10 Things to Do in Corsica on a Small Budget

The Citadel of Calvi is a historic fortress towering over the town of the same name with scenic views of the shore and surrounding nature. Inside, you can take a tour of the fortress with a guide or at your own pace, and tours are available in French, English, Dutch and Italian.

It won't cost you anything to visit this attraction, making it one of the best free features on the island. The guided tour is free as well—you just have to make an appointment first. It's all located in Calvi on the island's western coast.

King of Aragon's Stairway is a historical structure dating back to 1420 that features makeshift stairs dug into a limestone cliff in a notably irregular fashion. Each step is just as odd as the next, and there are 189 in total.

While the steps themselves are certainly impressive and historically significant, you can also enjoy the picturesque views from the steps, as they put you over the shining sea and the cliffs of Sardinia. See it all for yourself on the south side of the island in Bonifacio.

Citadelle de Bonifacio is a massive coastal fortress that dates back to the 12th century and offers incredible views of the surroundings as well as insight into history. While construction began in the 12th century, it took hundreds of years for it to reach the state it's in today.

When you visit, you can tour this military fortress to learn all about what fortifications were like in centuries past. While the fortress itself is free to visit, you will have to pay for parking if you're driving yourself. It's all located in the town of the same name on the southern coast of Corsica.

Plage des Trois Pointes is a unique beach surrounded by large limestone plateaus, making it picturesque and suitable for bathing and jumping. The cliffs above the water are often used by people looking for the thrills of jumping into the water below, as you'll find it plenty deep enough to handle that kind of descent.

This beach is also popular with photographers and snorkelers looking to capture its beauty and peek under the waves. Plus, the nearby lighthouse serves as a convenient parking area. You'll find it all southeast of Bonifacio along the island's southern coast.

The Golfe de Porto is a local gulf where you can take in views of dramatically colored cliffs and serene blue waters from well-protected natural reserves. The gulf itself and its surrounding area are part of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, and it's registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

When you visit, you'll find yourself with plenty of opportunities to explore the local flora and fauna. Additionally, this region is home to the iconic maquis shrubland that Corsica is so well known for. You can see it all for yourself on the west side of the island, and it's free to access.

Palombaggia is a stunning and secluded beach where you can enjoy white sand, red rocks and a half-circle cove surrounding turquoise waters. Given the isolated nature of the beach, you won't find many buildings in the area. Instead, the tallest objects tend to be towering and vibrant pine trees.

Access to this beach is free, so you just have to worry about getting there. You can easily drive, of course, but you'll also be able to take a taxi cab from Porto-Vecchio if you don't have access to a automobile. You'll find the beach itself on the southeastern coast of Corsica, just a short distance to the southeast from Porto-Vecchio.

The Lavezzi Islands are a group of 8 picturesque islands arranged in an archipelago and offering scenic natural features and ecological interests. The islands are free to visit, but you'll have to pay for a ferry to visit if you don't have a boat of your own.

While you can't visit all of the islands due to their status as protected nature reserves, you can find everything you need on the island of Lavezzu. It offers beaches, creeks and imposing granite boulders. You'll find it all southeast of mainland Corsica.

Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste de La Porta is a prominent Roman Catholic church that sports impressive architectural design dating back to the 18th century. Taking the time to visit this church, which is free to access, offers a nice way to relax in a serene environment.

The architectural design of the church sports numerous neoclassical inspirations, and it's all well-preserved due to the building's status as a historic monument as of 1975. You can see it for yourself in La Porta, which is a few miles southwest of Lucciana.

Calanques de Piana are some of the best examples of Corsican calanques you'll find on the entire island, and they're free and easy to access. A calanque is a steep-walled inlet covered in a rock like limestone or any other kind of carbonate strata.

When you visit this natural feature, you'll find rich biodiversity along with cliffs made from red ochre. It's also home to maquis shrubland, the unique biome of Corsica. It's all located on the island's eastern shore on the south side of the Golfe de Porto.

Agriates Desert is a fun-filled area of Corsica where you'll find coastal beaches and tranquil brush-covered wilderness with extensive footpaths throughout. Some of the best beaches on the island are located in this region, and that's reason enough to visit for many travelers.

In addition to the beaches, you'll find a variety of footpaths and roads that will take you alongside vibrant greenery and rocky hills. It's all free to access and available on the northernmost part of Corsica, not including the northern peninsula.