Off the Beaten Track around Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio

Corsica’s south-eastern coast is one of the most exclusive in the Med, attracting super yachts to its smart harbours at Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio, and graced by magnificent white sand beaches. There are plenty of luxury villas tucked into the maquis and umbrella pines behind the beaches, and the towns of Porto Vecchio have everything you need in terms of upmarket shops, cafes and restaurants for a luxury holiday experience. However, you can still get off the beaten track to enjoy a quieter Corsica if you know where to look. Our local concierges live permanently on the island, giving them unrivalled knowledge of all the special spots as well as hidden places that most visitors never see, and luckily for you, we’ve persuaded them to share!

Sunrise beach rides

Palombaggia is one of Corsica’s most photographed and popular beaches, but set your alarm for an early start and you can have it almost entirely to yourself. Take a guided trek along the sand as the sun rises over the bewitching blue of the Tyrrhenian Sea, and you can be home for a hearty breakfast before most visitors are even awake.

The Lavezzi Islands

Located just off the coast beyond Bonifacio, this granite archipelago is part of the Bouches de Bonifacio natural reserve, which means strict environmental controls and virtually zero development bar one rather lovely hotel. There are regular ferries from Bonifacio to the main island, and it does attract plenty of visitors in the peak season, but for a more peaceful experience, ask your concierge about a private hire, which can take you close up to the smaller islands and may be combined with scuba diving if you like. The water here is reputed to be the clearest sea in Europe, so snorkelling is an amazing experience. You can land on the largest island if you want to explore a little, but remember to stick to the paths and leave nothing behind to spoil this pristine natural paradise.

 

Sartène

A mountain spa

Historically, Corsicans are mountain people, building their homes high above the coast to give early warning of invaders from the sea. Whilst modern tourism focuses mainly on the coast, head just a few kilometres inland on the road from Sotta to Orone Tirolo and Foce di Mela and you’ll find yourself in stunning, unspoilt countryside with few other cars or people in sight. Follow the road until the end and you’ll arrive at the Bains de Caldane, near Sartène, where you can relax in the soothing thermal baths.

Wild swimming, Corsica-style

Take the road from Porto Vecchio to Ospedale and onto the reservoir, then carry on to Piscia di Gallo. Park up and take a leisurely stroll along the river, cooling off any time you like in one of the numerous deep rock pools situated under overhead springs. At the end of the walk, you’ll be rewarded with the sight of the island’s highest waterfall.

 

 

Petit Sperone

Secret beaches near Porto Vecchio & Bonifacio

When the day is hot it’s tempting to grab the nearest bit of space on the beach, but if you swap your flip flops for something sturdier, there are gorgeous smaller coves to discover just a short walk from the main beaches. Head away from the main car parks and access points to Pinarellu and Palombaggia to find smaller, rocky coves hemmed in by granite boulders. To the north of Porto Vecchio, Plage de Fautea is part of a protected natural zone and worth a visit in its own right, but if you’re prepared to walk a little then you can go beyond Fautea and its Genoese watchtower to reach Lavu Santu beach: 900m of beautiful sand reached only on foot or by sea. We also love Petit Sperone beach, another one that’s well worth the 15–20 minute walk along the shore from Piantarella.

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