Calvi Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Chapelle de Notre Dame de la Serra which includes a marina and a coastal town
Calvi which includes a sandy beach
Calvi featuring heritage architecture and château or palace
Northern Corsica showing a bay or harbour
Calvi featuring a house and heritage architecture

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 harbour 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 organise 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 ₹16,581 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹16,581
₹17,200 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
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! (300 reviews)
"Beautiful property in Calvi. Spacious room and clean. We booked a room with a balcony. No issue during our stay. Receptionnist was very helpful and provided good infos. There is a nice bakery very close to the hotel. Perfect!"

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

Hotel Mariana
Hôtel Les Arbousiers

Hôtel Les Arbousiers

2 out of 5
Route de Pietra Maggiore, Calvi, Haute-Corse
Stay at this hotel in Calvi. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Calvi Beach and Calvi Harbor are located nearby.
8.4/10 Very Good! (102 reviews)
Great value stay
"Great location, excellent value, really friendly helpful front desk, really clean room. Would recommend"

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Hôtel Les Arbousiers
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
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Calvi. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Ste-Marie-Majeure Church ...
9/10 Wonderful! (254 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 12 Sep 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 Dolce Vita

Camping Dolce Vita

3 out of 5
Route de Bastia, Lieu dit Ponte Bambino, Calvi, Haute-Corse
Stay at this 3-star beach campsite in Calvi. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Popular attractions La Pinède and Saint-Restitude are located ...
"Séjour plus que parfait! Des installations et propreté exemplaires . Tout le personnel est d’une gentillesse des plus accueillants et dédiés aux besoins de leurs clients. On s’y sent comme de la royauté..."

Reviewed on 3 Sep 2019

Camping Dolce Vita
Résidence Thalassa

Résidence Thalassa

Route de la Pinède, Calvi
Stay at this aparthotel in Calvi. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a beach locale. Popular attractions La Pinède and Calvi Beach are located nearby.
8.2/10 Very Good! (77 reviews)
"Accueil chaleureux et attentionné, appartement propre. Le prix était cependant trop haut pour le niveau de qualité des espaces."

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2023

Résidence Thalassa
Camping La Pinède

Camping La Pinède

4 out of 5
Route de la Pinède, Calvi
Stay at this 4-star beach campsite in Calvi. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions La Pinède and Calvi Beach are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (49 reviews)
Authentic French Summer Vacation
"We were traveling with our six year old on her birthday and came across this property. We were looking in downtown Calvi but were attracted to this property given the proximity to the beach, the pool and water slide and the 2bd/ 2ba accommodations. Overall we had an amazing stay! The beach is incredible. ..."

Reviewed on 7 Jul 2025

Camping La Pinède
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.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Calvi

4.6
Top destination
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3 - Okay
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5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We went to a nice Polyphonie concert in the. Ath

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