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Cap Corse med fjell, kyst og autentiske landsbyer Haute-Corse · Coastal roads, villages and wild landscapes
France travel guide

Cap Corse

Corsica in miniature – a narrow, mountainous peninsula where dramatic coastal roads, small fishing harbours, Genoese towers and authentic island character come together.

The east coast brings together Erbalunga, Pietracorbara and Macinaggio, with gentler roads, sandy beaches and excellent bases for boat trips and walking. Around the northern tip lie Barcaggio, Giraglia and the wild Sentier des Douaniers.

The west coast is more dramatic, with Centuri, Pino, Canari and Nonza squeezed between the mountains and the sea. Cap Corse is best explored slowly, with time for viewpoints, swimming stops and long meals beside the harbour.

Erbalunga and NonzaSentier des DouaniersCenturi and Macinaggio
Best forRoad trips, villages, viewpoints, walking and local food
Ideal forCouples, motorists, nature lovers and leisurely touring holidays
Getting aroundA car offers the greatest freedom; the east coast is easier, while the west coast is more demanding
Good base forBastia, Saint-Florent, Patrimonio and northern Corsica
Highlights

Experience Cap Corse

Discover the peninsula’s villages, coastal towers, harbours, sandy beaches and viewpoints. Each card opens an English mini-guide based on official tourism sources.

Explore activities in Cap Corse
Suggested itineraries

Cap Corse in 1, 3 or 5 days

Choose the length of your stay and explore the peninsula without turning the coastal road into a race. The best days have only a few main stops and plenty of time between them.

A well-focused day on Cap Corse

For a one-day visit, start early and choose only a few main stops. A complete circuit is possible, but the experience is far better when quality matters more than the number of places.

MorningStart in Bastia or Saint-Florent and make Erbalunga or Nonza your first stop.
Late morningContinue to Macinaggio or Centuri and pause for a relaxed break by the harbour.
AfternoonChoose Moulin Mattei, Tamarone or a short section of the Sentier des Douaniers.
EveningFinish with dinner in Erbalunga, Macinaggio, Centuri or Saint-Florent.
Choose the right base

Where to stay on Cap Corse

Choose your base according to whether you prefer to stay near Bastia, close to beaches and walking trails, beside a fishing harbour or along the dramatic west coast.

Best for atmosphere

Erbalunga

Historic harbour, restaurants and easy access from Bastia.

A good base for short stays and the east coast.
Best for walking and boating

Macinaggio and Tomino

Marina, Tamarone, the coastal trail and a choice of hotels in several categories.

Choose this area for the northern tip and active days outdoors.
Authentic harbour atmosphere

Centuri

A small fishing harbour, seafood and dramatic sunsets on the west coast.

Ideal for peace, views and local meals.
Close to beaches and nature

Pietracorbara and Cagnano

Sandy beach, smaller villages and quieter surroundings midway along the east coast.

A good choice for couples, families and beach days.
Dramatic west coast

Nonza, Canari and Pino

Cliffs, historic villages and expansive views towards the Gulf of Saint-Florent.

Choose this area for tranquillity, nature and slow-paced touring.
Selected places to stay

Hotels on Cap Corse

Here are all the hotels we have selected on Cap Corse, across categories and price levels. Use the map to compare Erbalunga, Cagnano, Macinaggio, Centuri and the areas near Bastia.

Hôtel Misíncu★★★★★
Cagnano

Hôtel Misíncu

5-star hotel in Cap Corse with spa, restaurant options and terrace and a comfortable, well-located feel.

Demeure Castel Brando Hôtel & Spa★★★★
Erbalunga

Demeure Castel Brando Hôtel & Spa

4-star hotel in Cap Corse with spa, pool and family-friendly room options and a comfortable, well-located feel.

Hôtel Alivi★★★★
Pietranera

Hôtel Alivi

4-star hotel in Cap Corse with terrace, private beach and beach access and a comfortable, well-located feel.

Hôtel U Ricordu & Spa★★★★
Macinaggio

Hôtel U Ricordu & Spa

4-star hotel in Cap Corse with spa, restaurant options and terrace and a comfortable, well-located feel.

Hôtel Le Vieux Moulin★★★
Centuri

Hôtel Le Vieux Moulin

3-star hotel in Cap Corse with restaurant options, harbour access and rooms and suites and a comfortable, well-located feel.

Hôtel Marina d’Oro★★★
Macinaggio

Hôtel Marina d’Oro

3-star hotel in Cap Corse with restaurant options, marina and harbour access and a comfortable, well-located feel.

Hôtel U Libecciu★★★
Macinaggio

Hôtel U Libecciu

3-star hotel in Cap Corse with beach access, marina and harbour access and a comfortable, well-located feel.

Hotel Macchia e Mare★★
Pietracorbara

Hotel Macchia e Mare

2-star aparthotel in Cap Corse with restaurant options, beach access and rooms with terrace or balcony and a comfortable, well-located feel.

Hôtel Résidence CapenseHotel
Centuri

Hôtel Résidence Capense

Aparthotel in Cap Corse with terrace, harbour access and rooms with terrace or balcony and a comfortable, well-located feel.

The map shows selected hotels. Select a marker to view an image and further details.
Camping and motorhomes

Camping on and around Cap Corse

The map finds campsites along Cap Corse, from Erbalunga and Pietracorbara to Macinaggio, Centuri, Nonza and the areas near Bastia and Saint-Florent. Sites are sorted by distance from the centre of the peninsula. Select a marker for an image, practical details and the campsite’s official website.

The camping map will load as you approach this section.

Sandy beaches, wild coastline and walking trails

Beaches and nature on Cap Corse

Family-friendly east coast

Pietracorbara

A long sandy beach with clear water and plenty of space, with a village and valley just inland.

Nature reserve and coastal trail

Tamarone and Finocchiarola

A sandy beach north of Macinaggio with access to the Sentier des Douaniers, Santa Maria and the protected islands.

Contrasts of the west coast

Nonza and small coves

A dark pebble beach, steep cliffs and small bathing spots best enjoyed through unhurried stops along the way.

City life, wine and beautiful beaches

Four rewarding excursions from Cap Corse

Combine the peninsula with northern Corsica’s harbour city, wine country and the wild coast west of Saint-Florent.

Explore further

More to explore from Cap Corse

Plan a longer touring holiday, read more about Corsica or find the easiest way to take your car to Bastia.

Erbalunga and the coastal landscape of Cap Corse
In-depth regional guide

Cap Corse – the wild northern tip

Read a more extensive guide covering villages, the coastal road, beaches and a suggested four-day itinerary.

Read the full Cap Corse guide →
Vinmarker og vinsmaking i Patrimonio
Wine and local flavours

Patrimonio and Corsican wines

Add local grape varieties, small wineries and tastings between Bastia and Saint-Florent to your touring holiday.

View the Corsica wine guide →
Ferry to Bastia in Corsica
Ferries and touring holidays

Take your car to Bastia

Compare ferries to Corsica and begin your road trip at the gateway to Cap Corse.

Find ferries to Corsica →
Read more

Read our inspiring articles about France

Find inspiration in travel guides, touring holidays, beaches, food experiences and new destinations across France and Corsica.

Coastal village and Genoese heritage

Erbalunga

The Genoese tower in Erbalunga beside the sea
Photo from Visit Corsica / Sylvain Alessandri.

Erbalunga is the classic gateway to Cap Corse – a small harbour village where stone houses, fishing boats and the ruins of a Genoese watchtower create one of the peninsula’s most atmospheric scenes.

The tower stands at the end of a rocky headland beside the old fishing harbour. It belongs to the network of coastal towers built between the 15th and 18th centuries to watch the sea and warn villages of attacks.

The Republic of Genoa commissioned many of the towers along the coast. They served as watchtowers, navigational landmarks and, in some places, customs posts, becoming an important part of Cap Corse’s maritime defences.

Today, Erbalunga is a lovely place for an unhurried stroll, a café stop and dinner beside the sea. Its narrow streets and harbour reveal the more intimate and artistic side of northern Corsica.

At the gateway to Cap CorseHistoric fishing harbourGenoese watchtowerNear Bastia
Read more at Visit Corsica →
Clifftop village, history and dramatic coastline

Nonza

Nonza with the village, church and Paoli Tower
Photo from Visit Corsica / Sylvain Alessandri.

Nonza clings to a steep ledge above the west coast and is one of Cap Corse’s most distinctive villages, known for the Paoli Tower, the church of Santa Ghjulia and the dark beach far below.

The site’s history is far older than the village’s formal foundation in the Middle Ages. The area contains traces of prehistoric settlement, and Nonza has long been associated with the veneration of the Corsican saint Santa Ghjulia.

The Paoli Tower was built in 1760 on the remains of an older fortress. From the viewpoint, you can see across the Gulf of Saint-Florent, the cliffs of the west coast and the long, dark pebble beach.

Below the village, steps lead towards Fontaine Sainte-Julie and the remains of the old marina, once an important trading point on Cap Corse.

West coastPaoli Tower, built in 1760Santa GhjuliaBlack pebble beach
Read more at Visit Corsica →
Fishing harbour and seafood

Centuri

Centuri and its small harbour on the north-west coast of Cap Corse
Photo from Visit Corsica.

Centuri is a small, colourful fishing harbour on the north-west coast, surrounded by maquis, low mountains and clear water. The harbour is a natural place for lunch and a leisurely stroll.

The commune extends between Capo Bianco and Mute beach and also includes the small islet of Capense, an important site for birdlife.

The harbour itself is small but full of character. Pastel-coloured houses, fishing boats and restaurants cluster around the water, and the area is particularly known for lobster and other local seafood.

Take time to explore the narrow streets and quayside. Centuri is also a good starting or finishing point for sections of the Sentier des Douaniers.

North-west coastTraditional fishing harbourSeafood and lobsterStarting point for the coastal trail
Read more at Visit Corsica →
Walking along the wild northern tip

Sentier des Douaniers

Coastal tower and clear water along the Sentier des Douaniers
Image from Cap Corse Tourisme.

The Sentier des Douaniers follows the protected coast between Macinaggio and Centuri, bringing you close to cliffs, dunes, Genoese towers, nature reserves and small harbours.

The full route is around 19 kilometres and normally takes more than eight hours. The terrain has no major technical difficulties, but the distance, sun, wind and limited services make careful planning essential.

The route can be divided into sections. Macinaggio to Barcaggio takes roughly three to three and a half hours, Barcaggio to Tollare around 45 minutes, and Tollare to Centuri about four hours.

Carry water, sun protection and suitable footwear, and check wind, fire risk and transport before setting out. Bicycles and camping are not permitted on the trail.

Approx. 19 kmMore than 8 hours in totalCan be divided into sectionsProtected coastal landscape
Read more at Cap Corse Tourisme →
Sandy beach, marina and nature reserve

Macinaggio and Tamarone

The Finocchiarola islands off Macinaggio and Tamarone
Image from Visit Corsica.

Macinaggio is the principal marina in the north-east of the peninsula and the gateway to Tamarone beach, the Finocchiarola islands and the first section of the Sentier des Douaniers.

Tamarone is a sandy beach at the entrance to a protected natural area. It can be reached on foot from Macinaggio along the coastal trail or by car via a passable gravel road ending near the site.

From the harbour, you can continue along the trail towards the Santa Maria tower, the nature reserve and Barcaggio. Even shorter walks offer excellent views and opportunities for a swim.

Macinaggio has restaurants, accommodation and boat services, making it a convenient base for the northern tip of Cap Corse.

North-east coastSandy beachStart of the coastal trailNear Finocchiarola
Read more at Visit Corsica →
Viewpoint and symbol of the northern tip

Moulin Mattei

Moulin Mattei ved Col de la Serra i Ersa
Image from Cap Corse Tourisme / Odyssea.

Moulin Mattei stands high above Centuri and is one of Cap Corse’s best-known viewpoints, with sweeping panoramas towards the west coast, Giraglia, the Agriates and the Italian islands.

The mill is owned by the Conservatoire du Littoral and stands at Col de la Serra. A short path leads from the parking area to the mill and viewpoint.

To the west, you look down towards Centuri and the coast, while the view north follows the landscape towards Ersa and the island of Giraglia. On clear days, parts of the Tuscan archipelago may be visible on the horizon.

Nearby stands a statue of Sainte-Dévote, Corsica’s patron saint. The area is also the starting point for several short trails towards Centuri and the northern tip.

Ersa / Col de la SerraShort walk from the parking areaPanoramic views towards CenturiGiraglia and the Agriates
Read more at Cap Corse Tourisme →