A Balagna is set on the edge of a mountain village in northern Corsica, with other houses dotted nearby, surrounded by wonderful landscapes of rugged peaks, trees and pretty Balagne villages. This region is often referred to as the ‘Garden of Corsica’ with good reason.
You can walk into the village where you will find a small grocery store, a bakery and two small village restaurants, including one which belongs to the owner’s hotel where you can dine out on the terrace by the hotel's pool. There’s also an authentic osteria serving traditional Corsican fare on the edge of the village.
As well as the owner’s lovely hotel in the village, a 19th-century palazzu (ask for a tour of some of the original features), you can also visit the family winery which produces a delicious red, white and rosé wine, all of which are highly regarded in the area, part of the Vin de Corse-Calvi AOC.
You are incredibly well placed to visit other beautiful villages of the Balagne. Start with Speloncato (7km), dating back to Neolithic times, with its incredible views then wind back to Pigna (14km) with its ceramic and music traditions and Aregno (11km) with its pretty churches and annual almond festival.
Spend time exploring the old village of Sant'Antonino (12km), one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ with steep narrow lanes and beautiful buildings. It’s a lovely place to stop for lunch with a couple of restaurants making the most of the glorious views towards the sea.
There are many walking trails across this region, some leading from A Balagna’s local village itself and others which link Balagne’s hilltop villages. One such example is the trail between Lumio (17km) and the abandoned village of Occi where you are rewarded with spectacular views over the countryside and sea.
The Balagne region also offers activities such as rock-climbing, canyoning, paragliding and horse-riding or even donkey treks around Sant'Antonino. There is also a superb golf course around twenty minutes away, Golf Reginu. You can of course find a wide range of watersports along the coast with the main centres in Calvi and Algajola offering jet-ski, kayaks, paddle boarding, sailing, snorkelling, diving and more.
Indeed, it’s only about 25 minutes to reach the coast where you will find beautiful sandy beaches and crystal-clear seas. Plage de Bodri (18km) is a lovely spot, as is Sant Ambroggio and the sandy beach with its watersports at Algajola, with many smaller coves and beaches backed by maquis and pine trees dotted inbetween. Heading east, the wild and remote Plage de L’Ostriconi enjoys a glorious setting at the beginning of the Désert des Agriates.
The nearest town, L'Île-Rousse (16km), is a charming seaside port where you can watch old men play boules on the main square, enjoy the town’s traditional or beachside cafes and restaurants and take a pleasant walk along the waterfront to the lighthouse. There’s always a lovely ambience in the town and it’s a great place to pick up produce from the covered market or shop in larger supermarkets.
There’s also the charming little train, U Trinichellu, which runs between Calvi and L'Île-Rousse via Algajola, stopping off at lovely beaches on the way.
Calvi (27km) is another wonderful town to visit for the day with its marina, beach, lovely old town and citadel and many pleasant restaurants and atmospheric bars. From the marina you can take boat excursions to visit the protected Scandola Reserve on the dramatic west coast, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Region
Northern Corsica offers diverse landscapes, idyllic beaches and picture-perfect villages where you can truly appreciate the Corsican way of life. From delightful seaside towns to rugged cliffs and mountains, Haute-Corse is an ideal holiday destination for keen hikers, nature enthusiasts and gastronomes as well as couples, friends and families seeking beautiful beaches for swimming, snorkelling and watersports.
Backed by mountain peaks, Calvi is so loved for its Genoese citadel, charming old town and long sandy beach. Enjoy lunch on a restaurant terrace overlooking the rose façade of Église Sainte Marie Majeure or by the vibrant marina with its seafood restaurants and bars. Boat trips depart to the Scandola Nature Reserve where you can admire some of the most incredible coastal scenery on island.
The beaches between Calvi and L'Île-Rousse are fantastic – favourites include Plage de Sant'Ambroggio, an idyllic spot for snorkelling in the crystal-clear sea, and Plage de Bodri with soft white sand backed by wild maquis. The Balagne is also renowned for its characterful hilltop villages and the countryside is criss-crossed with walking paths where donkeys once roamed. Amongst others, visit ancient Pigna for its pottery and Corsican music, Monticello for its olive groves and perched Sant’Antonino for its rich history and panoramic views.
Soak up authentic island life in L'Île-Rousse as you watch locals play boules on the main square near the beach accompanied by an apéritif of local beer flavoured with maquis herbs or a glass of Cap Corse. The town hosts a lovely covered market every morning selling delicious Corsican delights and there are many restaurants along the narrow lanes – specialities include wild boar and chestnuts, Corsican lamb with rosemary and Cannelloni au brocciu. As the sun sets, follow the coastal promenade towards Île de la Pietra for romantic red-hued vistas.
Meanwhile, the little train, U Trinichellu, chugs along the coastline between Calvi and L'Île-Rousse with wonderful views - hop on early as it can get very busy, especially when coming home from the beach.
That said, a car is essential when exploring northern Corsica. When leaving L'Île-Rousse towards the north-east of the island, detour to Plage de l’Ostriconi, a wild beach on the edge of the remote Désert des Agriates. Follow the winding road to the attractive seaside town of Saint-Florent backed by the impressive mountains of the Cap Corse. Visit the vineyards of Patrimonio before venturing to little fishing villages and more outstanding landscapes of the Cap Corse.
Whether travelling with friends, loved ones, young kids or teens, a wealth of outdoor activities await across northern Corsica from watersports in Calvi, Algajola, L'Île-Rousse and Saint-Florent to quad-biking, horse-riding and even donkey rides in hilltop Balagne villages. Golf-lovers can play at the 18-hole Golf Reginu whilst there are so many hiking opportunities across the Balagne countryside, Désert des Agriates and Cap Corse landscapes.
Our carefully curated selection of villas in northern Corsica allows you to experience the many pristine beaches, characterful towns and stunning scenery in this mesmerising part of Corsica, the fourth largest Mediterranean island so lovingly referred to as l'Île de Beauté.
