Discover Porto Vecchio (Corsica) on Your Own Terms: Car Rental Guide and Tips
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
Avis
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
25 € / Day
Best price
18 € / Day
Estimated price for 7 days rental in Porto Vecchio (Corsica):
January
€246
February
€155
March
€168
April
€178
May
€232
June
€312
July
€318
August
€330
September
€212
October
€158
November
€148
December
€202
* Data calculated based on car bookings for 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 €26. 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 €26, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
The highest demand for car rental occurs in summer. The cost increases, on average, by 30-50% and the choice of available cars is significantly reduced. For example, in July, the average price for a popular car model Ford Fusion is €92per day.
Most popular car models in Porto Vecchio (Corsica)
We have the largest selection of cars in Porto Vecchio (Corsica). What do we offer:
New cars 2024 of the year.
Cars of any class from budget to premium.
A wide range of models: convertibles, sedans, SUVs, minivans.
We offer reasonable and fully justified rates with no overpayments or hidden fees. The cost is calculated taking into account the class of car and the duration of the rental period. The longer the period, the lower the daily rate. For compact models of the middle segment the daily price starts from €25, the fee for a middle-class car is €46-€56 per day. Business class will cost more - you will have to pay for it from €121 and above. The cost of rent depends on the season. Moreover, during the peak period, the price increases significantly. Especially for convertibles and rare models. For a popular model among our customers Audi A5 Cabrio you will have to pay at least €92 per day.
Recently, in Porto Vecchio (Corsica) has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Porto Vecchio (Corsica), select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Tesla Model X.
Documents needed to rent a car
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Expert Car Rental Tips: 10 Things to Keep in Mind
Download 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 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
The compact model is relevant for city trips in Porto Vecchio (Corsica). It can be Renault Twingo or Opel Astra. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - Opel Astra Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €60 per day;
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 recommendations
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.
Check out the fuel policy
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.
Rent without mileage limit
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
Compare prices and conditions from different car 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
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Porto Vecchio (Corsica) - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Car pick-up procedure
Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.
Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.
Our main advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Porto Vecchio (Corsica)
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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