Learn how to visit Sant’Antonino, one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France® and Corsica! Perched on its hillside, it has a few surprises in store for you.
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The village of Sant’Antonino is located in Haute-Corse. Perched for centuries on a hill overlooking Balagne and the Mediterranean Sea, it ranks as one of the most beautiful villages in Corsica and France. It has the particularity of being oval-shaped and of having preserved its charm of yesteryear. Visiting Sant’Antonino is like stepping back in time and exploring the history of this small village.
Discover the must-sees for a successful visit to Sant’Antonino.
1. The village
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Pawel Kazmierczak
Sant’Antonino’s main attraction is, of course, the village itself. The ancient architecture, its spiral shape and the numerous arches will seduce you from the moment you arrive. With cobbled streets, colorful shutters and flower-filled alleys, everything is there to charm visitors.
The valley that surrounds it is made up of mountains, scrubland and pretty panoramas all the way to the sea. These can be seen throughout the village as you stroll along.
2. Places of religious worship
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Jon Ingall
Like all French villages, towns and cities, Sant’Antonino has its share of religious buildings.
These include the Church of the Annunciation (or of Sant’Antonino), the Church of the Trinity, the Chapel of Our Lady of Lavasina and the Chapel of Saint-Anne des Bergers. In their own way, all these buildings bear witness to the period in which they were built, and are a natural part of the Corsican landscape.
3. Panorama of the Nonza Basin
Photo credit: Shutterstock – pio3
From the top of the village of Sant’Antonino, discover the Panorama sur le Bassin de Nonza. It’s a 360° view of the entire Balagne region, from the wild mountains to the Mediterranean horizon.
A real feast for the eyes, you can’t visit Sant’Antonino in its entirety without observing this panorama!
4. Typical shops
Photo credit: Instagram – iscalini
Proud of their traditions, crafts and culture, the people of Corsica like to keep them alive. The village of Sant’Antonino is home to a large number of stores offering visitors the chance to discover them.
You’ll find stores selling cutlery, souvenirs, handmade objects, a wine cellar and even a ceramics workshop. Take a stroll through the narrow streets and be surprised by the charm of some of these stores!
5. Hiking
Photo credit: shutterstock – Pawel Kazmierczak
There are a number of hiking trails that start in or pass through Sant’Antonino. Set off to conquer the surrounding countryside, which will remain wild but will still let you discover it. Loops criss-cross the surrounding area for the pleasure of both occasional and expert walkers.
The Three Perched Villages Hike
The « Randonnée des Trois Villages Perchés », for example, takes you to Sant’Antonino and its two neighbors, Pigna and Corbara. This huge 13-kilometer loop, with a vertical drop of 587 meters, is a hike of moderate difficulty, but with extraordinary scenery.
A perfect blend of nature trail and village trail, to be discovered without further ado!
6. The surrounding area
Calvi
Photo credit: shutterstock – Eva Bocek
Calvi is one of Corsica’s most famous towns, renowned for its relaxed lifestyle, its port and its jet-set. A veritable Saint-Tropez of Corsica, it attracts thousands of tourists every year to enjoy Calvi’s unique atmosphere.
Every summer,Calvi on the Rocks, a contemporary music festival, builds its reputation.
French and international acts perform here, creating a festive atmosphere much appreciated by visitors and locals alike. Calvi is also a delightful town to discover: the Quai Landry, the citadel, the beaches….
L’Île-Rousse
Photo credit: shutetrstock – Matteo Gabrieli
A little smaller than Calvi, but still very popular, the seaside resort of L’Île-Rousse is a must-see in the Sant’Antonino area. Don’t hesitate to visit the town, its streets and its coastline.
Take time to stroll along the seafront, with the turquoise waters stretching out at your feet. And why not rent a boat and explore the Corsican coastline?
Lake Codole
Photo credit: shutterstock – Jon Ingall
As the crow flies, Lake Codole is just 3 kilometers from the village of Sant’Antonino. On foot, the lake is only 5.6 kilometers away. If you want to get there by car, however, you’ll have to take a 13.5-kilometer detour (29 min drive).
Yes, Corsican roads are notoriously spartan, and they’re not always the quickest option. Once you’re there, at Lac de Codole, you can relax by the huge expanse of water in the hollow of the Reginu valley.
Algajola and its beach
Photo credit: shutterstock – Allard One
Algajola is a village on the Balagne coast, stretching along the seafront. It is best known for its immense beach, which resembles a tropical paradise. Just a few kilometers from Sant’Antonino, it’s the ideal place to sunbathe, take a dip or discover the seabed.
How to get to Sant’Antonino
There are two ways to reach the Corsican coast: by ferry or by plane. If you choose to fly, you’ll need to consider renting a car on site for a more independent stay. We recommend that you consult a flight comparator like Skyscanner to find out more about the best deals available.
To visit Sant’Antonino, the first option is to arrive via Calvi, located 21 kilometers from the village of Sant’Antonino (30 min drive). Calvi airport is linked to several French cities, including Paris, Nice and Marseille on a daily basis. Its port, on the other hand, is linked only to Nice.
Alternatively, you can take the ferry to L’Île-Rousse, 14 kilometers away (25 min drive). Its port is linked to Marseille, Toulon and Nice.
As a last resort, you can always arrive by plane or ferry from Bastia. But then you’ll have to travel almost 100 kilometers to Sant’Antonino (1 hr. 45 min. journey).
Where to stay in Sant’Antonino?
The village of Sant’Antonino is very small, but it does offer some accommodation. There are no hotels as we know them. Instead, there are numerous Airbnb accommodations or gîtes and chambres d’hôtes.
The vast majority of these are listed on hotel comparison sites, so don’t hesitate to check them out. Alternatively, for those wishing to stay outside Sant’Antonino, opt for Calvi, Lumio or L’Île-Rousse, major towns located close to the village.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Sant’Antonino, Corsica