The Upper Town and its citadel
The upper town of Porto-Vecchio, a Genoese citadel that has been destroyed and rebuilt three times, will tell you its fascinating story.
Allow around 1 hour 30 minutes for a fascinating guided tour exploring the Bastion de France, the ramparts and the Porte Génoise, as well as the Church of San Ghjuvanni Battista and its magnificent sculptures.
The heart of the old town is Place de la République, a bustling hub with its bars, restaurants and ice-cream parlours. It’s the perfect spot to meet up with family or friends at any time of day in a friendly atmosphere.
Porto-Vecchio is also renowned as a must-visit destination for fashionistas.
Its narrow streets are brimming with lovely shops selling clothing and accessories from prestigious international brands and trendy designers, as well as jewellery and exquisite handicrafts, and a selection of the finest swimwear and beachwear brands… Enough to delight any shopaholic.
And if you’re stopping off on a Sunday, don’t miss the market
As the region is also an agricultural area, it is home to all sorts of artisans producing a wide variety of delicacies, and every Sunday morning the open-air market brings together numerous local producers who will offer you their finest honey, olive oil, cheeses and cured meats in a friendly atmosphere. A treat for the taste buds is guaranteed.
Santa Giulia Beach
A true picture-postcard setting, Santa Giulia beach is one of the most iconic in the Far South, and one of the most spectacular in Corsica; easily accessible by road, it is just a few minutes’ drive from the commercial port of Porto Vecchio. Fine sand, crystal-clear water, sandbanks, smooth white rocks perfect for basking in the sun, and lush vegetation creating a remote, otherworldly atmosphere… it is an enchanting spot, just as Corsica is known for offering.
A very popular spot with snorkelling enthusiasts thanks to the crystal-clear water and shallow depths, where even the youngest children will be safe. You’ll also have access on site to a water sports centre, where you can hire kayaks, jet skis and sun loungers, as well as beach bars and restaurants.
The Ospedale Forest and its activities
About 40 minutes from the commercial port of Porto Vecchio, for a complete change of scenery, the Ospedale Forest offers a green retreat in the mountains, in the shade of the Lariccio pines, the region’s characteristic vegetation.
L’Ospedale is home to Corsica’s largest adventure park, Xtrem Sud, a playground and activity area set in the heart of nature: over 180 workshops, up to 4 hours of trails through the trees and over the rocks, giant zip lines, trails of varying difficulty levels suitable for everyone, and a toddler park for children aged 3 and over.
As an added bonus, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Ospedale reservoir, which lies a little higher up than the park, nestled in the heart of the forest. A fun-filled day and spectacular photos guaranteed!
There are also other activities available and very popular at this site outside the park. Quad bike and mountain bike rides for the more adventurous, and some lovely, easy walks. One of the best-known trails takes you from the car park to the spectacular A Piscia di Ghjaddu waterfall – the highest in Corsica – which plunges from a 70-metre-high rock face. Allow around 1½ hours for this round trip, which follows a lovely river through the pine trees.
Need to unwind? There are places on site where you can stay and enjoy this enchanting setting a little longer in complete tranquillity.
The Aiguilles de Bavella site
Fancy some spectacular rocky scenery? The Bavella Massif, 50 km north-west of Porto-Vecchio, is a highlight of Corsica’s mountains, situated within the Corsica Regional Nature Park.
This site, well known to walkers and climbers from all over the world, perfectly captures the distinctive features of the island’s landscape: jagged peaks, towering rocky cliffs, shimmering colours ranging from red to grey from dawn to dusk… all covered in lush green pine forests.
In short, breathtaking panoramic views await you, notably the famous «needles» of Bavella, which can be seen from the pass situated by the roadside at an altitude of 1,243 metres.
The Bavella Pass is the starting point for numerous hikes, the most popular and accessible of which is the “Trou de la Bombe” trail, a natural opening about ten metres wide carved into the rock. Allow two hours to cover the four-kilometre round trip on this lovely walk in the shade of the pine trees, which offers a taste of the high-mountain environment.
You can also admire the magnificent statue of Bavella’s patron saint, the «White Virgin», Our Lady of the Snows, who appeared to the locals in the depths of winter and stands majestically facing the famous Bavella Needles. Every year on 5 August, hundreds of pilgrims come to pay their respects to her during one of the island’s most beautiful religious celebrations.