Calvi

Visit Calvi, Corsica

Calvi is a small town on the north-west coast of Corsican in an idyllic location with a large sheltered bay to the front and the mountains behind.

Exploring Calvi

The Quai Landry is a nice place to start a visit, with a promenade along the seafront between the marina and the port. There are also numerous restaurants and cafes, bars and souvenir shops here.

There is also a very popular long and sandy beach at Calvi, called la Pinede, that is several kilometres long - but you will need to walk a kilometre or so out of the town centre to find the first free public section, or take the small tourist train that runs along behind the beaches.

Numerous activities are available along the beach here, such as windsurfing and paragliding.

The Citadel

At the northern end of the town and towering above the port is the citadel. The citadel is the main monument in Calvi and was built over an extended period from the 13th to the 16th century. Pass through the citadel gateway to see the governors palace (Caserne Sanpiero).

The castle itself is not open to the public, but you can walk around the ramparts, pausing for numerous photo opportunities as you go, then venture in through the narrow cobbled streets and passages of the citadel to see the cathedral.

The Cathedral of St Jean Baptiste is a 16th century baroque style reconstruction of an earlier church that stood here. The highlights of the cathedral are inside, where you can see several items of interest including a large 15th century painting called L'Annonciation (by Babrabagelata), a 15th century black statue of Christ and renaissance period baptism fonts.

The site of the house that is said to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus is also in the citadel, marked by a statue, but note that although Calvi claims to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus this claim should be considered as unproven.

You can also visit the Museum of Corsican Ethnography which features numerous exhibits explaining the history of Corsica, and the Tour de Sel, a 19th century addition to the citadel.

Other highlights within Calvi include the Oratory Saint-Antoine and the pink baroque style Church of Sainte-Marie-Majeure.

Attractions nearby

A popular excursion from Calvi is to take a boat trip from the harbour, which gives lovely views back across the town, the citadel, and the mountains behind.

Also close to the town is the Revellata Peninsula, a rugged and beautiful coastline that faces directly out to sea. Now a listed natural site, there is a path that leads through Revellata to the lighthouse at the end of the peninsula.

The trip to Ile Rousse, either by car or on the little train, is highly recommended.

See also Calvi Corsica

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Tourist classifications for Calvi: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*;

Suggested places to visit near Calvi, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

Calvi tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Chapelle de Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul (Lumio) - religious monument (6km) : Eglise de la Trinité et de San Giovanni (Aregno) - religious monument (11km) : Riciniccia - site of natural beauty (19km) : Agriates Desert - site of natural beauty (24km) : Scandola Nature Reserve - heritage site (28km) : Golfe de Porto - site of natural beauty (28km) : Lama - ville fleurie 4* (34km) : Calanches de Piana - heritage site (36km) :

See more places and a map at places near Calvi