Skip to content
LarkTours

Routes · Europe

Chicago to Corsica: Bonifacio and Calvi

Chicago → Bonifacio → Calvi

Bonifacio, Corse-du-Sud
"Bonifacio.jpg" by Traroth, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Chapelle Sainte Barbe de Pruno 01 (Figari)
Photo: Cqui, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Clifftop citadels & mountain villages Best season (general guide): May–Jun, Sep–Oct

Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean, is a mountain range rising out of the sea, and this route links its two most striking citadel towns. It spends three nights in Bonifacio and three in Calvi. From Chicago you'll connect via Paris to Figari, the airport near Bonifacio, and return there at the end.

How to pace it: Bonifacio's old town sits on white limestone cliffs at the island's southern tip, with houses perched over the edge. Walk it on arrival and climb the King of Aragon's Stairway, a steep flight of steps cut into the cliff that legend says was carved in a single night. On day two, take a boat trip under the cliffs, and on day three go out to the Lavezzi islands, a protected archipelago of clear water and granite boulders in the Strait of Bonifacio, which separates Corsica from Sardinia.

Day four is the drive north over the mountains to Calvi, a long day, so start early. Calvi has a Genoese citadel above a long sandy bay; Corsica was ruled by Genoa for centuries before passing to France in 1768, and Genoese watchtowers still line much of the coast. Calvi also claims to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, though historians generally place it in Genoa. Give day six to the Balagne, a region of hill villages, olive groves and craft workshops behind the town.

Hikers should know that the GR 20, one of Europe's toughest long-distance trails, runs for about 180 kilometres from Calenzana, near Calvi, to Conca. Try brocciu, a fresh sheep or goat cheese used in everything from omelettes to desserts, and listen out for paghjella, the polyphonic singing listed by UNESCO.

Practical notes: May, June, September and October are the most pleasant months; August is crowded.

Safety: Canada asks travellers to France to take a high degree of caution (updated 11 Aug 2026), and the US rates France Level 2 (28 May 2025).

Suggested outline

  1. Chicago

    Start

  2. Bonifacio

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    A citadel town on white cliffs above the strait.

  3. Calvi

    Overland · 3 nights suggested

    A Genoese citadel above a long bay, gateway to the Balagne.

    Calvi
    "Corsica Calvi ex Hopital Militaire.jpg" by Isiwal, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Bonifacio — Arrive; the old town· Chicago → Figari (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day, then Figari → Bonifacio (overland)
  2. Day 2 · Bonifacio — Boat under the cliffs
  3. Day 3 · Bonifacio — Lavezzi islands
  4. Day 4 · Calvi — Mountain road north to Calvi· Bonifacio → Calvi (overland)
  5. Day 5 · Calvi — Citadel and the bay
  6. Day 6 · Calvi — Balagne hill villages
  7. Day 7 · Calvi — Travel home from Calvi· Calvi → Figari (overland), then Figari → Chicago (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

Each button opens a live, dated search. We don't show stored fares here: check today's price on the booking site.

Showing dates about a month ahead — change them when you search.

Bonifacio

Nearest airport: Figari Search fares · Figari ↗

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.