Bonifacio

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Europe > France > Corsica > Bonifacio

Bonifacio



The citadel from the port

Bonifacio is a city on the south end of the French island of Corsica.

Understand

The coast at Bonifacio is made white limestone, sculpted into unusual shapes by the ocean. Part of the city is hanging over the sea, as the limestone has been erodes.

The city of Bonifacio is split into two sections. The old town/upper city (vieille ville/la haute Ville) and the port. The upper cities has hotels, restaurant, museums and historic sights. The port has a marina with big and expensive yachts and a bit waterfront lined with small restaurants and bars.

Tourist information

  • 1 Office de Tourisme, 2, rue Fred Scamaroni, ☏ +33 4 95 73 11 88, . (updated Jul 2017)
  • 2 Bureau d'information touristique de la marine (Information point at the harbour), Port de plaisance. (updated Jul 2017)
  • Bureau d'information touristique du Bastion de l'Etendard, Place d’Armes. (updated Jul 2017)
  • Point d’information touristique de l’Escalier du Roy d’Aragon. (updated Jul 2017)

Get in

Pleasure boats at the port

By plane

The closest airport is Figari South Corsica Airport (approx. 20 km north of Bonifacio). Reportedly there is no direct bus connection from the town to the airport.

By boat

Frequent ferries by Moby Lines and Blu Navy link the town with Santa Teresa Gallura in Sardinia.

  • 3 Gare Maritime (Ferry terminal), Quai Sotta Portigliola. 

By bus

  • Scopetto. Takes 20 minutes, leaves once a day in the morning. 

Get around

Map
Map of Bonifacio
  • 4 Le Petit Train. Apr-Oct. A local tourist "train" (a tractor with a trailer). On it 35 minutes round it makes it to the harbour, the upper city and the cemetery. €5. 

See
This article or section may benefit from translation from the article on Russian Wikivoyage. If you can help translate, please do!

Harbour, Citadel, Old town, many boat trips available to view coast/cliffs etc.

  • 1 Porte de Gênes (Genoa Gate). It was the only entrance to the town until the French in the 19th century made yet another entrance, Porte de France. In 1830 they also replaces the older Genoas drawbridge. (updated Aug 2017)
  • 2 Grain de Sable (sand grain). U Diu Grossu in Corsican, the "big finger", is a peculiar rock off the shore just East of the Genoa Gate. A popular curiosity among tourists. (updated Aug 2017)
  • 3 Chapelle de Saint-Roch. 
  • 4 Église Saint-Erasme. 
  • 5 Église Sainte-Marie-Majeure (Church of Ste Marie). 12th-century church is the main church of Bonifacio and probably the oldest. Note the aqueducts off the sides. At the front is located the old loggia. Église Sainte-Marie-Majeure de Bonifacio on Wikipedia 
  • 6 Maison du Podestat (Palazzu Publicu). The House of the Podesta initially housed the authority of the Republic of Genoa in the town. In 1793 Bonaparte used to stay there. (updated Aug 2017)
  • 7 Bastion de l’Etendard. Apr-Oct. € 2.5; combined with Escalier du roi d'Aragon €3.50. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 8 Église Saint-Dominique (next to City Hall). This church origins are in the 13th century. The church's Gothic elements are the rare example of this style for Corsica, although the simplicity of its exterior architecture is reminiscent of the Romanesque. Église Saint-Dominique de Bonifacio on Wikipedia (updated Aug 2017)
  • 9 Il Torrione (Tuscan citadel), Rue des Pachas. The watchtower is the only structure that remained from the Tuscan citadel. It was originally built in 1484, then it was destroyed in 1901 as deemed too conspicuous for enemy armies. It was reconstructed again in 1980. The citadel was built in the 9th century with the foundation of the city. Has been reconstructed several times. Once and administrative center of the French Foreign Legion. (updated Jul 2017)
  • 10 Loggia de l'Arsenal. Initially it was a refectory of the St. Dominic convent. (updated Aug 2017)
  • 11 Cimetière Marin (Marine Cemetery). fr:Cimetière marin de Bonifacio on Wikipedia 

Do

Steps of the Aragon King
Chemin de Ronde

Walks

  • 1 Promenade sur le port (Walk along the Marina). Walk around the marina. Free. 
  • 2 Escalier du roi d'Aragon (Steps of the Aragon King). May-Sep 9:00-20:00; Apr 9:00-19:00; Oct 10:00-17:00. Walk on the 187 steps carved into the cliffs under the upper city and reach the entrance to the Cave of the Saint Barthelemy Well. € 2.5; combined with Bastion de l'Étendard €3.50. 
12 Le puits Saint Barthélemy (Saint Barthelemy Well). It is a quite peculiar thing as you cannot see it (at least these days). What can be seen is an entrance to the cave (which is closed now) with an underground lake with brackish water. The well itself is inside the rock and its opening is 60 m above at the abandoned building next to the former church of Saint Barthélemy. Such a mystery! Puits Saint-Barthélemy (Q22969248) on Wikidata (updated Aug 2017)
  • 3 Chemin de Ronde (Patrol Path). Currently closed due to its dangerous condition. A walk along the ramparts of the citadel. It starts from the Tourist office and goes up to the marine cemetery. (updated Oct 2017)
  • 4 Le Gouvernail (Gouvernail de la Corse), Quartier St-François (next to the marine cemetery), ☏ +33 6 19 73 69 75. Jul-mid Sep 9am-8pm; May-Jun 10am-7pm; mid Sep-end Oct 10am-6pm. "Rudder of Corsica" is a late 19th century bunker dug in the mid-rock for a cannon firing position. 168 steps down carved in rock will offer views over the Straits of Bonifacio and Sardinia. € 2.50. fr:Gouvernail de la Corse on Wikipedia (updated Aug 2017)
  • 5 Cap de Pertusatu. Have a walk for magnificent views. (updated Jul 2017)

Excursions

  • SPMB sea trips (Société de promenades en mer à Bonifacio). 1 hour and 1/2 day trips by a consortium of local companies. (updated Aug 2017)

Buy

Eat

  • 1 Market Hall (In the old city). In the morning there is market where you can buy fresh fruit, pieces of vegetable pies, beignet, etc. Then sit outside on a bench and enjoy a cheap high quality breakfast or brunch with a stunning view. 
  • 2 Les Terrasses d'Aragon, Rue Simon Varsi 21, ☏ +33 4 95735107. Spectacular view if you get a table on the terrasse to the sourth. €23 menus. 
  • Restaurant Les Quatre Vents, 29 Quai Banda del Ferro, ☏ +33 495730750. 
  • La Place, 1, Monte Rastello, ☏ +33 495731406, . 
  • Catali Cook, Ldt Cavallo Morto, ☏ +33 682375820. 
  • Auberge Le Licetto, Route du Phare de Pertusato, ☏ +33 4 95 73 19 48 (Faby Antoine), fax: +33 4 95 72 11 92, . 
  • Rocca Serra, Quai Jerome Comparetti. 
  • Au Jardin d'A Cheda, Cavallo Morto, ☏ +33 495730382, fax: +33 495731772, . The restaurant is located in the countryside where guests get a professional and friendly service. 

Drink

Promenade at the old harbour

Sleep

Bonifacio has several different hotels, most of them located in the city's historic port. Here is just a sample of the places you can stay:

Budget

Mid-range

  • 1 Santateresa, Quartier Saint François, ☏ +33 4 95731132, . Friendly hotel on spectacular location on the highest ground in Bonifacio upper city on the southwestern pinnacle. Only the marine cemetery is between the hotel and the limestone cliffs overhanging the sea 70 meters below. € 130. 
  • 2 A Cheda, Cavallo Morto – BP3, ☏ +33 4 95730283, . €180. 

Splurge

Go next

Lavezzi archipelago
  • Take a trip to the Lavezzi archipelago either with a day tripper or a rented boat to see the magnificent granite formations of the Lavezzi (Corsican: Lavezzu) island


This city travel guide to Bonifacio is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.


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