VAN-COMPARATOR Guide
One week in Corsica by campervan: Ajaccio to Bastia along the west coast
A 7-day Corsica campervan itinerary: the Calanques de Piana, the Gulf of Porto, Corte and the Restonica, Cap Corse — stages, narrow roads and real budget.
A week in a campervan between Ajaccio and Bastia along the west coast: this is the definitive Corsican route — 350 kilometres that feel like a thousand. Take your time: average speed here is 40 km/h, and that is exactly the point.
Days 1-3: the west coast
From Ajaccio, head north to Cargèse and then the Calanques de Piana: the D81 is carved through red granite, spectacular and narrow — drive it early, because passing tour coaches after 10 am is miserable. Overnight at the UNESCO-listed Gulf of Porto, then climb to Ota and the Spelunca gorges for a hike between the Genoese bridges.
Days 4-5: the mountains
Head for Corte, the island’s historic capital, via the Scala di Santa Regina. The Restonica valley ends at a regulated car park (summer shuttles): walk up to lakes Melo and Capitello, the island’s finest accessible hike. Fill the tank before the mountain sections: stations are scarce between Porto and Corte, and island fuel prices run above mainland levels.
Days 6-7: Cap Corse
Drop down to Bastia, then loop Cap Corse via Nonza and its tower, and Centuri with its lobster harbourside restaurants. The Cap’s west-side road is a narrow corniche: a van under 6 metres threads it; an A-class has no business there.
Budget and rules
Seven days of campervan: €550-950 in summer, campsites €20-40/night (wild camping is banned on the island), about €90 of fuel. Add the ferry if you come from the mainland. To pick the right size, read which RV for which trip.
Insider tip
June and September change everything: sea at 22-24°C, flowing roads, half-empty campsites and rentals about 25% cheaper than August. Corsica by van outside the school holidays is a different journey altogether.