A Corsica walking holiday or a cycling tour of Corsica: exploring Calvi
The coastal city of Calvi is in the north west of the island of Corsica and is well known for its majestic Genoese citadel, perched on a rocky spur, dating back to the 13th century. Initially, the citadel consisted of just 3 Genoese towers that protected the city. After several battles in the Mediterranean, the Genoese decided to completely fortify the city and protect their commercial interests. Most of the population of Calvi lived in the citadel during the Middle Ages and it is within these walls that most of the buildings and monuments linked to these historical events can be seen.
A city split in two
The lower part of the city of Calvi was built during the 19th and 20th centuries as the population grew. (Population of 1 412 in 1856 to 5 177 in 1999!). It is in this part of the city that you can access the beautiful, picture postcard white sandy beach, in the shape of a half-moon and bordered by a pine forest and stroll along the harbour and admire the colourful fishing boats and impressive yachts that are moored there.
Discover the charm of Calvi on your walking trip in Corsica
It is a great city to stroll round, with a maze of narrow streets, offering an abundance shops, delicatessen selling local produce (delicious local cured meats and cheeses, honey and chestnut flour), restaurants, and bars. Soak up the lively atmosphere of the daily covered market, every morning from 8am to 12h30pm. We also recommend walking out to the small Notre Dame de la Serra chapel that overlooks the bay of Calvi and admiring one of the most stunning views in the whole of Corsica.
A walking holiday in Corsica
There are some beautiful hikes to be done in and around Calvi, one of them being the loop walk to the lighthouse on the Revellata peninsula, along a rocky and wild coastal path overlooking small bays and coves along the way, ideal for swimming!
