Calvi Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Calvi featuring a beach
Explore an ancient citadel, enjoy lazy days on the beach and embark on diving expeditions at this picturesque town in northwest Corsica.

Calvi is Corsica’s largest coastal town, a delightful place with a beautiful beach and a 13th-century citadel once captured by Horatio Nelson. Here you can walk among ancient buildings, sunbathe and dive down for wrecks on the sea floor.

Calvi has always been a desirable location, but in centuries gone by its popularity was more to do with its strategic location. The huge Citadel is testament to this. This defensive stronghold is positioned on a promontory high above the town, and was constructed in 1268 to help fight off invaders. The most famous of these invaders was Nelson, and it was during an attack on Calvi that the British admiral lost sight in one eye.

Be sure to explore inside the citadel’s ancient walls. You will find tightly packed houses connected by cobbled streets and passageways. One of the highlights is the 13th-century Cathedrale St.-Jean-Baptiste. Besides the stunning architecture, the cathedral features a revered crucifix known as the Christ des Miracles. According to local legend, advancing Turks fled when this was wielded at them during a siege in 1553.

Take a stroll around the citadel’s bastions to enjoy panoramic views of the town and coastline, then head back down the hill to the Marina. Stop in a waterside café or restaurant for a seafood dish, while watching yachts come and go.

Beside the harbor is Calvi Beach. Relax on the sand and rent kayaks and windsurfing boards. Calvi’s Mediterranean climate means you can be warm on the beach from March through October. If you are feeling adventurous, go on a diving expedition. A number of local businesses organize lessons and trips for beginners and experienced divers.

Arrive by plane or by ferry from several locations on the French mainland. The town’s narrow streets and slightly disjointed shape don’t lend themselves well to public transport and there is no bus system. Luckily, Calvi is easily walkable.

In addition to making the most of the town’s historical and natural charms, enjoy an outing on the small train that runs along the coast to Ile Rousse.

Hôtel Les Arbousiers
Hôtel Les Arbousiers
2 out of 5
Route de Pietra Maggiore, Calvi, Haute-Corse
The price is NZ$119 per night from 24 May to 25 May
NZ$119
per night
24 May - 25 May
Stay at this hotel in Calvi. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Calvi Beach and Calvi Harbor are located nearby.
8.4/10 Very Good! (67 reviews)
"Great location and convenient breakfast. The people at the front desk were kind and efficient. The room was clean and the bead was comfortable."

Reviewed on 6 Apr. 2023

Hôtel Les Arbousiers
Le Saint Erasme, Hotel Eco Friendly
Le Saint Erasme, Hotel Eco Friendly
3 out of 5
Route d'Ajaccio, by the seaside, Calvi, Haute-corse
The price is NZ$168 per night from 18 May to 19 May
NZ$168
per night
18 May - 19 May
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Calvi. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Ste-Marie-Majeure Church and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (213 reviews)
"This family run hotel is a wonderful place to stay. We felt welcomed and looked after by the staff. The breakfasts were good, the bedrooms spacious and comfortable and the bathrooms were well designed and nice to use. Parking is a bit of a problem but not impossible and this would not deter me from ..."

Reviewed on 1 Oct. 2023

Le Saint Erasme, Hotel Eco Friendly
Hotel Mariana
Hotel Mariana
3 out of 5
Avenue Santa Maria, Calvi, Haute-Corse
The price is NZ$150 per night from 25 May to 26 May
NZ$150
per night
25 May - 26 May
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Calvi. Enjoy an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Calvi Harbor and Ste-Marie-Majeure ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (228 reviews)
"Beautiful property staffed by helpful and friendly people! Our updated room was comfortable and quiet and had a lovely view from the balcony. Next door to a bakery for a light breakfast if you decide against the full breakfast. Very walkable to the train station and Calvi’s main attractions. The ..."

Reviewed on 23 Oct. 2023

Hotel Mariana
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residence Les Castors
Residence Les Castors
2 out of 5
Stagnone, Calvi, Haute-Corse
Stay at this residence in Calvi. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Calvi Beach and Calvi Harbor are located nearby.
8.4/10 Very Good! (35 reviews)
"Ideal pour 2 jours"

Reviewed on 4 Oct. 2023

Residence Les Castors
Camping La Pinède
Camping La Pinède
4 out of 5
Route de la Pinède, Calvi
Stay at this 4-star beach campground in Calvi. Enjoy free parking, 2 outdoor pools, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions La Pinède and Calvi Beach are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (29 reviews)
DELIGHTFUL LOCATION
"We thorougly enjoyed our stay, the staff were friendly and the facilities were super. We were very early in the season so many preparations and improvements were taking place, so we feel it would have been even better a little later into the month. We particularly enjoyed our meals in the restaurant. ..."

Reviewed on 11 Apr. 2016

Camping La Pinède
Résidence Thalassa
Résidence Thalassa
Route de la Pinède, Calvi
Stay at this aparthotel in Calvi. Enjoy an outdoor pool, WiFi (surcharge), and a garden. Popular attractions La Pinède and Calvi Beach are located nearby.
8.2/10 Very Good! (65 reviews)
"Accueil chaleureux et attentionné, appartement propre. Le prix était cependant trop haut pour le niveau de qualité des espaces."

Reviewed on 22 Jun. 2023

Résidence Thalassa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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