Where to Stay in Corsica

One of my favorite things about Corsica is how diverse of an island it is. This isn’t only a beach holiday destination (though you can definitely have an amazing beach holiday here). Corsica also has incredible hikes, a lively capital city, and stunning old villages and towns perched on steep cliffs and pinnacles.

And you can even hop on a bought for a day trip to Sardinia! And while this means that you certainly won’t be bored on your Corsica trip, you should also plan your Corsica accommodation wisely, as you can have quite different experiences depending on where on the island you choose to stay. 

I’ve also shared a guide for things to do in Corsica here. 

I do recommend renting a car in Corsica, unless you’re planning on staying in the main tourist towns. Having a car is especially helpful for getting to Corsica’s many beaches and mountain hikes, plus the island drives here are beautiful. I booked my rental car through AutoEurope without an issues, and I found driving in Corsica to be quite easy. 

Here are my top picks for places to stay in Corsica, as well as hotel options to fit different budgets. One thing I learned during my September trip to Corsica last year is that accommodation in Corsica books up quickly! I definitely recommend booking your stay here as soon as you can.

Ajaccio

Ajaccio is the capital of Corsica and absolutely worth a day or two. It’s quite a laidback city, so I do think you can manage to see the highlights in a day, if you’re pressed for time. Personally I found Ajaccio to be an interesting urban contrast to the smaller towns and villages on the island. 

Ajaccio is quite walkable, so if you’re flying into Ajaccio I would recommend picking up your rental car after your time in Ajaccio (or drop off the rental before visiting Ajaccio, if you’ll be here at the end of your trip). 

Ajaccio hotel

Sher and I stayed at the 4-star Hôtel Pozzo di Borgo in Ajaccio’s old-town. The hotel is also just a few doors down from the Bonaparte residence, and it was quite fun to stay in Napoleon’s old neighborhood.

The hotel also happens to be housed in a mansion belonging to the family of Charles André Pozzo di Borgo, Napoleon’s archnemesis! Check current rates and availability at Hôtel Pozzo di Borgo here. 

Mid range Ajaccio hotels

Hotel Napoleon is also in Ajaccio’s center and has excellent reviews. Check current rates and availability here. 

Hôtel Fesch & Spa is in the city center and has a rooftop pool and bar. Check current rates and availability here. 

Budget Ajaccio hotel 

This affordable studio is right in the center of the Old Town, with lovely views over the city. Check current rates and availability here. 

Calvi

This might be a controversial take, but I would say if you only visit one place in Corsica, make it Calvi. Calvi might not be Corsica’s most famous tourist destination (that would be Bonifacio), but I loved Calvi so much, and to me it offers the best of Corsica.

Here you’ll find narrow cobblestone passageways, a beautiful town beach and marina lined with cafés and restaurants, and of course Calvi’s impressive citadel overlooking the town. 

 

Plus, if you drive from Ajaccio to Calvi, you can take the mountain route along D81, which will take you through Corsica’s Calenques de Piana, towering sculpture-like red rocks and cliffs dropping into the UNESCO protected Gulf of Porto. If you want to stop for the night here you could stay at Hôtel Capo Rosso or Hôtel Mare E Monti. 

Luxury Calvi hotels

Sher and I stayed at Kasano & Spa, which is a stylish spa hotel right by the citadel. In fact our room had a balcony with an incredible view over the citadel – one of the best hotel views of our trip!

We didn’t get breakfast at the hotel, but instead each morning I would walk to a bakery and have a croissant and coffee while Sher slept in. Check current rates and availability here. 

Another stunning luxury hotel in Calvi is Hotel Balanea, also right downtown. Check current rates and availability here.

Mid range Calvi hotels

Hotel Revellata & Spa is right downtown and has an outdoor pool, as well as in indoor jacuzzi, sauna, and lap pool. Check current rates and availability here.

Hotel Saint Christophe is another great option downtown, also with an outdoor pool. Check current rates and availability here.

Budget Calvi hotels

The Grand Hotel Calvi is an affordable three star hotel in the center of Calvi. It’s right by the beach and a short walk from the marina and town center. Check current rates and availability here.

Hotel Belvedere is another affordable three star hotel in downtown Calvi. Check current rates and availability here.

Corte

Corte was Corsica’s capital from 1755 to 1769, and today it’s home to Corsica’s only university, the University of Corsica Pasquale Paoli. The Old Town is quite small but built on a steep mountain making for impressive views all around.

The steep streets do make walking through town a bit of a challenge, so if you have limited mobility Corte might not be the easiest place to visit in Corsica. 

Corte was probably the prettiest town I visited in Corsica, with its colorful buildings, narrow cobblestone alleys and dramatic mountain views. It’s an inland town, so you won’t find any beaches here, but it’s the perfect place to take in Corsica’s history as well as nearby mountain hikes. 

Luxury Corte hotel

Dominique Colonna is a gorgeous hotel set along the river in a valley slightly outside of town. The hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool. Check current rates and availability here.

Mid range Corte hotels

If you want to stay right in the historic center of Corte, Hôtel du Nord is perfect and includes a wonderful breakfast. Check current rates and availability here.

Another excellent option in the Old Town is Hotel Duc De Padoue, right by the Museum of Corsica. Check current rates and availability here.

Budget Corte hotel

Hôtel U Passa Tempu looks like another great option right in Corte’s Old Town. Check current rates and availability here. 

Zonza & Bavella

If you’ve come to Corsica for the mountains, you definitely want to spend some time in Zonza. There are many wonderful hikes in the area, or you can simply enjoy the beautiful mountain views from the cosy village square or your hotel pool. This is also where you can stay while visiting the dramatic Aiguilles de Bavella and the nearby villages of Solenzara and Lecci. 

The Aiguilles de Bavella feature dramatic granite spikes and waterfalls. This is also a popular place for canyoning, where you can jump and slide down waterfalls and into the water in nature’s waterpark. 

Luxury Zonza hotel

Hotel Le Tourisme has a sauna, a hot tub and an outdoor pool with beautiful views. Check current rates and availability here.

Mid-range Zonza hotel

Hôtel Restaurant L’Aiglon is in the village center and has rooms with balconies. Check current rates and availability here.

Porto Vecchio

If you’re visiting Corsica for a beach holiday, Porto-Vecchio makes a great base, as the town lies on Corsica’s southeast coast, where you’ll find the island’s best beaches. The town itself has an impressive 16th century citadel and an Old Town with Roman origins.

Porto-Vecchio is also just a 30 minute drive from Bonifacio, so you can visit both towns from your hotel here. Or you could choose a hotel in between the two towns, or stay in Bonifacio and visit Porto Vecchio and its surrounding beaches on a day trip. 

Luxury Porto Vecchio hotels

Sher and I stayed at Hotel Costa Salina, which we loved for its beautiful pool and jacuzzi. The hotel is right by Porto-Vecchio’s yacht filled marina, and about a 15-minute walk from the Old Town. Check current rates and availability here. 

Or if you want to stay a bit outside of town by a beach, the Hôtel Palombaggia, Certifié Ecolabel Européen is gorgeous and right by Palombaggia beach. Check current rates and availability here.

Mid range Porto Vecchio hotels

Hôtel Le Mistral is a beautiful modern hotel by the citadel. Check current rates and availability here. 

Citta di Lume Suites & Lofts offers trendy suites and loft apartments near the town center, also with a pool. Check current rates and availability here. 

Or if you want to be a short drive out of town and by the beach, Residence Casa Di Paoli is near the beach and has a beautiful outdoor pool. Check current rates and availability here.

Budget Porto Vecchio hotel

Camping Arutoli has cute little wooden bungalows and an outdoor pool. Check current rates and availability here. 

Bonifacio

And finally we have Corsica’s most popular destination, Bonifacio! Bonifacio is built on the dramatic white cliffs of the southern tip of Corsica, right across the water from Sardinia. The medieval Old Town and its impressive citadel actually extend out a bit over the water which has cut into the cliffside. 

Bonifacio is also a great place to visit if you don’t have a car, as you can get a boat to Bonifacio from Ajaccio or Porto Vecchio. Though if you rent a car you can also drive to nearby beaches, which personally I think are well worth the drive! 

Luxury Bonifacio hotel

Hôtel Cala di Greco is a stunning 4-star hotel about 2 kilometers from Bonifacio’s center. Check current rates and availability here.

Mid range Bonifacio hotels

Solemare is in the heart of medieval Bonifacio and looks so lovely. Check current rates and availability here. 

Hotel la Caravelle is right on the harbor with beautiful views. Check current rates and availability here. 

Santateresa sits on the cliffs of Bonifacio with a beautiful sea view. Check current rates and availability here. 

Budget Bonifacio hotel

Hotel des Etrangers is a budget friendly hotel near the Bonifacio port. Check current rates and availability here.