How to visit Bonifacio in one day? What to do in Bonifacio? What to see in Bonifacio? Here is my practical guide to help you plan your visit!
This week, I’m taking you to the Isle of Beauty to visit Bonifacio, the cliff-top town and picturesque capital of Corsica! Bonifacio charmed me with its charm, fascinated me with its location, and amazed me with its natural riches… This is a city not to be missed if you are visiting Corsica.
So if you want to plan your visit and are wondering what to do and how to visit Bonifacio, here are my must-see attractions and favorite spots!
See also: Best Places to Visit in Corsica – the Perfect Itinerary
PRACTICAL TIPS TO VISIT BONIFACIO
How to get to Bonifacio?
Bonifacio is located 2.5 hours from Ajaccio by road and 20 minutes from Figari-Sud Corse airport. Several airlines connect Bonifacio to most major French cities.
Where to stay to visit Bonifacio?
Here are several accommodation suggestions to suit your budget! Although hotel prices can quickly rise in Bonifacio, there are still some great options available! And the further you are from the center, the more affordable the prices are, even by the sea!
3 recommended accommodations to visit Bonifacio and the surrounding area
SANTATERESA
- In the center, sea view
- Very good value for money
- From 110€
HÔTEL SPA GENOVESE
- Magnificent, in the center
- With a pool and a view
- From 240€
HÔTEL MAORA VILLAGE
- 300m from the sea
- Calm setting, with a pool
- From 80€
Getting around Bonifacio
A car is essential for getting around the Bonifacio area, but the town itself can be explored on foot. If you only want to visit Bonifacio, you can take a shuttle bus from Figari airport and do the rest on foot.
Please note that if you choose a hotel in the upper town, free parking is available regardless of the hotel you choose.
Organize your time to visit Bonifacio
You can visit Bonifacio in one day, including the old town and the cliffs, but two days will allow you to enjoy it a little more. In particular, you can explore the surrounding beaches and take a boat trip, walk, or kayak.
What to bring back from Bonifacio?
It’s hard to choose as there are so many delicious things to taste in Corsica! Corsican charcuterie is a must-have souvenir (coppa, figatellu, etc.), as are sheep’s milk tomme and pain des morts, a bread made in early November.
For something sweet, try gelée d’arbouse (strawberry tree jelly), canistrelli and Corsican honey, and add a little myrtle to top it all off!
If you’re still wondering what to do in Bonifacio, visit the Tourist Office website!
1. VISIT BONIFACIO : THE CITADELLE AND THE BASTION DE L’ÉTENDARD
Bonifacio is a unique town, and its breathtaking location has something to do with it. The upper town, perched on a cape overlooking the Mediterranean, has some wonderful discoveries in store for you. But get your legs ready, because they’ll be put to the test. That’s probably part of Bonifacio’s charm: you have to earn it!
You will reach the upper town and its picturesque streets via the Montée Saint Roch, which starts at the port and passes by the Bastion de l’Étendard. This is a beautiful introduction that allows you to take in the immense and imposing citadel.
I highly recommend visiting the bastion de l’étendard to immerse yourself in the history of the citadel. Constantly attacked for centuries, Bonifacio has remained (almost) impregnable thanks to this fortress. I also really enjoyed going inside to explore the different floors.
And at the top of the bastion, you can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding area: the sea, the port, and the Bonifacio calanque. Don’t miss the view of the citadel at night from the port and from the top of the Saint Roch hill. The lighting is magnificent!
This fortress was not only made up of the citadel, but also a wall that extends to the end of the cliff! It follows the contours of the land and winds its way to the marine cemetery, protecting the town from attacks from the sea. The walk is beautiful in the evening at sunset!
Practical information for visiting Bonifacio: Bastion de l’Étendard: open every day from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (last admission at 7:00 p.m.) from April to December. Admission: €2.50 – combined ticket with the staircase: €3.50.
2. VISIT BONIFACIO AND ITS UPPER TOWN
Right next to the citadel is the maze of streets in the upper town. I fell in love with this warm and charming old town. Its yellow-tinged facades are not always in very good condition, but the weight of the years gives them an extra charm.
Here, the streets are narrow and there are many secret passageways. The sun’s rays struggle to filter through, but the colors of the town more than make up for it. The atmosphere is gentle: you can almost feel a touch of Corsican “dolce vita” in the air, with laundry hanging from the windows, rickety balconies, and small squares quietly guarded by old trees.
There are many curiosities to be found in this maze of narrow streets. If your legs are tired after wandering around the different neighborhoods of Bonifacio, you’ll sympathize with the locals! The stone staircases that literally climb up to the apartments are often as steep as the King of Aragon’s staircase! You’ll see some particularly picturesque ones as you wander through the narrow streets.
You may also notice stone arches between the houses. These are not scaffolding but an ingenious system of aqueducts to collect rainwater and store it in a huge cistern. Bonifacio needed a water supply in case of siege!
And if you’re looking for a cathedral, you’ll have to explore the narrow streets to discover Sainte Marie-Majeure, hidden in the middle of the upper town! You’ll still be able to see its tall bell tower from afar, while the beautiful loggia where the elders used to gather to chat is only revealed at the last moment.
3. VISIT BONIFACIO AND ITS FAMOUS STAIRCASE
Now let’s discover one of the must-see sights if you come to visit Bonifacio: the King of Aragon’s Stairs!
An improbable, even vertiginous construction, the stairs climb up the cliff with a 45° slope!
Seen from the sea, it looks like a simple diagonal line running along the cliff below the upper town. But when you get up close, it’s best not to be afraid of heights!
You can take the 189 steps down 65 meters to almost sea level.
Legend has it that in 1420, the King of Aragon, already ruler of Sardinia and much of Corsica except for Calvi and Bonifacio, wanted to take the fortified town. Faced with resistance from the inhabitants, the soldiers had no choice but to dig a staircase into the rock in a single night. But they were caught just before they finished, and Bonifacio remained loyal to Genoa.
The fault is actually natural and once provided access to the freshwater aquifer below the city in case of siege!
A pleasant path carved into the rock then leads from the bottom of the staircase and continues the walk. The path seems to hang over the sea, cut off from the world. It’s the perfect place to contemplate the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean or watch the waves break depending on the weather!
The King of Aragon’s Staircase really contributes to making Bonifacio the unusual town that I fell in love with!
Practical information for visiting Bonifacio: King Aragon’s Staircase: open every day from Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (last admission at 7:00 p.m.) from April to December. Admission: €2.50 – combined ticket with the Bastion of the Standard: €3.50.
4. VISIT BONIFACIO AND ITS MARITIME CEMETERY
Located at the tip of the Bonifacio cape, plunging into the sea, the marine cemetery is another particularly unusual place. Its huge white tombs contrast with those we are used to seeing in France. The gentle tranquility and sea air that envelop the place reminded me of some cemeteries on the Sicilian islands.
And if you have the opportunity to visit at the end of the day, the place is magical at sunset. Especially since the view of the chalk cliffs nearby is absolutely sublime!
5. ADMIRE THE CLIFFS OF BONIFACIO FROM EVERY ANGLE
The jewels of Bonifacio, the white chalk cliffs are the very origin of the town. They wrap around the town, from the Bonifacio strait to Cap Pertusato a few kilometers further on. There are many ways to admire them: from afar, by boat or kayak, for example, or from several viewpoints that are not to be missed!
First, head to the marine cemetery at sunset to watch the last rays of sunlight fade away against the cliffs. It’s a magical moment when you realize just how unique this town is.
On the other side of the upper town, you can also admire the cliffs from below, from Sutta Rocca beach. This is where they are most impressive, with their rows of stacked limestone layers!
The Campu Romanellu trail also starts at the foot of the bastion and leads to the Pertusato lighthouse. After a 20-minute walk, you will see the upper town perched on the cliffs in the distance. It is a breathtaking view that slowly changes with every step you take… For me, this is the most beautiful view of Bonifacio, the postcard image we have of this incredible town. At its feet, the limestone cliffs seem to be slowly tearing apart, leaving only a few large rocks emerging from the Mediterranean Sea.
6. VISIT BONIFACIO BEACH
There is only one beach in the center of Bonifacio: Sutta Rocca. Located at the foot of the cliffs, it offers a unique view of the town from below. It is very small and rocky, but remains the most convenient option, just a 5-minute walk from the upper town!
Alternatively, you can travel a few kilometers to enjoy some idyllic beaches worthy of a Corsican postcard! Fifteen minutes by car from Bonifacio, the beaches of Grand and Petit Sperone are very popular with the locals. But I liked Cala Longa beach even more, which was almost deserted in early September.
The turquoise, crystal-clear water and hundreds of meters of white sand are a real treat for the eyes and the perfect place to swim.
Many people also enjoy the excursion to the Lavezzi Islands (1 hour from Bonifacio) for swimming and snorkeling. I must admit that I preferred a quiet, peaceful place, far from the crowds of tourists.
7. ENJOY BONIFACIO’S GASTRONOMY
In Bonifacio, as everywhere else in Corsica, you are sure to find something to your taste among the local specialities. Typical dishes not to be missed include Aubergines à la Bonifacienne and Cannelloni au Brocchiu (pronounced “Broutch”). A platter of Corsican cold meats and cheeses will also allow you to discover the region a little better while enjoying a delicious meal!
And for dessert, try fiadone, a kind of cheesecake made with brocchiu, and canistrelli, delicious dry biscuits often topped with crushed almonds.
You will also find many types of fresh pasta and fish and seafood dishes. Among the best places to eat, I recommend the restaurant at the Hotel Le Royal (in the upper town) or the Da Rocca restaurant on the harbor.
8. VISIT BONIFACIO’S CULTURAL SIDE: POLYPHONIC SINGING
If you’re spending an evening in Bonifacio, be sure to check the Corsican polyphonic singing program! Concerts are held regularly in the Saint-Dominique Church, and are not to be missed. Corsican polyphonic singing is rooted in the island’s tradition and is still very popular with Corsicans themselves. Dressed in black, the singers take turns singing religious songs, adding their voices to the group to form a polyphony. The acoustics of the church allow these crystal-clear voices to ring out to their fullest.
The show, which is both powerful and moving, makes for a wonderful evening. The songs are not only religious, but can also be very diverse depending on the group!
If you are visiting Bonifacio during a trip to Southern Corsica, I invite you to check out my post Best Places to Visit in Corsica – the Perfect Itinerary! You’ll find all the must-see attractions and my tips for organizing your stay!
WHAT TO DO AROUND BONIFACIO ?
– Lavezzi Islands (accessible by boat from Bonifacio): these paradise islands are worth a visit for their underwater wildlife and the feeling of being at the end of the world (even if they are overrun in summer).
– Rondinara, Santa Giulia, and Palombaggia beaches (30-45 minutes away): located on the road to Porto-Vecchio, these are some of the most beautiful beaches in Corsica. Their white sand and turquoise water cement their reputation!
– Porto-Vecchio (40 minutes away): with its old town perched on a rocky outcrop and its idyllic gulf, Porto-Vecchio has many attractions to offer! Read my article on Porto-Vecchio and its beaches: Best Places to Visit in Corsica – the Perfect Itinerary
Coming soon on La Marinière en Voyage…
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