sartène wine, appreciated by connoisseurs for its fine quality.

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Plage de Palombaggia -

Corsica's splendid sandy beaches rank among some of the most coveted in the Mediterranean. Arguably the most celebrated is Plage de Palombaggia, famed for its broad band of sand that backs onto a fragrant forest of pine. Its calm, shallow waters make Palombaggia a favorite with families.

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Plage de Santa Giulia -

Another gorgeous beach is Plage de Santa Giulia, which like Palombaggia fronts a crystal-clear turquoise lagoon. Both beaches are located near the popular resort town of Porto Vecchio.

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Plage de Rondinara -

Nestling in a bay between Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio is Plage de Rondinara. Its generous arc of white sand gently slopes to meet warm, crystalline waters that are ideal for snorkelers and other watersports enthusiasts.

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Porto Vecchio region -

Tucked away in the hills behind Port Vecchio is the Bronze Age citadel of Araghju. The archaeological site is located in the commune of San-Gavino-di-Carbini, where dolmens and other vestiges of the island's prehistory can be admired and explored. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Castagniccia region -

The stark and hilly Castagniccia region lies at the heart of what many describe as "authentic Corsica." The area takes its name from the abundance of chestnut trees that blanket the landscape. Ancient hilltop villages, hidden hamlets, and a scattering of impressive churches enhance the natural wonder of this remote pocket of the island, which lies 50 km (31 mi) south of Bastia and is renowned for its basket-weaving and cold meats.

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Balagne region -

Nestling in Corsica's Balagne region is the fortified medieval town of Belgodère, another destination that exemplifies the island's rich cultural heritage. It's worth pausing here to absorb the timeless atmosphere and admire the village's many chapels. Later, why not take in a sunset view over the Vallée du Reginu and the distant sea?

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Réserve Naturelle de Scandola -

Without doubt one of the highlights of any visit to the island, a sea excursion to the Réserve Naturelle de Scandola, located on Corsica's west coast and recognized as a Natural World Heritage Site, serves as a treat for anyone interested in marine life and who wants to snorkel or scuba dive the crystal-clear azure waters that lap this remote and mountainous peninsula. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 3.0)

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Girolta -

After you've finished exploring the Scandola nature reserve, why not head down to the pretty village of Girolta for refreshments in one of the many cafés overlooking the bay?

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Désert des Agriates -

If getting away from it all is your thing, consider hiking the Désert des Agriates, an expanse of wilderness that hugs the coastline at Cap Corse, in the north of Corsica. The craggy scrubland gives way to an equally rugged coastline marked by a handful of wonderful beaches.

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Plage de l'Ostriconi -

One of these beaches is secluded Plage de l'Ostriconi, which is found tucked away behind a series of shifting sand dunes textured by sea grass. It can get pretty windy here, so while not the best place to lie down and sunbathe, the beach is nonetheless inspiring in its location and natural beauty.

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Saint-Florent -

In fact the Désert des Agriates coastline is worth following near the village of Saint-Florent for sites like this, the ruins of a long abandoned Genoese tower. These towers are a prominent feature of the Corsican coastline and number around 67, all of which are listed as national monuments.

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Asco -

Examples of historic Genoese architecture extends beyond the famous towers to stone and mortar bridges like this one, found spanning a river near the remote mountain village of Asco.

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Hiking the GR20 -

If you've come to Corsica to hike, you won't be disappointed. The island features one of the toughest trails you can follow, the challenging GR20. This is considered one of the most difficult long-distance hikes in Europe. You'll need to be in tip-top condition to successfully traverse the route, but the rewards are worth the effort.

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Forêt de Valdo Niello -

The 200-km (124 mi) GR20 traverses Corsica diagonally, from Calenzana in the north, to Conca in the south. Covering terrain that is wild, remote, and stunningly beautiful, the GR20 tests fitness and resolve. If you do a stage per day, it takes roughly 16 days, depending on your stamina and the weather. Along the way you'll encounter the Valdo Niello forest, a pristine environment of lofty Corsican pine that provides welcome shade in the hot summer months. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Monte Cinto -

The Forêt de Valdo Niello is the gateway to snowcapped Monte Cinto, at 2,706 m (8,877 ft) Corsica's highest mountain. It's just another one of the many stunning natural wonders to appreciate while on the GR20 trail.

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Col de Bavella -

Those with less sturdy legs who don't have the aptitude for hiking in the hills can instead hire a car and motor through scenic Col de Bavella, a mountain range of rocky peaks breathtaking in their soaring grandeur. The sinewy route follows the path of an ancient roman road and in some places reaches a height of 1,243 m (4,078 ft).

Sources: (History) (UNESCO) (The Guardian)

See also: Idyllic islands of the Mediterranean to warm up your dreams

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