Corsica’s Southwest: Ajaccio, Sartene, or Propriano? (Travel Guide 2025)
Cars. You see it online and it’s all ancient villages and quiet beaches. But what if you want to find somewhere that actually has a bit of a pulse? I’m on a mission to investigate the island’s southwest coast. Putting a Tik Tok famous town against the most cursed town and the capital city to figure out which one is genuinely worth a visit. I’m Ronny and my travel style can be a little intense. I like to see it all, do it all, and experience everything that a place has to offer. So, if you’re up for a really immersive travel experience, you’re in the right place. [Music] First up, Proprio. This place has been doing the rounds on social media, so naturally I was immediately suspicious. Oh, it’s quite cute. There’s lots of beaches along the coast here. Like from here, there’s one, two, three, maybe four I can see behind that tree. Okay, so we’re in Propiano. Seems to be a bit of a port town. Has all these nice beaches on the front of it, but first impressions are a bit like there’s some really beautiful towns in Corsica. This one doesn’t look like it has there there was a bit of an old town, but a lot of the buildings are like going modern like this one. [Music] The town itself took a heavy beating in World War II and was rebuilt without much of the classic Corsican charm. A nice harbor with all the mountains and stuff. Like everybody in Corsica has a boat. I think I’ve seen more boats here than people. Wonder what the ratio is of boats to people in Corsica. So apparently this is the busy part of Propiano. You can see it’s overrun with five or six people. Some of the buildings are cute, other ones are ugly. Oh, this place looks nice. Mostly because they’ve got like comfy seating. And if we’re looking to go to the beach right now, there’s nice beaches, but then there’s nicer beaches. So, I think propiano, if you’re nearby and you’re looking for a town with a beach, then it’s here. And that’s my review. That’s cute. Look, the plasters come off and they’ve just made it into the shape of the island. And we are I believe we’re like here There just so many boats. So this is like the main street. [Music] The church is up there. Getting the card to go in cal. There’s quite a lot of steps. I would to put the church way up here. There’s a big man. He’s not very big. A nice view up here, but I think it was nicer over on the other side looking over to it. Yeah, it’s a prop. I know seems all right. I think if you’re nearby then fine. The waterfront’s nice. There’s some nice beaches at the front, but don’t go out your way to come and visit it. Don’t know what Tik Tok was telling Callum, but don’t believe everything you see on Tik Tok. It’s not some sort of amazing village. [Music] But from here, we’re going to go to Sarten, which is apparently the most Corsican of all Corsican villages. It’s only 15 minutes away. So, we’ll see if that’s worth making an effort to go to. So from Propriano, we’re heading 50 minutes down the road to Sartin. A French writer once called this the most Corsican of all Corsican villages. Let’s see if he was on to something or maybe just had a bit too much wine at lunch. I’ve kind of came up the main street, which is quite nice. It looks like this is the main square where the church is, and there’s a market going on. And a lot of the buildings here, the houses are all fortified because it has a history of like vendettas between the families that lived here. So they were all fighting with each other. The buildings look like fortresses because basically they were. The whole place was designed with high narrow windows and fortified tower houses so you could carry on your blood feud without ever having to step outside. On proper narrow little streets, Well, these pilings are really old. Yeah, I think a busload of busload of oip has arrived. Had a really old. [Music] Oh, yeah. Is that part of the church? Maybe. This is like the back of the really old buildings. See, they look like castle walls the way they’re thick there. Thick with two C’s. [Music] A hi. Hi. Think he had more important dog business to do like poop and sleep. Psychologist office. See if they can fix me. There’s loads of birds of prey here. It’s obviously swooping around here for a reason. Oh yeah. I think these were like ways to access the other properties without having to come down to ground level because ground level would be unsafe, right? Cuz that’s where all the was thrown. [Music] Getting all the cardio in today or rather in this morning. Then I’m going to lie on the beach. I see right out. Oh yeah. Where is he? Huge. So that baby there’s where propiano is 13. The most Corskin of all Corsican villages in Corsica. There might be more elsewhere. It’s quite nice. Time to see if the capital of Jaxill can offer something with a bit more life. This feels totally different to every other place I’ve been to in the island. Um, this is a Jaxio, the capital of Corsica, and it’s a proper city. Like, this is just the port, and it’s massive. Ajaxio is a city of contrast. The Geneise built this huge citadel to control the bay, and in a way, nothing’s changed. It looks like a history lesson, but it’s still an active military base. So, you can look at the formidable walls, but the French army would prefer you didn’t try to get in. It’s very colorful. Just a waft of cheese. Look at this little place. Could it be any more pink? So, I’ve been made to go for gay ice cream. This is the one gay venue in the island. So, I’m in the toilet in this gay yogurt shop, gay ice cream shop, and they’ve got like little cute things, the flesh. It’s like a little xylophone, which is cool. But what’s amazed me the most is the soap. To get the soap, it’s like a bar and you have to Oh, I love it. You need to go and see the soap in the bathroom. Why? Just just go and wash your hands before you eat. Go on. Ajax was actually the birthplace of Napoleon and he lived here as a child in that house that’s now a museum. The shop’s called Julo. This is the Fresh Palace, home to the Fresh Prince. I think that’s the Fresh Prince there. Doesn’t look like Will Smith. [Music] It’s nice because it’s wide enough to let some sun in or the sun’s just at the right point I suppose just now. A lot of nice shops and there’s also a lot of tourist t Oh, look at these little cars. Spaghetti 3, the trilogy. Oh, it’s a very nice city. Down at the port, there’s a special kind of irony. It’s named for Tino Rossy, a beloved singer who came from humble beginnings. Today, it’s a parking lot for super yacht. so enormous they make the rest of the city look like a miniature village. A workingclass hero overseeing a billionaire’s playground. I just spotted something that I wouldn’t mind. I’ll have this one, please. I’ll find out who owns it. I’ll sleep with them. Yeah. How much does it cost to charter? Oh, just half a mill. Is that euros or pound? Euros. Euros. Oh, that’s How long do you get it for? For half a million. All right. That’ll be the next video. Really nice capital, really nice square, lovely day. I like a Jaxio. I think if I was coming back to Corsica, maybe want to stay in Ajaxia. [Music] It just feels like it’s got more going on than everywhere else. As well as having all these pretty squares of which this is another one. It’s also got a beach. All right. So, it’s not the biggest beach. No. I mean, you do have a little bit of sand. I guess [Music] something’s better than nothing. This whole waterfront bit is really nice. Oh, right the way around this bay. There’s a big ferris wheel. That’s lovely. The water looks great. I mean, maybe the tide’s in, but it’s sandy and it’s shallow. [Music] Like I’d swim in it. Big grand house of some ones. So if you walk along the rocks, there’s this much. I mean, still small, but this bigger sandy bit. Oh, it’s very nice. This is the first place we’ve been in Corsica that’s felt lively. Like not like club 1830 magalof cavos weekender lively but has life. Everything else in Corsica has felt really sleepy. I prefer this little place to be. I like it. This is it. That is that seahorse made out of sea trash. I like what they’ve done here. The bits similar everywhere else I’ve been in Corsica. It’s just Corsican food and it’s the same. It’s like it’s like going to a restaurant in Scotland. They’ll always have fish and chips, macaroni and cheese, lasagna, scamp chips, steak pie. What else? Something including black or black. Something with black food in. It’s kind of like that here. Jaxio seems to have, as you would expect, as the capital, a bit more variety. So, the final verdict for the savvy weekender. Honestly, give the overhyped spots like Propriano a miss. For pure grim history, Sartine is worth a look for an hour or so. But if you want a trip with energy, variety, and a proper city buzz, a Jaxio is the clear winner. It’s still got the history, but it’s also got life. And crucially, more than one open restaurant. And there you have it. my highly scientific, deeply personal guide to the southwest of Corsica. I’m off to find an ice cream that doesn’t cost the same as chartering a yacht. If you want to see more videos like this, please give this video a like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell. It really helps. Cheers. See you soon. [Music]
Planning a dream trip to Corsica in 2025? This comprehensive travel guide dives deep into the island’s captivating southwest coast, putting three distinct and highly debated towns to the ultimate test! Join us as we navigate the diverse landscapes and unique atmospheres of this stunning French island.
First, we investigate Propriano, the town that’s been making waves as a “TikTok-famous” spot. Does it truly live up to the social media hype, or is its charm a little overblown? We explore its modern reconstruction after WWII and its main draw – the beautiful bay and sandy beaches. Find out if Propriano is genuinely a must-see or merely a convenient stopover on your Corsican itinerary. We share our honest first impressions, revealing whether its architecture holds any of that classic Corsican allure.
Next, our journey takes us just 15 minutes down the road to Sartene, a town famously dubbed “the most Corsican of all Corsican villages” by a renowned French writer. High praise indeed! We delve into its intense history, where buildings resemble fortresses due to centuries of family vendettas. Discover how its fortified tower-houses and narrow windows were ingeniously designed for residents to carry on their feuds without ever stepping outside. We also touch upon its most famous and authentic festival, the Catenacciu, a deeply rooted tradition that sets Sartene apart. This segment truly uncovers what makes Sartene an unparalleled historical experience, albeit a very quiet one.
Finally, we head to Ajaccio, the vibrant capital city of Corsica. This segment explores whether Ajaccio can offer the lively atmosphere that the other towns might lack. While many associate Ajaccio with Napoleon Bonaparte, we uncover a more nuanced story of his family’s chaotic past. Experience the city’s unique contrasts, from the formidable Genoese citadel, still an active military base today, to the ironic juxtaposition of the Tino Rossi port, a working-class tribute now dominated by superyachts. We explore the city’s pedestrianized streets, diverse culinary scene (a welcome change from traditional Corsican fare), and share a humorous anecdote about a lost tourist train. Ajaccio truly feels like a proper city, bustling with energy and offering a wider variety of experiences.
This video aims to provide you with the most accurate and engaging insights, helping you make an informed decision for your Corsica travel plans in 2025. We compare the quiet historical intensity of Sartene with the dynamic urban pulse of Ajaccio, and weigh them against the potentially over-hyped allure of Propriano. Our highly scientific and deeply personal guide reveals which of these Corsican gems is genuinely worth adding to your itinerary. Find out if the authentic, grim history or the vibrant city life wins out for your next Mediterranean adventure!
Chapters:
00:00 – What if social media hype doesn’t match reality?
00:40 Propriano: The TikTok Trap?
04:00 Sartene: The Most Corsican Town?
07:11 Ajaccio: Corsica’s Lively Capital
12:25 Final Verdict: Which Town Wins?
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