On the eastern coast of Corsica is one of the island's gems, an attractive village that sits in a region of hilltop hamlets, seaside communities and beautiful beaches.
Brando is a small village of whitewashed homes and a harbour full of boats. This lovely Mediterranean escape is a gateway to Cap Corse, an area known for its natural beauty of mountains and coastline. Come here to hike, mountain climb and tour fishing villages.
The houses in Brando are separated by narrow alleyways, with wonderful views of the sea at almost every turn. You can easily cover the village in under an hour, but Brando is a place to linger, to eat in seafront restaurants and enjoy the quiet life.
Brando doesn’t have its own beach, but this doesn’t stop sunbathing from being one of the most popular pastimes. Find a spot on the smooth rocks between the town walls and the sea and top up your tan.
While you are here, get out and explore Cap Corse. If you are feeling particularly energetic, take the 12.4-mile (20-kilometre) coastal walk that passes through several landscapes, including beaches, dunes and scrubland. There are also shorter walks with signposted paths that take you through villages, hamlets and along the waterfront. Alternatively, drive through the region in a rental car.
A good place to stop is Erbalunga, a beautiful village with a port that dates back to the Middle Ages. See its Genoese tower, once a part of Corsica's defenses against pirate attacks. Wander through the pedestrianized centre, then drive just outside the village for sandy beaches and secluded coves.
Just over a 5-mile (8-kilometre) drive from Erbalunga is the medieval hamlet of Pozzo. This is the starting point of climbs up Monte Stello. At 4,288 feet (1,307 metres) this is the highest peak in Cap Corse and a round trip to its summit takes about 5 hours.
Brando is located on Corsica’s eastern coast above Bastia, where there is an airport, ferry port and train station. Relax in the village and take advantage of its proximity to a scenic region of hills, mountains, medieval villages and beaches.
