Best time to go to Corsica for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 16/04/2024When is the best time to go to Corsica?
The best time to visit Corsica extends from April to late November, depending on your desires and what you expect from your stay.
For sunbathing and long swims in crystal-clear waters, the summer season is unbeatable. Indeed, from June to September, sun and warmth are guaranteed! The downside: July and August mark the peak season on the island. The main beaches are crowded, prices soar, and it can even be difficult to move around the cities.
When is the best time to visit Corsica to only have advantages? The month of June is ideal. The days are long, the Mediterranean water is perfect for swimming without feeling cold, and tourists have not yet arrived. September and October are also good options, even though the nights fall earlier. The sea, having warmed up all summer, is particularly pleasant at that time.
If you are a fan of hiking, Corsica is a prime spot, as the island is crisscrossed with trails suitable for all levels, including the famous GR20 which runs from north to south. The best times for hiking are spring and autumn, when the weather is warm without being uncomfortable. In April and May, the maquis is covered with colorful flowers and the mountain peaks are still snow-capped, making the landscapes absolutely magical. In October and November, the inland trees display increasingly vibrant colors as the season progresses.
If you want to recharge your batteries in Corsica, traveling between November and March is entirely possible. In this case, prefer the north of the island, which is slightly warmer and less rainy than the south. However, remember to book in advance, as most hotels and restaurants close during the low season.
In terms of budget, August is undoubtedly the most expensive month of the year, whether for plane or boat tickets, accommodation, or activities to do on site. For the rest of the year, prices remain fairly stable, with some increases during school holidays. In summer, if you don't want to break the bank, the ideal is to go camping in the mountains, or to rent accommodation away from the coast. In both cases, you can make significant savings on food by preparing your own meals. Similarly, if you go to Corsica with your own vehicle, consider buying basic food items and refueling on the mainland. Prices are about 30% higher on the island.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
North (Haute-Corse)
Bastia, Calvi, Aleria...
South (Corse-du-Sud)
Ajaccio, Porto-Vecchio, Bonifacio...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in Corsica for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
Corsica in january Corsica in february Corsica in march Corsica in april Corsica in may Corsica in june Corsica in july Corsica in august Corsica in september Corsica in october Corsica in november Corsica in december
Best time to travel to Corsica by cities
Climate and Weather in Corsica
Because of its geographical location, not far from the coasts of Italy, the climate of Corsica is Mediterranean with two variations: summers are mild on the side of Ajaccio, as well as inland, and hot on most of the coast, such as in Bastia, Porto-Vecchio, Bonifacio, or even in Figari. Although there are four well-defined seasons, the weather in Corsica remains mild all year round. In general, precipitation is rare, summers are hot and dry, and winters are mild but slightly more humid. Winds often blow. The dominant one is the libecciu, coming from the southwest, along with the mistral and the tramontane. The island is also very mountainous (its highest peak reaches over 2700 m. in altitude), which greatly influences the weather conditions. In the heights, rainfall is more frequent and it snows in winter. The climate tends to be more alpine-like when exceeding 1500 m. in altitude. This creates significant temperature differences. Even in the middle of summer, it is always cooler in the mountains than by the sea, and at night temperatures can drop to around 10°C (50°F) .
Corsica in Winter
Between December and March, the climate in Corsica is quite cool, yet pleasant. Daytime temperatures range between 12 and 15°C (59°F) along the coast, with generally sunny weather, perfect for walks and visits.
In terms of precipitation, expect between 3 and 8 rainy days per month. January is the rainiest period, especially in the southern part, around Ajaccio. However, it is rare for it to rain all day, and clear skies regularly brighten up the landscapes.
Above 1000 m altitude, snowfall is frequent between October and February. Roads are then closed, and travel can be complicated.
Corsica in Spring
Between April and June, the climate in Corsica becomes favorable again. Although a few showers may still occur early in the season, temperatures gradually rise until reaching summer levels in June.
From May onwards, daytime temperatures regularly climb above 20°C (68°F) . The only downside is that the Mediterranean Sea water is still quite cold, and it will be necessary to wait until approaching summer when the water temperature reaches around 23°C (74°F) to swim without feeling cold.
At higher altitudes, snow is still present. If you plan to visit Corsica during this period for hiking, be aware that several trails may still be impassable or inaccessible. On the other hand, what a joy to stroll along the beach in a t-shirt while seeing the mountains covered in white!
Corsica in Summer
In summer, from late June to late September, the climate in Corsica is hot and dry, but thanks to the presence of the sea and winds, temperatures remain pleasant and very rarely reach extreme heat. In Bastia, as in Ajaccio, temperatures range between 27 and 29°C (85°F) . At night, the thermometer drops significantly, showing minimums between 22 and 24°C (76°F) .
Precipitation is particularly rare in summer, but violent thunderstorms can occur, especially between mid-August and mid-September. It is advisable to be very vigilant in the mountains, as river floods can be devastating and very sudden.
Corsica in Autumn
Like in spring, the weather is mild in Corsica between late September and late October. Summer lingers on, and temperatures are still above 20°C (68°F) , both in the water and outdoors.
From November onwards, temperatures gradually drop, becoming quite cool by the end of the season. Maximum temperatures then range between 13 and 17°C (63°F) along the coasts, and snow begins to fall at higher altitudes. This is also the rainiest month of the year, especially in the south of the island.
Temperatures and rainfall in Corsica
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Corsica and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Ajaccio, Aleria, Bastia, Bonifacio and Calvi, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Corsica
Find out when Corsica has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Corsica
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, October, November and December. The number of visitors to Corsica is high in: May, June, July, August and September.
- Very low season in Corsica: January, February, March, November and December.
- Low season in Corsica: April and October.
- High season in Corsica: May, June and September.
- Peak season in Corsica: July and August.
Figure: Visitor index for Corsica month by month
Average price for flights to Corsica
A return flight between London and Ajaccio is generally cheaper if you go in september ($ 222 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 128 more for your airline ticket to Ajaccio if you go in december.
Where to go in Corsica?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Ajaccio | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 83°F | 85°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 56°F |
| Aleria | 56°F | 56°F | 58°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 58°F |
| Bastia | 56°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 79°F | 83°F | 85°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 58°F |
| Bonifacio | 56°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 83°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 58°F |
| Calvi | 54°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 77°F | 70°F | 61°F | 56°F |
| Porto-Vecchio | 54°F | 56°F | 58°F | 61°F | 67°F | 76°F | 81°F | 81°F | 76°F | 70°F | 63°F | 58°F |
| Asco | 54°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 77°F | 70°F | 61°F | 56°F |
| Calcatoggio | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 83°F | 85°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 56°F |
| Figari | 56°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 77°F | 72°F | 65°F | 59°F |
| Lumio | 54°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 77°F | 70°F | 61°F | 56°F |
| Palombaggia | 54°F | 56°F | 58°F | 61°F | 67°F | 76°F | 81°F | 81°F | 76°F | 70°F | 63°F | 58°F |
| Patrimonio | 56°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 79°F | 83°F | 85°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 58°F |
| Piana | 54°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 77°F | 70°F | 61°F | 56°F |
| Propriano | 56°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 77°F | 72°F | 65°F | 59°F |
| Venaco | 56°F | 56°F | 58°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 58°F |
| Afa | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 83°F | 85°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 56°F |
| Agriates | 56°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 79°F | 83°F | 85°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 58°F |
| Albo (Ogliastro) | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 70°F | 79°F | 85°F | 85°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 58°F |
| Algajola | 54°F | 54°F | 58°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 83°F | 83°F | 77°F | 70°F | 61°F | 56°F |
| Barrettali | 56°F | 56°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 83°F | 85°F | 77°F | 70°F | 63°F | 58°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
About Corsica
What can I do in Corsica?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Corsica reliable?
Climate data for Corsica has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Corsica allows us to determine the average for each month in Ajaccio, Aleria, Bastia, Bonifacio, Calvi, Porto-Vecchio, Asco, Calcatoggio, and 86 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.