The 7 essential things to do in Porticcio

Do you want to visit Porticcio and discover its assets? This falls well, Wanderlix has compiled a list of the must-sees of the destination!

Visit Porticcio (pronouncing por-tit’chio and not por-ti-cio), it is discovering a small, not so discreet city that faces the beautiful Ajaccio . They are separated by the Gulf of Ajaccio which adds a certain stamp to the two destinations.

But beyond the comparisons we can find, Porticcio managed to build his own identity. Very touristy, it remains active all year round. In fact, Corsicas enjoys it especially for its beaches, restaurants and access to the mountain. Visiting Porticcio is like a break without just resting...

1. Preach at the beach

What would be our list of things to do in Porticcio without the announcement of the beaches? Like a very large part of the Corsican coastline, Porticcio is lined with beaches. beach of the Viva , Paradisu-Scaglione , beach of Pointe Sud or du Maquis , you have everything you need. Like the Corsican beaches, they are all as beautiful as each other, mixing the freshness of the Mediterranean with the softness of the blond sand.

However, some beaches are more impressive if you descend slightly south. This is where you will find the beach of Agosta . This huge beach is about 2 kilometers away and opens on the sea as never!

And if you go a little outside of Porticcio, you will discover the very famous beach of Isolella . It is recognized for its beauty and color of its waters. A true postcard beach, it attracts many tourists every year. It is the Isolella peninsula that houses this beautiful sandy beach. This peninsula is also accessible on foot, for those who wish, for example, to make snorkeling!

2. Scuba diving or snorkeling

As mentioned above, Corsica has a very special coastline: beaches or cliffs, the two landscapes intertwine and form this unique painting. On the sea side, we invite you to discover the seabed. It falls well, to visit Porticcio, the marine option is very plebiscited.

Indeed, many clubs offer the opportunity to scuba diving or snorkeling from the city. Direction the coves and depths, meeting the Corsican fauna and flora. It is an experience to live at least once in his life, to create new memories, to see beautiful things or simply to satisfy a childish curiosity...

3. Be cool with the spa

If you visit Porticcio, it is certain that the days will be rich in surprises. This means, on the one hand, that you have seen many things. But on the other hand, it implies that you will need rest. And what’s better to relax than to offer moments at the spa?

There are several spas in Porticcio, including two very famous, integrated in hotels. This is the question of Radisson Blu Resort Spa & Spa and Sofitel Spa . Of course, the cards of care and benefits are similar for your greatest happiness.

However, if you don’t want to go to hotel spas, other facilities provide care, such as O Flo Spa , located at the entrance of Porticcio. To you the oil baths, steam baths and other saunas. Just take the time to recharge.

4. Enjoy the view during a hike

To appreciate the natural and magnificent landscapes of Corsica, hiking is the ideal activity. Whether it’s a pedestrian, riding stable or riding bike, or something. You can start by visiting Porticcio on foot, because the city is longer than wide and is bordered by the sea. Then you can consider sinking into the land.

Reserved for enthusiasts and sports, a very big hike starts in Porticcio, destination Propriano : Mare è Monti Sud ! It is about 75 kilometers of hiking that await you, between bright seaside and vertiginous mountains. Obviously, it is not given to everyone and is done in several days.

Finally, for the followers of the occasional hike, you can take part of the trail Mare è Monti Sud and stop you in the turn of Frassu. On the way, a constant but not insurmountable gap and many views of the coastline: Sanguinary Islands , peninsula of Isolella, Gulf of Ajaccio. In the end, you will discover a stone house and the remains of a former bread oven.

5. Savour local cuisine

Visit Corsica without tasting local cuisine? Inconceivable! Empreinte of character and history, this cuisine is unique and exceptional. Obviously focused on the products of the Mediterranean basin, Corsica cuisine is rich and tasty, fresh and filled.

This falls well, in Porticcio, the density of restaurants is very important. It is therefore an opportunity to discover this typical cuisine... but not that. Indeed, all restaurants in Porticcio do not offer Corsican cuisine. However, they are the opportunity to have lunch or dinner feet in the water, with the terraces often installed on the beaches, sheltered from the sun by a gentle shade.

If you want to focus on Corsican dishes then taste the calf with olives , red soup or the cannelloni to “brocciu” (Brussels) The whole, accompanied by a glass of Anrancellu , a cocktail based on orange liquor, or the famous Limoncellu , its equivalent to lemon. For dessert, spit for one fiadone lemon and finally, enrich your coffee canistrelli Almonds. Measures that make dream and discover new horizons as well as new flavours.

6. Enjoy a sea trip

Beyond dreaming of sea depths, you can just as well enjoy boat rides! This is another way to visit Porticcio, just like jet-ski: from the sea. A shuttle service allows you to do it. Thus, from Porticcio, join the Sanguinary Islands during a half-day walk or during sunset. It’s even more wonderful...

For those who have more time (one full day), you can choose to go up to Bonifacio , extraordinary city located at the southern tip of the island.

Finally, from Porticcio, make a great journey along the western Corsica coast. First the Sanguinary Islands and then the Gulf of Porto, near the Scandola Natural Reserve , Capo Rosso , Piana calanques (from the sea!) and from Girolata . In the summer, this route sometimes allows the observation of cetaceans!

7. Visit Porticcio and more...

Visit Ajaccio

Of course, if you choose to visit Porticcio, you can spend a few days there. However, it would be a shame to deprive yourself of the city of Ajaccio, located opposite, separated by the Gulf of the same name.

Ajaccio is a vibrant, vibrant city where Corsican history has been able to mingle with the modernization of the island. Very conservative of their heritage, Corsicas know how to highlight it. Discover more the museum Fesch , the very pretty place Diamant or even history house of Napoleon .

Fun at Lake Tolla

Lake Tolla is located about 30 kilometers from Porticcio, about 45 minutes drive . This is an opportunity to try you – carefully – on Corsican roads. The reward is nevertheless worth a visit: a magnificent lake dam of the Prunelli River.

Many activities are recommended: pedalo, stand-up paddle, canoeing, kayaking... Activities to be done with family or friends, for example. The village of Tolla is nearby, you can also take a look. It charms its visitors thanks to its authenticity.

Hiking at Coti-Chiavari

Not far from Porticcio is located Coti-Chiavari (pronounced co-ti-kia-va-ri) where you can take a smooth family trip to a former penitentiary. Through a light and dense forest, explore a clear and easy path to the old abandoned building for decades. Once you arrive, you will embrace a beautiful view of the bay of Ajaccio and its surroundings.

Otherwise, always from Coti-Chiavari, turn around the peninsula Capu di Muru . Then cross the Corsican maquis to the Genoa Tower of Capu di Muru . The Gulf of Ajaccio and the Anise Cacao await you and offer you magnificent views. A little more to the west, at the tip of the peninsula, do not miss the headlight, as well as the Da Madonella chapel.

How to get to Porticcio?

To visit Porticcio, you have two solutions: the aircraft or boat . In both cases, go through Ajaccio , located only 20 minutes from Porticcio. When you arrive by plane, we recommend that you rent a car thanks to the rentals near the airport (after the car park).

The advantage of transiting via Ajaccio is that many French airports offer this destination, especially during the summer season. Find the flight that suits you best, with or without a Parisian stopover, by visiting a flight comparison such as Skyscanner .

If you arrive by boat (departure from Nice , Toulon or Marseille ), you have the possibility of travel with your car , which can facilitate your stay on site. But you can also travel without a vehicle and start your discovery of Corsica on foot, through Ajaccio. Car rental agencies are present in the city, allowing you to head to Porticcio.

Where to stay in Porticcio?

Very touristic, the city of Porticcio is very attractive. This is why the offer of housing is rich and varied. It adapts to all budgets. You can opt for a large hotel with sea view, spa and swimming pool like Radisson Blu Resort & Spa or the Sofitel , which have become essentials of the local hotel industry. Even more discreet but equally luxurious hotels exist, like Hotel du Maquis .

For smaller budgets, the option of the hotel or residence is widely possible. Their services have developed widely over the years, thus becoming serious competitors to more classic hotels. Take a look at one Compare hotels , you will find the best hotel offers in the region and can even benefit from very interesting prices.

Also, Porticcio is not free from Airbnb which represent a very important housing offer in the city. Increasingly designed to make the experience unusual and exceptional, the Airbnb stands out more, offering comfortable accommodation at sometimes more reasonable prices.

Finally, for campers, Porticcio has three notable campsites, all located at the entrance of the city. Near the highways, they allow to enjoy Porticcio and the rest of Corsica very easily.