Going down the staircase Escalier du Roy d’Aragaon, in the cliff of Bonifacio, what an adventure!
The history, the landscapes, the rocks… the experience is fascinating.
For those who do not have knee problems, we recommend this short tour that starts in the citadel.
Here is our guide and photos of the experience.
Why visit the Escalier du Roy d’Aragon
Is the Bonifacio staircase worth it?
Yes, it’s worth the walk down the stairs (if you don’t have knee problems). It is a unique experience.
The work is vertiginous, 187 steps dug in the cliff. You will almost reach the water level, with an inclination of 45°!
The stairs and the path above the sea wind through the limestone.
This experience allows you to discover the cliffs up close and enjoy the wonderful scenery.
One of the must-see in Bonifacio.
We photographed it from the sea, see:
What is the King of Aragon’s Staircase?
The official spelling is Escalier du Roy d’Aragon, but you sometimes find it written King.
It is a staircase cut in the cliff of Bonifacio that ends with a small path a few meters above the sea.
The steps were created directly in the limestone.
It allowed the locals to access a source of fresh water.
Staircase of Bonifacio: how many steps?
Some documents say 189, others 187.
The answer from the local guide was: there are 189 steps (187 original and 2 extra to help).
This 45° slope allows you to descend 65m.
And the steps are very irregular.
History and legend
The legend…
It says that in 1420, Alfonso V, king of Aragon, wanted to seize Corsica and besieged the city of Bonifacio.
Facing a strong resistance, he decides to send his soldiers to dig this staircase in one night…
But the women on patrol hear noises and raise the alarm. The attack fails.
The story…
In fact, the passage was created and shaped over a longer period of time before becoming a staircase.
The Aragonese have never used it.
The locals and the Franciscan monks used it to reach a source of drinking water at the foot of the cliff (later called the Saint-Berthélémy well). It was particularly useful during the sieges of the citadel.
Today, the well is no longer used and is not accessible.
Practical tips – the Bonifacio Staircase
Where is the staircase of Bonifacio
- In the city of Bonifaio
- Driving time from Porto-Vecchio = 35min
- Driving time from Ajaccio = 2h30
- The departure is about in the middle of the citadel, on the sea side
- Not far from the Saint-Dominique Church
- A stand clearly indicates the starting point of the visit.
How to get there – Parking
2 options:
- Drive up to the citadel and park in the P3 or P5 parking lots
The parking lots are not free and the streets are narrow.
Please note that the parking lots can be full during the day in summer. - Park around the port and walk up to the citadel.
Caution, steep slope and stairs
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.
Best period
The best time to go down is: when you have energy!
Avoid ending the day with this activity, especially if you have been walking or hiking.
The stairs are really steep!
In summer, it is better to visit the Stairway of Happiness to avoid the crowds and have a more pleasant ascent and the possibility to stop without disturbing people.
Going down the Bonifacio stairs – is it difficult?
The visit of the staircase of Bonifacio requires a good physical condition.
The steps are steep and there are 189 of them.
The steps are uneven.
And to bring them up, you have to do it all at once, there are no steps.
We do not recommend it for people with joint problems, especially knees.
The visit is also not recommended for pregnant women and people with heart problems.
In case of strong wind, the staircase will be closed.
Follow the safety instructions. You may need to wear a helmet.
Please note that the following footwear is prohibited:
- Open shoes without fasteners behind the heel (flip-flops…)
- Heeled shoes
Practical advice
- Price: 5 euros (or 6.50 euros combined with the Bastion of the Standard)
- Opening hours Summer: every day from 10am to 4:30pm (last entry at 4pm)
- Winter hours: Monday to Friday at 11am and 2pm
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View of the stairs from the sea
One of the best ways to see the angle of the staircase and its position in the cliff is from a boat tour.
The one hour tours from the port of Bonifacio are very good to observe the citadel and the sea caves.
On the way there and on the way back, you can admire the structure and how it is embedded in the cliff.
Depending on the angle of view, it may appear simply as a dark line in the stone.
But its linearity makes it clear that this is not natural.
Closer, one realizes the tube dug in the rock.
In the photo below, see the size of the people on the path, bottom left:
The descent
The descent in this semi-open but quite impressive tunnel.
We remind you that the angle is 45°.
A handrail is in place on each side to keep you safe.
Be careful to watch where you step.
If you want to observe the view or the rock above you, take a break.
In France, we cross each other on the right.
And always make room for people who come up. You’ll appreciate the courtesy when you’re on your way up.
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At the foot of the cliff
Once at the bottom of the stairs, the path continues along the cliff, flat.
Again, be careful where you put your feet.
A barrier prevents an accidental fall into the sea.
Some sections are quite open and you can see the 65m cliff above you.
While other sections are more dug in the rock.
The path takes you to the old St. Bartholomew’s well, but it is closed to visitors.
However, you enjoy the views of the cliffs, especially as you return to the bottom of the stairs. In the distance you can see Cape Pertusato, its semaphore and its lighthouse (a walk we recommend – read more)
The spring and the rocks, well of Saint Barthélémy
At the bottom, take the time to admire the landscapes around.
Observe the pieces of cliff that have fallen into the sea, and the sheets of limestone that are stacked on top of each other.
At the end of the path, you can observe clear water.
To know a little more about the Well of Saint Barthélemy:
The supply of fresh water in Bonifacio has always been a problem. It was necessary to go to the fountain of Longone.
The military drilled a 60m deep and 3m wide well to reach a cave with a water table qualified as brackish.
The idea dates back to the 17th century but was not realized until the middle of the 19th century.
Read more
Where to stay in Bonifacio
To enjoy this show, it is better to spend a night or several!
Our suggestions:
Option 1
Sleep in the citadel on top of the cliffs for exceptional views
For example, at the Santateresa Hotel
– see prices, pictures and availability
Option 2
Sleep around the marina, for easy access to all the restaurants and stores without having to climb stairs and slopes.
For example, at the Solemare Hotel and its pool with a view!
– see prices, pictures and availability
Option 3
Sleep in the surrounding countryside, with options ranging from luxury to camping.
For example, at the hotel Version Maquis Citadelle
– see prices, pictures and availability
Option 4
Sleeping around Porto-Vecchio
Many choices of accommodations along the cliffs and beaches between Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio.
The road will take you 20 to 50 minutes.
For example, the Residence U Pirellu
– see prices, pictures and availability
See the best rated accommodations in Bonifacio still available
See all our advices to choose where to stay in Bonifacio (article to come)
Or, more generally, see our article where to stay in South Corsica
The ascent
And it still remains to go up…
Always to the right, always standing.
Don’t start the ascent too quickly, take your time, one step at a time.
Don’t make the same mistake we did!
On one of our last trips to Europe, a hacker stole our credit card details while we were using a hotel WiFi.
So our trip began with a “card blocked” call… Not funny at all!
Learn from our mistake, make a small VPN investment to surf without worry.
