It's impossible to resist the charm of this very touristy yet divine place! We love the old village just as much as the natural setting that surrounds it: dizzying cliffs smashed by the sea, and on the other side of the town a fjord as calm as Olympus where the boats anchor. Make the most of the view from Bonifacio, day or night, because the "city of cliffs" has an absolutely magical setting!
The magnificent cliffs of Bonifacio are unsurprisingly among the most beautiful places in Corsica. And if you're already familiar with them, you'll no doubt have noticed this strange staircase carved into the rock and leading down to the sea. This is the King of Aragon's Staircase, a must-see if you're planning your next holiday in southern Corsica.
A little history first: Bonifacio owes its name to a ninth-century Tuscan nobleman, the Marquis Boniface. The originally prized and impregnable fortress has seen more than one battle. Pirates, Genoese, Spanish and French all fought to conquer it. It was finally inherited by France in 1768 under the Treaty of Versailles. Since then, Bonifacio has enjoyed a relatively peaceful existence.
Bonifacio is a town with a thousand years of architecture, carved out of the rock. The King of Aragon's Staircase is a prime example, with its 187 steps carved into the cliff (see below). We recommend a visit to the church of Saint-Dominique, dating from the mid-14th century and one of the few remaining examples of Gothic architecture on the Ile de Beauté. You can also take a detour to the Bastion de l'Étendard Museum, where you can learn about the history of the town, and finish your visit with a few steps on the esplanade, from where you can enjoy an extraordinary panoramic view.
Take a boat trip to discover Bonifacio's caves and coves, as well as the Lavezzi Islands and their nature reserve designed to preserve the animal and plant species present. On the Plateau du Bosco, enter Bonifacio's marine cemetery, one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean, with its large white steles facing the sea.
The cliffs of Bonifacio are a spectacular natural sight! These immense limestone ramparts are at their most breathtaking at the Campu Rumanillu path and Cap de Pertusatu, the southernmost point of Corsica. The cliffs plunge into crystal-clear Mediterranean waters.
There are a number of hiking trails through the area. The one at Campu Rumanillu offers breathtaking views of the Bouches de Bonifacio and Sardinia. The walk takes between 45 minutes and 1h30. That said, for those with more time, other routes are available.
The local flora and fauna are used to high temperatures and strong winds. You'll come across plenty of astragalus and sarsaparilla, among other plants. Few animals have taken up residence here, but seabirds such as cormorants and gulls are common.
The cliffs of Bonifacio are part of a nature reserve, so it is forbidden to fish or pick anything. It is also forbidden to camp there or use motor vehicles.
Carved into the limestone cliffs, this vertiginous staircase holds the citadel's best-kept secret... To access this path, listed as a "Historic Monument and Picturesque Site of Corsica", you have to enter the fortress of Bonifacio and cross the upper town to the end of rue Simon-Varsi.
At the entrance to the site is a small ticket office where you can buy a ticket, as there is a charge for the tour. Then it's off down 187 steep steps to the foot of the cliffs, a difference of around 60 metres between start and finish. A good level of fitness is therefore recommended.
The views along the way are breathtaking! You'll have an exceptional 180° panorama of the cliffs, the turquoise sea and, just opposite, Sardinia. Once at the bottom, just below the water, a path cut into the cliff gives access to a grotto where you can dip your feet and rest after so much effort.
A word of advice: forget your flip-flops! It's best to wear good walking shoes and be in good physical condition to descend to the sea via these irregular steps carved into the limestone rock. Because although the stairs are secured with railings, the slope is still slippery. Not to mention the climb back up, which takes a lot of courage and puts a strain on the knees!
👛 Price for a single visit: €5
⏰ Tours are available Monday to Friday, at 11am and 2pm. Further information and bookings on the Bonifacio Tourist Office website.
Legend has it that the structure was dug by hand in a single night, by the Spanish troops of King Alfonso V of Aragon, during the siege of the citadel of Bonifacio in 1420, which at the time was a stronghold ruled by the Genoese.
In reality, however, it would have taken much longer to build, as the staircase existed before the siege by the King of Aragon. It would have been created by Franciscan monks to access a freshwater spring - the Saint-Barthélemy well - located in the cave at the foot of the cliff. The fact remains, however, that this 45° inclined staircase is a feat of medieval engineering that has stood the test of time without ever collapsing!
In the heart of the citadel, protected by the ramparts, these hotels are perfect for immersing yourself in the history of the ancient Genoese city.
Corsica
Bonifacio
