Geological formation of plutonic rocks, the calanques of Piana represent a part of the French crystalline Corsica. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983, this entirely natural space is the destination for several thousands of tourists each year. Here’s a look at the main ways to discover the calanques of Piana.
Boat tour
The boat is the primary and most popular means to visit Corsica and the calanques of Piana conveniently. For a boat tour of the Calanques de Piana, you can depart from either the port of Ajaccio or Porticcio. There are many companies and private individuals offering boat rentals at these ports.
Choose to visit the Scandola nature reserve and the Gulf of Porto for example by booking your boat in the morning at the Porto port. This exploration will allow you to discover the local flora and fauna in their natural habitat.
A boat tour of the calanques of Piana can also lead you to Girolata. This is an isolated coastal village where you can explore the pink granite rocks from the water. It will also be convenient for you to book your Piana guesthouse or Piana hotel there.

Car tour
You can also use a car as a means of transportation to visit the Calanques de Piana. For this, you can only take one route, the D18. Indeed, it connects Porto to Piana, allowing easy access to the accommodations, including the guesthouse or hotel Piana where you stay during your visit. However, this is a route to be taken with caution due to its narrow nature and the numerous rocks found along the way.
Walking tour
The discovery of the Calanques de Piana can also be done on foot with a guide. This offers you the advantage of experiencing the wonders of the region closely and capturing the best photos as souvenirs. On the pebble beach of Porto, you can enjoy lunch featuring local specialties. You can also talk directly with the coral artisans busy by the water’s edge.