Calvi, Corsica cruises
Calvi Port Guide
Nestled on Corsica’s north coast, Calvi offers all the ingredients for a wonderful day ashore. Its 6km beach is a canvas of white sand, lapped by waters of crystal-clarity. The town – a blend of terracotta rooftops, stone walls, and traditional wooden shutters – beams with historic charm and character. Rustic, yet unmistakably refined, it has all the hallmarks of classic French style.
Keen hikers will be spoilt for choice when it comes to scenic walking spots – the views of Calvi Bay from the Notre Dame de la Serra Chapel are particularly special. Or perhaps you’re happier people-watching? In which case, grab a table at one of the restaurants at Calvi’s marina. It’s the hub of all the action in the city. Not to mention a perfect spot for an al fresco lunch or coffee.
Calvi is also the gateway to many other Corsican treasures, including the villages of Balagne. The closest of these (Lumio) is just a convenient 15-minute drive from town – perfectly ‘doable’ on a port call. if you have more time, you might prefer to take a tour to the Scandola Nature Reserve. One of Corsica’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it’s a longer drive away but the scenery is worth every effort to get there.
Top landmarks and sights in Calvi
Calvi Citadel
A must-see in Calvi (not only because its elevated position makes it impossible to miss). Inside the walls of this Genoise fortress you’ll find a history that dates back centuries. It’s also home to some of Calvi’s most sought out attractions, including the city’s famous Saint John the Baptist Cathedral. Marked maps and an audio guide are available from the Tourist Information Centre, but just wandering aimlessly through the narrow streets is equally entertaining. Word of warning: the streets are narrow and steep with many uphill climbs, so wear comfortable walking shoes if you’re planning on spending even a little of your time here.
Notre Dame de la Serra Chapel
If you were thought the views from Calvi’s citadel were good, wait until you feast your eyes upon those offered at Notre Dame de la Serra. The 15th Century Chapel, complete with sculpture depicting the Virgin Mary, has attracted pilgrims for over 500 years. It’s a beautifully preserved piece of Corsican history that’s celebrated by Island natives in a ceremony each September. The other reason people venture up here? The views. At 216m above Calvi, the scenery is spectacular. Mountains. Sea. The Citadel. Panoramas this good are hard to come by.
Things to do in Calvi
Spend a few hours on the beach
With a curved bay of spotless white sand, no one would blame you for wanting to spend your day in Calvi on the beach. The water is just as inviting. Transparent, shallow, and calm, it’s perfect if you’re looking to do a few lengths, or even just stand in the wake letting the waves wash over your feet. Location wise, the setting couldn’t be prettier. Backed by pine trees and with the citadel visible in the distance, it’s a picturesque outlook no matter which direction you find yourself facing. It’s also within walking distance of the cruise ship tender drop-off, handy if you want to pop back on board for lunch after you’ve had your fill of sunbathing.
Explore the lower town
Calvi’s citadel may be full of old-world charm, but it’s not the only place in Calvi you can experience a taste of civilisations gone by. Stretching from the foot of the citadel, and snaking out along the marina, Calvi’s ‘lower town’ offers a similar step back in time, without the steep slopes to contend with. By contrast, the streets in the lower town are almost entirely flat and far more user-friendly. Awash with restaurants, shops, and cafés, the area is also a hub for the city’s artists, perfect if you’re looking to add a piece to your collection.
Visit the villages of Balagne
If seeing some of Corsica’s oldest and most traditional villages appeals, you might want to swap a few hours in Calvi for a Shore Experience to Balagne. The region, famed for its typically Corsican architecture, is – for lack of a better word – stunning. But it’s the villages themselves that will leave a lasting impression. Pretty Pigna with its painted blue shutters. Rugged Speloncato where ochre-coloured houses cling to rocky outcrops. Corbara with its castle ruins. And Lumio, the literal village of light. It’s plain to see why these veritable time capsules court so many visitors.
Eating and drinking in Calvi
Chestnuts, cheeses, and charcuterie. Polenta, pasta, and game. Corsican cuisine combines influences from classic French and Italian gastronomy. If you enjoy rich and gamey flavours, try the island’s signature dish, Civet de Sanglier. A slow cooked casserole, made with boar and red wine, it’s perfect for fans of hearty comfort food. Corsicans, similar to the Spanish, like to take a long three-course lunch, so expect restaurants in Calvi to be at their busiest from noon to mid-afternoon. Looking for a table with a view? Head to the marina, where you’ll find a concentration of cafés and restaurants from which to admire the masts of swaying yachts. Alternatively, for a more intimate dining experience, head to one of the tiny bars and bistros in Calvi’s ‘lower town’. Dining out here offers a taste of typical Corsican cuisine in cave and cellar-like settings. Time your visit right and you may even find yourself being entertained by a local musician.
Shopping in Calvi
Artisan cheeses, honeys, and jams. Slither-thin slices of cured meats. Glassware, pottery, and woven baskets. Shopping in Calvi blends gourmet delights with designer fashion and traditional local crafts. For the largest selection of shops in Calvi, head to Boulevard Wilson, Avenue Christophe Colomb and Rue Clémenceau. Here, you’ll find a mix of brand names, interspersed with independent makers offering quintessentially Corsican keepsakes. The ‘lower town’, located just at the foot of Calvi’s unmissable citadel, is another of the city’s top shopping spots. The narrow and atmospheric streets here have long been a hub for artists and craftsmen. With an open door policy, don’t be shy about wandering inside and browsing the wares.
Getting around, Calvi transport
Public transport isn’t as widely available in Calvi as you might be used to in other ports. There are no busses, and taxis, though available, can be expensive – particularly if you plan on venturing outside of town. For those looking to visit some of Calvi’s nearby beaches, a short coastal train offers travel to Île Rousse and Bastia. If you’re planning on staying in Calvi for the duration of your time ashore, you’ll find the city’s own beach, its marina, and citadel all within walking distance of the tender drop-off point. For trips further afield, we recommend booking a Shore Experience or talking to our on board team who can organise a private transfer for you.
Calvi port facilities
Calvi has no cruise port facilities so passengers arriving by ship will be tendered to shore. The drop-off and pick-up point for these transfers is at the edge of the city’s ‘lower town’, right in the heart of central Calvi. From here you can explore the narrow streets of this flatter part of the city, or venture into the maze-like alleys of its ancient Genoise fortress.
Calvi quick tips
Currency
The currency in Calvi is the Euro. As visiting cruise ships anchor ashore, we recommend using the currency exchange on board your Cunard Queen if you need to exchange British Pound Sterling. As with all other on board purchases, currency exchange transactions are charged to your on board account, so there’s no need to have cash on you.
Weather
If you’re visiting Calvi in July and August, you’ll find the weather to be warm and sunny with average highs of 24˚C. January and February are traditionally the coldest months of the year to visit, but even then, temperatures can be as high as 9 degrees. Calvi’s wettest month is November, when it experiences almost double the amount of rain as other times of year. Conversely, the city’s hottest months are also its driest, with rainfall almost unheard of in July and August. These two months also see the city bathed in light, with average days offering 11 hours of sunshine versus four hours in November and December.
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