Ajaccio

To the North, the Gulf of Sagone is a vast bay that opens between the Gulfs of Ajaccio and Porto. With hillsides cloaked in dense maquis, and beaches flanked by oak and olives it is the ideal base for walkers or beach lovers, away from the hustle and bustle of Ajaccio.

Things to See & Do

• Ajaccio, Corsica's diminutive capital sparkles with Mediterranean buzz reminiscent of the Cote d'Azur and is the largest town on the island. His place of birth, Napoleon Bonaparte gave the town international fame and visitors cannot escape his commemorative presence throughout the town. It is an attractive town with an exceptionally mild climate and boasts a wealth of cafés, restaurants and chic shops. The old town is especially charming with a cluster of ancient streets spreading north and south of the Place Foch, which opens out onto the seafront by the old port. The Place de Gaulle forms the town centre. Following on from this is the Cours Napoleon, lined with chic boutiques and brasseries, and running parallel to the beach for almost 2km. There are plenty of places to visit including Napoleon's house (Maison Bonaparte), Musée Capitellu, the Citadel and Musée Fesch. There is also a local produce market held every morning Mon-Sat at Place Cesar-Campinchi providing an ideal scene to capture the essence of local life as you watch the world go by. The sea front promenade along the Route des Sanguinaires is a pleasant place to stroll and leads to some lovely beaches, the least crowded being the furthest along.The Nave Va company run boat trips from the old port near the Citadel out to these islands, as well as further afield (Bonifacio, Porto and the Calanches). Northwest of Ajaccio is the nearest of the Bonaparte family's country houses. Les Millelli is a stolid plain 18th century building with a wonderful terraced olive grove that overlooks the gulf (great for picnics). There are other châteaux ruins further along.
• Heading south around the bay you reach the town of Porticcio, a busy, lively resort with an abundance of shops including many small speciality shops selling locally produced pates, saucissons and cheeses. Porticcio has a large expanse of sandy beach with windsurfing, boat hire and a choice of other water sports and beach activities. As you turn a corner on the road South of Porticcio, the golden sands of the huge beach at Agosta Plage stretch ahead. Here it's quieter than Porticcio but with beach activities and good water sports due to the choppier waters in this bay.
• To the southwest, beyond the headland of Capo di Muro lies the Gulf of Valinco. The bay stretches along the rugged west coast from the sleepy, laid back village of Porto Pollo to Campomoro, interspersed with white sand beaches of varied shapes and sizes, all with clear waters superb for swimming and snorkelling. This area has obvious ancient roots. Inland from the northern edge of the bay is the archaeological site of Filitosa, whose famous sculpted menhirs always have a few visitors. Other magnificent sites are more likely to be found by accident, so well are they hidden in the unique Corsican heathland, the maquis.
• On the eastern side of the Valinco Gulf, Propriano is a working port town but the beaches are a good attraction - Plage du Lido and Plage du Corsaire - and sailing, diving and other watersports are popular here. Situated with a grandstand view over Propriano, nearby Olmeto is a captivating village with an interesting past. What attracts visitors today is the view from the village's two main streets.
• At the tip of the bay an old Genoese watchtower overlooks the pretty seaside village and golden sandy beach of Campomoro, beyond which lay ahead to the south one of the wildest coastlines in Corsica.
• Sartene is said to be the most Corsican of Corsican towns is a brooding place of tall buildings and narrow, cobbled alleyways. Famous for its local wines you can experience the culture at first hand.
• Long sandy beaches characterise Corsica's largest Gulf, the Bay of Sagone, which stretches 40km down the west coast to the north of Ajaccio. Cargese is a lovely clifftop village at the northern tip of the bay. Its Greek history has left it with a unique atmosphere today and there is a certain charm to the quiet streets and whitewashed houses. With five beaches within the vicinity it's a great base for a relaxing beach holiday - the Plage de Pero is one of the most spectacular in the area.
• Cargese is at the northernmost tip of the bay and is a charming cliff top village with an unusual history and ancestry linked to the Greek Peloponnese. Even today there are both Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches although both are presided over by the same minister. The whole Gulf of Sagone (Corsica's largest gulf) is characterized by long curves of sandy beaches stretching 40km from Capo di Feno up to the Punto di Cargese. Sagone is further south and thrives as a watersports centre whilst Tiuccia is tucked into the Gulf of Liscia at the easternmost indent and has a trio of minor historic sights. Two 17th century Genoese watchtowers and the other, the ruined Castellu di Capraja. It is the most sheltered spot and has a fine golden beach.

• The coast of the Gulf of Porto is one of Corsica's most famous landscapes. The pinnacles and ravines of the red granite Calanches soar out of beautiful blue seas framed by the jagged peaks of Paglia Orba. They are best explored by foot or by boat. There are daily boat trips from Porto that visit this UNESCO world heritage site. Porto is hidden at the end of the gulf, and although deprived of the best views, it is well placed for exploring and has plenty of amenities. The Route de la Marine, lined with stately old eucalyptus trees, links the two parts of the resort. A strip of supermarkets, cafés and hotels is at one end of the village but the focus of activity is in the marina. Amongst other amenities there is a well established aquarium and a helpful tourist office. Piana is balanced on plunging cliffs and despite its prime location overlooking the Calanches, it retains its sleepy feel and does not suffer the crowds of tourists. It comprises of a cluster of old stone houses arranged around an 18th century church and square, from the edge of which the views over the gulf are sublime.
• Porto is tucked away at the end of the gulf, and although deprived of the best views across the bay, it is well placed for exploring and has plenty of amenities. The Route de la Marine, lined with stately old eucalyptus trees, links the two parts of the resort. A strip of supermarkets, cafés and hotels is at one end of the village but the focus of activity is in the marina. From here it is about a 15 minute walk up to the recently restored Geonese watchtower.

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