WESTERN CORSICA - TOWNS AND VILLAGES

Calcatoggio

The quaint village of Calcatoggio overlooks the gulf of Liscia, located about ten miles north of the city of Ajaccio. The town is known for its olive trees and the ruins of two Genoese towers, Orcino and Ancone that guard the entrance to the village. Calcatoggio also offers beautiful beaches just 10 minutes from the town square. The beach of LaLiscia (or Stagone beach) is the liveliest beach in town. Orcino beach offers fine and golden sand with small coves nearby.

Calcatoggio has more than 6 miles of rocky coastline. The landscapes surrounding this village are beautiful. Numerous paths allow you to discover the convent of François-de-la-Mezzana, many water sports activities, and dive sites in the area.

Cargese

The town of Cargese sits on a hillside above its own harbor. It was founded in the 17th century by Greek refugees fleeing Turkish rule. Today, it is known for its two beautiful churches facing each other. Cargese offers a wide sandy beach with little rocky bays for snorkeling and swimming, as well as many water sports. In the small squares of Cargese you`ll find vegetable gardens and house gardens decorated with flowers which add to the charm of this seaside resort. Small bars and restaurants abound, and beautiful scenery makes this a perfect town to enjoy.

Eccica-Suarella

The village of Eccica-Suarella is a small village located in the township of Bastelica, part of the district of Ajaccio. The village offers a mix of nature, tranquility and outdoor activities. The area is surrounded by a beautiful landscape and the whole valley is crossed by several paths.

Ota

Ota is a charming little village surrounded by two chains of mountains. It sits on a hillside under the Mont Capu d`Ota and boasts some remarkable views over the surrounding valley and craggy cliffs. The sloping hills above and below are covered in trees including many olive trees. At its center is a pretty pink church with a tall square bell tower and a few quaint bars and restaurants. Ota is a short distance inland from the coastal town of Porto.

The main draw of Ota is its position in the splendid Spelunca Gorge. You can walk from here to some of the loveliest parts of the gorge. There is an old mule trail between Osa and Evisa, which takes about three hours to walk one way. If you leave your car at Ota you can catch a bus to Evisa and walk back along the trail. The trail is part of the Mare e Monti trail and is a beautiful walk.

Piana

Piana is an attractive village set in, and overlooking the fabulous Calanqes de Piana; one of the most stunning parts of Corsica. It is located 7 miles from Porto, along the D81 calanques road. The village is listed as one of the most beautiful villages of France, though the appeal is in its wonderful location overlooking the Golfe de Porto rather than the village itself.

The main historic site of Piana is the Baroque church of the village which has a tall square bell tower and inside there are some frescos and paintings by Paul Mathieu Novellini in a style which is typically Corsican. All around the village are beautiful views of the mountains and red cliffs of the calanques, little shops, bars and restaurants allow you to enjoy these views.

Porticcio

The resort of Porticcio is popular with visitors to Corsica because of its long sandy beach, numerous restaurants and other shops and it is easily accessible from Ajaccio. The town is clean and modern, but does not offer a historic character like most of the villages in Corsica. The village is a perfect spot to enjoy the Corsican sunshine. However, is not very close to the well known attractions of the island.

The beaches of Porticcio are the main draw. The main beach is the long and sandy Plage de la Viva, a lively beach with many activities available. Another extensive beach is the Plage d`Agosta, a long and sandy beach just a short distance south of town.

Porto

Porto is a small village to the west of Corsica, perfectly located for exploring many of the highlights of this dramatically gorgeous region of Corsica, with local highlights such as the Scandola Nature Reserve, the Calanches de Piana, the Gorges de Spelunca and the Foret d`Aitone. The coastline and the Calanches in and around Porto are magnificent. The marina is the liveliest area in Porto that runs along the edge of a river with a backdrop of tree covered mountains and many of the hotels in town look out over these. This area is where you can discover the watchtower and town beach. This is also the location for boat excursions that leave out of Porto to take you to view the Calanches or the breathtaking Scandola Nature Reserve. Be aware, in the summer months the roads and town can get extremely congested.

Serriera

The small town of Serriera is situated on a hillside with olive trees and offers a panoramic view of the Bay of Porto. It is nestled deep in the valley of Lonca. Visitors enjoy its pebbly beach which is great for swimming and is situated in the Regional Natural Park, the perfect starting point for many walks in the Corsican countryside. The area is rich in fauna that combines the vital biological reserve of Sabinetto and the Lonca-Lindinosa forest, a paradise for reptiles and many other animal species.