Calvi

Travel Guide
Chapelle de Notre Dame de la Serra showing a coastal town and a marina
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.

Hotel Mariana
Hotel Mariana
3 out of 5
Avenue Santa Maria, Calvi, Haute-Corse
The price is $73 per night from Nov 1 to Nov 2
$73
includes taxes & fees
$69 per night
Nov 1 - Nov 2
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! (263 reviews)
"everything was excellent"

Reviewed on Oct 21, 2024

Hotel Mariana
Best Western Hotel Casa Bianca
Best Western Hotel Casa Bianca
3 out of 5
Chemin San Francesco Route du stade, Calvi, Corsica
The price is $110 per night from Nov 1 to Nov 2
$110
includes taxes & fees
$105 per night
Nov 1 - Nov 2
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Calvi. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Calvi Harbor and Ste-Marie-Majeure Church ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (164 reviews)
"Very nice hotel. Incredibly clean and safe. The front desk staff was exceptional and made the stay comfortable and enjoyable. They helped with every facet of the stay."

Reviewed on Sep 15, 2024

Best Western Hotel Casa Bianca
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 $91 per night from Nov 1 to Nov 2
$91
includes taxes & fees
$86 per night
Nov 1 - Nov 2
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (247 reviews)
"Excellent hotel. Lovely room.Very clean. Good to have fridge, safe and kettle. Staff friendly and helpful. Lovely garden and pool. Short walk to citadel and marina.Easy free parking . Would recommend"

Reviewed on Sep 12, 2024

Le Saint Erasme, Hotel Eco Friendly
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.
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! (48 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 Apr 11, 2016

Camping La Pinède
Calvi 68 m2 apartment with terrace and sea view.
Calvi 68 m2 apartment with terrace and sea view.
Calvi
Book a stay at this family-friendly apartment in Calvi. Enjoy a water park and air conditioning. Popular attractions Ste-Marie-Majeure Church and Calvi Harbor ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2 reviews)
Nice appartement
"We enjoyed our week in this apartment in Calvi. Calvi is a good base from which to explore the Balagne region of Corsica, we enjoyed the beach in Calvi, exploring along the coast to the south, the Fango valley, Bonifato forest and, further away, the Calenches near Porto. The location of the flat ..."

Reviewed on May 3, 2017

Calvi 68 m2 apartment with terrace and sea view.
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.
8/10 Very Good! (72 reviews)
"Accueil chaleureux et attentionné, appartement propre. Le prix était cependant trop haut pour le niveau de qualité des espaces."

Reviewed on Jun 22, 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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Reviews of Calvi

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Top Destination
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5/5 - Excellent

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Spectacularly beautiful, nice people.

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