Calvi, the jewel in the crown of Haute Corse, is an ideal destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Whether you're a swimmer, scuba diver or hiker, here are the top 10 things to do in Calvi for an unforgettable stay.
A brief overview :
🏖️ Calvi beach : the pine-fringed beach
☀️ Hike to the Revellata lighthouse : stroll and coves
🌳 Bonifato forest : natural pools and fresh air
🤿 Discover Scuba diving : discover Corsica's incredible seabed
🏡 Visit the villages of Balagne: breathtaking views
🚤 Take a boat trip to the Scandola reserve : one of Corsica's most beautiful spots
🚃 Take the little train : a panoramic ride along the coastline
☀️ Occi : the abandoned village suspended from the Balagne sky
🌊 La pointe de Spano : wild nature at the gateway to Calvi
⛪️ Notre Dame de la Serra : Calvi's finest panorama
Lounging on Calvi beach 🏖️
With its fine sand and turquoise water, Calvi's beach is perfect for a relaxing day out. This shallow beach is ideal for families with children and offers magnificent views of the citadel and mountains.
Calvi beach is over 2km long: feel free to explore it to find the perfect spot. Just beyond, you'll find a wooden walkway lined with pine trees that runs alongside the sea, ideal for a stroll at the end of the day.
For a more intimate cove, visit plage du Roncu, behind pointe saint François.
📍 Activities to try:
- Paddle and kayak to explore the bay.
- Sailing lessons with the Calvi Nautique Club.
- Snorkeling to admire the seabed: + more info in this article
💡 Tip: To watch the sunset, walk to the end of the beach, past the Club Olympique to enjoy a magnificent view of the citadel lit up by the end-of-day lights .
Hike to the Revellata lighthouse: the most beautiful walk in Calvi
For Corsican hikers, the Revellata lighthouse trail is a must. You can start from the center of Calvi: several departures are possible (more info here). It's a fairly long walk (at least 3 hours), but you can stop for a swim in several creeks along the way, or have a picnic along the way.
You can admire the turquoise waters of Alga beach and the wild landscapes of the Revellata peninsula.
📍 Hiking details
- Distance: 9 km round trip
- Duration: 3h to 4h
- Difficulty: Medium
💡 Tip: Go early in the morning or late in the day to avoid the heat and enjoy the golden sunlight.
My favorite ❤️: The Bonifato forest
Imagine a forest in the mountains, a river, freshness, calm, sunlight streaming through the greenery, natural pools: a corner of paradise.
Located just 30 minutes from Calvi, several hiking trails are available: more info here. You don't need to be a seasoned hiker, you'll find a trail to suit you, and you can simply stop by the river without having to walk!
📍 Don't miss:
- The start of the GR20, one of Europe's most mythical hiking trails.
- The natural basins perfect for a refreshing dip.
💡 Tip: Bring a picnic and enjoy a cool day.
Try scuba diving in Calvi 🤿: Explore Corsica's seabed
Calvi is one of the best diving spots in Corsica.
A first dive in Calvi will allow you to explore exceptional seabeds, even without previous experience.
📍 The best diving sites in Calvi :
- Réserve de la Revellata : ideal for beginners and experienced divers alike.
- Wreck of the B17 : a mythical dive for certified divers.
- Pointe Saint-François : rich in underwater flora and fauna.
💡 Tip: Book your dive with Plongée Castille for a safe, supervised experience: book here
Visit the villages of Balagne 🏡 : Immerse yourself in authentic Corsica
Balagne is a region known for its picturesque villages clinging to the mountainside. It's the perfect place for a cultural stroll and dinner with a view.
📍 Must-sees :
- Sant'Antonino: ranked among the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”.
- Pigna : an artisan village with ceramics and music workshops.
- Corbara : a charming, typical village
💡 Tip: For a sunset meal, try I Scalini in Sant Antonino or Casarella in Pigna.
Boat trip to the Scandola reserve 🚤: A UNESCO-listed jewel
The Scandola Reserve, accessible only by boat, is one of Corsica's most beautiful landscapes. Between red cliffs and translucent waters, you may come across dolphins or ospreys.
📍 Departure from Calvi harbor
- Boat excursions available with local guides.
- Possibility of combining with a visit to Girolata, a village accessible only by boat or on foot.
💡 Tip: Plan a private boat excursion around a snorkeling or diving activity for even more magic: + more info
Take the Calvi little train 🚃 : A panoramic ride along the coastline
This train, also known as “La Micheline”, links Calvi to Ile Rousse at a leisurely pace, ideal for admiring the scenery between scrubland and crystal-clear waters. One of the advantages is that you can hop on and off at various stops along the region's most beautiful beaches :
Plage de l'Ostriconi: One of Balagne's wildest and most unspoilt beaches.
Algajola: A charming seaside village
Bodri and Lozari: Two heavenly white-sand beaches
Of course, you can also visit its terminus: Ile Rousse. An ideal place to store, improvise a game of pétanque, have a drink or swim at the beach.
📍 Departure from Calvi station: timetable here
- Calvi - Ile Rousse: approx. 50 minutes
- 22 kilometers
💡 Tip: Arrive at least 20 minutes before departure to ensure a seat.
The Abandoned Village of Occi: Balagne's ghost village
Perched on the heights of Lumio, in the Balagne region, the abandoned village of Occi offers an exceptional panorama of the Bay of Calvi and the Corsican mountains. Founded in the Middle Ages by inhabitants fleeing invasions, it was gradually deserted in the XIXᵉ century, until the last inhabitant left in 1918.
Accessible only on foot from Lumio, Occi reveals the ruins of its stone houses and its Saint-Pierre chapel, restored in 2000. The site, steeped in history and mystery, is ideal at sunset, when the golden light sublimates the landscape. Departure is from Lumio, from the Casa Di Ma hotel parking lot. + more info here
📍 Medium difficulty hike
Loop approx. 2h30
6 kilometers
350 meters of ascent
💡 Tip: Pack a picnic lunch for the sunset, a magical moment guaranteed!
La pointe de Spano : Wild nature at the gateway to Calvi
Located just a few kilometers from Calvi, the Pointe de Spano is a natural wonder that has remained untouched by mass tourism. This exceptional site offers a landscape of wind-sculpted granite rocks, surrounded by crystal-clear water ideal for swimming. Several walks are possible : you can park here, for example, and walk along the coast, or take a longer hike + more info here
📍 Why go there?
- Secret coves perfect for a leisurely swim.
- An easy hiking trail offering breathtaking views of the Gulf of Calvi and its citadel.
- An ideal snorkeling spot + more info here
💡 Tip: Take a stroll at sunset: the view of the citadel is magnificent.
Notre dame de la Serra: Calvi's finest panorama
To round off your stay in style, visit Notre-Dame de la Serra, a chapel perched on a hill offering the most beautiful panoramic view of Calvi.
For hiking enthusiasts, you can continue on your way up to the Austrian Cross + more info here
📍 Why go there?
- 360° panorama of the sea and citadel.
- A quiet, romantic spot.
💡 Tip: Climb at the end of the day to enjoy an unforgettable sunset.
📌Conclusion: What to do in Calvi?
With its heavenly beaches, spectacular hikes, exceptional seabed and authentic villages, Calvi is an ideal destination for a Corsican vacation.
✨So ready to explore Calvi's must-sees?