Corsica is a brilliant French island in the Mediterranean known for its picturesque, mountainous landscape that's perfect for photos whether you're shooting professionally or just sprucing up your Instagram. Whether you visit the cliffs or the countryside, you'll never be far from something worth photographing.
Visiting Corsica means exploring a diverse array of attractions, with each having plenty of aesthetic value you can capture, including old buildings, well-kept parks and quaint ports. Check out the most Instagrammable places in Corsica.
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Bonifacio cliffs
See white limestone cliffs
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The Bonifacio cliffs offer not only scenic views of the Mediterranean but stunning opportunities for photos of a picturesque town as well. The sparkling waters contrast well with the bright-white cliff face. At the top of the cliffs, you'll find the town of Bonifacio and its citadel-like design.
You can take impressive photos from the clifftops in the town as well, especially if you capture the cobbled streets. It's all located near the southernmost point of the island, a few miles southwest of Porto-Vecchio.
Location: Bonifacio, France
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Aiguilles de Bavella
Check out craggy spires
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Read moreAiguilles de Bavella, or the Needles of Bavella, are sharp, towering spires of granite that sit at the top of a hill perfect for photos. Reaching elevations of 1,855 metres, it's easy to capture the impressive and imposing nature of these sky spears.
Much of the area looks positively twisted, and that's including more than just the jagged peaks. You'll also be able to take photos of unique rock walls and twisted pine trees. It's all located near the east coast of the island by Corse-du-Sud.
Location: 20122 Quenza, France
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Beach Rondinara
Capture a little paradise
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Beach Rondinara is a small yet breathtaking beach where you'll find a curved shore complemented by turquoise waters and white, sugary sands. The beach is part of a bay with land curving around on almost all sides, leaving just a relatively small opening out to the greater sea.
When you visit, you can take scenic shots from the shore or from a boat out in the water. Boating is quite popular in the area given the surroundings, so it's not difficult to find a boat hire or hitch a ride on a charter. You'll find this beach on the southeastern shore of the island, south of Porto-Vecchio.
Location: 20169 Bonifacio, France
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Citadel of Calvi
Learn about local history and heritage
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Read moreThe Citadel of Calvi is one of the crown jewels of the entire island and lets you take photos of impressive historical architecture perched atop a rocky promontory. While the structure itself has plenty of impressive features, you can also take in a 360-degree view of the city and the marina from the citadel as well.
This is one of the best locations to visit if you want diversity in your portfolio. Given the viewpoints available, you can capture the island's natural world as well as historic, man-made structures. It's all available to see on the eastern shore at the tip of a small peninsula.
Location: Haute ville, 20260 Calvi, France
Open: 24/7
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Old Port of Bastia
Soak up stunning harbour views
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Read moreThe Old Port of Bastia offers impressive views of the harbour where you'll find tranquil waters, boats and historic buildings alike perfect for photos. While the area is mostly known for its bars and restaurants these days, photographers can still enjoy walks along the waterfront promenade.
If you're looking for the best views of the harbour, be sure to visit the Quai des Martyrs de la Liberation. No matter where you go in the area, however, you'll still be able to see the dominating Church of Saint John the Baptist towering over every other building. It's all located on the eastern edge of the island's northern peninsula.
Location: Quai de la Madonette, 20200 Bastia, France
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Calanques de Piana
Visit a World Heritage Site
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Calanques de Piana is a set of impressive geological formations showcasing the impressive terrain that Corsica is known for with steep walled inlets and valleys. Visiting here means visiting a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it's remarkably well-preserved.
When you visit, you'll find towering peaks and steep cliff faces with as much vibrant greenery as the red and grey colours of rock. The cliffs, specifically, are composed of red ochre. You can see it for yourself on the south side of Golfe de Porto on the island's western coast.
Location: 20115 Piana, France
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Gorges de la Restonica
View breathtaking gorges
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Gorges de la Restonica are iconic gorges near the heart of the island that are partly forested and accessible with hiking trails and scenic views. Getting the best photos here is simple considering how accessible the area is with easy trails to all the best viewpoints.
If you don't feel like hiking the gorges, you don't have to. Driving along the valley is enough for stunning views in many cases, and you'll find plenty of opportunities for photos that way as well. You can explore it all near the centre of the island in southern Haute-Corse.
Location: 20250 Corte, France
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Sartène
Explore a medieval commune
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Sartène is a commune in Corsica that dates back to medieval times with several 16th-century buildings still standing today, though the entire town is picturesque in its own way. The 16th-century buildings are among the best options for photos, however, if you're trying to add some historical flair to your Instagram.
Just about all the major buildings in town sport a signature red colour for their rooftops, so panoramic shots from nearby cliff faces can create unforgettable photos. Test it all out for yourself by visiting the town on the south side of the island near the southwestern coast.
Location: Restonica, France
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Chapelle de Notre Dame de la Serra
Take photos from a humble chapel
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Chapelle de Notre Dame de la Serra is an impressive chapel in its own right and also offers stunning views of the surrounding nature that you won't want to miss. The chapel itself has a peaceful ambience around it, including the statue of the Notre Dame de la Serra you'll find in the courtyard.
From the chapel, you can see the entire bay of Calvi as well as the Regina Valley. The view here is so noteworthy that a local legend says if you bring the love of your life to see it, you'll spend quite a few happy years together. It's located a few miles southwest of Calvi.
Location: Chemin Notre Dame de la Serra, 20260, Calvi, France
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Scandola National Park
Discover rich biodiversity
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Read moreScandola National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and nature reserve where you can take photos of impressive biodiversity and iconic maquis shrubland. This is the place to be if you're looking to capture the local nature. You'll find a variety of plant life here along with wildlife like birds and lizards, including geckos.
The natural geology is quite impressive, as you can find a rhyolite arch as well as columnar-jointed basalt. Cliffs and jagged rocks are especially common by the coast. You can see it for yourself on the island's western coast.
Location: Maison de la Mer, Route du Port, 20245 Galéria, France
Open: Monday–Friday from 8.30 am to noon, 2 pm to 5 pm (closed Saturday–Sunday)
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