What to do in Bonifacio? 15 must-visit places
Bonifacio is a charming medieval town and the oldest town in Corsica, having been founded around 830. It is situated on the cliffs of a limestone peninsula above a natural harbor on the site of a 9th century citadel. century.
Its magnificent modern marina protected by 70m high rock walls hugging a deep fjord-like cove exudes a relaxing Mediterranean atmosphere. Lively bars, cafes and restaurants lining the streets offer lovely harbor views.
Renowned for its spectacular natural setting coupled with countless medieval treasures, Bonifacio remains a premier Corsican destination offering visitors a truly rewarding and memorable experience.
Where is Bonifacio?
Bonifacio is located at the southern tip of Corsica. Close to the island of Sardinia.
How to get to Bonifacio?
Unfortunately, most boats from France and Italy do not go to Bonifacio, but to Ajaccio or Bastia, and Bonifacio also does not have an airport where international flights land. To get there, you must first go by plane or boat to Corsica (Bastia or Ajaccio) then go by car or bus to Bonifacio.
We recommend that you travel to Corsica yourself by rental car. This gives you a lot of freedom to explore the Bonifacio region.
explorer boniface
The Harbor
There are actually three port areas in Bonifacio – the fishing port, the marina and the port from which boats leave for excursions along the coast, to the Lavezzi Islands and to Sardinia. Overall, the port is the busiest Mediterranean port in France.
The main part to explore is the harbor area around the marina, which is very elegant with palm trees and plenty of bars, shops and restaurants lining the quay, and a chance to admire the luxurious boats that are moored there.
The citadel and the old town
The Citadel is perched on a cliff more than 70 meters high overlooking the sea. It's really impressive!
The old town of Bonifacio is a maze of narrow cobbled streets and medieval buildings, picturesque squares and small cafes. You enter through the imposing gate through the citadel walls at the top of the harbor path.
The citadel is easy to explore – being on a narrow peninsula, it's not easy to get lost! The center of the city revolves around the Place d'Armes and the Place du Vieux Marché, and the surrounding streets.
Important religious monuments in this part of Bonifacio include the 13th century Church of St. Dominic and the 12th century Church of St. Mary Major (the oldest building in Bonifacio).
These important monuments are certainly worth visiting, although the real highlight is the city itself, with many small architectural details that add to the charm.
Staircase of the King of Aragon
From the sea it looks like the rock on which Bonifacio stands has been struck by lightning and split in half, but if you look closely you can see that steep stairs from the sea lead up to the rocks. This staircase, according to legends in one night for the troops of the King of Aragon, has been there for centuries. In reality, the stairs were carved into the rock by monks to access a natural water source that springs from the bottom of the rocks.
Nowadays, you can walk down these stairs with a guide at 11 a.m. every day. Note: you must book in advance.
Staircase of the King of Aragon
The Fortress of the Standard
Once you have crossed the Porte de Gênes, begin your visit to the Citadel of Bonifacio and discover the Fortress of the Standard. Entrance is included in your Monument Pass, or costs €2.50 otherwise.
Descend into the underground rooms and discover an exhibition devoted to the history and fortifications of Bonifacio. It's really interesting and well explained!
You will also admire typical medieval architecture, including the magnificent rotunda-shaped vaults
dating from the 15th century.
There is also a more recent construction called the Gouvernail to the west of Bonifacio, built during the Second World War and leading to a large rocky platform with beautiful views over Sardinia and the port of Bonifacio. The Rudder itself is concrete and in poor condition and rather spoils this end of Bonifacio.
You must also visit the cemetery at this end of Bonifacio. Claimed as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in France, it is most unusual with its many small chapels arranged in streets with gardens, it's a bit like a small abandoned town!
Sunset is a great time to come here if possible, perhaps before taking another walk through the old town, which has a different character after dark, or enjoying one of the musical events which take place quite regularly.
You'll also find a good number of restaurants in the old town of Bonifacio, so it's easy to find a place to escape the mid-day heat – even if they can be quite expensive and 'touristy' at times.
Views of the cliffs and the city
After leaving the citadel, you must follow the path along the cliffs to the east. The walk back takes around 20 minutes and is one of the highlights of the tour, with exceptional views along the cliffs and the town.
The coastal landscape is to be discovered absolutely by taking a boat trip from the port. It is also from a boat that you will best appreciate the exceptional location of the town, with the houses perched on top of the cliffs which plunge 70 meters into the sea below, and several caves at sea level which can be sights from a boat like the cave of S'Dragulinu (the cave of the little dragon)
Col de Bavella
Drive over 1200m to the spectacular Col de Bavella, one of the most spectacular passes in Corsica with breathtaking views of the vast forest, ocean and mountains, and visit the surrounding mountain villages of the region .
You can also try your hand at canyoning or swim in a rock pool in the rivers of the Bavella massif. There are many walks through the forests to the hidden Alta Rocca waterfalls, including Piscia di Gallo or Cockerall Falls.
Enjoy Lavezzi Island
Not far from mainland Corsica, there are 23 small and beautiful islands. They are all private and not accessible, with the exception of Lavezzu Island.
A boat leaves several times a day from the port of Bonifacio and drops you off at Lavezzu in 30 minutes. A return ticket costs €37. You can buy tickets at one of the kiosks in the port. Allow at least two hours for the island itself. Even though Lavezzu is not big, there are several beautiful coves with crystal clear waters that you really want to discover.
You decide when you take the boat back. The return trip takes an hour where you see several caves just past Bonifacio. You can now also see Bonifacio from the water, which is a spectacular sight!
Visit the beaches near Bonifacio
Rodinara Beach
Rodinara is a quiet beach, on a bay that goes almost all the way around in a circle. From Bonifacio, it will take you a 30-minute drive to reach Rodinara beach. The route can be quite exciting, as you first cross a mountain, after which you descend with a beautiful view of Rodinara Bay.
Palombaggia Beach
This extended beach has really super blue water! If the sun is directly above the sea, you can imagine yourself on a Greek or Filipino island! You will also find many beach bars, deckchairs, etc. Keep in mind that it can get crowded at this popular beach. From Bonifacio, it takes 40 minutes by car to reach Palombaggia beach.
Saint Antoine Beach
The beach itself isn't very spectacular, but the hike up here is definitely worth it! You will also find a beautiful cave De Bonifacio, you can drive a short distance. You park your car here and walk to the beach in 30 minutes. You can of course also choose to walk the whole stretch from the center, then allow around 1.5 hours.
Tonnara Beach
Far from the tourists, you will find this beautiful beach, which offers a view of a wide bay with the mountains in the distance. La Tonnara beach is only a 15 minute drive east, but you are immediately in a whole different part of Corsica. Calmer and slower, time almost seems to stand still here.
In the old center of Bonifacio you will find many typical tourist restaurants. All the same menu, fine if you want to eat something quick, but definitely not culinary delights or original dishes. Here are the best restaurants in Bonifacio.
L'an Faim: Luxury dining
Want to dine and taste Corsican cuisine? So grab a bite to eat at L'an Faim. Don't expect a cheap night out, but according to locals, this is the place to go if you have something to celebrate!
A Bitiga: wine bar and Corsican tapas
Next to L'an Faim is the pretty wine bar A Bitiga! Here you can taste Corsican wine and order a tapas board. The local dish Aubergines Bonifaciennes is also highly recommended. You can find it everywhere in Bonifacio, but nowhere is it as good as in A Bitiga.
Melo: smoothies
After all that wine and delicious Corsican food, how about something light with lots of vegetables? Then visit Melo. You will find smoothies, salads and buddha bowls in a cozy bar.
l'Ortulinu – good coffee and fresh bread
The address for fresh bread and good coffee in Bonifacio is the Ortulinu bakery. You will also find regional products such as fresh olive oil, soap, pastries and fruit.
FAQ What to do in Bonifacio
?How long to stay in Bonifacio
It's a great place to visit on a long weekend. Bonifacio deserves at least 2 nights. If Bonifacio is a stop on your road trip in Corsica, plan at least 1 full day, but 2 full days are preferable to fully appreciate the place.
?Why visit Bonifacio
Founded in 833, Bonifacio's rich history provides visitors with a fascinating and lively base from which to explore the south of the island. Its isolated position, with its ramparts perched on the only limestone plateau in Corsica, gives Bonifacio a timeless charm.
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