A small harbour at the head of a UNESCO-listed gulf, between the Calanques de Piana, the Scandola reserve and the forests inland.
Porto is roughly the same distance from Ajaccio, Calvi and Corte, about an hour and a half by road from each. The area belongs to granite Corsica, made up of granites and other igneous rocks, which covers two thirds of the island.
The gulf has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983, under the name ‘Gulf of Porto: Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola Reserve’. Its red cliffs drop into very clear water.
In the 16th century, the Genoese lined the coast with watchtowers to protect themselves from raids from the sea, and Porto’s tower is one of them. Despite these defences, the shores of the gulf remained poorly protected for a long time, and the mountain villages that owned land on the coast called for more towers.
Porto is the most convenient base for the gulf: boats to Scandola and Girolata leave from the marina, the Calanques de Piana are a quarter of an hour away by road, and the mountains begin at Ota. Set aside one day for the sea and one for the mountains.
Updated 30 October 2026
On its rock at the river mouth, the tower of Porto dates from the 16th century: like the other towers along the coast, it kept watch over the sea and defended the shore. It is listed as a historic monument. Below it, the marina is lined with restaurants and boat departure points.
Below the tower, this former military building (the old powder store), which once housed an aquarium, is now home to the tourist office, a photography exhibition and temporary exhibitions, all free to enter.
A beach at the head of the gulf, below the tower, where you can watch the sun set over the sea.
The main sites around the gulf each have their own page: here is what you need to plan your days.
Photo: Tina P. / PexelsBetween Porto and Piana, the road winds through a jumble of red granite carved by erosion. The site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage property. See our page on the Calanques de Piana.
Created in 1975 and managed by the Parc naturel régional de Corse (Corsica regional nature park), the reserve protects a peninsula and its seabed; it can only be visited by boat. See our page on the Scandola reserve.
Photo: Serinus / PexelsThe village of Girolata has no road: you reach it by boat or on foot from the col de la Croix (about 3½ hours there and back, according to the tourist office). Its small Genoese fort is being restored. See our page on the gulf of Girolata.
Between Ota and Évisa, an old mule track follows the gorges and crosses the Genoese bridge of Zaglia: allow about four hours there and back.
Above Évisa, at an altitude of around 1,000 m, a forest of Corsican pines (laricio) in the Parc naturel régional. See our page on the Aïtone forest.
Boats leave from the marina in Porto from April to October. The trip to Scandola is the finest on the island: book the day before in summer.
The classic trip: the Scandola reserve, then the calanques on the way back.
The same coast with a stop at Girolata.
On a small boat, to get close to the caves and rock fissures.
An hour and a half, the shortest trip, best at the end of the day.
A trip from Ota, at reduced speed inside the reserve.
On a fast boat, a sportier trip, in three hours.
Prices and ratings checked on GetYourGuide in October 2026.
By the water, close to the boats and restaurants. Very busy in summer.
Boats to Scandola and Girolata leave from the marina: you can walk there, with no need to look for parking. The beach, below the tower, faces the sunset.
The village above the marina, quieter, at the start of the Spelunca walk.
A hilltop village above the calanques, with a view over the gulf.
The road through the calanques links Piana to Porto: allow about a quarter of an hour to the marina, outside summer and without stopping. In summer the road is slow, so set off early for the boats.
In the mountains, near the Aïtone forest, for cooler air and walking.
The Spelunca path links the village to Ota by the Genoese bridge of Zaglia. Allow about half an hour to Porto marina, outside summer and without stopping.
All places to stay around Porto→
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The nearest airport is Calvi Sainte-Catherine, 70 km away according to the airport, followed by Ajaccio, 82 km away. Allow about an hour and a half by road in either case, outside summer and without stops. See flying to Corsica.
Land at Ajaccio or L’Île-Rousse. There is no regular service to Calvi. See the ferry crossing.
Porto has no railway station. The Via Corsica C2 coach line links Ajaccio, Sagone, Porto and Ota. See getting around Corsica.
The marina is small and fills up quickly in summer: arrive early for boat departures.
May, June and September, for the sea and walking without the crowds. Boat trips run from April to October, weather permitting. See when to go to Corsica.
Two days for Scandola by boat and the Calanques de Piana; four with Girolata on foot, the Spelunca and the Aïtone forest.
Office de tourisme intercommunal Ouest Corsica, Porto office, open all year. Tel. +33 4 95 26 10 55. Website: ouestcorsica.com.
