Looking towards Sardinia on the southern coast of Corsica lies the delightful port town of Bonifacio. Historically, the town dates back to the 9th century AD when its citadel overlooking the harbour was built as a defence against pirates. Today this busy harbour caters for small cruise ships, ferry services to Sardinia and a large number of private leisure yachts.
The Port of Bonifacio is a true delight for cruise ship passengers who can easily enjoy a day wandering around the attractions of the busy harbour and Old Town. Shore excursions to the Lavezzi Islands in the Strait of Bonifacio and small-group tours to the traditional villages of the interior of Corsica are options for those who wish to discover more of the region.
Port of Bonifacio
Cruise ships approaching the Port of Bonifacio enter a small inlet called the Goulet de Bonifacio at the Phare de la Madonetta lighthouse then sail alongside the white cliffs as far as the small cruise terminal where they drop anchor. It is one of the most spectacular approaches of the whole Mediterranean region. Not surprisingly this gem of a port is no secret to some of the world’s billionaires whose mega yachts are moored in the harbour.
Getting to the Port of Bonifacio
Passengers and crew who have to make their way to Corsica to meet up with cruise ships or private yachts can fly directly to Figari–Sud Corse Airport which lies 20km to the north of Bonifacio or to Aéroport d’Ajaccio-Napoléon-Bonaparte which lies 130km to the north-west. Unfortunately, there are only a limited number of seasonal flights to these airports.
The alternative is to fly into Marseille Provence Airport then travel to the Corsica Ferries terminal in Toulon by private transfer. There are frequent ferry crossings to Ajaccio on the south-west coast and a less frequent overnight service to Porto-Vecchio in the south-east.
Getting Around in Bonifacio
The Citadel and the Old Town which are the main attractions of Bonifacio stand high above the harbour. Walking up the steps to the top is very steep so many cruise ship passengers choose to take Le Petit Train. This service makes its way up Avenue Charles de Gaulle then does a circuit of the upper town before stopping at the Mairie de Bonifacio. Some passengers like to take this road train up the hill then walk back to their ship. Short boat trips are a great way to see the old houses which stand on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the harbour.
Main Tourist Attractions
Standing on a peninsula overlooking the Port of Bonifacio is the 9th century Citadel which was originally built by Boniface II of Tuscany although the current structure is mainly influenced by the Genoese who ruled Corsica for five centuries. Its highlights include a museum inside the fortress which used to serve as an administrative headquarters for the French Foreign Legion and the Bastion de L’Etendard from where visitors can get great views over the harbour.
Most of the compact Old Town of Bonifacio lies immediately outside the citadel’s walls and is home to the town’s main tourist attractions and most of its population. Wandering around its cobbled streets visitors will stumble upon a couple of historic churches: the 12th century Église Sainte-Marie-Majeure is recognised as a French national monument; whilst the 13th century Église Saint-Dominique is another architectural masterpiece. A historic street of particular interest is Rue du Palais de Garde where the houses had no doors at ground level for security reasons. Instead the owners used ladders to access their homes which they pulled up behind them.
On the southern side of the peninsula the King Aragon Steps lead down to the sea and are a popular attraction for visitors who are in reasonably good shape and come equipped with suitable footwear. Overlooking the sea to the west is the Cimetière marin de Bonifacio which must be one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the whole of France.
Whilst there are some beautiful beaches close to the Port of Bonafacio, many of them frequently experience strong winds which can make them rather uncomfortable for sunbathing. In fact, this area is one of the premier spots in the whole Mediterranean region for windsurfing. The best family beach in the vicinity is La Tonnara which lies 10km to the north-west and is a nice spot for lunch at the beachside restaurant.
Shore Excursions Beyond Bonifacio
Whilst few visitors to Bonifacio will be in any rush to escape its charms there are a number of nearby attractions which may tempt cruise ship passengers to consider heading out to discover a little more of southern Corsica. A popular boat trip leaves the port for the Lavezzi Islands which lie just 10km to the south-east of Bonifacio. These uninhabited islands are a wonderful place to go swimming and snorkelling in turquoise-clear waters.
For those who’d prefer to see more of the Corsican countryside there are excursions which include rural villages such as Sartene which lies 50km north-west of Bonifacio. Dating back to medieval times, this historic, hilltop village is generally considered to be one of the most typically Corsican places on the island. Well worth a visit is its Museum of Prehistoric Corsica which exhibits items collected from the area dating back to pre-historic times.
A further 20km to the north-east is Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano which is an idyllic spot to stop for lunch during a visit to the region. Nearby Levie is also worth a visit not least for its Alta Rocca Museum where the skeleton of the ‘Lady of Bonifacio’ dating back to 6570BC is on display.
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