Bonifacio sits on limestone cliffs at the southern tip of Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean. Its setting is the first thing most visitors remember: pale chalk cliffs drop straight to the water, and the town's houses appear to rest right on the edge, looking out over the Strait of Bonifacio and across to Sardinia.
The old town
The historic upper town is a medieval citadel, reached through narrow cobbled streets and past ancient fortifications. Walking through it is the main reason to come. The lanes are steep and tight, and at many turns a gap in the walls opens onto the sea, so the views keep arriving unexpectedly.
What a visit looks like
- Wander the upper town on foot, allowing time for the steep streets and the walls.
- Stop at the cliff edges to look over the water and the chalk stone.
- Take a boat trip from the harbour to see the cliffs from below and out at sea.
Bonifacio suits a slow, scenic day rather than a long list of sights. Because the town is small and compact, it is easy to see much of it on foot, and the coastline and water views make it a good place for photographs and a relaxed walk.
The town is best approached as a place to take in its position: a fortified settlement balanced on the edge of the sea, with the strait and the cliffs as its constant backdrop. If you enjoy coastal towns with a strong sense of their history and setting, Bonifacio rewards a visit.
