Bonifacio sits on the southern tip of Corsica, built on a limestone plateau rising 70 metres directly above the sea. The old town — the Haute Ville — is one of the best-preserved medieval citadels in the Mediterranean, and almost everything worth seeing is up there. From the water, the approach through the Goulet is dramatic: sheer white cliffs, a narrow channel, and the town appearing to grow straight out of the rock. We entered on our yacht Rachel and explored the town on foot. This is what you need to know.
A Tour Around Bonifacio Old Town
Watch our short video tour of the Haute Ville — the citadel, the cliff-edge streets, and the views back over the Goulet. Filmed on location during our stop on yacht Rachel.
Getting Up to the Citadel
| On foot | Staircase from the lower town — about 10 minutes. Wear proper shoes. Some sections are steep and the stone is worn smooth. |
| Petit train | €5 per person. Departs from the quayside. Useful in the heat or if you have crew who find the steps difficult. Runs regularly in season. |
| Escalier du Roy d’Aragon | 187 steps cut into the cliff face — legend says in a single night in 1420. Separate from the main staircase. Descend from the citadel side for the best views back over the Goulet entrance. |
️ What to See in the Old Town
Bastion de l’Étendard
The main viewpoint over the Goulet. Stand here before you leave and you’ll understand exactly what you sailed through on arrival — the channel width, the cliff height, the ferry lines. Good for orientation. Free entry.
Porte de Gênes
The original 1598 Genoese drawbridge gate — still the main entrance to the Haute Ville. The gate mechanism is preserved. Walk through it and you enter the medieval street grid directly.
Église Sainte-Marie-Majeure
12th-century church in the centre of the citadel. The cistern beneath the church is the original medieval water supply — carved into the limestone. The loggia on the façade was added in the 16th century.
The Cliff Edge — Rue des Deux Empereurs
Walk the western edge of the citadel. The buildings overhang the cliff directly — in some places by several metres. The view straight down to the sea is 70 metres. This is what makes Bonifacio unlike any other port town in the Mediterranean.
Cimetière Marin
Sailors’ cemetery at the tip of the peninsula with direct views over the Bocche di Bonifacio. A 15-minute walk from the Porte de Gênes. Quiet, well-maintained, rarely crowded even in high season.
Lighthouse Walk — Phare de la Madonetta
A hiking trail leads from the citadel along the cliff top to the lighthouse — the same landmark you identified on approach. About 45 minutes one way. Views of the strait and back over the town. Take water.
️ Don’t Miss: The Secret Beach
There is a small beach accessible from the cliff base that most visitors never find. Not accessible by dinghy — approach from the land side. Worth the effort early in the morning. See location on map.
⚓ Nearby Anchorages
| Anchorage | Distance | Notes |
| Îles Lavezzi | 5 nm E | Nature reserve, 23 granite islets. Turquoise water. Restricted anchoring zones — check current rules. One of the finest anchorages in the western Mediterranean. |
| La Cayenne | 0.5 nm W | Just outside the Goulet entrance. Sand bottom. Calm weather only — exposed to swell and ferry wash. |
| La Catena | 1 nm W | Bay west of the Goulet. More room than La Cayenne. Sand and rock bottom. Calm weather anchorage. |
| Plage du Fazzio | 2 nm W | Quiet sandy bay. Calm conditions only. Good lunch stop. Limited space. |
| Plage de Paraguan | 3 nm W | Sand bottom, reasonable holding. Open to the W — check forecast before anchoring. |
| Isola Piana | 8 nm SW | Flat granite island. Exceptional water clarity. 2–4m anchoring depth. Protected from most winds. Day anchorage. |
| Plage du Petit Sperone | 3 nm E | Sandy beach on the SE coast. Quieter than town beaches. Accessible by dinghy. |
ℹ️ Practical Information
| Town & events | bonifacio-mairie.fr |
| Nearest airport | Figari–Sud Corse Airport — 20 km north. Flights to Paris, Marseille, Lyon in season. Good for crew changes. |
| Ferry to Sardinia | Moby Lines / Sardinia Ferries to Santa Teresa di Gallura — 1 hour, multiple daily in summer |
| Marina booking | resaportcorse.com — essential for July/August |
| Excursion boats | Daily departures from quay — sea caves, Lavezzi Islands, Sardinian coast. Book at quayside kiosks. |
Sailor’s tip: Explore the Haute Ville before 09:00 or after 18:00. In July and August the citadel becomes extremely crowded from mid-morning. The light is also better at those times and the cliff-edge views are clearer before the haze builds.
Full Visual Pilot — Marina Bonifacio
For the full approach, entry through the Goulet, and docking guide, watch the SeaTV Visual Pilot video of Marina Bonifacio — approach from sea, the channel, berths, and facilities.
