The south of Corsica is a land of hyperbole, boasting some of
the whitest sands and clearest seas in Europe. The Plage de
Palombaggia is one of the finest, backed by pine trees and with
striking views of the Îles Cerbicale. The north has beautiful
alternatives with fewer people; head to the 30km peninsula of Cap
Corse for vistas and waters to rival the popular south.

Steeped in fable and with an air of the Côte d’Azur, Ajaccio is
well worth a visit. The birthplace of Napoléon Bonaparte, the
Corsican capital is a historical tapestry dotted with sites
relating to the leader, from his childhood home to the Notre-Dame
Cathedral where he was was baptised.

Air Corsica is launching its first ever flights from
the UK this spring, with services from London Stansted to the three
airports on the island. From May to November, up to nine weekly
flights (journey time two hours 15 minutes) will depart for Ajaccio
on the west coast, Bastia to the east and Figari in the south.

Billed as “Europe’s hardest long-distance trek”, this 19,000
metre hike is a noble option for those seeking an active break. It
takes approximately two weeks to complete the course which runs the
length of the island, with mountainous terrain making it as
challenging as it is beautiful. No mean feat, be warned that 75% of
people fail to finish.

The moon-shaped bay of Calvi is reminiscent of the French
Riviera. Super-yachts and private cruisers are docked harbourside
and upmarket brasseries dot the marina on the Quai Landry
esplanade. While this attracts a sophisticated crowd, the medieval
citadel overlooking the marina is perhaps the greatest draw and the
baroque St Jean Baptiste Cathedral is another highlight.

The stone menhir civilisations at Filitosa and Palaggiu date
back to 2500 BC, offering a mysterious snapshot of ancient times.
Today, Filitosa is a well-trodden tourist attraction but the dusty
path to Palaggiu is harder to find. Those who persevere will be
rewarded with a site of 258 sculpted granite megaliths from the
Bronze Age.

The dramatic coast of the Gulf of Porto is one of Corsica’s most
famed landscapes thanks to Tishin-red granite Calanches that soar
out of the sea. The UNESCO World Heritage Site can be explored by
boat, though with 25 diving sites it would be a missed opportunity
not to scuba up and explore the watery underworld.

Located on the southernmost part of the island, Bonifacio is a
city in two parts. Harbour-side Vieille Ville is where most people
live, while Haute Ville is set within a 9th-century clifftop
citadel. Explore grottoes and candle-drip stalactites from sea
level before taking to the narrow streets for Instagrammable
pictures of colourful shuttered houses and shady squares.