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Why fly to Corsica Calvi?
With rugged mountains, an ancient citadel and beautiful beaches and inlets right on its doorstep, Calvi’s all the best bits of Corsica rolled into one.
Set around crescent-shaped bay where yachts drop anchor and Europe’s glitterati come to play, Calvi feels more like a chic seaside resort than a busy port town.
A stroll along Quai Landry is a good place to begin exploring – this pretty palm-fringed promenade takes in the harbour and the marina, where colourful fishing boats bob in the water alongside the newest yachts, many of which have sailed in from Nice or Cannes. The cafes and bars here are perfect for people watching, particularly in the summer months – but they’re also lovely in the off-season, when local life ambles along quietly and happily.
A smattering of small, chic boutiques sit just behind Quai Landry, as does the eye-catchingly pink baroque Church of Sainte-Marie-Majeure. Keep walking and you arrive at the Citadel, built in the 15th century to guard the city. Inside, the ramparts lead to the narrow cobbled streets that make up the old town, perfect for an afternoon wander.
There are plenty of dining options in Calvi, from cheerful local bistros to high-end dining at restaurants on the marina. Corsican cuisine is based around produce from the island’s mountain villages, with many restaurants serving dishes of boar, veal, salami, and mountain cheeses.
Summers are long and hot in Corsica, so outdoor activities are mostly water-based in Calvi. The city’s own beach is beautiful, but the area’s pièce de résistance is the Scandola Nature Reserve, a strikingly beautiful UNESCO world heritage site where pink volcanic rocks rise from the Mediterranean and dolphins and seals are often seen. The area is only accessible by boat, and excursions can be arranged from the port.
Packed with Mediterranean style and local village charm, Calvi’s the perfect base for a Corsican holiday.
