Porto - Corsica's Wild West
Porto is situated on the west coast of Corsica at the picturesque Gulf of Porto. Access by car is only possible via very narrow and extremely winding roads. Corsica travelers often describe the area around Porto as the most beautiful of the island. The UNESCO has recognized this by declaring the area as a World Heritage Site.
From Port to Tourism Center
This does not apply to the village itself. Originally, Porto was just the port for the mountain village Ota further inland. With the development of tourism, the watchtower and port grew into a settlement. Statistics about the poulation show the importance of tourism: in winter there are just under 600 people living here, in the peak season this number grows to more than 8000. Hotels and apartment buildings dominate in the village but they do blend into the landscape reasonably well. Fortunately, Porto has been spared big hotel complexes, as it lies in a national park, the Parc Naturel Régional de la Corse.
Quite charming is the pisan watchtower perched on an offshore rock. From here there is a beautiful view over the steep coast.
Porto as Base to Explore the Area
Due to its location, Porto is the ideal starting point for day trips into the surrounding area. The exciting Spelunca gorges and the Calanche are both only a few kilometers away. If you find the shingle beach in Porto too uncomfortable (there is often a high swell, even in little wind due to the steep beach), visit the picturesque Plage d'Arone. From there, explore Capo Rosso and the mountain village Piana. Book a day trip from Porto to the peninsula La Scandola by boat. This protected region is still home to the Golden Eagle and Osprey and has a particularly varied marine fauna and flora.
At the beach of Porto you can also find a small climbing garden.