Villas

Explore holidays in Porto Vecchio & Bonifacio

Just across the water from Sardinia, history takes a cosmopolitan turn in the winding streets, imposing citadels and elegant marinas of Bonifacio and Porto Vecchio. A luxury holiday here comes with no shortage of style, and plenty of restaurants, cafés, boutiques and museums. Not far away, you'll also find the family-friendly beaches of Pinarello and pine-shaded Palombaggia, as well as the white sands of Santa Giulia and chic St Cyprien.

To complement this elegant destination, we offer a selection of handpicked luxury villas and a sophisticated small hotel between Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio, near the beautiful south’s best attractions.


Explore our pre-bookable experiences in Corsica


Read our guide to Porto Vecchio & Bonifacio

Quotes
  • "What a treat! It’s our first visit to Corsica and we’ve had a fabulous time. Driving in the mountains and finding our own rock pools, early swims at Santa Giulia, paddle boarding and sailing, relaxing by the pool…"

    The Ritchie family, Villa Santa Giulia, Corsica

Our guide to Porto Vecchio & Bonifacio

Introduction to Porto Vecchio & Bonifacio

Your summer playground

The magnificent stretch of coastline between Bonifacio on Corsica’s southern tip and Porto Vecchio, 30 minutes up the eastern coast road, has become a draw for Europe’s more discreet high society – and it’s easy to see why. Pristine white sandy beaches are the places to be seen sipping a cocktail, while Michelin-starred restaurants and chic bars beckon ashore the occupants of yachts lining Porto Vecchio’s picturesque old harbour. 

The streets below Bonifacio’s well-preserved fortifications, where you’ll find the town’s ancient citadel, are lined with stylish independent boutiques and sophisticated cocktail bars promising a well-deserved apéritif on your descent.

A gentle pace beneath the buzz

Away from the glamorous harbours and beaches, you don’t need to go far to discover a quieter side to Corsica. If you know where to look, there are hidden beaches that remain virtually deserted even in the height of summer. Inland, the sheer scale of the dramatic Alta Rocca region means you can quickly lose yourself in a far more traditional Corsican experience, less than an hour’s drive from the coast.

Porto Vecchio sits at the end of the GR20, Europe’s toughest long-distance hiking route. But the town offers plenty of leisurely strolls, along with the gentler arts of shopping and wine tasting.

Flashes of history around every corner

Founded in 833 by Boniface, the Count of Tuscany, Bonifacio wears its historic connections proudly. The harbour is said to be the one described in Homer’s Odyssey, its citadel built by the Genoese, and the road leading to it, home to number 7 Rue des Empereurs, the onetime abode of Corsica’s most famous son, Napoléon Bonaparte.

From the harbour, a short boat trip provides a wonderful way of viewing the ancient garrison. From sea level, you suddenly realise that the town is literally clinging onto the cliffs; the giddying drop to water level explaining why Bonifacio has never been breached!

Beach life for all ages

Around the scenic Gulf of Porto Vecchio, at child-friendly beaches such as Palombaggia (voted among the best in Europe), the gently shelving, soft, pine-shaded sand makes holidays in this region a firm favourite with families.

Inject some adventure into your days at the seaside with a popular boat trip, either piloted or private hires, to the secluded islands off the main coast. Along the way, you’ll discover wonderful places to swim and snorkel, as well as deserted beaches only accessible by sea.

Mother nature – however you like her

Corsica is the most mountainous island in the Mediterranean and, with over a third of the land dedicated to nature reserves, our visitors to Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio invariably appreciate how little development there has been – and how seamlessly buildings complement the environment.

Adventurous types can spend their days scrambling along canyons, navigating dizzying bridges and hiking long distances, while those who want to appreciate nature at a slower pace can stroll around waterfalls, cool off in mountain springs or take long, leisurely drives through scenic villages.

At a glance

Currency
Euro (€)
Flight Time
2 hours 30 minutes
Time difference
+1 hour
Language
French and Corsican
Visa required
Not for UK citizens