Porto-Vecchio and the south-east (Sainte-Lucie-de-Porto-Vecchio, Pinarellu, Conca)
This is where most of our Corsican villas are. Palombaggia and Santa Giulia, south of Porto-Vecchio, are among the island's best-known beaches, and Pinarellu to the north is quieter. Porto-Vecchio's old town has restaurants and a lively summer evening scene, and the granite peaks of Bavella are about an hour inland. Figari airport is around half an hour from Porto-Vecchio.
Best for: Families who want white-sand beaches and clear, shallow water
Not for you if: You want empty beaches in August: Palombaggia and Santa Giulia are packed at the height of summer.
Bonifacio (the far south)
Bonifacio's old town sits on white limestone cliffs above a deep natural harbour. Boats run along the cliffs and out to the Lavezzi islands, and in season ferries cross to Santa Teresa di Gallura in Sardinia in about 50 minutes. Figari airport is around 20 to 30 minutes away.
Best for: Couples who want a dramatic old town and boat trips
Not for you if: You want peace by day: the old town and harbour are very busy with day visitors in summer.
Moriani-Plage and the Castagniccia (Cervione, San Nicolao, San Giovanni di Moriani, Bravone)
The Costa Verde is a long stretch of sand backed by wooded hills. Moriani-Plage has shops and restaurants, while villages such as Cervione and San Nicolao sit above the coast at the edge of the Castagniccia, Corsica's chestnut country. Bastia airport is around half an hour away.
Best for: Long sandy beaches, good value and a short transfer from Bastia
Not for you if: You want coves and dramatic rocks: this is long, straight beach rather than the scenery of the south.
Solenzara, Ghisonaccia and Favone (central east coast)
Solenzara is a small resort with a marina at the start of the mountain road to the Col de Bavella, one of the island's great drives and walking areas. Favone and Tarco have smaller sandy bays, and Ghisonaccia sits behind a long, open beach. Figari airport is about an hour south, and Bastia around an hour and a quarter north.
Best for: Quieter beaches with mountains close by
Not for you if: You want nightlife or a big town: this is a quiet, spread-out coast.
Calvi and the Balagne (L'Île-Rousse, Algajola, Monticello, Lozari)
Calvi has a long sandy bay below its Genoese citadel, and L'Île-Rousse has a market, a café-lined square and red rocks offshore. A small summer train runs along the coast between the two, stopping near beaches such as Algajola. Monticello is a hill village above L'Île-Rousse. Calvi has its own small airport; Bastia is around one and a half to two hours by road.
Best for: Beaches, a citadel town and hill villages in one area
Not for you if: You want a short transfer from a London flight: Bastia is well over an hour away.
Saint-Florent and Cap Corse (Saint-Florent, Macinaggio)
Saint-Florent is a harbour town on the edge of the Désert des Agriates, a roadless stretch of coast where summer boats run to the beaches of Saleccia and Lotu. Macinaggio, near the tip of Cap Corse, is a small port with coastal footpaths. Bastia airport is around 45 minutes from Saint-Florent.
Best for: Boat trips to wild beaches and a pretty harbour town
Not for you if: You want a wide choice of villas: there are only a few here.
The west coast (Ajaccio, Cargèse, Porto, Propriano)
A smaller selection spread along the dramatic west coast. Porto and Partinello look over the Gulf of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where boats run to the Scandola nature reserve and the red rocks of the Calanques de Piana. Cargèse is a quiet village above sandy bays, and Ajaccio, Napoleon's birthplace, is the island's largest town and has its own airport.
Best for: Scenery, boat trips to Scandola and a wilder coastline
Not for you if: You dislike mountain driving: roads here are narrow, winding and slow.
