Best things to do in Porto-Vecchio

Flanked by mountains and a pine forest, Plage de Palombaggia is ranked as one of the 10 best beaches in all of Europe. Pink granite surrounds the beach adding to the rich variety of terrain and colors. This protected site has powdery, golden sandy beaches stretching for 2 km (1.2 mi) that are ideal for relaxing, sun bathing, and swimming in the crystal-blue sea.

Given its immense popularity, the beach gets crowded during the summer, especially at the northern narrow end because it's closer to the parking lot. The beach widens as you go south and tends to be less busy. Going early will ensure that you get an ideal spot to set up, and find easier parking. Lifeguards watch swimmers during the peak summer season making this an ideal spot to bring active children. You'll have many opportunities to enjoy water sports with several rental and guide companies that provide snorkeling, wind surfing, kayaking, pedal boating, and diving.

With pearly white powder-soft sands and an aquamarine sea, Plage de Santa Giulia is sure to take your breath away. The large lagoon-style sea is quite calm and shallow, allowing you to wade out to the small reef areas. The dazzling colors alone are amplified by the surrounding mountains and pines tree forests. As dazzling as any Caribbean beach, this is a paradise for water sport enthusiasts too. You can paddle a kayak in the knee-deep water, or hire a snorkeling guide to bring you out to the reef at the south side of the crescent.

As an ideal beach for small children, this area gets quite crowded so it's a good idea to arrive early for a prime spot. In the center of the beach is a bar restaurant with plenty of shade; a quieter bar is located on the northern end of the beach.

Built in the 9th century, Bonifacio Citadel is located on a sandstone promontory overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Today, it is more like a museum or a mini village packed with sun-bleached ramshackle houses. Walk the narrow passages to view artisans forging knives and carving wooden goods, and jewelers offering fashions made with the remarkably deep red coral indigenous to the area. Many restaurants, shops, and cafés line the walkways with outdoor seating areas overlooking the Mediterranean. Stroll the maze of alleyways with decorations and designs that go back to medieval times complete with a historical marine cemetery.