Cycling Corsica: 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Cape Corsica

When you arrive at the airport in Bastia, make a beeline for Cape Corsica - a scenic peninsula at the northern tip of the island where you'll pick up your rental bike and give it a test ride. Settle into your comfortable hotel just a short ride from the beautiful stone villages of Erbalunga and Sisco and a small marina famous for its diving. Then celebrate your first day on the island with a leisurely, multi-hour traditional Corsican dinner. Traditional dishes include civet de sanglier (wild board casserole), agneau Corse (Corsican lamb), and langoustine (crayfish). Our favorite local restaurant is A Stalla Sischese.

Day 2: The Extreme North of Corsica

Start your morning with a hearty breakfast, grab your bike, and head north, following the coastline as it winds past beautiful Genoese towers, across vineyards, and to Port Maccinaggio, where bright green hills meet a deep blue sea. Get ready for an energizing climb to the classic Mattei Windmill, where sweeping views await. Pause at the summit to take it all in before enjoying the beautiful descent to the pretty port village of Centuri, renowned for being the first lobster fishing port in France. Don't leave without sampling the lobster at Restaurant du Vieux Moulin in the marina. 

Cycle distance: 25 - 34 miles (41 - 55 km)

Day 3: From Corsican Lobster to Corsican Wine

Mount your bike and bid Centuri a fond farewell. This morning, you're off along the coast again, following a road with dramatic views of a coastline full of hidden creeks. Make your way to Nonza, where the ancient Paoline Tower on the hilltop and the striking black pebble beach are well worth stopping for. When you're ready, continue to Patrimonio, the birthplace of Corsica's best wines, where vineyards, a beautiful church, and wine tastings offered in the excellent cellars of Orenga di Gaffory, Clos Marfisi, and Clos Santini beg you to stop and explore. Then, finally, make your way to Saint-Florent's peaceful, sailboat-studded harbor, your home for the next 2 nights. 

Cycle distance: 36 miles (58 km)

Day 4: Saint-Florent's Port and Beaches

Spend your day in Saint-Florent, with its little harbor and white sand beach, doing whatever it is you love best. Rent a stand-up paddleboard or a jet ski and get out on the water. Board a shuttle to Saleccia - one of the island's most beautiful beaches - for a day of sea and sand. Or get back on the bike for a 31-mile (50 km) loop around Nebbiu's classically Corsican villages.

Cycle Distance (Optional): 31 miles (50 km)

Day 5: Crossing of the Désert des Agriates

Prepare for an amazing ride across a protected natural area with stunning landscapes of rock and low, green shrubbery. It may look lush and green, but the area you're riding through today is a desert. As you reach the Vezzu Pass, pause to take in the sweeping mountain views before descending toward the fertile Balagne region, also known as the "Garden of Corsica." Pause at Ile Rousse for a sunset drink at Place Pascal Paoli overlooking the rocky island just offshore. Overnight in a comfortable hotel in the city center.

Cycle distance: 28 - 53 miles (45 - 85 km) 

Day 6: La Balagne - Villages, Beaches, & Local Cuisine

Depart from Ile Rousse and take the main road inland toward some of Corsica's most beautiful hilltop villages: Pigna and Sant Antonino. Pause to try some local specialties in restaurants along the way and don't miss the local lime juice in Sant Antonino. Continue along the artisans' road toward Calvi, Corsica's version of glamorous Saint-Tropez. If you have time once you arrive, Calvi's most famous attractions include the ruins of Village d'Occi, the Chapelle de Notre Dame de la Serra, and the citadel. Canyoning and rafting are also available nearby.

Cycle distance: 15.5 - 22 miles (25 -35 km)

Day 7: Your Final Day in Corsica

After breakfast, it's time to make your way home. If you have some time before you go, visit the Revellata Lighthouse, go canyoning or rafting, walk to the ruins of Village d'Occi, or just wander the streets of the old port town.