The 6 things to do in Sant’Antonino

Learn to visit Sant’Antonino, one of the most beautiful villages in France® but also Corsica! Perched on his hill, he has a few surprises.

It’s in Haute-Corse the village of Sant’Antonino is located. Perched for several centuries on its hill overlooking the Balagne and the Mediterranean Sea, it ranks among the most beautiful villages in Corsica, and France. It has the peculiarity of being oval in shape and having preserved its charm of old. Visiting Sant’Antonino is like a leap in the past and browsing the history of this small village.

Then discover what is uncontourable for a successful visit to Sant’Antonino.

1. The village

The main attraction of Sant’Antonino is of course the village itself. The ancient architecture, its shape of a spiral and the many vaulted will seduce you as soon as you arrive. The streets are paved, the colorful flaps and the flowery alleys, everything is gathered to charm visitors.

The valley that encircles it consists of mountains, maquis and beautiful views to the sea. You can see them everywhere in the village, at the option of your walk.

2. Religious places of worship

As in all the villages, towns and cities of France, Sant’Antonino has its lot of religious buildings.

Among them are the Church of the Annunciation (or Sant’Antonino), the Church of the Trinity, the Chapel Notre-Dame de Lavasina and the Chapel Saint-Anne des Bergers. In their own way, all these buildings offer testimony about the time of their construction and are naturally part of the Corsican landscape.

3. The Panorama on the Nonza Basin

From the top of the village of Sant’Antonino, discover the Panorama on the Nonza Basin. It is in fact a 360° point of view across the Balagne region, from the wild mountains to the Mediterranean horizon.

A true pleasure for your eyes, you will not be able to visit Sant’Antonino in its entirety without seeing this panorama!

4. Typical shops

Beware of their traditions, crafts and culture, the inhabitants of Corsica love to make them endure. To do this, many shops take place in the village of Sant’Antonino and offer visitors the opportunity to discover them.

Thus, you will be able to see designer boutiques, souvenirs, various everyday objects, a wine cellar, and even a ceramic workshop. Take the alleys and let yourself be surprised by the charm of some of these shops!

5. Hiking

There are some hiking trails that start or pass through Sant’Antonino. Then go to the conquest of the surrounding nature, which will remain wild but will still be discovered. loops travel around for the pleasure of walkers, occasional or expert.

The Three Perched Villages Trail

For example, the Trekking of the Three Perched Villages will show you Sant’Antonino and its two neighbors Pigna and Corbara. This huge 13-kilometre loop and a 587-metre gap presents itself as a medium difficulty hike, but with extraordinary landscapes.

A perfect mix between natural and village trails, to be discovered without further delay!

6. Surroundings

Calvi

Calvi

Every summer, a current music festival builds its fame: “ Calvi on the Rocks “.

The French and international scenes take place there, creating a festive atmosphere very appreciated by visitors as locals. Calvi is also a delicious city that discovers itself: the Landry dock, the citadel, the beaches....

Ile-Rousse

A little smaller than Calvi but very crowded, the seaside resort L’Île-Rousse remains a must in the vicinity of Sant’Antonino. Don’t hesitate to visit the city, its streets and its coast.

Moreover, take the time to stroll on the seafront, with the turquoise water that extends to your feet. Also, why not use it to rent a boat and go to the discovery of the Corsican coastline?

Lake Codole

The bird flies, Codole Lake is only 3 kilometres from the village of Sant’Antonino. On foot, alone 5.6 kilometres separate you from the lake. On the other hand, if you want to go by car, you will have to take a detour 13.5 kilometres (29 min.)

And yes, Corsican roads are known to be quite spartan, and they are not always the fastest option. Once on site, at Lake Codole, you can relax at the edge of the huge water supply, at the hollow of the Reginu valley.

Algajola and its beach

Algajola is a coastal village of Balagne, which stretches on the coast, by the sea. It is known in particular for its huge beach in tropical paradise. Just a few kilometers from Sant’Antonino, it is the ideal place to make a bronze, dip or discover the seabed.

How to get to Sant’Antonino?

There are two ways to reach the Corsican coasts: the ferry and the plane. If you choose the plane, you will have to consider renting a car on site for a more autonomous stay. We therefore recommend that you consult a comparison of flights as Skyscanner to learn more about the best offers of the moment.

To visit Sant’Antonino, the first option is to arrive by Calvi , located 21 kilometres from the village of Sant’Antonino (30 min.). Calvi Airport is connected to several cities in France, including daily Paris , Nice and Marseille . However, its port is only connected to the city of Nice.

You can also consider arrival by ferry Ile-Rousse located 14 kilometres (25 min.). Its port is connected to Marseille, Toulon and Nice.

As a last resort, you can always arrive by Bastia by plane or by ferry. But it's near 100 kilometres which then separates you from Sant’Antonino (1h45 journey).

Where to stay in Sant’Antonino?

The village of Sant’Antonino is very small, but nevertheless offers some accommodation offers. There is no hotel as we know them. On the other hand, many are housing Airbnb or B & Bs.

A great majority of them are referenced on a hotel comparison , do not hesitate to consult them. Otherwise, for those who wish to stay outside Sant’Antonino, opt for Calvi , Lumio or Ile-Rousse important cities located near the village.