Last updated: September 2026
Figari holidays are the gateway to the most spectacular stretch of coastline in Corsica — a region of crystalline turquoise water, red granite cliffs and sandy beaches that rival anything in the Mediterranean. The Figari Sud-Corse airport serves southern Corsica, putting the world-class beaches of Palombaggia and Santa Giulia within easy reach, along with the extraordinary clifftop town of Bonifacio.
For UK travellers seeking Corsica’s finest combination of beaches, scenery and authentic culture, flying into Figari is the smartest choice on the island. This guide explains everything you need to know about a holiday in southern Corsica based around Figari.
Southern Corsica is widely regarded as the most beautiful part of the island, and Figari is its principal gateway. Flying into Figari Sud-Corse Airport puts you within 20 minutes of Bonifacio and 30 minutes of Porto-Vecchio — two of the most compelling destinations in the entire western Mediterranean. The area offers a standard of natural beauty that is genuinely hard to overstate.
Visitors who choose Figari as their base enjoy access to the island’s top-ranked beaches without the longer transfers required from other Corsican airports. The region attracts a discerning mix of French and European visitors who return year after year, drawn by the consistency of the scenery, the quality of the food and the relative tranquillity even in high summer.
Accommodation in the area ranges from well-equipped self-catering apartments in Porto-Vecchio to boutique hotels and luxury villas tucked into the maquis scrubland overlooking private coves. Whatever your budget, the south of Corsica delivers exceptional value for the quality of environment it provides.
Bonifacio is one of the most dramatically situated towns in all of Europe. The walled old city sits on a narrow limestone promontory that juts out into the Strait of Bonifacio — the stretch of sea separating Corsica from Sardinia — perched on white cliffs that drop sheer into the sea below. Viewed from the water, the town appears to defy gravity, with houses seemingly hanging over the cliff edge.
Within the old town, the narrow streets of the Haute Ville are a pleasure to wander — lined with restaurants, artisan shops and the occasional glimpse of the sea through gaps between the ancient stone buildings. The Church of Sainte-Marie-Majeure is the centrepiece of the old town, dating back to the 12th century, with a terrace offering vertiginous views of the cliffs below.
The lower town harbour is the departure point for boat trips to the Lavezzi Islands — a protected archipelago of pink granite islands and turquoise lagoons that represent some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean. A morning snorkelling trip to the Lavezzi is a highlight of any southern Corsica holiday. The sea caves (grottes marines) along the base of the Bonifacio cliffs can also be explored by boat, with the most famous — the Grotte de Sdragonato — featuring a natural roof hole that on one day of the year (14 August) aligns perfectly with the Italian coastline.
Porto-Vecchio is the main resort town of southern Corsica — a former Genoese citadel town that has evolved into a sophisticated holiday destination with an excellent range of hotels, restaurants and boutiques. The old town centre, enclosed within 16th-century Genoese walls, retains genuine character despite the tourist trade, with a lively evening atmosphere centred on the Place de la République.
The town sits at the head of a deep natural bay and is surrounded by a landscape of cork oak forests, granite outcrops and vineyards. The local wines — particularly the whites and rosés from the Porto-Vecchio appellation — are well worth seeking out in local restaurants. Several of the island’s finest restaurants are located in or around Porto-Vecchio, making it a genuine culinary destination as well as a beach resort.
The Marina of Porto-Vecchio is one of the busiest in Corsica, filled with everything from small sailing dinghies to large private yachts. A walk along the quays in the evening, followed by dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants, is one of the great pleasures of a south Corsica holiday.
The beaches around Porto-Vecchio and Bonifacio are consistently voted among the best in Europe, and it is easy to understand why. Palombaggia — 15 kilometres south of Porto-Vecchio — is a long arc of fine white sand sheltered by umbrella pines and lapped by water of impossible clarity. It is often cited as the most beautiful beach in Corsica and draws visitors who are prepared to share a stunning stretch of coast in exchange for the views.
Santa Giulia, a few kilometres further south, is a shallow, sheltered bay perfect for families with young children. The calm water here is ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding, and the beach is backed by a lagoon that provides an attractive alternative swimming area. Both Palombaggia and Santa Giulia have good beach bar and restaurant facilities during the summer season.
For those willing to venture a little further, the beaches of Rondinara and Balistra — accessed via rough tracks north of Bonifacio — offer a more natural and secluded experience. Rondinara in particular, a perfectly circular bay of white sand and turquoise water, is one of the island’s hidden gems and well worth the effort required to reach it.
Southern Corsica offers excellent watersports throughout the summer season. Kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing and sailing are all available at the main beaches, and the clear water makes snorkelling particularly rewarding even without a boat. Boat hire for self-skippered excursions is available in Porto-Vecchio marina, giving independent visitors the freedom to seek out their own coves and swim spots.
Diving around southern Corsica is outstanding, with the area around Bonifacio and the Lavezzi Islands offering some of the finest sites in the western Mediterranean. The protected waters of the Bouches de Bonifacio marine park support extraordinary marine biodiversity, and visibility is frequently excellent. Several dive schools operate from Porto-Vecchio and Bonifacio, catering to all ability levels.
On land, the Alta Rocca region behind Porto-Vecchio offers rewarding walking territory, with the Aiguilles de Bavella — a dramatic cluster of pink granite peaks — being the standout destination. The via ferrata routes on the Bavella needles are popular with adventure seekers, while gentler walks through the forest below suit families and less experienced hikers. The village of Levie in the Alta Rocca has an excellent archaeological museum displaying some of Corsica’s finest prehistoric artefacts.
Figari Sud-Corse Airport (FSC) is located approximately 20 kilometres north of Bonifacio and 35 kilometres from Porto-Vecchio. Direct flights from UK airports including London Gatwick operate in summer, with journey times of around 2 hours from London. Several UK tour operators offer package holidays departing from Figari, making it straightforward to book flights and accommodation together.
Car hire at Figari airport is essential for exploring the south of Corsica effectively — the best beaches and Bonifacio town are easily reached by car but poorly served by public transport. Taxis to Bonifacio cost around €30–40 from the airport. The road network in southern Corsica is generally good, though some tracks to more remote beaches require careful driving.
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Bonifacio suits visitors who want a dramatic setting, excellent restaurants and easy access to boat trips and the Lavezzi Islands. Porto-Vecchio is the better choice for families or those wanting more resort facilities, a livelier evening atmosphere and a wider range of accommodation options.
Both towns are within 40 minutes of the airport by car and within easy day-trip distance of each other, so many visitors choose to base themselves in one and visit the other. Some villa rentals in the countryside between the two towns offer a quieter alternative with easy access to both.
Figari operates as a seasonal airport, with direct flights from UK airports running from approximately May to October. easyJet and several charter operators serve the route from London Gatwick, with other UK regional airports occasionally offering seasonal services. It is advisable to book flights early for July and August departures.
Outside of the main summer season, access to southern Corsica via Figari can be limited, and Marseille or Nice may be better alternatives with onward ferry connections to the island. UK package holiday operators often include Figari as a departure point throughout the summer season.
The Lavezzi Islands boat trip from Bonifacio is one of the finest excursions in the Mediterranean — a morning of snorkelling in clear water around pink granite islands with a picnic lunch included. The Aiguilles de Bavella mountain range is approximately 60 kilometres north and well worth a full day for walkers and photographers.
A drive along the southern coastline between Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio takes in the beaches of Rondinara and Balistra, both outstanding. The archaeological site of Filitosa, 80 kilometres north-west via Sartene, is a remarkable prehistoric monument unique to Corsica and suits those interested in history and culture.
June and September offer the ideal conditions in the south — warm sea, hot sun, and significantly fewer visitors than in peak summer. Prices for flights, accommodation and car hire are all lower in the shoulder months, and popular beaches like Palombaggia are far more pleasant without the July and August crowds.
July and August are the peak season in southern Corsica, with beaches at their busiest. The water is at its warmest in August (around 26°C) but finding a spot on Palombaggia at noon without arriving very early becomes challenging. Most beach restaurants and boat trip operators are fully operational from June to mid-September.
If you book a flight-inclusive southern Corsica package through a UK ATOL-licensed tour operator, yes — your money is protected if the operator collapses before or during your holiday, and repatriation is covered. Booking flights and hotel on separate websites removes ATOL protection. Our holiday protection guide covers ATOL, ABTA and Section 75 in full.
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