The 6 things to do in Piana

Red rocks, blue waters, dense vegetation and breathtaking spectacle. Get ready, you'll visit Piana and her treasures.

On a trip to Corsica, Piana is one of those stopovers that do not refuse. The typical village is illustrated by its eternal and magnificent setting made up of singular rocks, red porphyres. You recognized them, the Calanques, so famous and delightful.

However, the village of Piana can only be summed up to this symbolic rock formation. Indeed, there are many things to see to visit Piana in its entirety, which is why we have listed the essentials of the destination.

1. The Calanques of Piana

Discovering the Calanques

• On foot: To visit Piana via its calanques, you can walk them, making sure to the cars that cross them. Indeed, no sidewalks, just vigilance to get close to the points of view. Otherwise, you can choose to hike: many of them trace their path through the red rocks and the maquis of Piana.
• To swim: Discovering the calanques from the sea is largely feasible. So, start diving, snorkeling or stand-up paddle and play adventurers with red cliffs. Of course, don't do it on your own. In Porto, slightly below Piana, diving clubs and renters will guide you to what interests you.
• By boat: The village of Piana borders the Gulf of Porto where numerous cruises-discovery take place every day of the high season. They allow you to discover the calanques and their surroundings in a blink of an eye. Then see the village of Piana, its coasts and of course, the calanques!

The Dog Head

It is a special place in the Calanques of Piana: the Chien Head. It is actually a big rock that time and elements have forged to such a point that it looks like a dog’s head. It’s all stupid but very impressive.

The Rock of Love

You will also certainly notice the Rock of Love. Very emblematic, it is formed of two high rocks with in their joint, a heart shaped hole! Depending on the period of the year, you can see the sun sunset through this heart.

2. Capo Rosso

Included in its entirety in the commune of Piana, Capo Rosso is a magnificent place from which to observe the Corsican coastline, from the Gulf of Porto to the Tour d’Omigna de Cargèse, passing through the Scandola Nature Reserve .

Accessible by a unique path, it is ideal for hiking and delighting the landscape. Also, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So don't miss him!

The Tour de Turghiu

The Tour de Turghiu is a Genoese tower dating from 1608. It is possible to enter through a staircase. Careful, this says, because the walks are steep enough and after the hike can be exhausting. But once at the top, you are rewarded with a sublime viewpoint on the Gulf of Porto!

3. The beaches

Obviously, who dreams of Corsica without dreaming of heavenly beaches? Piana is not free. Indeed, on the communal territory, two beautiful beaches. Come and rest there, enjoying the turquoise color of the water and the whiteness of the sand. Real landscapes of postcards:

• Arone beachsouth
• The beach of Ficaghjola, closest, north

4. The small port of Castagna

The port of Castagna is worth the small detour it will ask you. Very small, it is a great place from which you can put yourself in the water and see to the beach of Porto, to the east.

For the happy boat owners, it is a nice site for a temporary anchorage, but be alert to the immersed rocks. The 40 metre docks offer 2 meters of water.

5. The village of Piana

Of course, visiting Piana cannot be complete without the total discovery of the charming village with typical Corsican houses! Adorable village very dense, you will first love walking in idlely. Then, do not miss to go in search of the most beautiful buildings or stunning views!

The Church of the Assumption

It is the central point of the village of Piana and the date of the late eighteenth century. Built in a modern baroque style, it protects a painting of Saint-Hugo from Lincoln and a statue of the Assumption in wood.

During his restoration in 2004, paintings from the time of his construction were discovered! It is accessible to the public from June to September.

The perspective of Ficaghjola

North of the village, discover Ficaghjola's point of view. It is a green esplanade offering a magnificent view of the Gulf of Porto, the Natural Reserve of Scandola and the Calanques of Piana. In other words, it is a taste, or a reminder, of what you can see in Piana!

From this place you can also reach the beach of Ficaghjola via a small hike of about 1 hour (attention to the elevation).

6. Session canyoning au Dardu

Corsican landscapes, shaped by the fury of elements and the strength of an impenetrable nature, attract canyoning enthusiasts from all over the world. The Piana area is no exception.

His canyon, the Dardu, is one of the most beautiful and phantasmagorical in the Island of Beauty. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers a sporting and technical journey.

Nage palmated in the crystalline watersheds, dizzying-back descents, vasques dug into the ochre and rosy granite walls, zip lines between sea and mountain: the diversity of obstacles equals that of the landscapes.

This very aesthetic canyon is almost dry in July and August, so plan a spring trip . To do so, it is necessary to be in good physical condition and not suffer from dizziness. Also think about taking good shoes with solid and grinding rubber soles.

How do I get to Piana?

Note that these are Calvi and Ajaccio airports that are closest to Piana. Both offer national and international flights at regular intervals. To get the best deals, go to a comparison of flights as Skyscanner .

To then visit Piana, the only way is to get by the road. Departmental D81 will lead you to the village you came from Ajaccio or Calvi. Attention, these are corsican roads: the corners are very numerous!

• From Calvi: 78 kilometers, 1h50
• Coming from Ajaccio: 72 kilometers in 1h30

Where to stay in Piana?

Piana is an extended commune, but not the village itself. The housing offers are still quite numerous. You will then find what to stay in a lodging, hotel or even Airbnb. You have a choice between village centre , authentic with its typical houses, or the seaside like the Arone beach .

There are for all scholarships. Then it is up to you to see if you prefer a hotel to visit Piana comfortably throughout your stay, in this case we recommend using a hotel comparison . Otherwise, you can always choose a nomadic adventure.