Overlooking the Mediterranean, the Citadelle of Bonifacio rises majestically from the limestone cliffs of southern Corsica. This medieval fortress, built in the 12th century by the Genoese, offered a unique insight into Corsican history. You’ll also discover incredible panoramic views of Bonifacio and the surrounding area!
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to the Citadelle of Bonifacio in southern Corsica.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is a visit to the Citadelle of Bonifacio worthwhile?
Yes, the Citadelle of Bonifacio is definitely worth a visit!
Even if you’re not a history buff, climb up there for the breathtaking views of the sea, the town, the port, the mountains, the cliffs… From the citadel, you can contemplate the beauty of Corsica and even catch a glimpse of the coast of Sardinia! If you’re interested in the history of Bonifacio and Corsica, you’ll be delighted! Don’t miss the Musée du Bastion de l’Étendard, where you can learn more about the fortified city and the Genoese occupation.
A visit to the citadel is one of the best things to do in Bonifacio!
What you can see
The ramparts overlooking the town and the Mediterranean
From the ramparts of Bonifacio’s citadel, we were enchanted by the spectacular view over the town and the Mediterranean Sea. We enjoyed watching the port of Bonifacio and the impressive white limestone cliffs rising more than 100m above the sea. We also admired the “grain of sand” among the surrounding coves and small beaches. A remarkable rock formation!
Open your eyes and you’ll see the coast of Sardinia in the distance, blending into the turquoise waters of the sea! We also enjoyed the panoramic view of the Bouches de Bonifacio, the strait separating Corsica from Sardinia.
This exceptional view from the ramparts of the citadel offers a striking glimpse of Bonifacio’s natural and historical wealth.
The Standard Bastion Museum
The Bastion de l’Étendard, located at the heart of the Bonifacio Citadel, is a major historic monument built in the 16th century by the Genoese. Its purpose was to defend access to the Porte de Gênes, the city’s only gateway at the time. Perched 25m high, it is the most imposing part of the fortifications.
Today, the building houses a museum where we discovered the history of Bonifacio, its citadel and the bastion itself. The exhibition route, partly located in the building’s basement, is punctuated by historical objects and informative panels. These explain the history and strategic importance of the bastion in the defense of Bonifacio. We also learned about protection methods and lifestyle in the Genoese era.
The exhibition plunged us into Bonifacio’s medieval past, revealing how the fortress has evolved over the centuries.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Corsica
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Le Jardin du Bastion
The Bastion Garden of the Bonifacio Citadel is in fact a “Landscape Garden”. Like a suspended balcony overlooking the sea and the city. You’ll be able to enjoy incredible views of the surrounding countryside.
We observed specimens of local flora such as Jupiter’s Beard, Wasp Ophrys andPrickly Armeria, accompanied by explanatory panels.
Visiting this part of the citadel, we imagined ourselves several centuries in the past, scanning the landscape for an enemy attack. We thought it was an extremely good choice of location, as the view takes us so far away, even beyond Corsica’s borders! What do you think?
Cliffside houses
From the citadel, you can enjoy a unique perspective of Bonifacio’s old town, with its colorful houses seemingly clinging to the edge of the cliff. These dwellings, almost suspended above the Mediterranean, mesmerized us. They are one of the most emblematic and spectacular aspects of this Corsican city!
Their construction dates back to medieval times, when Bonifacio was a strategic stronghold. In particular, their location enabled the city to be better defended. We noticed their white facades, almost merging with the limestone rock, creating an incredible visual harmony with the cliffs that support them.
The charming alleys within the citadel walls
Strolling through the narrow streets of the citadel was a very pleasant experience. Sometimes, as we turned a corner, we suddenly discovered spectacular panoramic views of the sea or the cliffs. We recommend that you spend some time there to soak up the history and authenticity of this unique place.
WHERE TO STAY IN Bonifacio
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Option 1: a historic stay in the citadel
Hotel Spa Genovese – prices, pictures and availability
Option 2: around the marina
Hotel Solemare and its swimming pool with view! – see prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: in the surrounding scrubland
Hotel Cala di Greco overlooking the citadel! – see prices, pictures and availability
See our list of the 10 best hotels in Bonifacio, with our reviews
Bonifacio Citadel: how to get there
Where is the Citadelle?
- In the town of Bonifacio
- 15min walk from the Port of Bonifacio
- From Plage de Saint Antoine, 25min drive.
Access by car and parking
The citadel is easily accessible by car. The road is in good condition with no particular difficulties. Parking is available nearby at Parking P3 Citadelle and Parking PS4.
If these parking lots are full, don’t panic, there’s plenty of other parking in the city.
Public transport access
Public transport in Bonifacio is limited. Only the tourist train serves the citadel. Find out more here.
Visiting difficulties
The floor of the citadel is adorned with cobblestones, some of which are irregular, and the walkways are often sloping. The entire route is punctuated by steps. The Bastion de l’Étendard features an access ramp for people with reduced mobility, and all amenities are up to standard. On the other hand, we didn’t see an elevator to access the basements.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
EN South Corsica
- Introduction to canyoning at Pulischellu – see photos + availability
- Complete canyoning experience at Pulischellu – see photos + availability
- Via Ferrata near Porto-Vecchio – see photos + availability
- Sea kayaking under the cliffs of Bonifacio – see photos + availability
Visit the Citadelle of Bonifacio: useful tips
Schedules and prices
The Citadel itself is an open public space that can be freely visited by strolling through its narrow streets.
The Musée du Bastion de l’Étendard is open from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on weekdays. Admission costs €3.50.
See the latest news on the official website here.
How long
We recommend you allow 1 to 2 hours to visit the citadel, its narrow streets and the museum. For the museum only, allow between 30min and 1h depending on your interest in history.
Best moment
In our opinion, the best time is in the morning, when temperatures are not too high and there are still few visitors on site. So you can explore the treasures of this fortified area in complete peace and quiet.
Direction of visit
There’s no set way to visit the citadel. But we recommend that you start at the Bastion de l’Étendard Museum to immerse yourself in the history of the place. This will give you a better understanding of the architecture and the various remarkable features that cross your path!
Visiting with children
We think children will love immersing themselves in stories of knights when they visit the Citadelle of Bonifacio. Note that the Musée du Bastion de l’Étendard provides children aged 7 to 11 with a booklet-game dedicated to the history of this military site. It contains riddles, riddles, word puzzles and more. Perfect for fun learning!
Eating out
The citadel lies in the heart of Bonifacio, a town that is home to some very fine restaurants! Discover our selection in our article dedicated to Bonifacio’s best restaurants.
Hotels
During our stay, we were delighted by our nights in the best hotels in Bonifacio. The town is home to some very fine establishments, with breathtaking views of the citadel, for example, and others nestled in lush greenery… You’re sure to find the one that suits you best!
For an even more refined stay, discover our selection of the city’s finest luxury hotels.
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
