Bonifacio, with 3,344 residents in 2023, is Corsica's southernmost town. Its highlights fit into a day: the upper town and its citadel on a limestone headland, the King of Aragon's staircase (189 steps carved into the cliff), the churches of Sainte-Marie-Majeure and Saint-Dominique, the town cemetery, Cape Pertusato and its lighthouse, then the cliffs from the sea. The harbour is also where boats leave for Lavezzi and ferries for Sardinia.
Key facts
- Upper town and citadel, a listed monument, on a headland 1,600 m long.
- King of Aragon's staircase: 189 steps, open to visitors all year round.
- Cape Pertusato: 6 min by car, view of Sardinia.
- Ferries to Santa Teresa Gallura (Sardinia) from the harbour.
The highlights
| Place | Why go |
|---|---|
| The upper town and citadel | Genoese lanes on the edge of the drop, a listed monument |
| The King of Aragon’s staircase | 189 steps cut into the cliff down to the sea |
| The Bastion de l’Étendard | part of the citadel’s fortifications |
| Sainte-Marie-Majeure church | 12th and 13th centuries, loggia, listed in 1982 |
| Saint-Dominique church | early 14th century, listed in 1862 |
| The town cemetery | opened in 1823 |
| Cape Pertusato and its lighthouse | Corsica’s southern tip, view of Sardinia |
| The cliffs by boat | an hour at sea, see Bonifacio by boat |
The upper town
The citadel stands on a limestone headland 1,600 metres long and 100 metres wide, rare in Corsica where the bedrock is mostly granite. The houses on the edge of the cliff seem to hang in the balance. The town was founded around 830 by Boniface II of Tuscany, then resettled by Ligurian families after Genoa took it in 1195: a Ligurian dialect, distinct from Corsican, was still spoken there.
The King of Aragon’s staircase
Carved into the cliff, it drops 189 steps at an angle of about 45° to a path 15 metres above the sea, then on to a cave that once held a spring. It is open to visitors all year round. Legend has it that the King of Aragon’s troops dug it in one night during the siege of 1420; it was more probably the work of Franciscan monks.
Around the town
- Cape Pertusato: 3.4 km and 6 minutes by car (OpenStreetMap). The lighthouse looks over the strait, with Sardinia opposite.
- Beaches: Petit and Grand Sperone, Piantarella, Rondinara, see beaches near Bonifacio.
- Sardinia: ferries to Santa Teresa Gallura, about 50 minutes to 1 hour.
- Lavezzi: 30 minutes by boat, see Lavezzi from Bonifacio, and the story of the Sémillante shipwreck.
- All the trips: the Lavezzi activities table.
To stay in town, see where to stay.
Book a trip
Bonifacio's most popular trips
Visit Bonifacio by sea1.5 hours★ 4.9 (361 reviews)from €35Check availability
From Bonifacio: Lavezzi Islands Half-Day Boat Tour3 hours★ 4.8 (229 reviews)from €60Check availability
From Bonifacio: Day Trip to La Maddalena in Sardinia7 hoursfrom €110Check availability
"From" prices checked on 9 November 2026 and may have changed.
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Frequently asked questions
How long do you need to visit Bonifacio?
Half a day is enough for the upper town and the King of Aragon's staircase. With the cliffs by boat and a trip to Lavezzi, allow a full day or two half days.
Can you go to Sardinia from Bonifacio?
Yes, ferries link Bonifacio and Santa Teresa Gallura. Booking sites give a crossing time of about 50 minutes to 1 hour, operated by Moby Lines and Ichnusa Lines.
Is Bonifacio worth visiting in winter?
Yes, the upper town and the King of Aragon's staircase are open all year; only boat trips are reduced, with SPMB keeping a non-stop winter circuit.
Sources
Information checked against the sources below. Timetables, prices and rules change: confirm before you go.
- Wikipedia (French), Bonifacio: 2023 population, heritage, harbour, accessed 9 November 2026
- Wikipedia (French), King of Aragon's staircase, accessed 9 November 2026
- Omio, Bonifacio to Santa Teresa Gallura ferries: operators, duration, accessed 9 November 2026
- OSRM on OpenStreetMap, Bonifacio to Cape Pertusato by road, accessed 9 November 2026
- SPMB, winter circuit (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
