What to see around Porto-Vecchio?

The Porto-Vecchio area is full of wonderful places, with an incredible variety of landscapes. This is true across all of Corsica, where scenery changes constantly and no two views look alike. So, within an hour of Porto-Vecchio and our residence, here are the places you really should visit during your stay in Corsica.

L'Ospedale

Lake of l'Ospedale

About 30 minutes away, the village of L’Ospedale, perched above the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio, gives you a first taste of the quality of the landscapes inland on the island. Once past the village, you enter a forest of Corsican pines and beech trees, where you won't miss the stunning Lac de l’Ospedale. Many hiking trails and outdoor activities start from here: tree-top adventure courses, swimming, via ferrata, mountain biking, quad biking…

A Piscia di u Ghjaddu

Speaking of hiking and swimming, A Piscia di u Ghjaddu, also known as “Piscia di u Gallu”, is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Corsica. To reach it, head from L’Ospedale towards Zonza, and you'll find a large car park on your right (paid in season) where the trail begins. The walk to the famous waterfall takes roughly 30 minutes.

A Punta di a Vaccha Morta

On the opposite side from the Piscia trailhead, A Punta di a Vacca Morta offers a superb view over the gulf and northern Sardinia. The starting point is in L’Ospedale, next to the Le Refuge restaurant.

The Cucuruzzu-Capula site

A bit further inland, discover the prehistoric site of Cucuruzzu. Discovered in 1959, this village is thought to have been built by Bronze Age people around 1800 BC. The site includes a village, a monumental complex, a circular tower and the medieval chapel of Capula. A very pleasant walk takes you to all of them, a loop of about 3 km. Entry to the site costs €4.50.

The Coscione plateau

Admittedly quite far from Porto-Vecchio, the Coscione plateau is still part of the hinterland of Porto-Vecchio. On the high lands of the Alta Rocca, the Coscione plateau offers breathtaking scenery of pozzines and streams. During your hikes across the plateau, you will come across many animals grazing there, a sign of the strong pastoral tradition of the region. Access to the plateau is through the Bucchi Nera visitor centre.

The Bavella needles

The Bavella Pass

After the beautiful village of Zonza, you will reach the famous Col de Bavella, which offers a breathtaking view of the Aiguilles de Bavella. From there, two hikes await you: the Tafunu di u Compuleddu, “the bomb hole”, about an hour's walk, or the Tour of the Aiguilles de Bavella, which usually takes a full day to complete.

The Solenzara river

On the way down from the Col de Bavella towards Solenzara, you'll spot from the road numerous freshwater rock pools where you can swim and enjoy the coolness of the crystal-clear water. This natural site offers a range of activities: treetop adventure courses, Via Ferrata, canyoning and hiking.

The Sartène area

The Lion of Roccapina

On the way to Sartène, you'll pass through Roccapina. This spot leads to a stunning wild beach with fine sand and turquoise water. From the road, you'll enjoy a perfect view of the Lion of Roccapina, ideal for watching the sunset.

The Uomo di Cagna

Starting from the village of Monacia d'Aullène, you can reach the Uomo di Cagna, which stands at 1,217 m above sea level. This magnificent natural statue, formed from unstable granite boulders, inspires admiration and wonder. How did such a huge granite block end up on top of this rocky mound?

From the summit, the view stretches over Figari, further away to Sardinia and, on clear days, as far as the Paglia Orba in the northwest of the island.

The Bruzzi Trail

Near Pianottoli, this discovery trail offers a beautiful variety of landscapes between land and sea. As a protected natural site, the trail gives you a glimpse of the many plants you can find in southern Corsica. You'll pass by the famous Corail beach, known for its pink sand.

The Bonifacio region

The citadel of Bonifacio

Bonifacio is a must-see during your visit to Corsica. The marina, the citadel, the views and the cliffs make it one of the highlights of your stay in Corsica. Bonifacio also offers a unique atmosphere and a place steeped in history that will surely stay with you for a long time.

The cliffs of Bonifacio

You can admire the cliffs from several spots in Bonifacio. From the old town or on a boat trip, the cliffs open up before you and offer their best view. You can also take the Escalier du Roy d'Aragon, which lets you cross the cliffs from one side to the other.

Petit Sperone beach

This beach is a true gem and is often ranked among the most beautiful in Corsica. Petit Sperone is nestled between two rock walls, with a short stretch of fine sand and crystal-clear water unlike any you have probably ever seen. A few hundred metres away, you can discover Grand Sperone beach, which has nothing to envy its little sister.

Rondinara beach

To conclude, how could we not mention the famous Rondinara beach? This paradise beach, shaped like a half-circle, has ideal features: fine sand, turquoise water, calm waves and a gentle slope towards deeper waters. Plus, just like at Santa Giulia and Palombaggia, in summer you can grab a bite at the beach huts nearby.

Near our residence

The Tamaricciu coastal trail

Located on the southern coast of Porto-Vecchio, Tamaricciu is an iconic site of the region. Neighbouring Palombaggia, it shares some of the features of the beaches that give charm to southern Corsica: a wide expanse of white sand and breathtaking water. Allow about 45 minutes to complete the loop.

The Genoese tower of Fautea

Heading north of the island, 20 minutes from Porto-Vecchio, discover the long Lavu Santu beach and its magnificent Genoese tower. You can park along the national road and set off on the short walk to the tower. This trail, rich in wildlife and fragrant plants, leads you to the tower, where you'll enjoy a stunning view of the eastern coast.

Cavu's natural swimming pools

Inland from Sainte-Lucie de Porto-Vecchio, you will be delighted to discover the superb natural swimming pools of Cavu. True paradises, these pools are an open invitation to relax. This wonderful setting gives you access to several activities, such as hiking, an adventure park and, of course, swimming.