Located on the northwest coast of Corsica, Calvi is a welcoming seaside town protected by its citadel and the hills of the Balagne.
It’s a great place to put down your suitcase and explore the area.
Here is our guide to help you plan your trip:
- best things to do in Calvi,
- map and practical advice,
- excursions with or without cars,
- where to sleep, where to eat…
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices and paying all our bills in full.
Best things to do in Calvi in Corsica? Our top 5
Why go to Calvi – is it worth it?
Absolutely.
Calvi has a lot of advantages:
- It is a fairly large city with many choices of accommodation and restaurants
- There is a long sandy beach in the city
- It gives easy access to the whole Balagne region with its villages and beaches: many beautiful places to visit in less than 2 hours(see our guide on what to do in Balagne)
Top 5 – best things to do in Calvi
If you don’t want to read the full article (and see all the pictures), here are our top 5 things to do in Calvi and the region:
- Explore the citadel
- Walk along the beach (especially at sunrise or sunset)
- Admire the view of the city and the mountains from the citadel
- Visit the villages of the Balagne region
- Take the train from the beaches to L’Île-Rousse
Calvi and the villages of the Balagne are one of the best destinations in Corsica.
Need to rent a car in Corsica?
Our advice:
- 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.
1 to 4 – What to do in Calvi town
1. Explore the citadel – a must in Calvi
Calvi is very recognizable for its citadel located on a peninsula.
Start by admiring it from the beach, then go and get lost in its alleys!
It was built under the Genoese government, between 1483 and the seventeenth century in order to have stronger defenses. There are impressive fortifications all around.
Inside, you will discover a labyrinth of alleys, stairs, fortifications, and beautiful views in all directions.
Among the monuments note:
- the church of St. John the Baptist
- the oratory of Saint-Antoine.
- MUDACC – the art museum of the citadel of Calvi with works of the Contemporary Art Fund
Here is a short video to give you an idea.
And see our article dedicated to the citadel.
Note: we really don’t recommend the citadel to people with walking difficulties. There are many slopes and stairs and the ground is covered with uneven pavement.
2. Admire the views from the citadel
In our opinion, the best moments of the exploration of the Citadel of Calvi are the views all around the fortification walls. On the one hand, you have a complete panorama of the beach and the mountains in the background. It is beautiful!
You can’t see it on our picture above because of the clouds, but on a clear day, you can see the highest point of Corsica: Monte Cinto at 2706m.
Those you can see below reach 1500 to 2000m of altitude.
We love it when the views combine the sea and the mountains, don’t you?
3. Walk in the old town
Calvi is a tourist center since the 1920s.
The old center of Calvi is located at the foot of the Citadel and along the marina. It is also called the lower city.
In these streets and alleys you will find many stores, workshops, cafes and restaurants.
Georges Clemenceau Street is the most vibrant street. In summer, it is only accessible to pedestrians.
In the middle you can visit the church of Santa Maria Maggiore in baroque style with its unmistakable pink façade.
And in the morning, take advantage of the covered market to discover local cheeses and charcuterie.
And, as you walk along, find out:
- The salt tower erected in 1495 for defensive purposes, but quickly transformed into a salt warehouse
- The statue of the water carrier of Louis Patriarche
- The Marchal Fountain of Calvi erected in honor of a professor of hygiene, born in Calvi
- The bust of Christopher Columbus, under the ramparts of the citadel
4. Relax on a terrace along the marina
Calvi has a small but very active tourist port.
All around, the atmosphere is relaxed and festive with bars and restaurants.
Take a walk, relax and unwind…
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5 to 8 – Most beautiful beaches in Calvi (and in the Bay)
If you travel to Corsica, you will surely want to enjoy the beaches.
Here is our selection of 4 beautiful beaches in the bay of Calvi.
Learn more in our article about the beaches around Calvi.
5. The Beach of Calvi (Beach of the Pine forest)
Calvi’s beach is truly unique in Corsica: a long stretch of sand, views of the mountains, views of a citadel, a pine tree border and easy access to the city.
It really offers a lot of advantages and we love the combination of nature and city. Here the city does not take over the beach. No skyscrapers.
On the other hand, we warn you, it is covered with people in summer…
Sandy beach with lifeguard in summer. Some areas are private.
6. The beach of Sainte-Restitude (20 min away)
Between Calvi and Lumio, the beach of Sainte-Restitude offers a relaxing setting far from the constructions.
The sandy beach is a happy cove with rocks for those who prefer. And it faces the citadel of Calvi, offering beautiful views, with the mountains in the background.
The descent into the water is gentle and the beach is only 150m long. It is an ideal place with children.
Supervised beach in summer
7. Beach of Arinella Lumio (20min away)
Another beautiful sandy beach in the bay of Calvi.
From here you can also admire the citadel of Calvi with the mountains in the background.
And there are a lot of rocks around with the point of Caldanu, to which you can make a short hike.
Be careful not to confuse it with the Arinella beach in Bastia
Unsupervised sandy and rocky beach.
8. Punta di Spanu (25min away)
For something different, go to the other end of the bay to Punta di Spanu.
The corner has only two small sandy areas. However, there are plenty of giant boulders to play with!
It is one of our favorite places in Corsica.
The exploration is fun with several small coves and many rocks. Some are smooth because of the water, others are cut. There’s even one that’s been cut cleanly in half. You can walk around the point and up to a tower.
We love rock formations and this is the most beautiful place in Balagne for that…
You can alternate swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing and walking (for example to see the Genoese tower).
Unsupervised coves.
Read more about it.
Where to stay in Calvi
Calvi is an excellent destination to stay during your vacations in Corsica.
Here are our suggestions for where to sleep.
Option 1 – Around the marina
The heart of Calvi is at the foot of the citadel around the marina. Here you have a wide choice of hotels, bars and restaurants:
- Hotel Casa Bianca with its modern decor and beautiful views – see photos and availability.
Option 2 – along the beach
The beach of Calvi is all in length.
You can find more hotel and lodging options along the beach with its promenade that allows you to go everywhere on foot: camping, hotel, rentals….
- Hotel Onda where you will sleep almost with your feet in the water… – see prices, photos and availability.
Option 3 – on the heights
And if you prefer to have beautiful views, you can choose a hotel a little higher up in the city or even in my villages above, to sit on your balcony and relax facing the sea and the mountains. To have more calm.
- hotel La Villa Calvi, for a dream stay and luxury. See prices, photos and availability.
9 to 12 – What to do around Calvi, in Balagne
9. Visit the villages of Balagne
The Balagne region is also known for its charming villages in the hills with their typical Corsican houses and their unobstructed views between sea and mountains.
Near Calvi, discover:
- Lumio completely in front of the sea (15min from Calvi) and the abandoned village of Occi just above.
- Pigna and its blue shutters (35min drive from Calvi)
- Sant’Antonino, one of the oldest villages in Corsica (30min drive from Calvi)
- Speloncato and its houses surrounded by rock (50min drive from Calvi)
- Learn more about the villages of the Balagne.
If you don’t have a car, there are organized tours that take you to the most famous villages – see the availability of organized tours.
10. Beach train: U Trinichellu
If you don’t have a car (and even if you do), consider taking the train to U Trinichellu.
This tourist train runs during the summer from Calvi to Ile-Rousse and back, stopping several times along the way near the beaches.
It stays along the coast the whole time offering splendid views to the travelers!
It takes 50 minutes for a one-way trip, and they often run every hour in the summer.
11. Visit Île-Rousse
At only 50min by train or 30min by car, you can discover another seaside resort of the Balagne: L’Île-Rousse. This city has a completely different style from Calvi.
It was founded by the most famous leader of the Corsican people Pasquale Paoli in 1758 (although the place has been inhabited since antiquity). He wanted a port that was not controlled by the Genoese.
We recommend spending some time there to enjoy the walk to the lighthouse on the islands of Pietra (or take the tourist train). The color of the rock is fascinating.
See our guide to visit Ile Rousse.
12. Explore the Revellata Peninsula
And south of Calvi, you can visit the peninsula of La Revalatta.
There is a large parking lot at its base where you can admire the whole peninsula.
You can reach it by car, or enjoy a hike along the Sentiers des Douaniers.
Then you can explore the area with its boulders, small streams and turquoise waters.
13. Our Lady of the Serra
On the heights of Calvi, go to the chapel Notre Dame de La Serra.
Built in the 15th century, it offers the best view on the bay of Calvi.
What to do in Balagne: our 5 essential articles
14 to 16 – Excursions from Calvi (one day)
14. The calanques de Piana and Scandola
With the calanques de Piana, the Scandola nature reserve is a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is protected and access is limited. The cliffs and their geological formations are unique. The boat tours allow you to get up close and personal. Read more
From Calvi:
- Take the road to Porto Ota (1h45) and take one of the boat tours – book
- Choose a boat departure directly from Calvi – see if the tours are active this year
15. The desert of Agriates
From Calvi, you are not far from the magnificent Agriates desert.
You can do organized tours in 4×4 to discover its wild nature, its scrubland (it is not really a desert) and its dream beaches such as Saleccia.
To know more about the Agriates desert.
From Calvi:
- 1h30 drive to Saint-Florent then boat to Lotu beach or Saleccia beach
- 4WD tour directly from Calvi – See the options in organized tours from Calvi
16. Bastia
Bastia is 2 hours drive from Calvi.
Main city of the north of Corsica, it goes back to the Roman time when it was called Cardo.
Its historic center overlooks the old port with a fortified citadel.
It is very pleasant to walk through the old streets and around the marina.
The atmosphere is lively.
Not to be missed:
- Discover the citadel district with the surrounding walls on a promontory
- Enter the religious buildings: Oratory of Saint Roch from the 17th century, church of Saint John the Baptist
- Visit the Museum of Bastia in the Governor’s Palace – dedicated to the history and heritage of Corsica
Plan your trip to Corsica!
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Itinerary: 3 days – 4 or 5 days
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The most beautiful beaches of Corsica
The most beautiful villages of Corsica
The most beautiful cities of Corsica
The most beautiful destinations in Corsica
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17 à 21… – Activities in Calvi
17. Passing your baptism of diving
If you are a beginner, Calvi is a wonderful place to start diving. Between the rich ocean floor and the views of the mountains as you emerge from the water, the experience is unforgettable.
See availability
And for the more experienced, you should know that there is the wreck of an American B17 bomber at 28m depth in the bay, not far from the citadel.
18. Snorkeling
If diving is too big a step for you, it is already possible to see beautiful things by snorkeling.
Here is an option.
19. Trip in 4WD in the mountains
Discover the slopes of Monte Cinto and the valley of Asco. Climb to higher altitudes, escape the heat and discover completely different landscapes.
See program and availability
20, 21… Canyoning, Via Ferrata, Rafting
If you are in the mood for a little more excitement, you can go up into the mountains and enjoy the many outdoor activities.
Here are some options that require only 1 hour drive from Calvi:
- Canyoning in beautiful valleys, including the Fango valley – see programs and availability
- Via Ferrata to cling to the mountain walls with breathtaking views. There are different courses depending on your level (including juniors) – see programs and availability
- Rafting with 2 levels of intensity depending on your adrenaline search (family or X-tra) – see programs and availability
Hiking around Calvi
All around Calvi you can find hikes of different styles: around the villages of the Balagne, in the forest of Bonifatu or on the slopes of Monte Cinto.
We recommend:
- The path of the Revellata point
with view on the citadel, cliffs and rare fauna – 3h30, less than 10km - Exploration of the abandoned village of Occi from Lumio
- Candia loop in the forest of Bonifatu – 2h
- Seaside between Algajola and Punta di Spanu – 4h30 (or a section)
- …
Before you leave, always ask about the risk of fire and storms!
Savor Corsica: where to eat in Calvi
In Calvi, we recommend, among others
- Restaurant A Casetta
If you are looking for delicious Corsican charcuterie, look no further. - Restaurant Il Capitano
And if you are looking for more developed dishes with one of the most beautiful views of Calvi from the terrace on the 5th floor. Here is the right choice for you; - Marine Life Restaurant
In a very pleasant setting, with the soft sound of the halyards of the pleasure boats moored nearby, you will be able to taste a creative cuisine as we like them. The prawns will be cooked with soy and citrus caramel, sprinkled with peanut chips, while the pork loin will be topped with a honey spice juice…
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How to visit Calvi – practical advice and itineraries
Where is Calvi in Corsica?
- Northwest coast of Corsica
- Region of La Balagne
- Just south of Ile-Rousse
- On the main road T30
- You can also arrive directly to Calvi by plane or by ferry to L’Île-Rousse
- Easy to get to
- Here is a map to help you find your way
- and see all our tips for planning a dream trip to Corsica here
Driving time – How to get to Ile-Rousse?
- Île-Rousse to Calvi = 30min
- Corte to Calvi = 1h20
- Saint-Florent to Calvi = 1h30
- Bastia to Calvi = 2h
- Ajaccio to Ile-Rousse = 3h (via the inland)
You may arrive:
- by ferry to L’Île-Rousse
- by plane to Calvi airport
- by plane or ferry to Bastia
How to get to Corsica
Option 1: by ferry
Departure from France and Italy – see all options in our article
or directly compare schedules, prices and availability
Advantage: you can take your car
Option 2: by plane
Airports in Bastia, to visit the North, Figari to visit the South, or Ajaccio convenient for all Corsica.
Compare prices and availability ofairline tickets
And then rent a car: see our favorite comparator
If you are traveling in the summer, remember to book early to get the best prices and choices!
Need more help choosing?
See our advice on how to go to Corsica
How much time should I allow?
- Calvi is not so big. It has a charming downtown and a citadel
- If you are in road trip mode in Corsica, we recommend at least half a day to explore the citadel
- But to enjoy the area you can stop there for 2 to 4 days.
- If you are staying in Calvi for a whole vacation, and you have a car, there is easily enough to keep you busy and entertained for 2 weeks.
- Book early, Calvi is a very touristic city – see the best rated accommodations
How to get around Calvi
It is easy to explore the old town on foot.
Be careful if your accommodation is in the higher parts of the city, you may want to rent a car or a bike.
And if you want to explore the area, we also recommend renting a car.
Bring good walking shoes, especially for the citadel (old cobblestones).
Where to park in Calvi? Parking lots
There is a parking lot at the foot of the citadel of Calvi. It is called Paking Christopher Columbus or parking of the citadel.
There is a charge for this service (hourly rate, no fixed price).
If you want to park there, arrive early in the summer because it fills up quickly.
Otherwise, you can find other parking lots in the city, within a 5 to 10 minute walk. They are all paying from April to October at least.
Near the beach, there is the parking lot of the Pinède which has the advantage of having shade. Also for a fee.
There are no free all-day parking zones, just 20min zones to buy a baguette or drop something off.
Need to rent a car in Corsica?
Our advice:
- 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.
Calvi in 1 day
If you only have one day, we recommend:
- Visit of the lower town and the covered market
- Lunch on the waterfront
- Exploration of the citadel
- Walk along the beach at sunset
Calvi in 2 days
Day 1
- Visit of the lower town and the covered market
- Lunch on the waterfront
- Exploration of the citadel
- Walk along the beach at sunset
Day 2
- Make a loop in the villages of La Balagne: for example Lumio, Sant’Antonio then Pigna.
- Finish with the rocks of Punta di Spanu
Calvi in 3 days
Day 1
- Visit of the lower town and the covered market
- Lunch on the waterfront
- Exploration of the citadel
- Walk along the beach at sunset
Day 2
- Make a loop in the villages of La Balagne: for example Lumio, Sant’Antonio then Pigna.
- Finish with the rocks of Punta di Spanu
Day 3
- One of the beaches of Balagne (Bodri beach for example)
- Exploration of Ile-Rousse and its islands
Calvi in 4 or 5 days
With everything we’ve listed in this article, you can choose according to your own interests and create a customized itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Calvi and Christopher Columbus
There is a legend that Christopher Columbus was born in Calvi. But because of the island’s bad reputation, he hid it.
Why the city is called Calvi
The name Calvi would come from the layers of granite along the coast and would resemble a pattern of baldness (from Latin calvus).
Calvi or Ile-Rousse: where to stay?
The 2 seaside towns of the Balagne are excellent options for your vacation.
To stay more in the city, with more bars and more beaches, choose Calvi.
For a town with more charm and a quieter atmosphere, choose L’Île-Rousse.
See our complete comparison: Calvi or Ile-Rousse.
Festival in Calvi
Many festivals take place in Calvi throughout the year and in summer.
Some of the best known are:
- Calvi on the Rocks, musical festival in July (book in advance)
- Meetings of polyphonic songs to make the unique experience of Corsican songs
- Jazz Festival in June
- Festiventu in autumn, the wind festival
What to do in Calvi without a car
If you stay in Calvi without a car, you can:
- Enjoy the beach
- Explore the citadel
- Join a 4WD tour to the Agriates desert (see idea 15)
- Make your first dive (see idea 17)
- Walk along the beach at sunset
- Take the beach train to visit other beaches or L’Île-Rousse
- Take an organized tour of the villages of Balagne – see availability
What to do in Calvi when it rains
- Visit the MUDACC – the art museum of the citadel of Calvi
- Visit the small church of Sainte-Marie Majeure
- Adapt your day. It rarely rains all day, so get out in the morning before the storm breaks
What to do in Calvi with your family
- Enjoy the beach
- Visit the citadel as a treasure hunt
- The park of Salceccia, north of Ile-Rousse with vegetation, playground and animals
- Discovery of canyoning or Via Ferrata (see ideas 20 and 21)
- The villages of Balagne which are like labyrinths
