Corsica Grand Loop 14-Day Self-Drive Tour
Drive counter-clockwise from Bastia, connecting Cap Corse, the west coast, the southern cliffs, and the central highlands.
With one or two nights in each destination, this leisurely paced itinerary covers Corsica's coastlines, historic towns, and winding mountain roads—perfect for first-time visitors with plenty of time. The west coast and mountain roads are winding and slow, so daily distances are short but time-consuming. The Restonica Valley is kept to a short walk in the lower section, excluding high-altitude lake hikes, and the east coast is used mainly as a transit route.
Parking and ferry tickets are tight in July and August; some ferry routes stop operating after mid-October.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Bastia Old Town
Bastia & Cap Corse（Place Saint-Nicolas、Vieux Port, Bastia、Citadel (Terra Nova) & Palais des Gouverneurs）
Pick up your rental car at the airport and drive to the city center (approx. 30 mins). Explore the old town on foot.
Stay: Bastia Old Port and City Centre
Day 2 · Cap Corse Loop
Bastia & Cap Corse（Erbalunga、Cap Corse Loop、Moulin Mattei、Centuri-Port、Nonza）
Drive north along the east coast of the peninsula and south along the west coast. Pure driving time is about 3.5 hours; an early start is recommended.
The peninsula roads are narrow, winding, and slow when passing oncoming cars. Allow plenty of time.
Stay: Saint-Florent
Day 3 · Agriates Wilderness Beaches
Bastia & Cap Corse（Saint-Florent、Plage du Lotu、Plage de Saleccia (Désert des Agriates)）
Take a shuttle boat from Saint-Florent to Lotu Beach (approx. 30 mins), then walk about 1 hour to Saleccia Beach.
There is no shade and very few facilities on the beaches; bring your own water and lunch. The dirt tracks are impassable for standard cars.
Stay: Saint-Florent
Day 4 · Ostriconi to L'Île-Rousse
Calvi & Balagne（Plage de l'Ostriconi、L'Île-Rousse、Île de la Pietra & Lighthouse）
Drive west along the Agriates road (approx. 1.5 hours total), stopping to walk down to the beach along the way.
Stay: L'Île-Rousse
Day 5 · Balagne Mountain Villages
Calvi & Balagne（Pigna、Church of the Trinity, Aregno、Sant'Antonino、Lumio）
Drive up from L'Île-Rousse to hop between mountain villages, then head down to Calvi (approx. 1.5 hours driving time).
Cars are banned inside the village of Sant'Antonino. Park at the entrance and walk up.
Stay: Calvi Citadel and Harbour
Day 6 · Calvi Citadel & Bay
Calvi & Balagne（Citadel of Calvi、Calvi Beach、Notre-Dame de la Serra、Pointe de la Revellata）
Explore the town on foot. In the afternoon, take a short drive (approx. 30 mins) to Revellata Peninsula and Notre-Dame de la Serra.
Stay: Calvi Citadel and Harbour
Day 7 · South along the West Coast & Scandola Boat Tour
Calvi & Balagne（Galéria） → Ajaccio（Porto (Ota)、Scandola Nature Reserve、Girolata）
Drive along the coastal road to Porto (approx. 2.5 hours), then take a 3–4 hour afternoon boat tour.
Scandola can only be seen by boat. Book tickets in advance and start early in the morning to catch the afternoon boat.
Stay: Porto
Day 8 · Calanques de Piana to Ajaccio
Ajaccio（Calanques de Piana、Cargèse）
Drive south via Piana and Cargèse (approx. 2.5 hours). The mountain sections are slow.
The Calanques road is narrow. It is less busy in the morning; do not stop on bends to take photos.
Stay: Ajaccio Old Town
Day 9 · Napoleon's Hometown & Sanguinaires Islands
Ajaccio（Maison Bonaparte、Ajaccio Cathedral、Palais Fesch & Imperial Chapel、Îles Sanguinaires & Pointe de la Parata）
Explore the old town on foot. In the evening, drive to Pointe de la Parata (approx. 30 mins) to watch the sunset.
Museum closing days vary by season. Check official websites before visiting.
Stay: Ajaccio Old Town
Day 10 · Prehistoric Ruins to Bonifacio
Ajaccio（Filitosa） → Bonifacio（Sartène、Roccapina Lion Rock & Beach）
Drive south via Filitosa and Sartène to Bonifacio (approx. 3–3.5 hours).
Stay: Bonifacio Marina
Day 11 · Clifftop Citadel & Sea Caves
Bonifacio（Bonifacio Haute Ville (Citadel)、Escalier du Roi d'Aragon、Bonifacio Cliffs & Sea Caves Boat Tour、Pertusato Lighthouse & Coastal Path）
Walk up to the citadel from the harbor, take a 1-hour boat tour, and drive a short distance to Cape Pertusato in the evening for a coastal walk.
Boat tours may be canceled in high winds. Schedule your boat trip during calmer periods of the day.
Stay: Bonifacio Marina
Day 12 · Southern Beaches to Porto-Vecchio
Bonifacio（Rondinara Beach、Santa Giulia Beach、Palombaggia Beach、Porto-Vecchio Old Town）
Drive north along the southeast coast (less than 1 hour driving time) to reach Porto-Vecchio's old town in the afternoon.
Beach parking lots fill up in the morning during peak season. Arrive as early as possible.
Stay: Porto-Vecchio
Day 13 · Bavella Needles Pass to Corte
Bonifacio（Lac de l'Ospedale、Col de Bavella & Aiguilles de Bavella）
Drive up the mountains past Lake Ospedale to Bavella, then head down to the east coast and turn inland to Corte (approx. 3.5 hours).
Stay: Corte
Day 14 · Corte Old Town & Gorge Walk
Ajaccio（Corte、Restonica Gorges & Lac de Melo） → Bastia & Cap Corse（La Canonica (Cathédrale Santa Maria Assunta)）
Explore Corte and walk the lower section of the gorge in the morning. Drive to the airport in the afternoon (approx. 1 hour), passing the Canonica Cathedral.
The road to the upper gorge is closed due to flood damage; cars can only go as far as Frasseta. Booking an evening flight is recommended.