Western Corsica

Because of its rural beauty, the coast of western Corsica is listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site and is home to La Scandola, the only nature conservation area in Europe that includes both land and sea areas. This part of the island is also home to Corsica’s highest mountain, Monte Cinto (2,706 m), as well as other "six thousand footers" such as the 2,622 metre-high Monte Rotondo, the 2,389 metre-high Monte d’Oro, the 2,352 metre-high Monte Renoso and the 2,136 metre-high Monte Incudine.

 

 

 

Ajaccio, which is situated in the southern part of the west coast, is the capital of the Département Corse-du-Sud. The town, which has around 53,000 inhabitants, is by Corsican standards a veritable metropolis with its wide boulevards, parts of Corsica’s industry and the largest airport on the island. Street cafés in the squares invite visitors to linger and there are shopping opportunities and a casino on the port promenade. One of the town’s major tourist attractions is the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, which is now a museum.

 

 

The town of Porto is also worth visiting for its fantastic scenery. The seaside resort is also renowned for the dazzling sunsets that can be enjoyed there. Directly behind Porto, a steep climb takes you up into the mountains, a region that has managed to preserve its authenticity and whose inhabitants are famed for their generous hospitality. 

 

 

 

This is also where Ota is situated. The village is famous for its unusual roof tiles, which the women in the village used to form on their thighs. From here a hiking trail leads into the Spelunca Gorge, which provides a great destination for the entire family. So does Calanches de Piana, a breathtaking landscape of rock formations, whose granite sculptures change colour in accordance with the incident light.