Major city · France
Porto-Vecchio
Base here 3–4 nights for the beaches (Palombaggia, Santa-Giulia) plus the old town; arrive before 10:00 in summer or parking is gone.Base here 3–4 nights for the beaches (Palombaggia, Santa-Giulia) plus the old town; arrive before 10:00 AM in summer or parking is gone.
Porto-Vecchio is Corsica's third-largest town and the south coast's beach base: a small walled old town on a hill, a marina below it, and the island's best-known white-sand beaches 10–20 minutes away by car. The town itself needs half a day; the beaches and the mountains behind them are why you stay. Without a car you are limited to the town and one or two walkable coves, so plan 3–4 nights with wheels, or 2 nights if you are passing between Bonifacio and Ajaccio.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, heat, traffic), Nov–Mar (many places shut)
- Airports
- FSC · AJA
- Nights
- 3–4
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Porto-Vecchio112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Porto-Vecchio, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyLow-crime resort town; the real risks are summer traffic, sun and sea (currents, no lifeguards on some coves)…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers112 European emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 15 ambulance (samu) · 17 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFSC Figari–Sud Corse (About 23 km (14 mi) southwest; Air Corsica flies Paris, Marseille and Nice, more routes in summer.FSC Figari–Sud Corse (About 14 mi (23 km) southwest; Air Corsica flies Paris, Marseille and Nice, more routes in summer.
- Getting aroundThe centre is one-way and effectively car-hostile: park on the edge and walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a bar€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
- Sit-down mealDinner, mid-range, per person without wine€30–50 (≈ US$35–60)
- Street or quick mealLunch, plat du jour or sandwich€12–22 (≈ US$14–30)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, town to Palombaggia€25–40 (≈ US$30–50)
- Metro or bus rideRegional bus, Porto-Vecchio to Bonifacio€5–10 (≈ US$6–12)
- Budget bedHostel or simple guesthouse bed, a night, per person€35 (≈ US$45)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, town or coast, a night, per room€160 (≈ US$190)
- High-end bedDouble room, town or coast, a night, per room€350 (≈ US$450)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €70 (≈ US$85) · Mid €130 (≈ US$160) · High €260 (≈ US$350)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FSC Figari–Sud Corse (About 23 km (14 mi) southwest; Air Corsica flies Paris, Marseille and Nice, more routes in summer. A public shuttle to Porto-Vecchio runs in Jul–Aug only.) · AJA Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte (About 2 h 30 min by road; the fallback when Figari has no seat for your dates.)FSC Figari–Sud Corse (About 14 mi (23 km) southwest; Air Corsica flies Paris, Marseille and Nice, more routes in summer. A public shuttle to Porto-Vecchio runs in Jul–Aug only.) · AJA Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte (About 2 h 30 min by road; the fallback when Figari has no seat for your dates.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Nov (9 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Porto-Vecchio: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is one-way and effectively car-hostile: park on the edge and walk. For the beaches and the interior you need a car or scooter; taxis exist but are expensive and scarce in August. Regional buses link Bonifacio, Ajaccio, Bastia, Figari and Zonza from the gare routière near the centre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45 min
Car on the N198, about 30 min; regional bus also runs
Clifftop town and ferries to Sardinia; go early, the citadel car parks fill.
Palombaggia and Santa-Giulia beaches
goDoor to door: 20–30 min
Car south of town, 10–20 min
Arrive before 10:00 in Jul–Aug or you will queue for a paid lot.Arrive before 10:00 AM in Jul–Aug or you will queue for a paid lot.
Ospedale forest and L'Ospedale pass
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car on the D368 west, winding
Cooler pine forest and viewpoints at 1,000 m; a half-day escape from beach heat.
Sartène
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car on the D268, about 45 min
Granite hill town with steep lanes; pairs well with a return via Propriano.
Ajaccio
overnightDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
Car on the N196/T40, about 2 h 30 min; bus also runs
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep there or skip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old town (Haute-Ville)
Walk to dinner and the marina; few rooms, book early, some streets are steep and car-free.
Marina and Quai Pascal Paoli
Harbour views and restaurants at the door; noisier at night in season.
Route de Palombaggia / Santa-Giulia
Villas and resorts 10–20 min south of town; you need a car for everything.
Cala Rossa and Pinarello
North-shore beaches, quieter, 15–25 min drive; good for families with a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €70–110 (≈ US$85–130) excl. bed
- Mid
- €120–200 (≈ US$140–250) excl. bed
- High
- €250 (≈ US$300)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, town or coast1 × 4 nights × €160 | €640 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × €130 | €1,040 |
| Car hire, one day, small car1 × €70 · August rates and automatic gearboxes sell out | €70 |
| Fuel, about 100 km of coast driving1 × €12 | €12 |
| Beach car park, one day in season1 × €10 | €10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €180 |
| Trip total≈ €248 per person per day, bed included | €1,982≈ US$2,500 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a bar | €1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Beach-club sunbed and umbrella, per dayvaries by beach and row | €25–60 (≈ US$30–70) |
| Lunch, plat du jour or sandwich | €12–22 (≈ US$14–30) |
| Dinner, mid-range, per person without wine | €30–50 (≈ US$35–60) |
| One-tank dive, Cerbicalesconfirm with the operator | about €50 (≈ US$60) |
| Regional bus, Porto-Vecchio to Bonifacio | €5–10 (≈ US$6–12) |
| Taxi, town to Palombaggia | €25–40 (≈ US$30–50) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer traffic into town can back up for up to 2 hours on busy or wet August days; arrive before 10:00 (09:00 in August) to park.Summer traffic into town can back up for up to 2 hours on busy or wet August days; arrive before 10:00 AM (9:00 AM in August) to park.
- Beach car parks fill by mid-morning in Jul–Aug; Palombaggia and Santa-Giulia have paid lots that close when full.
- Many hotels, restaurants and rentals shut from November to March; check before booking a winter trip.
- If you scuba dive, note that inland roads climb above 1,000 m — leave a proper surface interval before driving.
Emergency numbers
- European emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 15
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Porto-VecchioPorto-Vecchio
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- European emergency112
- Ambulance (SAMU)15
- Police17
- Fire18
Embassy
No embassies in Porto-Vecchio; the US and UK have embassies in Paris, and the US has a consulate in Marseille. For emergencies, call 112 first.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Figari airport → Porto-Vecchio: about 23 km (14 mi); Jul–Aug shuttle, otherwise taxi or hire carabout 14 mi (23 km); Jul–Aug shuttle, otherwise taxi or hire car
- Porto-Vecchio → Bonifacio bus: €5–10 (≈ US$6–12), about 40 min
- Beach car park, in season: €10 (≈ US$12) a day
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-SYON seel voo PLEH)
- Avez-vous une table pour deux ? — Is there a table for two? (a-vay VOO ewn TABL poor DUH)
- Où est le parking de la plage ? — Where is the beach car park? (oo eh luh par-KEENG duh la PLAHJ)
- Je peux payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (zhuh puh pay-YAY par KART)
Service is included by law; round up or leave 5–10% for good service.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Porto-Vecchio. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, heat, traffic), Nov–Mar (many places shut) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for FSC: Jul–Aug shuttle times, taxi fallback, out-of-season car hire desk hours.
- Four beach clusters with parking cutoffs and shade notes: Palombaggia, Santa-Giulia, Cala Rossa, Pinarello.
- Place pages with verified access rules (Araghju, old town gates, Cerbicales marine reserve dive rules).
- Eat pages with last orders for the marina and old-town squares, plus August booking windows.
Sources
- officialOffice Municipal de Tourisme, Porto-Vecchio
- officialPorto-Vecchio town website
- officialFigari–Sud Corse airport
- officialAir Corsica
- secondaryWikivoyage: Porto-Vecchio, revision 5244029 (CC BY-SA 4.0)