Calvi is ideally situated on the Ile de Beauté, between the sea and the mountains, between Ile Rousse and the beautiful Balagne region with its many orchards. After a 3-hour flight, you'll reach the town of Calvi, which over the years has forged its reputation as a trendy spot.
With this one-week itinerary, we invite you to discover the Calvi area in a whole new way, with its combination of nature, heritage, authenticity and conviviality. It's less well known, but the area around Calvi is home to a large number of charming little villages.
While Corsica is renowned for its heavenly landscapes, with white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, you shouldn't miss out on its most beautiful villages. These hamlets, with their granite and schist houses, narrow streets and churches, capture the very soul of Corsica. A true identity of the island, these numerous villages perched in the mountains or by the sea reveal their secrets to the travellers who visit them. Let's get started!
When you arrive in Calvi, collect your hire car from the airport before heading for your first stop on this tour of the most beautiful villages around Calvi: Montemaggiore!
The village of Montemaggiore is characterised by its small houses with colourful shutters and steep streets. Each of the facades of the houses features original stone carvings.
Three visits not to be missed: the ruins of the old village, the church of Saint-Rainier and an oil mill on the outskirts of the village.
B&B La Casa Basgiu offers rooms with a terrace and mountain views. A jacuzzi is available and breakfast is included. Rates are around €120 per night.
Corsica
Recognised as one of the most beautiful in France, and considered to be one of the oldest villages on the island, Sant'Antonino dominates the Aregno and Reginu plains. Beyond its undeniable charm, perched on a hill, this eagle's nest village offers a magnificent panorama of the coastline.
Three not-to-be-missed visits: the ruins of the medieval castle, its 11th-century church and a donkey ride through the narrow streets and countryside.
L'Aghjalle is 2 km from Sant'Antonino. Quiet and restful, the hotel offers family rooms with garden and terrace overlooking the mountains. Rates are around €80 per night.
Corsica
Speloncato is a town built on a rocky outcrop 570 metres above sea level. Right in the heart of the mountains, it is home to a wealth of wildlife and beautiful buildings.
Three not-to-be-missed visits: the church of Santa Catalina, its grottoes and the palace of Cardinal Savelli.
Hotel A Spelunca offers spacious rooms in the former palace of Cardinal Savelli. Traces of the past are evident in the decor. During their stay, travellers can enjoy the restaurant, which serves high-quality local produce, as well as the terrace with its breathtaking views over the valley. The price is around €140 for two nights.
Corsica
Perched at an altitude of 218 metres, Monticello has a surprising array of old houses built around the church of San Sebastianu. A peaceful village, Monticello offers horse-riding, mini-golf and shooting.
Three not-to-be-missed sights: the church of Saint-François-Xavier, the Genoese tower of Saleccia and the chapel of the Confrérie San Carlo Borromée.
In the heart of the village of Monticello, Hotel A Pasturella offers rooms with balcony and private bathroom. They cost around €120 per night.
Corsica
Like an open-air museum, Corbara has much to offer: seven kilometres of protected coastline, typically Corsican lanes filled with traditional songs and local crafts, and relics that bear witness to the past.
Three visits not to be missed: the wash-house of yesteryear, the Guy Saveli private museum and the chapel of Notre-Dame des sept douleurs.
The A ChiOsella guest house offers good value for money. The double rooms have en suite bathrooms and access to the terrace with views of the mountains and garden. Guests can enjoy a reading area, hammock and unlimited hot drinks. The site is the starting point for a number of hiking trails.
Corsica
Built in the year 816, Pigna is a little jewel with a population of around one hundred. Overlooking the village of Algajola, you can discover its cobbled streets, stone houses and, above all, its craftsmen who share their skills, making the island so rich.
Three not-to-be-missed sights: the church of Santa Maria and its old wash-house, the chapel of San Petru è Paulu, and the mansion "u casone Colonna de Leca" with its high crenellated walls.
The Sant'Antone inn is 2.5 km from Pigna. In the heart of an idyllic setting where mountains, forest and sea merge, the hotel offers quality services with an outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi. The restaurant focuses on local produce. Expect to pay around €110 per night.
Corsica
On this last day, before heading off to Cali, make one last stop in the village of Lumio, just 10 minutes from the airport. Bathed in light as its name suggests, the village of Lumio is much quieter than its neighbour Calvi. It's the perfect place to enjoy one last day of peace and quiet while admiring the bay of Calvi.
Three not-to-be-missed sights: the church of Santa Maria and its old wash-house, the chapel of San Petru è Paulu, and the mansion "u casone Colonna de Leca" with its high crenellated walls.
