ABOUT AREA
As you follow the coastal road towards Calvi, you reach the charming little village of Algajola. With a long stretch of beach and a quaint village square, it is the ideal place to relax, unwind and dodge the crowds. The village is a real treasure, remaining calm and tranquil even in the height of the summer and the atmospheric Citadel enhances its Corsican charm with tales of marauding pirates from medieval times.
BEACHES
Aregno
This beach is a kilometre-long curve of coarse sand beneath a picturesque Genoese citadel. During the months of July and August, the beach is extremely busy, but out of high season, you can have this beach pretty much all to yourself! There is a good selection of cafés, restaurants and water sports.
FESTIVALS
Foire de l’Amandier in Aregno
Since 1997, Aregno has played host to Corsicas only Almond festival. Held at the beginning of August, nut farmers and their families travel from all over the island to take part in the cooking competitions.
Foire de l'Alivu in Montegrosso
Around 10,000 visitors honour the olive in July, in a delightful olive grove setting with exhibitions demonstrating olive production over the years and artisans selling refreshments and local produce.
Festivoce in Pigna
Held early August, this festival provides a forum for long nights of traditional a cappella singing in the outdoor amphitheatre.
Rencontres Polyphoniques de Calvi
Polyphonic singing is at the heart of Corsican culture and musicians from around the world perform in the citadel at this event.
THINGS TO SEE & DO
Le Chariot Restaurant
A must visit restaurant in Algajola. With such an amazing Mediterranean feel, and serving some of the best pizzas you will find on the island.
Pigna
The pretty blue shuttered village of Pigna is also well worth a visit, home to some fabulous craft shops and the irresistible setting to the Festivoce, a festival of Corsican polyphony.
Strada di l’Artigiani
Follow the craft trail 'Strada di l’Artigiani' through the villages of la Balagne and sample the local specialities en route
Visit Calvi and the citadel
Calvi Towns social life focuses on the many restaurants and cafés of the quai landry which is a large seafront walkway that links the marina and the port effortlessly. To get the best possible feel of the town, this is the place to be! A walk up through the narrow passageways off quai landry will take you to rue Clemenceau where you will find an array of restaurants and souvenir shops plenty. Further walking will present the Ste-Marie-Majeure, built in 1774.
Calvi – L’lle Rousse by train
This regular service allows you to explore the coastline to the east of Calvi, stopping at all of the beaches en route, which means you can jump on in Algajola and travel in either direction! The line built in the 1880s and 1890s hugging the coast is undoubtedly one of the worlds most scenic railways. The complete journey takes approx 50 minutes, and depending on the time of year travelling, there are between five and 10 return journeys a day.
