Cap Corse: Top 9 Things to Do at Corsicas Northern Tip

Cap Corse has so many different sights and highlights to offer along its mere 40 kilometers that a quick tour of the peninsula hardly does it justice. We drove the entire route from Pietracorbara to Saint-Florent in a counterclockwise direction and compiled our very own list of the ten highlights on Cap Corse that impressed us the most. At the very top of our list is, without a doubt, the coastal hike starting from Barcaggio Beach in the north of the peninsula, which was the absolute highlight of our entire Cap Corse itinerary.

If you’d like to follow the complete route with all the stops, you’ll find a detailed description in our route article; here, we’re focusing on the highlights themselves and why they’re worth visiting.

Cap Corse isn’t a place for those in a hurry, but for explorers. If you just race along the coastal road here, you’ll be rewarded with wonderful views, but you’ll miss out on the best parts. Despite its proximity to Bastia, many travelers skip this region. After all, there’s so much else to discover in Corsica. But this small peninsula is definitely worth a visit if you can spend two weeks—or even a little longer—in Corsica.

Almost nowhere else in Corsica will you find such spectacular coastal roads, where the cliffs drop straight down into the turquoise-blue sea right beside you, and the water sparkles so beautifully that you’ll want to stop after every curve to marvel at nature.

We’ll now reveal the spots where it’s especially worth stopping in our Cap Corse Highlights.

Last updated: September 2026.

Our Top 10 Highlights in Cap Corse

#1 Coastal hike starting from Barcaggio Beach (Sentier des Douaniers)

Our personal highlight of the entire peninsula is the coastal hike along the Sentier des Douaniers, which starts right at Barcaggio Beach in the far north of Corsica. The trail winds along rugged cliffs, offering views of the Sémaphore tower at Corsica’s northernmost point and the offshore Île de la Giraglia.

What sets this place apart from all other spots on the peninsula for us is the combination of wild, unspoiled coastal scenery and the fact that there’s hardly any tourist infrastructure to mar the view.

The hike takes 3–4 hours to cover a total of 12 km along the picturesque coastline and is truly spectacular. If you can’t or don’t want to walk that far, you can always turn back at any time.

When we were there, it was pretty windy, but our dog was practically unstoppable and had a blast romping through the waves on the beach while we simply enjoyed the view over the cliffs. We describe the entire drive, parking options, and the hike itself in detail in our article on the Sentier des Douaniers.

Tip: If possible, visit when the weather is calm—this stretch of coastline is exposed and can get quite uncomfortable when it’s windy.

#2 Black Beach and Paoli Tower in Nonza

Nonza is spectacularly perched on a cliff above one of Corsica’s most famous beaches, whose dark color is said to come from a former asbestos mine above the village.

The square Paoli Tower, built in 1760, offers a view from the top that we consider one of the most beautiful along the entire route, stretching all the way to Albo. The town is quite touristy and can be explored quickly, but it’s still worth a stop.

You can find all the details about the town, the tower, and parking options in our article on Nonza.

Tip: Parking spots are extremely scarce in Nonza; it’s best to arrive in the morning or late afternoon. Otherwise, you’ll have to make do with the few pull-offs along the road.

#3 Free RV Parking Spot in Albo

Albo made it onto our list solely because of this awesome parking spot: the only completely free and legal RV parking spot we’ve found so far in all of Corsica, just a two-minute walk from the black pebble beach.

Add to that a friendly donkey that’s fed by the campers and stunning sunsets over the pebble beach.

Unfortunately, the ground here is very dusty and sandy; you’ll be parked under trees between the official car park and a river. There are plenty of shaded spots, free waste disposal, a playground, and a small supermarket right next door. What more could you ask for? You can find the spot here on Google Maps.

We originally planned to stay just one night but ended up staying two—read more about that in our article on Albo.

#4 Sandy Beach and Camping in Pietracorbara

On the east coast, the town of Pietracorbara charms visitors with its golden-yellow, roughly 450-meter-long sandy beach and the view of Monte Stello in the background. Despite the restaurants and even a boat rental, the beach is quieter than comparable beaches further south on the island.

We stayed here at the La Pietra campground and were really thrilled with the location right by the sea; you can find all the details in our article on Pietracorbara.

Tip: If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the more famous coastal towns further south, you’ll find much more peace and quiet here, even during peak season.

#5 The Fishing Village of Erbalunga

Erbalunga surprised us with its authentic architecture: narrow alleys, stone houses lined up close together, and a half-ruined Genoese tower on a narrow headland jutting out into the sea. The village is small enough for a leisurely one- to two-hour stroll with a coffee break at the harbor; read more in our article on Erbalunga.

Tip: You can easily pay for the public parking lot (Google Maps) using the EasyPark app; there’s also a small playground just above it.

#6 The D80 Coastal Road

The D80 road circles the entire Cap Corse peninsula, hugging the coastline very closely almost the entire way. Only the far north is left out. Especially in the western part of Cap Corse, the coastal road runs very close to the sea, and the drive is particularly spectacular when you circle the peninsula counterclockwise.

There are frequent stops and overlooks along the route where you can fully enjoy the scenery. Keep in mind, however, that driving around the peninsula can be very tiring, since the road—as is typical in Corsica—winds through zigzag curves and never goes straight.

#7 Moulin Mattei Windmill

The restored windmill on the Col de la Serra between Botticella and Centuri-Port is a photo opportunity even from the parking lot, offering a view of the entire coastline. The mill still bears the logo of the Cap Corse aperitif of the same name and is just a few minutes’ walk from the free parking lot—though it fills up quickly during the day. Behind it, additional hiking trails lead across the small plateau.

For us, it was a perfect short stopover between two longer stages, with no admission fee or wait time.

#8 Citadel and Harbor of Saint-Florent

At the southwestern junction of Cap Corse and the main island lies Saint-Florent, with its impressive Genoese citadel dating from 1440 and Corsica’s second-largest marina after Ajaccio. Even though we were just passing through, we immediately fell in love with the sophisticated, relaxed atmosphere of the old town—read more about it in our article on Saint-Florent.

Tip: Saint-Florent is a great place to stop over before continuing on to the Désert des Agriates or heading back inland.

#9 Centuri Fishing Port

So far, we’ve only seen Centuri while passing through, but the fishing port—with its colorful houses topped with green serpentine stone—is considered France’s most important lobster port and is one of the most photographed spots on the west coast. About 20 professional fishermen supply the restaurants around the harbor; we’re still planning to visit on our own and take our time exploring during our next trip around Cap Corse.

The Romans settled here as early as the Roman era under the name Centurium; later, Pascal Paoli had a shipyard built at the harbor for the Corsican fleet. So if you enjoy a bit of historical context with your meal, this is the perfect spot.

Bonus: Hike up Monte Stello

If you’re looking for a more active outing, you’ll find the starting point for the hike up Monte Stello—at 1,307 meters, the second-highest peak on the peninsula—in the small village of Pozzo, above Pietracorbara. For the round-trip hike, you should plan on about 6 hours and roughly 1,110 meters of elevation gain; in return, the summit rewards you with a panoramic view of the entire Cap Corse all the way to the mainland.

We haven’t made it all the way to the top ourselves yet, but we’re definitely planning to do this hike on our next trip around Cap Corse—even the first views from the lower section of the trail were impressive and have only made us look forward to the full ascent even more.

Tip: You can find more information on Alltrails.

How to Best Combine Cap Corse’s Sights & Highlights

If you only have one day, we’d definitely recommend the coastal hike from Barcaggio, the black sand beach in Nonza, and a quick stop in Albo—you can fit all of this into a single day even if you’re a bit pressed for time. With two to three days, you can also include Pietracorbara, Erbalunga, and Saint-Florent, and still have time for a spontaneous stop at one of the wineries around Rogliano; this also makes the route more relaxed, and you won’t have to drive long distances every day.

Two other sights—the Moulin Mattei windmill and the castle ruins near Rogliano—are both right along the route and can be visited almost on the way, without having to set aside extra time for them. We’d save Centuri for a more leisurely second lap if you really want to take time to explore the harbor and enjoy a lobster meal. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also set aside half a day for the hike up Monte Stello—ideally right after your overnight stay in Pietracorbara, so you won’t have to travel there specifically for the early start.

We’ve described our itinerary around Cap Corse here: Road Trip Through Cap Corse

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cap Corse Highlights

What are the most beautiful sights in Cap Corse?

Among the most beautiful sights are the coastal hike from Barcaggio and the black sand beach at Nonza; you’ll find the complete list of all 9 sights and highlights at the top of the article.

What is your absolute favorite spot on Cap Corse?

The coastal hike along the Sentier des Douaniers starting from Barcaggio Beach in the north of the peninsula, thanks to its wild, largely untouched coastal landscape.

How many days should you plan for the Cap Corse highlights?

You can complete the full loop in one day, but for all the highlights—with time for hiking, swimming, and relaxing—we’d recommend two to three days, plus an extra half-day if you want to include the hike up Monte Stello. We spent a week on the peninsula.

Which beach on Cap Corse is the most famous?

The black pebble beach at Nonza, located directly below the historic Paoli Tower.

Where can you find a free RV parking spot on Cap Corse?

In Albo on the west coast, right on the black pebble beach and only about a 10-minute drive from Nonza.

Can you taste wine at Cap Corse?

Yes, several towns—such as Rogliano, Tomino, and Pietracorbara—are part of the AOC Muscat du Cap Corse region; right around Rogliano, you’ll find small wineries offering tastings right along the route.

What’s the best way to start exploring the highlights of Cap Corse?

Most round-trip routes start in Bastia, which you can reach by ferry from the Italian mainland; it’s best to drive counterclockwise so you can enjoy the best views from the car as you drive.