What is there to do in Sainte-Lucie-de-Porto-Vecchio when staying in Pinarello? Far more than you might think: between Pinarello bay, the Genoese towers along the coast, the village of Conca and neighbouring communes such as Lecci, most outings are less than a quarter of an hour’s drive away. Here are our ideas for making the most of the area, from the beach to the mountains.
Things to do in Sainte-Lucie-de-Porto-Vecchio, Zonza’s seaside village
It is often forgotten: Sainte-Lucie-de-Porto-Vecchio is not a municipality in its own right, but a village in the municipality of Zonza, whose territory runs from the mountains of the Alta Rocca down to the sea. This is the coastal part of the municipality, including the marina of Pinarello. From the villa, the village is about 3,5 km away, or 5 minutes by car.
This is the practical hub of your stay. According to the tourist office, you will find supermarkets, bakeries, pharmacies, doctors’ surgeries, a post office, a cash machine and a petrol station. The Zonza-Sainte-Lucie municipal tourist office is located in the town hall annexe: pick up leaflets on markets, walks and the season’s events there.
The Monday morning farmers’ market
The event not to be missed is the Monday morning farmers’ market in Sainte-Lucie, bringing together producers, craftspeople and traders: cheeses, charcuterie, fruit and vegetables, local specialities. The tourist office also notes that, in season, the village church hosts Corsican polyphonic singing on Mondays: ask locally for the exact programme.
Things to do in Pinarello: beach, Genoese tower and night market
The marina of Pinarello, about 4 km from Sainte-Lucie, is the seaside heart of the area. Its long sandy beach fringed with pines and its shallow waters are covered in detail in our guide to Pinarello beach. From the villa, you can walk there (about 200 m).
- Pinarello’s Genoese tower: it stands on the islet of Pinarellu, also known as Isula di i Corsi. Built in the 16th century, it is notable for its square plan, a rarity in the south of the island. It has been a listed historic monument since 1992, and the islet belongs to the Conservatoire du littoral. The interior is not open to visitors: admire it from the beach or from the water.
- Ruscana islet: opposite the village, this small islet is part of the Natura 2000 site of the Pinarellu and Roscana islands. It is a refuge for seabirds, best observed from a distance.
- The night market: in summer, Pinarello hosts a night market on Monday evenings (in 2026, from late June to mid-September, from 19:00 to midnight, free entry). Craftspeople, jewellery, local produce: an easy family outing, no car needed.
- Water sports: the bay is ideal for paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing or diving, with several providers in season.
- The coastal walk: a coastal path of about 3,2 km links Pinarello to Vardiola beach, ideal at the end of the day.
To the north: Fautea and Conca, the GR20 village
Fautea tower and Lavu Santu beach
About 9 km to the north (11 minutes along the RT10 towards Bastia), the Genoese tower of Fautea has watched over the coast since the late 16th century. A path of about ten minutes leads to its base, with sweeping views of the sea and mountains; according to the tourist office, the interior remains closed to visitors. Below are two beaches: the northern one, with facilities and suited to families, and the southern one, from which a coastal path reaches the wild beach of Lavu Santu, about 900 m long, in around 30 minutes. Parking is along the road, with limited spaces: arrive early in summer.
Conca, at the end of the GR20
About 9 km from the villa (13 minutes), Conca is a village of stone houses facing the Tyrrhenian Sea. It was originally a winter refuge for shepherds who took their flocks up to the high plateaux in summer. It is best known to hikers: Conca is one of the two ends of the GR20, the long-distance trail that crosses Corsica from Calenzana, in the Balagne. Meeting walkers finishing their trek, rucksacks on their backs, is part of the charm of the place.
The GR20 is a demanding route and not one to improvise. If you feel like walking its first sections, set off early with water and good shoes, and check the access conditions for the mountain areas the day before: in summer, the prefecture may restrict them when there is a fire risk.
Lecci, Saint-Cyprien and the Cavu valley
To the south, the neighbouring municipality of Lecci (about 7 km) is home to the gulf of Saint-Cyprien. Saint-Cyprien beach (about 8 km, 12 minutes) and Cala Rossa (about 10 km) offer other swimming atmospheres without going as far as Porto-Vecchio. For an overview of all the beaches in the area, see our selection of the most beautiful beaches of Porto-Vecchio.
Inland, the Cavu valley, above Sainte-Lucie, is known for its natural pools among the granite rocks. It is a very popular outing in summer: go in the morning and respect any access restrictions linked to fire risk.
Head for the mountains: Bavella and the Alta Rocca
Zonza’s territory stretches up to the Aiguilles de Bavella. The Col de Bavella is about 57 km from the villa (1 h 05) and the village of Zonza about 50 km (1 h). All our ideas for walks and viewpoints are gathered in our article on the Aiguilles de Bavella. For a day in town, with its citadel, harbour and narrow streets, Porto-Vecchio is about 18 km away, or 25 to 30 minutes. In July and August, allow longer, as traffic builds up around Porto-Vecchio.
Staying at Le Petit Pinarello, in the heart of the area
Le Petit Pinarello is located in the hamlet of Pinarello, in the municipality of Zonza, about 200 m from the beach. The village of Sainte-Lucie is 5 minutes away, Conca and Fautea about a quarter of an hour: it is easy to come back between outings to enjoy the heated saltwater pool of about 50 m², the jacuzzi or a game of pétanque in the Mediterranean garden.
The 200 m² villa has 5 bedrooms, including 2 master suites, and sleeps up to 10 guests. Discover the villa and its bedrooms, take a look at our rates (from 650 € per night for the whole villa), then check availability and book your stay.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sainte-Lucie-de-Porto-Vecchio a municipality?
No. Sainte-Lucie-de-Porto-Vecchio is a village in the municipality of Zonza (Corse-du-Sud), forming its coastal part together with the marina of Pinarello. The postcode is 20144.
What day is the Sainte-Lucie-de-Porto-Vecchio market?
The Sainte-Lucie farmers’ market is held on Monday mornings. In summer, there is also a night market on Monday evenings in Pinarello; in 2026, it ran from late June to mid-September, from 19:00 to midnight.
Can you visit Pinarello’s Genoese tower?
Pinarello’s tower, built in the 16th century on the islet of Pinarellu, cannot be visited inside. You can admire it from the beach or from the sea; it has been a listed historic monument since 1992.
