Cidade Turismo
France

Before you go

Your trip to Bonifácio.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Bonifácio – Córsega Destination Córsega about 129 km from Ajaccio

How to get there

  • Aéroport de Figari Sud Corse (FSC) Figari · 25 km
  • Aéroport d'Ajaccio Napoléon Bonaparte (AJA) Ajaccio · 122 km
  • Port de Bonifacio 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

The nearest airport is Figari Sud Corse (FSC), about 25 km away. From Ajaccio it’s roughly 130 km on a winding road, nearly two and a half hours by car, or reachable by regular bus. Bonifacio has no train service; buses and ferries arrive at the harbor below the upper town.

How many days

One day is enough for the upper town, the Escalier du Roi d'Aragon and a boat trip along the cliffs. With two days, add the Îles Lavezzi or the beaches of Porto-Vecchio and the walk to the Pertusato lighthouse.

When to go

From May to October. The sea is usually warmer from July to September, and July and August are the busiest months. Boat tour season generally runs from April to October. Wind is common in the strait and can cancel boat departures.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

For the upper town and the harbor, no: everything is done on foot, with some climbs. For the beaches of Porto-Vecchio, the Pertusato lighthouse and Figari airport, a car is very helpful because buses have limited schedules. In summer, parking near the harbor is difficult.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Bonifácio
  1. Morning
    Upper town and Escalier du Roi d'Aragon

    Climb from the harbor up to the Haute-Ville via the Montée Rastello. Wander the narrow streets inside the walls and descend the 189 steps of the Escalier du Roi d'Aragon, carved into the cliff, before it gets hot.

  2. Afternoon
    Boat trip through the caves and cliffs

    Have lunch at the harbor and board a boat trip through the sea caves and along the cliff coast, from where you can see the upper town hanging above the sea. The season typically runs from April to October.

  3. Late afternoon
    Sea cemetery and Gouvernail

    Walk out to the tip of the plateau, to the sea cemetery, and descend to the Gouvernail de la Corse, a tunnel in the rock with views over the strait and Sardinia.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in the upper town or at the harbor

    Dine in one of the alleys of the upper town or at the marina. Fish and seafood dominate the menu, alongside charcuterie and Corsican cheeses. Dinner service typically starts from 19:30.

2 days in Bonifácio

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Haute-Ville on foot

    Enter the upper town through the Porte de Gênes, pass the Bastion de l'Étendard and the church of Sainte-Marie-Majeure. Descend the Escalier du Roi d'Aragon early, when the queues are smaller.

  2. Afternoon
    Boat tour along the coast

    Take the short boat tour through the caves and cliffs, departing from the marina. From the sea the Escalier du Roi d'Aragon appears as a diagonal streak on the cliff.

  3. Late afternoon
    Sea cemetery and viewpoints

    Go to the sea cemetery and the Gouvernail at the tip of the plateau, and return along the wall viewpoints to see the cliff in low light.

  4. Evening
    Evening at the marina

    Head down to the marina for dinner. Many restaurants close the kitchen between lunch and dinner, so plan your timing.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Îles Lavezzi

    Take an early boat to the Îles Lavezzi, the nature reserve in the strait. Bring water, snacks and sunscreen: there is no shade or shops on the island.

  2. Afternoon
    Beach near Porto-Vecchio

    Return to the harbor and drive about 30 minutes to the beach of Palombaggia or Santa Giulia in Porto-Vecchio to swim and relax.

  3. Late afternoon
    Trail to the Pertusato lighthouse

    On the way back, stop at the parking by the traffic light and walk to the Pertusato lighthouse, with views of the upper town atop the cliff and of Sardinia.

  4. Evening
    Last night in the upper town

    End the day in the upper town with an unhurried dinner and a walk along the illuminated walls.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Does Bonifacio have a train station?

No. Corsica's train only runs in the center and north of the island, between Ajaccio, Bastia and Calvi. You reach Bonifacio by car, by bus (which stops at the harbor), or by plane via Figari airport.

What is the nearest airport to Bonifacio?

Figari Sud Corse (FSC), about 25 km away, with flights from Paris and other French cities, especially in season. Ajaccio airport is about two and a half hours by road.

Can you go from Bonifacio to Sardinia?

Yes. There are ferries from Bonifacio to Santa Teresa Gallura in northern Sardinia on a short crossing. Sardinia is part of Italy; check schedules and whether the line operates at the time of your trip.

Is Bonifacio very crowded in summer?

Yes, especially in July and August. Arrive early to the upper town and the Escalier du Roi d'Aragon, and book boat tours in advance. Watch your belongings in crowded places.

Can you do a day trip from Ajaccio to Bonifacio?

It’s possible but tiring: about two and a half hours by road each way. It’s better to spend at least one night in Bonifacio or Porto-Vecchio.

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