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Porto Travel Guide
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Porto, Corsica © Judith Duk |
Overview: The small seaside holiday resort of Porto is watched over by the
16th-century Genoese Tower standing guard over the fishing harbour,
and although crowded in summer, retains a certain charm. While on
holiday, Porto is an excellent base from which to explore the
surrounding countryside and spectacular coastline. The Gorges de
Spelunca, a spectacular ravine, is popular for its rocky pools,
Genoese bridges and hiking opportunities, while the Forêt
d'Aïtone is one of the island's most beautiful forests, with
waterfalls and numerous walking trails.
Attractions Les Calanques
The mass of intriguing red rock formations along the coastal
road between Porto and Piana are known as Les Calanques, and are a
highlight of a visit to Corsica. The narrow, twisting road reveals
a landscape of spectacular vistas and panoramas that outdo... see full details
Scandola Nature Reserve
The Cape Girolata peninsula is classified as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site and encompasses the Scandola Nature Reserve, an
ecological treasure covering 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of scrub
and sea. The promontory is marked by incredible rock formations
that were formed by Monte Cinto's... see full details
Activities Hiking: The mountainous island is extremely well suited to walking, and
options range from difficult multi-day hikes to strolls along
clifftops, and day hikes up into the mountains. The GR20 is reputed
to be the best and most challenging long-distance walk in Europe,
and is the most famous hike in Corsica. Fifteen days of demanding
walking takes hikers along the inland granite spine of mountains
dividing the island from Calenzana to Conca. Other well known, but
less taxing walks include the Mare e Monti (sea to mountains) and
Mare a Mare (sea to sea) trails that last from five, seven and 10
days. The area around Corte and Vizzavona has numerous day walks in
the mountains; there are also a number of coastal walks such as the
walk to Girolata on the west coast or Le Sentier des Douaniers on
Cap Corse, and forests and ravines invite walkers to discover
beautiful waterfalls, swimming holes and wonderful views. The GR20
should be walked in summer between May and October, although late
snows can prevail until June, which requires a more technical
approach.
Diving: Corsica's Mediterranean coastline offers superb diving
opportunities. The sea temperature is warmest in August, and calm,
clear waters make for excellent visibility. The Reserve Naturelle
des Bouches de Bonifacio is the most visited area with outstanding
dive conditions. Almost all the gulfs have dive centres and there
are sites in and around Ajaccio, Porto Vecchio, Propriano, Cargese,
Porto, Calvi and St-Florent. For expert divers, one of the top dive
sites is the wreck of a B-17 bomber near Calvi. The peak dive
season is between June and August.
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