A Corsica by car itinerary is the best way to experience the island with freedom. You can stop in mountain villages, drive along dramatic coastal roads and swim at beaches that are hard to reach by public transport. I combined this trip with the French Riviera, which made it a beautiful two week itinerary by car. If you do not want to drive from home, you can also fly to Corsica and rent a car on the island.
My journey started in the Netherlands and drove via the French Riviera, check my road tripping tips here, to Nice. From Nice with the Corsican Ferries night ferry to Bastia in the North of Corsica. I paid for the journey from Nice to Bastia in September including a small car, sleeping cabin with a window, 181 EUR. Please use this link with Direct Ferries if you want to support me in writing these blogs!
Take the night ferry if you can. It saves time and with your own cabin it almost feels like a moving hotel room.
Day 1: From the Netherlands to Mercurol
Somewhere in the middle of South of France. I stopped at the village of Mercurol. Right next to the Route de Solei past Lyon, 1.000 kilometers from home, in a beautiful area. Perfect to stretch your legs after a full day in the car. Hiked up the “La Tour de Mercurol” a fort surrounded by vineyards and watched a stunning sunset. The holiday has started!! Logis Hotel l’Abricotine, was simple but perfect including a restaurant in the middle of nature and close to the A7, the main road to the South of France. Good pick!
Day 2: Mercurol to Saint-Tropez
From Mercurol, it was only 330 km to Saint-Tropez, my first real stop in the Cote d’Azur. The last part was over the D558 was stunning and feeling that I was really on holiday. Last minute I booked the Ibis Golfe de Saint-Tropez in the Cogolin. This is very close to Saint-Tropez and Ramatuelle, a perfect and cheaper option that is in the center of Saint-Tropez. Please check my blog Iconic Saint-Tropez Area, Côte d’Azur France, here!
Day 3 and 4: Saint-Tropez to Cannes, Grasse and Antibes
From Saint-Tropez to Cannes, Grasse and Antibes. Driving the coastal road D559, D6098, A8 and D6185 to Grasse. See my blog of things to do in the Cannes, Grass and Antibes area here. Like perfume museum in Grasse, shopping in Cannes and stroll in Antibes. All with tips to make it easier to travel.
This part of the Côte d’Azur is perfect if you like a mix of sea, towns, perfume, shopping and old streets. Parking can be busy, so I would not plan too many stops in one day.
Check parking garages before you arrive in Cannes or Antibes. It saves a lot of stress in the narrow streets.
Day 5: Monaco
Next day the unique Monaco. The distances are not to long only 60 km, with good toll road in between if you want to hurry up. Check my detailed blog on what to see in Monaco here.
Monaco is small, polished and very different from the rest of this road trip. Nice to see for one day, especially when you are already driving along the coast.
Day 6 and 7: Monaco, Èze and Nice
Drive the Vue Panoramique, M6007 from Monaco and Nice, you will pass the lovely village of Eze. Stunning views, but difficult to stop to make a picture. I loved Nice, great vibe and my last stop in the French Riviera, from here my overnight ferry went to Corsica. Check here my blog with all the tips and inspirations on Nice, and why I loved it so much!
Nice was a perfect stop before the ferry. It has city life, beach, good food and a relaxed vibe. After this, the trip changes from French Riviera style to the wilder Corsica feeling.
You need a car on Corsica
You definitely need a car on the island. I have seen some trains and busses but to be fully flexible and get the full Corsica experience, you need a car, camper of motor.
Driving Corsica is beautiful, but the Corsica roads are slow and winding. Do not only look at the kilometers. A short distance can take longer than expected because of curves, mountain roads, campers and many photo stops. Book your car here!
A small car is perfect for Corsica roads. You will be happy with it in villages, parking areas and on narrow coastal roads.
Day 8 and 9: Bastia to Calvi and Northwest Corsica
Driving the D81 From Bastia to Calvi. Stay to nights in Calvi as a base and discover the area, with the villages of Pigna, Sant’Antonino and L’Île-Rousse. Chill at the stunning beaches Plage de Ghjunchitu and Plage de Bodri. Check for a more detailed description of this itinerary in the blog Travel Tips and Inspirations Round Tripping Northwest Corsica.
Calvi is a great base for this part of the island. You have the beach, the citadel, small villages nearby and enough places for a good dinner after a day of driving. Pigna and Sant’Antonino have that old stone village feeling and beautiful views over the hills.
Day 10: Calvi to Coggia via Porto and Calanques de Piana
Driving from Calvi to Coggia area, passing the West side of Corsica, the view of the Bocca Di Palmarella, have lunch in Porto, with the highlight of the trip, the Calanques de Piana. I stayed in Hôtel A Rena D’Oru at the beach of Santana. Perfect to chill and watch the sunset after a long day of driving!
This was one of the most scenic driving days of the trip. The Calanques de Piana are spectacular, but keep your eyes on the road too. The road is narrow and full of curves, so start early and take your time.
Do not rush this day. The west coast is made for slow driving, coffee stops and many short photo breaks.
Day 11: Ajaccio, Propriano and Plage du Lido
Visiting the capital and birthplace of Napoleon in Ajaccio and chill at Plage du Lido in Propriano and enjoy the lovely accommodation Hôtel A Stretta!
This day gives a nice balance between culture and beach time. Ajaccio is interesting for a short visit, and after that it is lovely to slow down again near Propriano.
Day 12 and 13: Propriano to Porto Vecchio via Sartène and Bonifacio
Today you will be driving from Propriano to Porto Vecchio, visiting the unique village of Sartène and of course the famous Bonifacio. Porto Vecchio is a perfect base to discover the Southeast of Corsica, including the Îles Lavezzi islands. This part of Corsica has the most beautiful beaches Plage de Rondinara and Plage de Palombaggia. I loved hotel Mistral, the Ibis Porto Vecchio is also a good alternative. The detailed blog on Travel Tips and Inspirations Round Tripping Southeast Corsica, you can find here.
Sartène has a more local and old feeling, while Bonifacio is dramatic and busy in a good way. The cliffs and harbor make it one of the most special places in Corsica. Porto Vecchio is practical as a base, especially if you want to visit the famous beaches.
Go early to Plage de Palombaggia and Plage de Rondinara. Parking fills up fast on sunny days.
Day 14: Porto Vecchio to Bastia
Today driving from Porto Vecchio to Bastia, with as main stop Calvi in the middle of Corsica. Perfect in time to take the night ferry back to the South of France, in my instance Toulon.
Take the night ferry; saves time and you can book your own cabin with beds and private bathroom, all for a decent price of 80-90 EUR per cabin. Which is cheap compared to a hotel room on the island.
Day 15 and 16: Toulon to Den Haag Netherlands
Toulon to Den Haag Netherlands. In one-way straight home, long drive but wanted to sleep in my own bed. But better to take a stop in the middle and extend the holiday for another day!!
Booking tips for this Corsica by car itinerary
For accommodations, I always check the location, parking and reviews carefully. On a road trip, easy parking is almost as important as the room itself. You can compare hotels via Booking or Expedia.
For the ferry, Direct Ferries is practical to compare routes between mainland France and Corsica. If you do not want to drive all the way from home, you can also fly to Corsica and rent a car on the island. Corsica has airports near Bastia, Ajaccio, Figari and Calvi, which makes it easy to start your road trip in a different part of the island. You can compare rental cars via Discover Cars.
Frequently asked questions about a Corsica by car itinerary
How many days do you need for a Corsica by car itinerary?
For a Corsica by car itinerary, I recommend at least one week to one and a half week on the island itself. This two week itinerary works well if you also include the French Riviera and the drive from the Netherlands. But of course if you go really slow this itinerary could work for 3 weeks as well, just take it slower!
Is driving Corsica difficult?
Driving Corsica is not extremely difficult, but you need to be comfortable on narrow and winding roads. The views are amazing, but the roads are slow.
Do you need a car in Corsica?
Yes, I really recommend having a car in Corsica. It gives you the freedom to visit beaches, villages and viewpoints that are difficult to reach by public transport. Check here your rental car options.
Mirja’s takeaways
This Corsica by car itinerary was a perfect mix of freedom, beaches, villages and scenic roads. The combination with the French Riviera made the journey from the Netherlands feel like part of the holiday instead of only transport.
My favorite parts were the drive near the Calanques de Piana, the villages around Calvi and the beaches near Porto Vecchio. Corsica roads ask for patience, but that is also the beauty of the island. You slow down automatically.
Next stop: read my detailed blog about round tripping Northwest Corsica or check the Southeast Corsica route for Bonifacio, Porto Vecchio and the most beautiful beaches.
Enjoy your trip!! Check my blog on Tips before you go Road Tripping for more Tips!
