Activities in Corsica: everything you can enjoy from Camping U Casone

Corsica is so much more than a beach and a hammock. From our campsite in Ghisonaccia, on the island’s east coast, every day can be different: paddles dipping into the canal’s calm water in the morning, cicadas and the pool in the afternoon, and in the evening a pizza fresh from the oven. Here’s everything you can do — and everything we love doing — from U Casone.

The perfect base camp on the east coast

Ghisonaccia isn’t a name everyone knows before their first trip. And yet that’s exactly what makes it such a special place. Neither overcrowded nor isolated, Corsica’s east coast strikes that rare balance between accessibility and authenticity: fine sandy beaches without the Porto-Vecchio crowds, generous nature without a two-hour drive, and characterful villages within easy reach for a day out.

Our campsite lies in extensive wooded grounds of Mediterranean pines — the kind that cast dense, precious shade in the height of the Corsican summer. 700 metres from the sea, on the edge of the canal, U Casone is the ideal starting point for exploring everything: the coast, the hinterland, the gorges, the hilltop villages. And when you come back in the evening, the pool and the bar are there to round off the day.

On-site activities: never a dull moment at the campsite

Before we even get to excursions, there’s already plenty to do without leaving U Casone. It’s often what families are delighted to discover when they arrive: the children have no desire whatsoever to leave.

Kayaking on the canal — U Casone’s signature activity

Right on the edge of the campsite flows a peaceful canal, shaded by reeds and pines. This is where we offer our most popular activity: kayak hire for half a day, with complete freedom, at your own pace.

The water is calm, the vegetation on the banks is dense, and you glide silently through the green reflections of the maquis. Early in the morning, when the mist still skims the surface, it’s almost unreal. It’s the kind of moment you won’t find in any brochure — you simply live it.

The two swimming pools

We have two swimming pools on site. They’re the beating heart of the campsite on hot July and August afternoons. The children spend hours in them. So do the parents, to be honest — a few lengths, a drink at the pool bar, and the blue Corsican sky overhead. It’s hard to resist.

Sports and games — for young and old alike

Our campsite isn’t just about sunloungers. We’ve thought of those who need to keep moving:

• Pétanque — the evening game par excellence, often accompanied by a chilled rosé
• Table tennis — the tables are never empty when families are around
• Volleyball — net up, teams picked on the spot, great atmosphere guaranteed
• Table football — tournaments between children can get very serious
• Children’s playground — a dedicated space where little ones can climb, slide and explore

Excursions from the east coast: Corsica within easy driving distance

From Ghisonaccia, Corsica opens up in every direction. It’s one of the great advantages of the east coast: you’re halfway between the north and south of the island, and getting inland is quick and easy. Here’s what we love to show our guests.

The Fiumorbo gorges — the mountains 30 minutes away

Head inland towards the Fiumorbo and the landscape changes completely. The plains fall away, the road narrows, chestnut trees replace the pines, and the air grows cooler. The Fiumorbo gorges offer lovely family-friendly walks through authentic Corsican mountain scenery, far from the tourist trail.

Allow around 30 to 40 minutes’ drive from the campsite. It’s an ideal day trip for anyone who wants to mix sea and mountains — a morning in the gorges, an afternoon on the beach.

The Étang de Diane nature reserve

A few kilometres north of the campsite, the Étang de Diane is one of Corsica’s great oyster-farming spots. Oyster and mussel tastings straight from the producers are held throughout the summer. It’s a simple, authentic experience, practically with your feet in the water, overlooking the lagoon and the hills beyond. For lovers of local produce, it’s a must.

Corte and inland Haute-Corse

Corte, the university town at the heart of the island, is around an hour’s drive from Ghisonaccia. It’s the historic stronghold of Corsican resistance, with its citadel perched on a rocky spur and its dizzying gorges. Around Corte, the Restonica valley and the Tavignano gorges offer some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the Mediterranean.

The wild Sartenais coast and Porto-Vecchio

Heading south, the Corsican coastline reveals its finest profiles. Porto-Vecchio and its surroundings — Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, Rondinara — are around 1 hr 15 away by car. The beaches there are spectacular, and the old town’s architecture is well worth a visit. It makes a lovely full-day outing.

The eastern coast by bike

A cycle path runs along Corsica’s east coast for several dozen kilometres. From the campsite, you can set off by bike along the shoreline, ride through pine woods, skirt lagoons and reach several beaches without a car. It’s a gentle, peaceful way to discover the area, ideal for families with children. Bikes can be hired locally.

Water sports at sea

The nearest beach is 700 metres from the campsite on foot — a ten-minute stroll through the pine wood, along the canal, until your feet touch the fine sand. But the sea is also a gateway to a whole host of activities.

Eating out — the flavours of Corsica right at the campsite

On holiday, the most popular activity of all is often this one: eating well. At U Casone, we have a restaurant, a pizzeria and a bar. In the evening, the smell of pizza drifts across the whole campsite. It’s a signal, and everyone answers it.

Our restaurant serves dishes made with regional produce: Corsican charcuterie, local cheeses, fresh fish from the east coast. You eat in the shade of the pines, with the cicadas singing in the background and sometimes a late-evening light that turns the leaves red. There’s really no need to say more.

For those who prefer to cook on their pitch or in their accommodation, our mini-market stocks the essentials: fresh produce, bread, local specialities and ice creams.

Planning your days: our tips on pace

In Corsica, the summer heat naturally sets a certain rhythm. You quickly learn to live differently here: active mornings, afternoons in the shade, long, mellow evenings.

U Casone: a starting point — not a closed-off destination

What we love about our work is seeing people arrive tired and leave recharged. Corsica does that: it slows the tempo, sets its own pace, and after a few days you forget you ever had a diary. Active holidays and restful holidays aren’t mutually exclusive — here, they sit naturally side by side.

Whether you come to hike, paddle, dive, explore or simply stretch out beneath the pines — U Casone is made for you. We’re open from 1 May to 8 October, and each season has its own charms: the calm of May and June, the buzz of July and August, the mellowness of September, when the sea is still warm and the campsite more serene.

U Casone means “the big house” in Corsican. And a big house has room for everyone.

You might also enjoy: Canyoning in Corsica: who, where and how? · Things to do in Ghisonaccia: activities, beaches and discoveries on Corsica’s east coast. You’ll find all our tips on the campsite blog, and for your stay, discover our campsite in Ghisonaccia, 700 m from the sea.