Saint-Florent on Corsica: As Beautiful as Saint-Tropez, Just Less Crowded

June 15, 2025, 12:43 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

A marina, a charming old town, and a picturesque hinterland with delightful vineyards—many aspects of the small town of Saint-Florent are reminiscent of the glamorous Saint-Tropez. However, it’s more tranquil here, and unlike Saint-Tropez, Saint-Florent is not on the French mainland but on the beautiful island of Corsica. TRAVELBOOK shares the best tips.

From the city of Bastia in the northeast of Corsica, the journey takes you over a winding mountain pass to Saint-Florent, the charming town on the other side of the coast. There, in the Nebbio region, you’ll find not only many beautiful, unspoiled beaches. It’s also a wonderful area to relax and indulge in culinary delights.

Traces of History

Saint-Florent, now a peaceful and charming vacation spot, was contested by Corsicans, Genoese, and French since the 15th century. The English Admiral Horatio Nelson also left his mark at the end of the 18th century with his Royal Navy, bombarding the famous Mortella Tower with its three-meter-thick walls near Saint-Florent until it was destroyed.

A restaurant with a sea view in the beautiful old town of Saint-Florent

Sights

The most significant sights of Saint-Florent include the old town and the marina with its cafés and restaurants. Other highlights are the Genoese citadel, built in 1440 at the same time as the town, the Romanesque Cathedral of Saint-Florent, and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta.

The Most Beautiful Beaches

At the port of Saint-Florent, taxis take you to the most beautiful beaches in the area, such as Saleccia Beach. It’s about twelve kilometers away and a popular destination for hikers. They must trek for a few hours through the hilly, evergreen maquis to reach the paradisiacal destination with turquoise, transparent water and white sand with protected dunes. Similarly beautiful are the Lodo Bay and the beaches of the Agriate Desert in the vicinity.

Wine and Good Food

The area around Saint-Florent in Corsica is known for its excellent wine. Dominant are the red and rosé wines of the Patrimonio wine region. But you can also find an excellent Muscat Blanc, a spicy-sweet dessert or aperitif wine. Of course, good food is also available in the northwestern Corsican region.

Accommodations

Saint-Florent offers numerous hotels in various price ranges. The same goes for private vacation apartments and houses. Prices are especially affordable outside the peak season. Overall, they are definitely cheaper than in the jet-set hotspot of Saint-Tropez.

For budget-conscious travelers who enjoy comfortable camping, the Le Kallisté holiday village is recommended. Whether with a tent, caravan, or in one of the charming mobile homes close to the beach and just a few minutes’ walk from the town center, you can enjoy a relaxing vacation.

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Saint-Florent on the Map

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Text contribution: Jasch Zacharias

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TRAVELBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@travelbook.de.