Traffic Information
Corsica is certainly a rugged island with a huge alpine mountain range covering the center of the island. While the T50 and T20 highways cut through the center and are well maintained, take care when driving your rent a car in Corsica on the narrower minor routes that can have steep drops and sharp bends. Congestion can be a problem in the major cities of Ajaccio and Bastia so avoid traveling during rush hour if you can.
Driving safely with your car rental in Corsica
- Drink driving laws are the same as in mainland France, a maximum of 0.5mg/ml of alcohol per liter of blood is allowed
- You must stop for pedestrians
- Seat belts must be worn and texting or talking on a mobile phone while driving is not permitted
- Speed limits are generally 110 km/h on 2/3 lane highways, 90km/h on other roads in non-built up areas and 50 km/h in urban areas
Things to see and do in Corsica
There is so much you can put on your travel itinerary when you have a rental vehicle at your disposal. In the south we highly recommend the Figari region for its glorious geological coastal formations and stunning inland villages. To the north be sure to visit the Cap Corse, a mountainous peninsula just north of Bastia. With picturesque fishing villages and a serene coastline rising to high peaks of over 1300 m it's a great part of the island to get to explore. Our favorite spots are Miomo beach, the harbor at Erbalunga and the hike up to Monte Stello from Lavasina.
- From Bastia to Erbalunga via Route du Cap and D80: 7 miles in 23 mins
Over to the east of the island is the beautiful commune Porto Vecchio. Here be sure to see the town's 16th century citadel and the nearby Palombaggia beach, famous for its fine white sand and crystal clear bathing waters. Inland, the GR20 is an infamous long-distance trail that runs the whole length of the island from the north to the south. If you're feeling adventurous, it doesn't require climbing experience, but it is tough with variations in height of over 10,000 meters. You can also try just part of the trail with the hike being split into sections of varying difficulty. The scenery is stunning and includes glacial lakes, grassy meadows, pools to bathe in and spectacular cliffs. You can park your rental car at the start of the route in Calenzana.
- Distance from Calvi to the northern starting point at Calenzana via D151: 10 miles in 21 mins