The highlights of Porto-Vecchio

Porto-Vecchio, the pearl of southern Corsica

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Nestled at the bottom of a gulf with emerald waters, Porto-Vecchio (Porti Vechju in Corsica) is one of the most attractive cities in South Corsica. Founded in 1539 by the Republic of Genoa, its fortified upper city dominates a gulf dotted with islands and secret coves. A city with a double face, it knows how to combine the hustle and bustle of a popular seaside resort with the immediate proximity of wild and magnificent nature: cork oak forests, granite peaks and legendary beaches. It is also the natural gateway to the great outdoors in the south of the island.

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To organize your stay, Porto-Vecchio Tourist Office, located in the upper town, provides hiking maps, information on accommodation and nautical and land activities.

The highlights of Porto-Vecchio

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The upper town and the Genoese ramparts

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The historic heart of Porto-Vecchio deserves a stroll without a fixed itinerary. Its cobbled streets, Genoese doors and shaded squares are home to designer shops, restaurants and wine bars. In the evening, the ramparts offer a breathtaking panorama of the gulf set ablaze by the sunset — one of the most beautiful sights in southern Corsica.

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The beaches of Palombaggia and Santa Giulia

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About fifteen kilometers south of Porto-Vecchio, Palombaggia is undoubtedly the most photographed beach in Corsica. Its umbrella pines leaning on coral pink sand and its waters with shades of turquoise blue make it an almost unreal picture. A few kilometers away, Santa Giulia offers a natural lagoon with quieter and shallower waters, ideal for families and paddle lovers. Both beaches should be visited early in the morning in July-August to appreciate all their beauty.

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Excursions from Porto-Vecchio

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Bonifacio, the suspended citadel

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30 kilometers to the south, Bonifacio is one of the most spectacular sites in the Mediterranean. The upper town, perched on white limestone cliffs overlooking the sea, overlooks a turbulent strait separating Corsica from Sardinia. The sea caves, calanques and the Lavezzi Islands — a nature reserve with crystal clear waters — can be visited by boat from the lower port. An unmissable excursion.

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Alta Rocca and the inland villages

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An hour's drive to the northwest, Alta Rocca is the land of hilltop granite villages, chestnut forests, and bathing rivers. Levie, Quenza and Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano are ideal stops to discover authentic and preserved Corsica, far from the hustle and bustle of the coastline. The Alta Rocca Museum in Levie houses one of the richest archaeological collections on the island.

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The needles of Bavella

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The Bavella Pass and its red granite needles rising up into the sky are one of the most dramatic and most photographed landscapes in Corsica. On the mountain side, hikers will find trails for all levels, via ferrata and the famous Monte Incudine hike. On the river side, the Solenzara gorges and basins, accessible by the D268, offer absolutely transparent freshwater swimming in granite decorations sculpted by erosion. A place with two faces, magnificent in any season.

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The GR20 Sud, departure from Conca

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The village of Conca, about twenty kilometers north of Porto-Vecchio, marks the starting point — or arrival — of the southern section of the GR20, the most mythical long-distance hiking trail in Europe. This southern portion, known to be less busy and more accessible than the north, crosses landscapes of scrub, forest and granite ridges to Bavella. One or two stages are enough to experience the thrill of the Corsican open spaces without engaging the entire course.

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Lake Ospédale and the Zonza forest

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About forty minutes from Porto-Vecchio, the artificial lake of Ospédale and its Laricio pine forest offer a welcome getaway away from the heat of the coast. The Piscia di Gallo waterfalls, accessible in an hour's walk from the forest car park, are one of the most beautiful hikes in the south of the island, with a jump of 60 meters in a setting of granite and absolutely wild scrub. The village of Zonza, perched at an altitude of 780 meters with a view of the Aiguilles de Bavella, is ideal for a lunch break on the terrace.

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Getting around and staying

Car rental is essential to connect the beaches, the villages of Alta Rocca and the natural sites. Allow a full day to explore Bavella and another to Bonifacio and the Lavezzi Islands. For accommodation, Porto-Vecchio and its surroundings offer a wide range from campsites on the beach to luxury hotels in pine forests, through charming guest houses in inland villages.