Taking the Coast Road to the Cap Corse

There’s no remaining indifferent to the so peculiar atmosphere of this Cape, the deep blue rocks, the Genoese towers and perched hanging villages, the mysterious seascapes and large stretches of desert areas. This place is nature’s wonder and deserves thorough visiting from dawn till dusk.

The East Coast

On leaving the quays of Toga harbour, the D80 is there waiting for you to drive to Erbalunga and its emblematic Genoese tower. For the best snapshots, stop at the entrance of the village, take a stroll by the lovely fishing port and take a sit outside a café to taste a glass of Muscat wine from Corsica Cape. Before your eyes the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Elba, Capraia and Monte Cristo Islands will whet your appetite and encourage you to go on with the tour. If you keep on northwards the Sisco Marina and a green dead-end valley in bloom are really worth the trip. There are more than seventeen hamlets scattered here and there to walk through at a slow pace. You’ll discover surprising mansions called the “Americans’ houses”. Many people from Corsica Cape once immigrated to the USA and some of them became very wealthy. Those who came back to their homeland had these four-pitch-roofed great mansions built in their native villages, surrounded with terrace gardens planted with palm trees and exotic trees.

Let’s head back to the coast and enter Pietracorbara and its marina. One of the rare sand beaches in the sector is awaiting you for a first bath. The D232 road climbs up through the scrub towards Cagnano and its lovely marina called Porticciolo. A baroque chapel, a grain mill, a Genoese tower and bridge are there for you to visit – this valley offers great opportunities for hiking and pony treks.

Once in Santa-Severa, you have two options: either you take the D120 road to Luri and drive to the west of the Cape towards Pino, or you keep on driving up north. We recommend the second option if you don’t want to miss Maccinaggio, its marina, the entrance to the Islands Finocciarola nature reserve and the start of the customs path. Take this path following the northern coast of Corsica Cape and enjoy an 8-hour trek admiring protected animal species, flora, monuments and matchless landscapes. On the road to Rogliano, you’ll revel in grandiose panoramic sights with mansions, remains of tower, convents, chapels and beautiful churches.

At the Serra Pass, stop at the Mattei Mill from where you can make out the Giraglia islands, the Ersa lighthouse and the Barcaggio and Tollare villages. Here the scrub is reminiscent of Brittany or Irish moor and you’ll fully understand why Corsica has been called the mountain in the sea. The slopes dive into the Mediterranean, watched over by the villages overhanging the site.

The West Coast

The landscapes change when you reach Centuri, across the Cappenza Isle and its ragged coastline and steep slopes. Centuri’s tiny fishing port is a real marvel, with its rock stairs and typical roofs made in serpentine, a magnesium silicate with lovely green glints. Here is the best place to taste the Corsica lobster which is said to be the best in the world. So don’t think twice about it and take your lunch break right here!

The neighbouring Morsiglia village will surprise you with the numerous well-preserved towers that make it a unique place. Park your car and climb up the lanes to discover the fortified towers and Americans’ palaces. Set off again on the road winding its way overlooking the sea and you’ll reach Pino and the Piccioni castle overhanging the foaming waves. Then, we suggest you drive down towards the lovely Scalu marina to admire its three square towers.

Leave the D80 road to take the D33 and discover the panoramic view onto the Almafitan Sea, from the numerous Canari hamlets. At the Elbo Marina, you’ll love the beautiful Genoese tower Del Greco, entirely built in schist. Take your time and drive up the D233 to the village to cool down in the natural pools of the Guado Grande River, and visit the renovated oil mill.

The last choice piece on this coast road is Nonza and its Paoline tower. From the top of this edifice built in green porphyry, you’ll have one of the best views on the Cape. You can make out the strange beach of Nonza, all in pebbles and dark green sand in which lovers draw sweet messages. Then, head back to Bastia via Patrimonio and its world famous vineyards and the Teghime Pass. From there, you can contemplate the whole Corsica Cape, the urban area around Bastia and the Marana spit of land and take a last snapshot.