The 11 things to do in Porto in Corsica

From Corsica? Discover the 11 essential things to do in Porto!

It was once Ota, a small village full of life flourishing on the mountainside. A picturesque place where turbulent alleys and narrow roads are entangled. A place where the murmurs and singing of the inhabitants resonate between the granite houses.

At the bottom of the valley, licked by the sea, a hamlet called Porto. Toising time from its rock, visible from a distance with its genoese tower, it attracts and impresses. stretched between its fishing port and its pebble beach, it is an ode to the marine.

So, are you tempted by one of the most splendid bays in Corsica? Here are the 11 things to do in Porto!

1. Porto village

Visit Porto, the heart of the village, its marina and its beach is an evidence! Indeed, this entrance door on “the crystalline Corsica with magmatic rocks”, located between Ajaccio , Calvi and Corte, has its charm.

It will only take a few hours to discover its picturesque neighbourhood and its black pebble beach. His point of pride is of course his Genoese tour , historical witness of the multiple attacks on the Gulf of Porto. Watching the sea and the coasts, it naturally opens in this fabulous setting and offers a spectacular view!

2. Calanques of Piana

Among the unmissable things to do in Porto, no matter where you'll find out, the Piana calanques will always be at the top of the list! They are characterized by red cliffs raised to hundreds of metres and wrapped in maquis.

The village of Piana, gateway to the calanques, is also worth a visit! Indeed, thanks to its beautiful flowered facades and its superb views, this village is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France.

3. Scandola Reserve

You can’t miss the info when you want to visit Porto: the many companies show their departures from the beach! Direction the Natural Reserve of Scandola, named to UNESCO World Heritage.

This jewel bears witness to an incredible and rare ecosystem: one of the most protected in France. Its red rock slices with the radiating azure of the Mediterranean, giving this place an unusual face.

Do you know that this is a former volcano? Its underwater eruptions shaped the granite, abrupt and fantasmagoric landscapes. If the blood red responds beautifully to the blue of the sea, the green of the maquis will not leave you without a memo.

4. Village of Girolata

Another small authentic village not to be missed when you want to visit Porto: Girolata. This former fishermen’s town actually has only 20 inhabitants a year! It must be said that it only gains on foot or by the sea! This makes it a privileged stop of the boaters on their way to Piana and/or Scandola.

You will be happy to sit in one of the small bars or restaurants of the village, at the time when the boats stop. The walk is fast but the view at the top of Girolata is really worth a visit!

If you prefer to come by the strength of your legs, Factor path from the pass of the Cross leads to Girolata in two hours. It offers beautiful views of the entire Gulf of Porto. On the way, we advise you to stop on the confidential beach of the Tuara .

5. Gorges de Spelunca

The hikers are definitely not left behind! In our ranking of the must-see in Porto, one of our favourite hikes is that of the Gorges de Spelunca .

By taking the round-trip path linking Evisa to Ota along the gorges, you will find spectacular landscapes! Attention However, the lift (sense Evisa-Ota) is steep and requires three hours . Go, we reassure you: there is a shorter and family version, along the river and up to the small historic bridge Zaglia !

6. Underwater diving

Do you love the idea of visiting Porto from the sea and the land? Wait till you find her seabed! Indeed, the Gulf of Porto is widely recognized for the richness and splendor of its marine life.

Thanks to flower plants, real sea lungs, fauna and flora have been able to proliferate throughout the area. In addition to the merous, mooring and shrimp benches, the experienced divers will also be able to discover the secret wreck of a former charcoal... For this, go to the spot on the Scandola Nature Reserve!

7. Aïtone Forest and Waterfalls

The best things to do in Porto are sometimes the simplest... as a quiet walk in the enchanted forest of Aïtone. Situated on nearly forty hectares of centenary pines and fragrant chestnuts, this forest is a calm and soothing corner of nature!

In the shade of pine forests, unfold your cover, establish your base camp for a good picnic and enjoy the natural pools of the river below.

Moreover, it is also possible to reach the river and its waterfalls by borrowing the river Chemin des chestaigniers from the village of Evisa (approximately an hour and a half de marche).

8. Beaches near Porto

Visiting Porto is also enjoying its heavenly beaches! First of all, we recommend the pretty pebble beach of the village. Here are also some beaches around for lovers of Farniente :

• Ficajola : pebble cove in a red and turquoise landscape, in the heart of Piana. The road that leads to it is a full journey, in the heart of the calanques in laces;
• Arone : stretch of sand, calm and fabulously open to Capo Rosso and the Gulf of Porto. Accessible from the Piana calanques;
• Menasina and Capizollu : two beautiful expanses, quiet and quite wild;
• Peru and Chiuni On the other hand, there are two large sandy beaches with a few bars, beach volleyball and sun loungers.

9. Capu d’Orto hike

According to us, this is the most beautiful hike in Porto. Even more, the Capu d’Ortu is among the viewers above the most breathtaking sea in Corsica.

Overlooking the fabulous Gulf of Porto, this blood granite ship raises you above the Piana calanques. Count six hours back and forth and more than eight hundred meters of denial: it’s muscular!

The trails are very well indicated. On the way, geological wonders multiply and, hung to the rhyolitic and dolomitic walls, you will surely see some passionate climbers!

10. Boat rental

If it is easy to board a tourist boat to go to the Calanques of Piana or to the Scandola Reserve, why not rent your own boat ? You will be free to create your own circuit, combine attractions and even enjoy other water sports!

Indeed, several boat rentals from Porto offer the addition of snorkeling or fishing equipment, wakeboard or jet ski depending on the size of the boat.

11. Culinary travel

The good living will not miss an essential thing to do in Porto: taste the local products and the specialties of the island of Beauty! Corsican flavours, from sometimes ancestral traditions, oscillate between land and sea. From the famous Coppa charcuterie Lonzu , passing through ham Prisuttu or sausage Figatellu , wild pigs are on every plate.

Just like cheeses such as Brocciu , Niolu , Venacu and Calinzana , who come to awaken the appetite accompanied by a wine or close a feast. To pick up, keep company or transfer these exceptional dishes, honey and olive oil are always part of it.

To change a little, let yourself be tempted by a good traditional soup with white beans, herbs and meat. Or, for a lighter meal, by the many fish and seafood!

How to get to Porto?

By plane

To visit Porto, only airports Calvi and Ajaccio are really interesting. In terms of distance and road time, both are located two hours Road.

In high season, you will have no trouble finding a flight while in low season, national and international rotations are more important in Ajaccio.

charter companies or low cost guarantee a wide variety of services. To find the most accessible flight ticket according to your criteria, do not hesitate to use a flight comparison such as Ulysses !

By car

If you wish to visit Porto from another city, note that Ajaccio , Corte and Calvi all of them two hours Road.

By boat

From France, we advise you to take a boat direction Ajaccio (Since 2018, the port of Calvi has not received a ferry). From there you can land with your car and reach Porto in two and a half hours . Alternatively, you can also take a taxi or bus (the ferry station is next to the bus station).

Where to stay in Porto?

Holiday homes, Airbnb , hotels, campings, glampings, as everywhere in Corsica, the offer of accommodation is dense! For more charms, we invite you to sleep near the Marina de Porto or the heart of the village of Ota .

It is a beautiful entrance door for all of our must-sees in Porto. Feel free to help you with Compare hotels to find the ideal accommodation according to your criteria.