France / Corsica / Bonifacio (Corsica)Bonifacio (Corsica)
A Citadel on White Cliffs at Corsica's Southern Tip
A walled town on top of white limestone cliffs above a fjord-like harbour, looking across to Sardinia. Take a boat along the cliffs and into the sea caves, climb down the King of Aragon's staircase, and sail to the Lavezzi islands; Palombaggia and Santa Giulia, near Porto-Vecchio, are among the island's best beaches. Figari airport is 20 minutes away (more flights in summer); Ajaccio is about 3 hours by road. Ferries cross to Santa Teresa in Sardinia, Italy (a separate country). Much of the town closes from November to March.
Highlights
- Citadel on the cliffs
- Boat to the sea caves
- King of Aragon's staircase
- Lavezzi islands
- Palombaggia beach
- Santa Giulia lagoon
- Sardinia day trip by ferry
Things to do
- Boat trip along the cliffs and into the cavesApr–OctMorning · 1h 30m
- Haute Ville and the King of Aragon's staircaseAfternoon · 2h 30m
- Lavezzi islands boat and swimApr–OctMorning · 5h
- Beach day at PalombaggiaAfternoon · 4h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: May – June, September – early October
Worth knowing
Peak Summer: Crowds and High Prices on the Coast
July and August are French school holidays: beaches, coast roads and trains along the Mediterranean and the Basque coast are packed, rooms cost 30-100% more and often need a minimum stay, and Corsica's ferries and flights sell out. Book months ahead, or come in June or September, when the sea is still warm.
Worth knowing
Bonifacio Off Season: Much Is Closed
From November to March many hotels, restaurants and boat trips in Bonifacio close, Figari has only a few flights, and the Lavezzi boats stop. The citadel and cliffs are still there and quiet; book a hotel that is confirmed open.