Exploring Northern Corsica: A Hidden Gem for Adventure
A fantastic spot for outdoor exploration and thrill-seekers.
After landing in Ajaccio, we grabbed a rental car 🚙 and headed straight to Cargèse—about a two-and-a-half-hour drive. We stopped for lunch at a place called "Petit Peri." The food was great, the prices were fair, and the vibe was super chill. Definitely recommend it!
In Cargèse, our apartment was right by the water, just a short walk to the beach 🌊. With the bright sun 🌞, blue skies ☁️, and crystal-clear water, nothing beat a dip in the sea to escape the summer heat.
The next day, we hit up a diving club to explore underwater together. Just a heads-up: they don’t provide life jackets, so if you’re not a strong swimmer or diver, this might not be for you. But if you love diving 🏊🏻, it’s totally worth the €60 or so per person. After our morning dive and a quick rest, we tackled a mountain hike ⛰. It’s about a three-hour round trip—mostly flat at the start but pretty steep near the top, so bring your hiking boots. It was a workout, but the view from the summit was absolutely worth it.
Day three took us to Calvi, where we stayed in an old fortress used by both military and civilians 🏰 (Citadelle de Calvi). It’s a stunning coastal town. We spent the day wandering through the citadel and then hopped back into the ocean for another swim 🏊🏻♀️.
On the fourth day, we drove to L'Île-Rousse to explore, eat seafood 🍽, hike, and swim 🏊🏻♀️. (You can find local jewelry made of coral 🪸 here). On a whim, we decided to stop by the village of Lumio on the way.
It’s not a major tourist spot, but it’s full of hidden gems. The town is packed with charming little shops and beginner-friendly hiking trails. I picked up some local honey 🐝—it has a unique, rich, slightly bitter yet sweet flavor that the locals are really proud of.
After the coast, we headed inland to Corte, a city nestled deep in the mountains. No sea views here, but the rugged mountain scenery is breathtaking in its own way. We also visited Venaco, a tiny little village. If you’re a nature lover who enjoys forest walks, this is the place for you. We hiked to a nearby waterfall to splash around and just soak in the peaceful vibes.
For our final day, we headed back to Ajaccio for a little city tour. Our hotel was super convenient—right near the airport and only a 30-minute walk away.
Interestingly, I didn't see a single other Asian face during the whole trip north; I was pretty much the only one. It seems like most tourists (maybe following Xiaohongshu tips) stick to the south, leaving the north as a quiet, undiscovered paradise.