Porto-Vecchio is a sunny and hospitable port town on the southeast coast of Corsica, in France. The city has gained its well-deserved popularity as a tourist destination thanks to the picturesque natural landscapes and stunning beaches, many of which proudly bear the title of the best in the world. Founded by the Genoese in the second half of the 16th century, Porto-Vecchio served as the second stronghold of Liguria. It was hard to imagine a more suitable place - a hill, framed by an undeveloped fertile plain on one side and a deep blue bay on the other. But bright prospects were shattered by cruel reality - the salt marshes on which the coastal part of the city was built became a refuge for hordes of mosquitoes that rapidly spread malaria here.
Re-development of the region took place only in the middle of the 20th century. The swamps were drained, and communication links began to actively develop in the city. The situation was significantly improved by the development of cork production, which is still flourishing today. About a third of Corsican wines are exported through Porto-Vecchio. But tourism brings the greatest income to the commune. Luxurious beaches combined with beautiful mountain and forest landscapes, cozy old streets, hospitable cafes offering Corsican dishes - rest here is riddled with respectable failure, typical for most French resorts.
Things to do in Porto-Vecchio
There are two areas to explore in the city itself: the Old Town and the Citadel, dating back to the 16th century - the period of Genoese domination, as well as the city's marina. Inspection of the central part of Porto-Vecchio does not take much time. You can use a pre-laid route - passing through the Old Town, it affects all local attractions. But in general, Porto-Vecchio cannot be called a Mecca for lovers of intense excursions - there are not so many historical monuments here.
Around the central square of the city, bearing the glorious name of the Republic Square, the remains of ancient defensive structures are still preserved. Here is one of the main attractions of the city, the Bel Ombra tree. It was donated to the city in 1901 and has adorned the main square ever since. It is impossible not to notice the tree - the widthof its trunk reaches 10 m.
Other local attractions include the Church of St. John the Baptist, erected at the beginning of the 19th century. Outwardly, the church does not differ in magnificent decoration - due to the suddenly stopped funding, the luxury of the facades had to be abandoned. But the inner richness of the interior is definitely worth the time spent.
You should not deny yourself the pleasure of strolling along the Porto-Vecchio marina. Small but very picturesque - it is lined with cozy cafes with a beautiful view of the harbor. From here you can easily climb to the Citadel.
What to see nearby
Tired of walking around the city and sightseeing, you can safely pay attention to the surroundings of Porto-Vecchio. The brightest part of them is, of course, the famous local beaches. The unspoken "calling card" of the region, they attract many tourists with their cleanliness, the shining turquoise of the Mediterranean Sea and the stunning beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
The beaches south of Porto-Vecchio are the most famous among tourists - Palombaggia, recognized as the best in Corsica, Santa Giulia, Tamaricciu. You can also get to excellent beaches by moving in a northerly direction. The largest of them are Pinarellu, Cala Rossa and Saint-Cyprien. You can get to the beaches by bus - during the high season, several routes run in this direction. An alternative option is to rent a car. You can do this right in the city, or you can use the services of specialized aggregators, such as Bookingautos.
Not less pleasure will bring a boat trip to the Lavezzi Islands - the famous marine reserve. And lovers of scenic routes should rent a car and go along the coast between Porto-Vecchio and Solendzara. 12 km north of the city is Casteddu d'Araggiu - one of the most impressive monuments of antiquity. This complex of buildings, surrounded by a granite circular wall, has a history of more than 2 thousand years.
The path along the D-268 highway, known as the route de Bavella, will run through dense pine and chestnut forests and lead to the Col de Bavella pass, the highest point of which is crowned by the statue of Our Lady of the Snows of Bavella. From the observation deck of the pass, located at an altitude of 1218 m, offers stunning views of the surrounding forests and mountain peaks.
Just below the pass is the town of the same name. Cozy chalets, small cafes, as well as hostels for backpackers are concentrated here - tourist routes to the surrounding observation decks diverge from here.
Food in Porto-Vecchio
Most cafes and restaurants in Porto-Vecchio offer traditional Mediterranean and Corsican cuisine. An abundance of seafood, vegetable salads, flavored with olive oil, coexists here with meat dishes typical of Corsica from pork and veal, fragrant wild boar stew with fennel, goat and sheep cheeses.
Porto-Vecchio is a small resort town, but there are no problems with parking even in high season. Almost all local hotels offer free on-site parking. There are also specially equipped areas for cars near large restaurants.
If a trip to the beach is planned, you don’t have to worry about a car either. Almost all local beaches are equipped with paid parking lots. The average cost of a place is 5 euros per day. There is also free parking - you can leave your car in free parking spaces located along the road, and then walk to the beach. But those who want to save on parking, especially in summer, should arrive early.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Enterprise
Most popular car class
Mini
Average price
26 € / Day
Best price
19 € / Day
How the price changes depending on the month
January
€246
February
€155
March
€168
April
€178
May
€232
June
€312
July
€318
August
€330
September
€212
October
€158
November
€148
December
€202
* Prices are based on orders processed over the previous 2 years.
The best month to rent a car in Porto Vecchio (Corsica) is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €33. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Porto Vecchio (Corsica) is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €33, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
Convertibles are especially popular in summer. It is difficult to find a free car for rent, and you will have to pay more than usual for a trip with a breeze. Renting Audi A3 Convertible during Summer period can costs €277 per day.
Most popular car models in Porto Vecchio (Corsica)
We have a large selection of different car models in our fleet in Porto Vecchio (Corsica). You can rent convertibles, sedans, SUVs or minivans. You can easily select a car to your budget through a convenient online booking system.
The rental price of a car in Porto Vecchio (Corsica) is determined by its class, season, and rental duration. The standard cost of renting budget cars: Opel Corsa and Fiat 500 will be €57-€75 per day. If you rented in advance and through our website - pay for the day just around €20. The average daily price for renting a car of a higher class, Mercedes CLA, Opel Mokka, Renault Megane Estate will be €57. In addition, on Bookingautos.com you can rent minivans, luxury and electric cars. The lower rental price of these cars starts from €91 per day and can reach up to several hundred dollars.
In recent years in Porto Vecchio (Corsica) the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent Renault Zoe in Porto Vecchio (Corsica) by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
List of required documents
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
A complete guide to car rental in Porto Vecchio (Corsica)
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
Download the map in the Google Maps mobile app in advance. Select the desired area, type "OK MAPS" in the search box and start the search. Then wait for the map to save. Ready! Navigation will work even without an internet connection - thanks to the GPS function. It is present in all modern smartphones. You can not only find the desired address, but also build a route. And all this is free.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Porto Vecchio (Corsica) is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Porto Vecchio (Corsica). The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Fiat 500 or Opel Corsa. These models are the most popular with our customers in Porto Vecchio (Corsica).
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Renault Megane Estate will cost €57 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance advice
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel prepayment terms
When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Unlimited mileage
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Porto Vecchio (Corsica), you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
How to choose a rental company
It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.
Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Porto Vecchio (Corsica) are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).
Car pick-up procedure
Getting a rented car in Porto Vecchio (Corsica) is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
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Car rental reviews: Corsica - Porto Vecchio
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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