Corsica clockwise - mountains, bays and a ferry crossing from Livorno

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This trip is planned for 08 Sept – 23 Sept 2027.

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Day 1 · Wed 08/09 4:48 hr

Start in Nürnberg - heading south over the Alps

First leg of the journey

Around 4.5 hours of driving time - well within your daily allowance.

The Brenner Pass is well developed and completely straightforward for a campervan.

Start

Nürnberg

This is where your trip begins. You'll head south over the Alps, splitting the long drive to Livorno across two days.

415 km · 4:45 hr
Camper stop

Reisemobilstellplatz Brixen / Bressanone

A good stopover south of the Brenner, quietly located and within walking distance of Brixen's charming old town. Ideal for breaking up the journey to Livorno and rounding off your first evening in South Tyrol.

20–28 € / night
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Day 2 · Thu 09/09 4:48 hr

On to Livorno on the coast

Drive to the ferry port

Just under 5 hours' driving - plan for breaks along the way.

It's best to book the ferry to Bastia for the following day now, if you haven't already.

518 km · 4:50 hr
Campsite

Camping Miramare Livorno

A coastal campsite south of Livorno with sea access and a great location for tomorrow's ferry crossing. In the afternoon you can arrive in Tuscany, go for a swim and ease into the evening.

32–45 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 3 · Fri 10/09 4:36 hr

Ferry to Bastia - arriving in Corsica

Crossing and your first day on the island

This travel day is kept relaxed - just short drives before and after the ferry.

Park on the flat car park near Place Saint-Nicolas in Bastia, not in the multi-storey car park (height restriction).

10 km · 15 min
1
Ferry

Ferry Livorno - Bastia

Depending on the operator, the crossing from Livorno to Bastia takes around four hours. From the deck you'll watch the Corsican coastline draw closer - a lovely start to your island tour.

180–300 € in total
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Booking ahead is often cheaper here

118 km · 4 hr · 180–300 €
2
Town

Bastia Vieux Port

Bastia's old harbour, with its tall facades, cafés and the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, makes for a lively start to your round trip. Wander through Terra Vecchia and enjoy your first Corsican espresso by the water.

0 €
Website
12 km · 20 min
Campsite

Camping San Damiano

Right on the long sandy coastline south of Bastia, with shaded pitches and direct beach access. Perfect for settling in: a swim on the long sandy beach and a chance to stretch your legs after the crossing.

30–42 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 4 · Sat 11/09 1 hr

Cap Corse - a loop around the north

Coastal road and wine

The Cap Corse loop is one of the more demanding coastal roads, but manageable with a campervan if you drive steadily.

Total driving time around 2.5 hours, plus stops for photos and swimming.

30 km · 35 min
3
Town

Erbalunga

A picturesque fishing village on the eastern side of Cap Corse, with an old Genoese tower standing in the water. A short stop for photos and a coffee before continuing up the peninsula.

0 € child-friendly
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14 km · 11 min
4
Sight

Nonza

A village perched spectacularly above the sea, with a black shingle beach and a Genoese tower high on the rock. The view down onto the dark beach from above is one of Cap Corse's classic postcard shots.

0 € child-friendly
Website
15 km · 11 min
Camper stop

Aire de Camping-Car Saint-Florent

A pitch near the pretty harbour town of Saint-Florent, from where you can reach the Patrimonio wine region and the Genoese tower. In the evening, a stroll through the lanes and a swim at the nearby coast are well worth it.

14–20 € / night
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Day 5 · Sun 12/09 1:30 hr

Through the Balagne to Calvi and L'Île-Rousse

Beaches of the north-west coast

A relaxed day with short stretches and plenty of time for the beach and the towns.

In Calvi, park at ground level by the harbour or in the beach car park - no underground car parks.

38 km · 55 min
5
Town

L'Île-Rousse

A lively coastal town with a covered market, a palm-lined square and the red rocky island that gives the town its name. A good spot for a lunch break and a swim at one of the town beaches.

0 € child-friendly
Website
21 km · 35 min
6
Sight

Calvi Citadelle

The Genoese citadel sits above Calvi's bay, with its long sandy beach and views of the snow-capped mountains beyond. Inside the fortress walls, it's wonderful to wander the narrow lanes.

0 € child-friendly
Website
3 km · 2 min
Campsite

Camping Paduella Calvi

A shaded, pine-covered spot near Calvi's long beach, an easy walk from town. Ideal for swimming without needing to move the campervan again.

28–40 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 6 · Mon 13/09 42 min

The spectacular west coast to Porto and the Calanche de Piana

Red rocks by the sea

The most important driving day of the coast: the Calvi-Porto stretch is scenically stunning but demanding to drive. Allow plenty of time and set off early.

If the Palmarella stretch feels too much on the edge for you, unfortunately there's no sensible way around it without skipping Porto - drive deliberately slowly and use every passing bay.

41 km · 31 min
7
Town

Porto Marine

A small town at the foot of a red Genoese tower, surrounded by steep cliffs and the Gulf of Porto. Boat trips to the Scandola nature reserve set off from here, and there's a pebble beach for swimming.

0 € child-friendly
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5 km · 4 min
8
Nature

Calanche de Piana

Bizarre, glowing red granite rocks plunge straight into the deep blue sea - one of Corsica's great natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Short trails such as the Sentier du Château Fort reveal the finest formations on foot.

0 € child-friendly
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6 km · 5 min
Campsite

Camping Les Oliviers Porto

A terraced site under olive trees in the green hills above Porto, with a pool and a great base for exploring the Calanche. A peaceful spot after the most demanding coastal leg of your trip.

30–45 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 7 · Tue 14/09 36 min

Over the Col de Sevi inland to Ajaccio

Capital and Napoleon

In Ajaccio, park at ground level by the harbour or in designated car parks, avoiding underground ones.

The afternoon is left free for the old town, the market and a swim at the town beaches.

48 km · 36 min
9
Sight

Ajaccio Maison Bonaparte

Napoleon's birthplace in the heart of the old town, now a museum dedicated to his family and origins. Corsica's capital combines a palm-lined promenade, a market and lively lanes with easy access to town beaches.

7–8 € / person
Website
Campsite

Camping Les Mimosas Ajaccio

A quiet, well-kept site in the hills above Ajaccio, with a bus stop into town. From here you can reach the centre and the beaches easily, without needing to take the campervan into the town centre.

26–38 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 8 · Wed 15/09 24 min

Ajaccio - town, beach and the Sanguinaires

A rest day by the sea

A deliberately relaxed day after the demanding coastal legs.

Plage de Ricanto or the bays towards Parata invite you for a swim.

17 km · 13 min
10
Nature

Pointe de la Parata and Îles Sanguinaires

A rocky headland west of Ajaccio with a Genoese tower and views of the reddish Îles Sanguinaires, especially beautiful at sunset. A short walking trail leads to the point, passing swimming coves along the way.

0 € child-friendly
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Another night: Camping Les Mimosas Ajaccio
Day 9 · Thu 16/09 42 min

South to Propriano and Sartène

Coast and culture of the south

A pleasant leg on well-developed roads.

In Sartène, park at ground level on the edge of town and walk into the narrow old town.

51 km · 38 min
11
Town

Sartène

Perhaps the most quintessentially Corsican town on the island, built tightly from grey granite above the Rizzanese valley. Narrow lanes, steps and archways make it an atmospheric stopover.

0 €
Website
6 km · 5 min
Campsite

Camping U Livru Propriano

A family-run site near Propriano with access to the bays of the Gulf of Valinco. A good base for arriving in the south and swimming in the afternoon.

26–38 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 10 · Fri 17/09 42 min

Bonifacio - limestone cliffs at the southernmost tip

The white cliff town

In Bonifacio, park on the large flat car park above the town - the harbour car park is unsuitable for a campervan.

A short driving leg - plenty of time for the cliff town and a boat trip.

42 km · 32 min
12
Sight

Bonifacio Ville Haute

Bonifacio's old town clings to white limestone cliffs high above the sea, with narrow lanes, fortress walls and views as far as Sardinia. The Escalier du Roi d'Aragon and a boat trip to the caves are among the highlights.

0 € child-friendly
Website
1 km · 8 min
13
Activity

Boat trip to the Grottes and Falaises

Boats set off from the harbour out to the sea caves, the Grain de Sable and the cliff scenery from below - a spectacular view of the town. The trip takes around an hour and is a highlight for everyone.

20–28 € / person child-friendly
Website
4 km · 3 min
Campsite

Camping Pian del Fosse Bonifacio

A quiet site under olive trees a few kilometres outside Bonifacio, near the bay of Santa Manza. From here you can reach the old town easily and have swimming coves within reach.

30–44 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 11 · Sat 18/09 24 min

Dream beaches near Porto-Vecchio - Palombaggia

A beach day at the finest beaches

A deliberately relaxed beach day.

Car parks at Palombaggia charge a fee and are flat - well suited to a campervan. Arrive early in high season.

24 km · 18 min
14
Nature

Plage de Palombaggia

One of Corsica's most famous beaches, with white sand, pink granite rocks, umbrella pines and shallow turquoise water. Perfect for a long day at the beach; the red rocks offer shade and good snorkelling.

0 € child-friendly
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4 km · 4 min
Campsite

Camping U Pirellu Porto-Vecchio

A terraced site with a pool in the hills above the Palombaggia coast, just a few minutes from the dream beaches. An ideal base for a relaxed beach day in the south-east.

32–46 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 12 · Sun 19/09 3:18 hr

Over the Col de Bavella - mountain pass and hike

The needles of Bavella

The Bavella pass road is one of the more scenic mountain routes and manageable with a campervan, unlike the borderline Palmarella on the west coast.

Bring walking shoes and water; set off early to avoid the heat and the crowds.

32 km · 24 min
15
Nature

Col de Bavella

The pass, at around 1,200 metres, opens up views of the jagged Aiguilles de Bavella, reddish rock towers above dark pine forests. The hike starts from the car park at the pass, and nearby stands the small statue of Notre-Dame des Neiges.

0 € child-friendly
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2 km · 2:30 hr
16
Activity

Aiguilles de Bavella - Trou de la Bombe

The popular hike to the Trou de la Bombe, a huge natural hole in the rock, takes around two to three hours there and back through pine forest with magnificent views. A family-friendly classic among the Bavella walks.

0 € child-friendly
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29 km · 22 min
Campsite

Camping U Sognu Solenzara

A natural site by the Solenzara river, where you can swim in clear pools, at the foot of the Bavella road. A good starting and finishing point for the mountain pass, with water nearby to cool off.

24–34 € / night child-friendly
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Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 13 · Mon 20/09 54 min

Into the heart of the island to Corte

Mountain town and the Restonica valley

In Corte, park at ground level on the edge of town and walk up into the steep old town.

The narrow Restonica valley is closed to large vehicles in its upper section, or at best borderline - take the campervan no further than the lower car parks and walk from there.

67 km · 50 min
17
Sight

Corte Citadelle

Pascal Paoli's former capital sits dramatically on a rock, overlooked by the citadel with its museum of Corsican culture. Corte is the intellectual and geographical heart of the island and the gateway to the mountain valleys.

5–6 € / person child-friendly
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2 km · 2 min
Campsite

Camping U Sognu Corte

A site at the entrance to the Restonica valley, within walking distance of the old town and with river access. An ideal base for Corte and for a trip into the mountains the next day.

22–32 € / night child-friendly
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Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 14 · Tue 21/09 36 min

Vizzavona - Cascade des Anglais and mountain forest

Natural pools and a hike

Park at ground level at Vizzavona station or on the N193, then follow the signposted path on foot to the pools.

Bring swimwear and sturdy shoes; the rocks around the pools are slippery.

25 km · 19 min
18
Nature

Cascade des Anglais near Vizzavona

From Vizzavona station, a stretch of the GR20 leads in around 45 minutes to the Cascade des Anglais, a chain of clear natural pools and small waterfalls in beech and pine forest. A wonderful spot for walking and for swimming in the cool pools.

0 € child-friendly
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Another night: Camping U Sognu Corte
Day 15 · Wed 22/09 5:36 hr

Back to Bastia and the ferry to the mainland

Farewell to Corsica

Ferry times vary a lot depending on the season - check departure times and onward planning well in advance.

If you're taking a night ferry, you can skip this campsite stop and continue straight on.

A long leg - plan for breaks.

64 km · 1:35 hr
19
Ferry

Ferry Bastia - Livorno

From Bastia, you'll cross back to Livorno in the late afternoon or evening. A last look at Corsica's mountains before the journey back over the Alps begins.

180–300 € in total
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Booking ahead is often cheaper here

112 km · 4 hr · 180–300 €
Campsite

Camping Miramare Livorno

After the crossing, you'll spend the night near the coast at Livorno again, so you're well rested to tackle the Alps the next morning. With a late ferry, if needed, continue straight on and stay somewhere closer to the route.

32–45 € / night child-friendly
Website

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

Day 16 · Thu 23/09 9:30 hr

Back over the Alps to Nürnberg

Return journey

The return leg is too long for one day within your 5-hour daily allowance. If the ferry arrived early the day before, you could already end Day 15 further north and split the distance.

Don't forget the vignette for Austria and the toll in Italy.

A long leg - plan for breaks.

833 km · 9:30 hr
20
Stop

Nürnberg

Return to Nürnberg and the end of your Corsica round trip. The long leg is split across Italy and Austria - plan for plenty of breaks.

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This trip is planned for 08 Sept – 23 Sept 2027.

Copy it and move it to your own dates.

Free account, no credit card. Copying, moving and adjusting are included.