Photo of Girolata

Visit Girolata

Girolata is a (quite inaccessible) village and region at the south of the Scandola Nature Reserve in western Corsica, about 35 km north-west from Porto. It falls within the western part of the Corsica Natural Park.

The dramatic setting, with the small village on a peninsula surrounded by the sea and running up the high mountains in the famous red rock of the region, make for a very impressive scenic location.

There is a small beach in Girolata, and an ever-watchful Genoese tower that stands above the village. Below, a small natural harbour attracts smaller yachts that are exploring the coast.

Despite its small size the village does have some facilities for tourists including accommodation and restaurants - Girolata is transformed from a very quiet backwater for most of the village to a thriving tourist centre in the tourist months.

The highlight is of course the scenery, the chance to see the wildlife, and the astonishingly clear sea water here.

In the absence of a road to the village there are two ways to get to Girolata:

- take a boat trip from Porto, Calvi or Cargese

- arrive on foot - the path to Girolata starts from Col de la Croix on the road from Porto to Calvi (22km from Porto) and takes an hour and a half (7 km) in each direction (for many years the local postman walked this path every day to deliver the mail to Girolata)

You can find more local travel ideas in the North-West Corsica guide,

See also: 

Map of Girolata and places to visit

 
Advertisement
 

Girolata places to visit

Scandola Nature Reserve

Scandola Nature Reserve

Scandola Nature Reserve, on the coast of western Corsica, is one of the natural highlights of a visit to Corsica

Scandola Nature Reserve guide
Porto

Porto

Porto is a pleasant resort close to the Calanches de Piana. It is a good base for visiting the Calanques.

Porto guide
Calanches de Piana

Calanches de Piana

The calanches of Piana are exceptionally scenic rock formations on the coast of western Corsica near Porto.

Calanches de Piana guide
Piana

Piana

Piana is an attractive village overlooking the Calanches de Piana. The Calanches de Piana are outstandingly beautiful.

Piana guide
Ota

Ota

Ota is a pretty village near Porto in western Corsica and a popular starting point for hiking the Gorges de Spelunca and Aitone Forest

Ota guide
Gorges de Spelunca

Gorges de Spelunca

The Gorges de Spelunca are a scenic highlight east of Porto in Corsica, best explored by following an ancient mule trail below the cliffs

Gorges de Spelunca guide
 
Advertisement