Things to Do in Bastia, France - Bastia Attractions

Things to do in bastia, explore popular experiences, top attractions in bastia.

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  • La Cittadella
  • Musée de Bastia
  • Le vieux port
  • Eglise Saint Jean Baptiste
  • Oratoire de la Confrérie de Sainte Croix
  • Plage de l'Arinella
  • Serra Di Pigno
  • Jardins de l’Annonciade
  • Scappà - Escape Game Made In Corsica
  • Saint-Nicolas Square

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  • 1 Understand
  • 2.1 By plane
  • 2.2 By boat
  • 2.3 By train
  • 3 Get around

Bastia is a city on the French island of Corsica . The small fortifications and pleasant harbour-side areas make for a nice stroll. It is a small city and good for pedestrians.

bastia tourist information office

Understand [ edit ]

Bastia is the second largest city by population in Corsica with almost 49,000 inhabitants (2019). Tourism has not brought much prosperity to the city, and unemployment remains high by French standards.

Bastia received its name from a Genoese construction of a "bastiglia" in the 1300s. Both Bastia and bastiglia are cognates of the English "bastion". Bastia was the principal capital of Genoese Corsica, and it became French only in the late 1760s.

The afternoon siesta is a serious daily event in Bastia, and one should be careful to respect shop hours (e.g. supermarket) in order to be able to buy necessities at normal prices.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ], by boat [ edit ].

The main ferry routes to Bastia are from Marseille , Toulon , and Nice in France, which take about 12 hours, and there are sleeper cabins available. They also sail from Genoa , Savona , Livorno and Piombino in mainland Italy the latter via Portoferraio on Elba. There are no ferries from Sardinia: they sail to Bonifacio on the south tip of Corsica.

The ferries are of uneven quality, even within the same company. They get very busy during the summer, so book early, even if you're just a foot passenger without vehicle or cabin.

  • 42.704717 9.454634 2 Ferry terminal , Gare Maritime . Entry to the port is at the north end of the New Harbour. The passenger terminal is a cramped affair, but has basic facilities. Foot passengers may exit the port by the turnstile opposite Town Hall. ( updated Oct 2017 )

A clutch of car rental offices can be seen on the streets facing the turnstile exit. They're open M-Sa 08:00-20:00, none are open Sunday.

By train [ edit ]

A narrow gauge train service links Bastia with Ajaccio , Corte , Calvi , L'Île-Rousse . The train takes passengers through beautiful valleys and over spectacular passes. However, the fare all the way to Ajaccio is pricey at €22 one-way, and the ride's comfort level is reminiscent of a horse-drawn carriage on a dirt road. As noted in the Corsica page, the locals call it "the shivering one" (U Trinighellu) for good reason.

By bus [ edit ]

There are bus services to/from Calvi , L'Île-Rousse , Saint-Florent on the northwestern part of the island, Solenzara , Porto-Vecchio on the southeast, occasional services to the Cap Corse on the North [1] .

  • 42.702741 9.452485 4 Bus terminal , Bastia, Pays Bastiais, Gare Routière de Bastia, 1 rue du Nouveau Port, 20200 ( just off the Place St Nicolas and the ferry terminal ), ☏ +33 4 95 54 54 54 . ( updated Apr 2015 )

Get around [ edit ]

Map

Explore the town on foot. Much is pedestrianised, and the vehicle routes get very congested.

The city bus network is operated by Société des Autobus Bastiais ( ☏ +33 4 95 31 06 65 ).

A tramway runs from Bastia railway station, for some 25 km (16 mi) south along the coast to Casamozza, where it connects with the mainline train between Bastia and Ajaccio. The tram passes within 2 km of Bastia airport, the nearest stop being Lucciana, but there's no connecting link so it hardly works as a means of "Getting in". It is possible but not pleasant to walk between the two along route D107, while route D507 must be avoided.

As of October 2023, there is no ride-hailing service in Bastia. Taxi service is limited, although they do meet the ferries when the arrive at the terminal. Be sure to book in advance if you have an early morning flight.

  • Taxi Bastia , ☏ +33 4 95 32 70 70 . 04:30-00:00 . ( updated Nov 2023 )

See [ edit ]

bastia tourist information office

The sights of Bastia are grouped around the 42.69603 9.449487 1 Vieux Port .   - the Old Port. The quayside is shabby chic, with tall, faded buildings (many housing restaurants) surrounding a marina with posh yachts. It's particularly charming at dusk and early evening. The twin towers of the 42.696417 9.450131 2 Cathedral ( St Jean Baptiste, St John the Baptist ).   stand prominently here. The area just north is the historic neighbourhood of Terra Vecchia: notable churches are the Oratoire de l'Imaculee Conception and the Confrerie St-Roch.

To the south dominating the harbour is the citadel , built by the Genoese in the 15th-17th centuries. Climb up to it by the street or by the Romieu gardens, to enter via the imposing gateway. Within is the square of Place du Donjon, and the entrance to the Palais de Gouverneurs, which now houses the city museum. Deeper within the warren of alleyways are the former cathedral 42.692377 9.451936 3 Eglise Ste-Marie ( Church of Santa-Maria ).   and the Ortoire Baroque Ste-Croix.

Do [ edit ]

Explore Cap Corse , the rugged peninsula stretching north of Bastia. A very twisty road, the D80, makes for a scenic but occasionally nerve-wracking circular drive. Allow about four hours for this, have at least half a tank of fuel aboard before you start, and do not rush . Going anti-clockwise, follow the main coast road north from Bastia port. This section along the east coast, though twisty, is mostly broad enough for traffic to pass with comfort, and the prospect below is not too vertiginous. It passes through Erbalunga and Pietracorbara to Santa Servera, where the road forks: one branch crossing the mountains via Luri to the west coast, the other continuing along the coast to Macinaggio. Buses from Bastia ply the road this far. Then this road also climbs inland, a cul-de-sac road branches off to the north cape at Barcaggio, and the going gets serious. The route back south along the west coast is narrow, twisting and turning high above the restless sea with no barriers between you and a very long drop. Villages along the way, clinging to the mountainside with scenic but precarious harbours, are Centuri, Pino, Canari and Nonza. Finally the road descends to Patrimonio where you'll be relieved to join the main highway D81 for the last hill-climb back over to Bastia. A short detour the other direction (towards Ile Rousse & Calvi ) takes in the village of Saint-Florent .

There is an argument for driving the Cap Corse route clockwise, so you'd be on the landward side of the road away from the cliff-edge. But the scariest parts are effectively single-track, with oncoming traffic and a mad white van on your tail.

Football: SC Bastia were promoted in 2023 and now play soccer in Ligue 1, the top tier in France. Their home ground Stade Armand-Cesari (capacity 16,000) is in Furiani 10 km south.

Buy [ edit ]

Eat [ edit ].

The Vieux Port restaurants major on seafood, but there's Tex-Mex and mainstream Italian.

  • 42.69634 9.45128 1 Le Jean Bart , ☏ +33 4 95 31 36 31 . For wonderful moules-frites (mussels and French fries) and puddings.  

Drink [ edit ]

Sleep [ edit ].

  • 42.72165 9.45169 1 Pietracap , 20 Route de San Martino . Hotel with a swimming pool. Closed mid-Dec to Feb.  
  • 42.68138 9.4438 2 Sud Hôtel , Avenue de la Libération ( 1 km from centre of town ), ☏ +33 4 95 30 20 61 , [email protected] .  
  • 42.692902 9.450107 3 Hotel des Gouverneurs , 3 bis rue des Turquines ( in citadel overlooking old port ), ☏ +33 4 95 47 10 10 , [email protected] . Great comfort, in great location overlooking old port - if you can find it! In the pedestrianised citadel, nearest vehicle drop-off 200 m away. ( updated Oct 2017 )

Connect [ edit ]

As of June 2022, Bastia has 5G from all French carriers.

Go next [ edit ]

Bastia is a good starting point for a tour of Corsica, but you need your own car - or to be a very fit cyclist - to get around this rugged island.

Public transport options are much more limited, but a daily bus runs to Calvi and all other major Corsican cities, and trains run daily to Corte and Ajaccio .

bastia tourist information office

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Bastia Travel Guide | Corsica Destinations

bastia tourist information office

Bastia, Corsica 's second largest city with a population of about 40.000 people, sits pretty on Corsica's east coast, facing Italy with views out to the Tuscan archipelago. Directly to the the north, and accessible by car or bus is le Cap Corse , a wild peninsula studded with Genoese towers and a vast natural preserve that has become a hiker's paradise.

Bastia is often overlooked for other destinations considered more picturesque. When we visited the city was alive with people going about their business--and that's one of the keys for us when we measure a city's "authentic-ness." What bridges the gap between such a "real" city and a touristy destination is the attention to details that serve to enhance everyone's leisure time--the enormous Place St. Nicolas, lined with cafes, shops and restaurants with a view of the ferry port is just one example. The many Baroque churches, some with the pebble mosaics in front that identify them with Liguria and Genoese traditions offer the traveler coolness, shade, and free art to ponder. Then there's the Citadel and the old houses that make up the colorful "new town", with views out over the vieille ville , the old city and the sea. People still live and shop here; Bastia is a real city.

The cuisine of Bastia is simple and based largely on what the sea provides. The crisp Corsican white wines are a good match for a plate of mussels, but on your trip you'll want to try a beer called Pietra, an amber chestnut beer. (The brewery has a Brasserie on Route de la Marana in Furiani if it turns out you really like it.)

So join us for a little tour of Bastia, from how to get there to where to stay and what to do

Getting to and Getting Around Bastia

FCremona/Moment/Getty Images 

Bastia has an airport called Bastia Poretta, located in Lucciana southeast of Bastia. Autobus Bastiais buses run from 6.30-20.30 to the city center and main station in about 35 minutes.

Budget carrier EasyJet will bring you to Bastia from Geneva , London Gatwick, Lyon , Paris Charles de Gaulle, or Manchester , while Germanwings will bring you from Stuttgart, Berlin or Cologne -Bonn.

Day and Night you'll see a line of ferries crossing the horizon to land at Bastia's commercial port. You can get ferries from Livorno, Italy (4 hours) or Toulon, France on Corsica Ferries . Other ferries can get you to Bastia from Marseille , Nice , and Savona .

There's a very pleasant crossing from Livorno to Bastia, which passes by the islands of Capraia and Elba. The ship has a lounge and employs a piano player for part of the journey, and is a good place to settle in and have one of those Pietra beers. You can get a snack or a formal meal on the boat.

You'll find bus stations scattered through town, depending upon their destinations. It's best to ask at the tourist office in the corner of the Place St. Nicolas that is nearest to the ferry port. You'll find buses to all the major cities.

The (very cute) train station is a bit uphill from the port at av Maréchal Sébastiani. Trains serve Ajaccio, Ile Rousse, Corte and Calvi.

Bastia Attractions - Starting at the Place Saint Nicolas

The first place a tourist should visit is the Place St. Nicolas, the sprawling plan tree-lined square where you'll find everything you might need, from shops to cafes and bars to the tourist office on the north side of the square. Around it are many bus stops. Get to know it. It's just across from where the ferries dock in Bastia.

Sundays a flea market is held in the Place Saint Nicolas, and there is a garment market there on the second Friday every month. The traditional open-air market is held on weekends in the Place de l'Hotel de Ville, south of the Place St. Nicolas.​

From the tourist office, a walk west along the wide Av. Mal Sebastiani brings you to the little train station which is surrounded by bus stops. It's central to getting around Corsican destinations from Bastia.

The street on the west side of the Pace Saint-Nicolas is the Boulevard De Gaulle, following it south brings you to the little shops along the Rue Napoleon. Stop at the Oratoire St-Roch and take a peek at the rich Baroque interior. A little further along is the Oratoire de l'Immaculee Conception (1611) which has a pebble mosaic in front, an indication that the Genoese had the church built.

From there, if you're feeling fit enough for the uphill, you'll continue on to the somewhat ramshackle Vieux Port which has been gussied up a bit and is ringed by restaurants, the next stop on our tour.

Bastia's Old Port

The Vieux Port is the heart of old Bastia. Towering above the ramshackle buildings is Corsica's largest church, the 17th Century Saint-Jean Baptiste. You'll likely find folks fishing in the basin amongst the yachts. For a good view of the old port while you dine, an outdoor table at the somewhat pricy Chez Huguette would do nicely.

Bastia's Market Square

Bastia's market square is really the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, or the City Hall Square. It's right next to the previous church, Saint-Jean Baptiste.

If you don't want to enjoy a leisurely meal at one of the area restaurants, you can buy something at the little market between La Table du Marche and the Saint-Jean Baptiste. They are very helpful if you're selecting a wine or cheese.

The Citadel and the Palais des Gouverneurs

Walk up from the old port and you'll come to the Genoese Citadel. Inside the walls is a village called the Terra Nova, the new town. The building of the Citadel began in 1378 and went on until about 1530.

Here is where the Governors from Genoa had their palace, Palais des Gouverneurs, which now houses the Musée à Bastia , where you can learn about the evolution of society in Bastia and Corsica.

There are many restaurants with advantageous views over the sea and the old port here; it's a good place to stop for lunch.

Shopping in Bastia

You'll have many opportunities to purchase Corsican goods on your Bastia holiday. Like nearby Sardinia (actually a part of the same land mass as Corsica), knives are a specialty here. On your way up to the Citadel,​ you'll come upon quite a few shops selling them.

You might also want to try the aperitif called Cap Corse in a restaurant. It's a wine infused with orange and other fruits found on the island. If you want to purchase a bottle, Cap Cose Mattei is a very well done store in which to buy this aperitif--or other Corsican wines.

Where to Stay in Bastia

You might enjoy a stay at the Hotel l'Alivi , just outside Bastia in the small village of Ville-di-Pietrabugno. It has a fine restaurant with seaside terrace called l'Archipel, which has a view of the sea and the Italian islands on the horizon. Good food, great service and views.  You can easily walk into town from the hotel.

A popular hotel in town is the Best Western Corsica Hotels Bastia Centre.

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France, Corsica, Bastia, Terra-Nova And The Old Port At Sunrise, The Bell Tower Of Ste-Marie Church (Center Left)

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As France’s second busiest passenger port, after Calais, the dynamic city of Bastia remains lively year-round, and offers a wonderful welcome to Corsica. While it may not have the relaxed charm of its long-term rival Ajaccio, and is home to fewer people, it’s much larger to stroll around, and has the feel of a genuine lived-in city that refuses to sell its soul just to please the tourists.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Bastia. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

bastia tourist information office

Looming above the harbour, Bastia’s stern-walled citadel was built between the 15th and 17th centuries for the city’s Genoese masters. Known as the Terra…

Old port and church of St. John the Baptist in Bastia, Corsica, France.

Bastia’s Vieux Port is ringed by precariously tall, pastel-coloured tenements and buzzy brasseries, and overlooked by the twin-towered Église St-Jean…

Terra Vecchia

Terra Vecchia

Criss-crossed by narrow lanes, Terra Vecchia is Bastia’s heart and soul. Shady place de l’Hôtel de Ville hosts a lively morning market on Saturday and…

The Governors Palace in the citadel, Bastia, Corsica, France.

Musée de Bastia

Occupying the former palace of Bastia’s Genoese governors, set into the formidable walls of the citadel, this museum retraces the city’s history from its…

Église St-Jean Baptiste

Église St-Jean Baptiste

The dramatic twin-towered church of John the Baptist soars majestically above the Vieux Port waterfront. Viewed from the citadel above, it’s the most…

Place St-Nicolas

Place St-Nicolas

The 19th-century place St-Nicolas, an enormous paved square that sprawls from the ferry port towards the old harbour, is the focus of the everyday life of…

Cathédrale Ste-Marie

Cathédrale Ste-Marie

Dating from the early 17th century, Bastia's richly ornate cathedral stands in the heart of the citadel. Seven caps hang over the choir, each belonging to…

Jardin Romieu

Jardin Romieu

Climbing the hillside below the mighty walls of the citadel, and threaded through by interlacing paths and stairways, this wooded park makes a scenic…

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Visit Bastia: Top 17 Things To Do and Must-See Attractions

Things to do in bastia: the 17 best places to visit (all highlights).

You’re going to Corsica and plan to visit Bastia?

Great idea!

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared this guide of the 17 best things to do in Bastia , with all points of interest and must-see attractions as well the best beaches around.

In addition to this list of things to do and activities, I will also give you itineraries to visit Bastia in 1, 2 or 3 days as well as my selection of the best accommodations depending on your budget.

So, what are the best things to do in Bastia? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

1. St. Nicolas Square

2. napoleon street, 3. the eglise saint-jean-baptiste, 4. the old port, 5. romieu garden, 6. the citadel of bastia, 7. the governors’ palace / the history museum of bastia, 8. bastia’s best beaches, 9. the biguglia pond nature reserve, 10. the most beautiful marked trails starting from bastia, 11. the perched villages around bastia, 12. cap corse, 13. saint-florent and the agriates desert, 15. the archaeological site of mariana, 16. the wine route, 17. the “route des sens authentiques”, how many days to visit bastia, 1 day in bastia, 2 days in bastia and its surroundings, 3 days or more in bastia and its surroundings, where to stay in bastia, where to eat in bastia, by ferry boat, renting a boat in bastia, tourist map of bastia, you’re traveling to corsica these articles will help you , visit bastia: all must-see attractions.

Let’s start this Bastia travel guide with its most emblematic location: Saint-Nicolas Square .

This vast esplanade, one of France’s largest , is facing the ferry terminal welcoming the boats from the continent or Italy .

It hosts many events all over the year: concerts in summer, an ice rink during the Christmas period and the Salon du Chocolat (Chocolate fair), attracting thousands of gourmets every year in October.

There, you can also enjoy a large flea market on Sunday mornings.

Surrounded by large trees and borded by bars and restaurants, Saint-Nicolas Square is an ideal place to enjoy a drink on a terrace. There, you will also find the Cap Corse MATTEI boutique.

If you want to feel like a local, then you should definitely try  Corsica’s emblematic aperitif brand!

On the square, you will also discover a statue of Napoleon, a war memorial and a bandstand.

Bastia Tourist Office is located on Saint-Nicolas Square. Get your map of the town here!

From the square, you can also take Bastia’s small tourist train. During this 50-minute guided tour, you will discover the city’s main points of interest.

You can buy the tickets at the tourist office, or directly from the driver. And if you’re looking for more information about the train, you should visit the official website.

Saint Nicolas Square Bastia

Napoleon Street is a pedestrian street located next to Saint-Nicolas Square, in Terra Vecchia, Bastia’s oldest district.

During your visit, you will discover several craft shops, as well as many souvenir shops selling products from all over Corsica.

You can also admire 2 monuments:

  • Saint-Roch Oratory: built in 1604, it has a beautiful interior full of gold ornaments. With its red silk lined walls and sculpted wood paneling, it reminded me of Italian oratories.
  • The Oratory of Immaculate Conception: built in 1611 in the same style as Saint-Roch Oratory, it has a beautiful marble altar.

Then, continue your walk to the small “Allée de la Creation” and reach the market place.

As its name suggests, this place welcomes Bastia’s market every week-end. There, you will find many local producers , selling typical products such as Coppa, Lonzu or delicious Corsican cheeses.

If you want to do a bit of shopping in Bastia , you should take a stroll on Boulevard Paoli and Rue César Campinchi. With Napoleon Street, these are Bastia’s main shopping streets.

Saint-Roch Oratory Napoleon Street Bastia

The Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste is located close to the market square. This church is clearly among Bastia’s must-see religious buildings!

Built between 1636 and 1666 and classified as a historical monument, it’s the largest church in Corsica.

This beautiful baroque church features twin bell towers and a richly decorated interior . During your visit, you will admire magnificent pieces of art, such as the silver tabernacle of the high altar and a marble statue of Saint-Jean-Baptiste .

The Old Port is the best place if you want to admire the church’s beautiful facade and impressive bell towers.

Eglise Saint-Jean Baptiste Bastia

During your stay in Bastia, you should definitely take a stroll around the Old Port, in the heart of the old town.

With its many bars and restaurants, it’s the perfect place if you want to enjoy a nice view of the boats while having a meal or a drink on a terrace. And if the port is rather quiet during the day, it becomes particularly busy and lively in the evening!

Vieux-Port Bastia

Romieu Garden, located South of the Old Port and connecting the districts of Terra Vecchia and Nova Vecchia, is clearly one of Bastia’s must-see attractions.

Climb the monumental Romieu Stairs and admire a splendid view of the whole town of Bastia. It’s also a great place to have a refreshing walk under the shade of big trees.

You’re going to Bastia?

You probably know it: the hardest part of planning your trip is to find an hotel offering a good value for money!

The closer you get to your travel dates, the harder it will be to get a good deal. Lots of people will be visiting Bastia on the same dates as you , so you can be sure that the best deals are booked extremely quickly!

Hopefully, there is a pretty simple solution to this problem: do like me and book your hotel as early as possible!

So, my best advice is to take 5 minutes (now) to have a look at the list of travelers’ favorite hotels in Bastia.

And if you see a good offer, book it!

Most hotels offer free cancellation, so it’s quick, easy, and you will avoid the the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the current best deals for your hotel in Bastia, simply click on the green button below 😎:

Once you’ve booked your hotel, it will be time to continue reading this guide and find out more about the best things to do in Bastia!

Romieu Garden Bastia

Continue your walk through the Romieu Garden to reach the citadel , one of Bastia’s main points of interest .

The Citadel was built on a natural promontory in 1380 by a Genoese Governor. During your visit, you will discover many narrow streets and colorful picturesque buildings. There is even a few small restaurants with a sea view!

The best places to visit in Bastia’s citadel are:

  • Notre-Dame street, the main street
  • The Sainte-Marie Cathedral, showing a beautiful baroque interior and decorated with many Italian paintings. Don’t miss the processional statue of the Virgin Mary, entirely made in silver and weighing more than 500 kilos!
  • The Holy-Cross Brotherhood Oratory, a pure rococo-style church with a black Christ found in the sea by fishermen in 1428
  • The Dungeon Square: there, the shopkeepers who had cheated their customers were tied up (with their trousers down!) for a whole day. At the end of the day, their counter was broken, to make clear that they were not allowed to trade anymore. The Italian words for “Broken Counter” were “Banca Rotta”, giving birth to the well-known expression “Bankrupt”.
  • The Governors’ Palace housing the Bastia History Museum: I’ll tell you more about it just below.
  • The Louis XVI gate: it was once the only way to get in the citadel. On its left, there was the gallows, used for executions. Nowadays, the citadel’s gate and walls are classified as a historical monument.
  • The miniature village of René Mattei, located in the citadel’s former powder magazine. Discover a reproduction of a typical village of Corsica, with its mill, oven, sheepfold, river, church and bells! Be careful: as the schedules are quite random, it’s better to call before you come!

Bastia

The History Museum is another great place to visit during your stay in Bastia.

It is located in Bastia’s citadel, in the former Governor’s Palace, classified as a historical monument. You can’t miss its bright orange facade!

The museum is dedicated to Corsica’s heritage and History. There, you will discover an important collection of sculptures, paintings and furniture picturing more than 7 centuries of Bastia and the whole island’s History.

It’s a great way to learn more about the island before continuing your trip to Corsica!

The entrance ticket also includes an access to the governor’s gardens . There, you will enjoy a beautiful panorama of the city and the Cap Corse . And if the weather is clear enough, you will even see the Tuscan archipelago and Elba.

You will find more information about the rates and schedules on the official website.

Governor's Palace Bastia

What are the best beaches near Bastia?

First, I must warn you: you won’t find Corsica’s most beautiful beaches in Bastia.

If you’re looking for magnificent sandy beaches and remote coves, you should continue your itinerary in Corsica and visit Cap Corse or the Agriates Desert (I will tell you more about them later in this article).

But if you just want to take a dip or spend a relaxing afternoon close to Bastia, those beaches will do just fine!

Here are the closest beaches to Bastia:

  • Ficaghjola Beach is rather a small cove, accessible by a staircase and located only 300 meters from the citadel.
  • Arinella beach, a large sandy beach located south of Bastia. It’s a great place to enjoy many nautical activities, such as kayak, paddle or windsurfing.
  • Marana beach, a group of quite touristy white sand beaches bordered by the pine forest. There, you can enjoy many restaurants and nautical activities. You can also rent deckchairs and beach umbrellas.
  • Toga beach , a small pebble beach only 5 minutes from the city center.

A free shuttle bus starting from the tourist office takes you to Arinella beach, every 20 minutes between 8am and 7:30pm.

Arinella Beach Bastia

You’ve already discovered Bastia’s main points of interest?

Then, take your car and drive south for around 15 minutes to discover the Biguglia pond Nature Reserve , located between Bastia and its airport.

The Biguglia Reserve is Corsica’s largest wetland.

Walk along the discovery trail and try to spot the many birds , among the more than one hundred species living there! Will you be able to see the cormorants, herons, coots or pink flamingos?

On the site, you can also visit the “Ecomusée du Fortin” , an old Genoese fortress converted into an educative museum.

There, you will learn more about the nature reserve and its inhabitants. The entrance fee is only 2€, but you can also choose a guided tour and a 2-hour walk in the reserve for 4€.

Biguglia Pond Nature Reserve

If you feel like walking during your holidays in Bastia, you can enjoy several pleasant walks starting from the city:

The Oratory of Monserato

This starting point of this trail is located behind Bastia’s courthouse. From there, you will walk to the Saint-Antoine convent, before reaching the Oratory of Monserato, only 10 minutes later.

This Oratory is mostly renowned for its “Scala Santa” , literally meaning “Holy Stairs” . There are only 10 of them in the whole world, as these stairs are an immense privilege granted by the Pope Pius VII to the inhabitants of Bastia.

The faithful can climb these red-velvet covered stairs on their knees to be absolved of all their sins.

The Toga Trail, in Alzeto

This path starts from the heights of the Bastia’s Old Port. Walk on the old mule track to enjoy a magnificent view over the city and the sea.

Hiking on the Glacières de Cardo trail

The Glacières de Cardo trail starts on the Cardo village’s main square. From there, it takes about 1h30 to reach the “Nieve”. These very old stone buildings were used to store ice.

This ice was used as an anesthetic during surgical operations, or simply by Bastia’s wealthy families who wanted to enjoy ice cream in the middle of summer!

The Oratory of Monserato

The 7 best things to do around Bastia

If you’ve visited most of the city, you can now continue your road trip in Corsica by visiting the Bastia’s surroundings.

The best places to see around Bastia are :

There are several beautiful perched villages located near Bastia.

During your stay in Bastia, you should discover:

  • Ville di Pietrabugno and its 2 hamlets, Alzeto and Guaïtella. During your visit, you will admire old houses from the 15th and 16th century, as well as fountains, oil presses and bread ovens. From Alzeto, walk on the marked trail to reach the town’s Ice House. It takes around 45 minutes.
  • San-Martino Di Lota regroups 11 hamlets. The best places to visit are the church of San Martino in Acqualta and the church of Santa Devoto in Pietranera. There are also several hiking trails accessible from the village.
  • Santa-Maria di Lota and its 6 hamlets. The village’s best points of interest are Miomo Marine, Figarella and its castle and church, or the 17th-century Genoese bridge of Mandriale. From there, you can also walk for around 1h15 to reach the Col Saint-Jean.
  • Furiani: there, you will discover an old Genoese tower. From there, walk on the marked trail to reach Santa Maria Assunta church. Built in the 9th century, it’s classified as a Historical Monument. If you want to enter the church, you must first take the keys at Furiani town hall!

Santa Maria di Lota Corsica

Cap Corse is located North of Bastia. It’s clearly one of Corsica’s must-see attractions, as the natural landscapes and beaches are truly splendid!

You can drive along Cap Corse’s beautiful roads , but if you’re an hiking lover, you should definitely enjoy one of Corsica’s most famous hikes: the Cap Corse Customs Officers’ path. This 19-km long walk connects Macinaggio and Centuri.

If you don’t feel like walking that much, don’t worry!

The most interresting part of the trail, from Macinaggio to Barcaggio, offers amazing viewpoints and beautiful beaches where you can stop for a swim.

The round trip takes around 3h30 , but you can choose to make the return trip by boat.

There are many other great things you can do in Cap Corse:

  • Do a 2-hour boat trip . It’s the perfect way to discover Cap Corse without walking too much! This cruise also includes a short swimming stop.
  • Discover the beautiful villages of Rogliano, Barrettali, Canari…
  • Take a dip at the black pebble beach of Nonza
  • Admire the panorama over the whole Cap Corse from the Mattei Mill viewpoint
  • Drive along the Patrimonio wine route
  • A flight over the Cap Corse in gyrocopter (click here to book it!) or in ULM (you need to book it there) . Take off from Bastia airport for a 1 hour flight over the splendid landscapes of Northern Corsica.

If you want more information about the best places to visit in Cap Corse, have a look at my article:  The 15 best things to do in Cap Corse?

You prefer to enjoy a VIP experience that will allow you to discover the Cap Corse and Bastia’s surroundings by boat, away from the other tourists?

I have got what you need!

The best way to make the most of your day at sea in Bastia is for sure to opt for a private boat trip.

You will rent a boat with an experienced skipper that will take care of showing you the most beautiful places around bastia.

Motorboat, sailboat, catamaran or even yacht: choose the boat you want to spend a dream day!

As you can imagine, this type of VIP day at sea is extremely popular, so you should rent your boat with skipper as soon as possible. It would be a shame to miss this day because all boats are already rented!

You can find all boats with skipper in Bonifacio by clicking on the button below:

Cap Corse

If you want to discover 2 splendid beaches, often ranked among Corsica’s most beautiful , then you should definitely visit the Agriates Desert.

From Bastia, drive for around 40 minutes to discover the pretty seaside village of Saint-Florent . From there, take the boat to the Agriates Desert.

In only 20 minutes, you will reach the beaches of Saleccia and Lotu. These two beaches, with their turquoise waters and white sand, are clearly among the most beautiful in Bastia’s surroundings.

From Bastia airport, you can also choose to fly over the beaches of the Agriates desert and enjoy spectacular views by opting for a one-hour flight in gyrocopter (click here) or in ULM (click there!) .

If you want to know more about the Agriates Desert, you should read my article: Visit the Agriates Desert: the definitive guide.

You will also find detailed information about Saint-Florent in my article: The 12 best things to do in Saint-Florent.

You can also opt for a day trip from Bastia to the beach of Saleccia.

During this guided tour , you will explore the roads of Cap Corse in a 4WD vehicle and reach Saleccia beach. There, you will have a few hours of free time to take a dip or just relax.

Click the button below to book this tour:

Agriates Desert

Corte is located at the heart of Corsica, only 1h10 away from Bastia by car.

During your walk in the city, you will discover:

  • The citadel and the eagle’s nest
  • The Regional Museum of Anthropology, dedicated to the island’s heritage and history
  • The belvedere and its panorama over the citadel
  • The Cours Paoli

And if you’re an hiking lover, you can enjoy many beautiful hikes in Corte ‘s surroundings. The most popular are Restonica Gorge, Lake Nino or Vizzavona forest.

For more information about Corte, you can read my detailed article about the city:  The 20 best things to do in Corte.

Corte

If you’re an history enthusiast, then you should definitely visit the archaeological site of Mariana. 

This ancient site located 25 km south of Bastia (near the airport) is free.

During your visit, you will discover many vestiges of an ancient Roman city, including: a market, a necropolis and several mosaics.

You will also admire Canonica Cathedral, built during the Middle Ages, at the beginning of the 12th century. It’s dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta.

Note that archaeological works are still in progress on the site, and that they’re planning to open a museum.

Canonica Cathedral

If you’re looking for another great thing to do in Bastia’s surroundings, you should take the wine route.

From Bastia, drive North to Cap Corse and discover its many vineyards. One of Corsica’s most renowned wines is the Patrimonio PDO, produced by more than 30 wineries near the village of Patrimonio.

Don’t forget to stop at a wine estate for a tasting session!

The Muscat-du-Cap-Corse PDO, often ranked among the world’s best muscats, in also made in Nebbiu region, near the city of Saint-Florent.

Patrimonio Corsica

The “Route des Sens Authentiques” is an original initiative to promote Corsica’s typical products.

During your road trip in Corsica, you will find blue roadside signs indicating local workshops and farms . Follow those signs to discover the many vineyards, producers, distilleries or craftsmen located all around the island.

These signs also indicate that the members are respecting precise guidelines to guarantee the products’ quality and origin.

It’s a great way to find the best local products!

You will find every information you need about the Route des Sens on the official website.

Route des sens Authentiques Corsica

If you want to visit Bastia’s city centre and discover its main points of interest, you won’t need more than a day.

But if you wish to discover the city’s surroundings, you should spend at least 2 or 3 days in Bastia.

You will find here my itineraries to make the most of your 1, 2 or 3 days stay in Bastia.

You only have one day to visit Bastia?

No problem!

Here is the best itinerary to discover the city’s must-see attractions!

  • Start your day in Saint-Nicolas Square
  • Continue your walk in Napoleon Street, and admire the 2 Oratories: Saint-Roch and The Immaculate Conception.
  • Go to the market place
  • Visit Saint-Jean Baptiste church
  • Take a stroll in the Old Port, then reach the Romieu garden
  • Discover Bastia’s citadel
  • Visit the History Museum of Bastia
  • Relax and take a dip at one of the beaches near Bastia
  • Take a stroll and discover the walking trails starting from the city
  • Visit Biguglia Pond Nature Reserve.

If you have 2 days in Bastia, in addition to the first day described above, you can add:

  • A day in the Agriates desert. Take the shuttle boat from Saint-Florent and enjoy the Saleccia and Lotu beaches.

If you don’t feel like driving, how about an organized day-trip to Saleccia beach from Bastia?

During this guided 4WD road trip, you will discover the roads of Cap Corse, then stop at Saleccia Beach. There, you will have a few hours to relax and swim.

Click the button below to book your tour:

If you’re spending 3 days or more in Bastia , in addition to the 2 days above, you can:

  • Go to Cap Corse. During your road trip, you can also take some time to follow the Wine Route or discover the craftsmen and producers of the “Route des Sens Authentiques!
  • Drive to the perched villages located near Bastia. From there, follow the marked walking trails to enjoy magnificent panoramas!
  • Visit Corte and discover Corsica’s mountains.
  • Best Western Bastia Centre: Located 1 km away from the Old Port and the city centre. This hotel offers spacious and very clean double rooms starting from 75€ per night, with an extra 11.50€. Strong points: the comfortable rooms, the private parking, the kind staff. A great choice in Bastia for its exceptional value for money!
  • Hotel Port Toga:   This hotel is located in the heart of Bastia, facing the ferry terminal. You will love the modern double rooms with comfortable beds. The prices starts at 85€ per night. What I loved: the beautiful roof terrace, the sea view, the copious breakfast. If you have to take the ferry, it’s clearly a great choice for your stay in Bastia!
  • Hotel Restaurant & Spa L’Ostella: Located 4 km away from the centre and 500 meters from the beach. There, you can enjoy comfortable double rooms, some with a balcony and a sea view, starting from 90€ per night, with an extra 12.50€ for breakfast. Strong points: the caring staff, the excellent restaurant, the wellness centre with an indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi.
  • Alivi: Located 350 meters from the beach and 2 km from Bastia’s city centre. The double rooms with a terrace overlooking the sea are starting from 135€, and the breakfast costs an extra 16€. Strong points: the swimming pool, the location, the view, the restaurant. It’s my  recommendation for a high-end stay in Bastia!
  • Hotel Des Gouverneurs: located in the citadel, only a 2-minute walk from the Old Port. There, you will enjoy elegant and cosy double rooms starting from 180€. Breakfast will cost you 19€. What I loved: the beautiful view of Bastia and the sea, the exceptional location, the warm welcoming staff and the indoor swimming pool. It’s my recommendation for a luxury stay in Bastia!

Bastia Port

  • La Table de Nathalie: a small restaurant located on Boulevard Paoli, behind Saint-Nicolas Square. It offers an original cuisine based on excellent fresh products. It’s the perfect combination of tradition and modernity! The dishes are copious and very well presented. Everything is homemade and the staff is very kind. You should book your table in advance, as there are not many tables!
  • Pizzeria Chez Vincent: located rue Saint-Michel. If you want to taste excellent pizzas or delicious burgers, you’re at the right place! You will also enjoy a beautiful view of the old port while dining on the terrace.
  • Le petit Zinc: located 1 rue de l’Ancienne Poste. It’s for me one of Bastia’s best restaurants! The cuisine is refined and delicate, the staff is very caring and you will enjoy a chic and trendy atmosphere. You will definitely enjoy a good meal and have a good time there.

How to get to Bastia?

Bastia airport is located 20 km South of the city centre.

You should book your plane tickets as early as possible, as the flight prices to Bastia can vary a lot throughout the year.

So to check the rates and schedules, you can  use our flight comparator, in partnership with Skyscanner. You will get the best prices for you flights to Corsica.

If you want to visit Bastia and its surroundings, you should really rent a car at the airport , before starting your itinerary in Corsica. It’s really complicated or even impossible to visit Corsica without a car!

If you want to rent a car in Corsica , you should use Rentalcars.com website.

This very convenient website allows you to compare prices between all the rental companies in Bastia. Choose the best price, or the company with the best customer’s reviews, depending on the vehicle category or the rental duration.

If you don’t have any insurance included with your credit card, you can opt for the “Full Protection Insurance”, to get fully refunded in case of accident or theft.

Click the button below to check rental cars prices for your trip to Bastia now:

The port of Bastia welcomes ferry boats from Nice, Marseille , Toulon and Italy.

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your stay in Bastia, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental!

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Corsica? 😊

I have created for you a  tourist map of Bastia and Corsica, listing all the must see attractions and points of interest I have talked about in this article. You can display the map legend by clicking on the top left button, the one with a small arrow on it.

And you, what do you plan to do during your trip to Bastia?

Discover all my articles about Corsica : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Corsica are listed there.

  • The 35 Best Things to do in Corsica – The Ultimate Bucket list!
  • Itinerary: 2, 3, 4 or 5 days in Corsica – The perfect itinerary for a short stay in Corsica
  • Itinerary: 1 week in Corsica – The best Itinerary to visit Southern Corsica
  • Itinerary: 6, 7 or 8 days in Corsica – The definitive guide to visit Northern Corsica in 1 week
  • Itinerary: 10 days in Corsica – The best 10 days itinerary in Corsica
  • Itinerary: 2 weeks in Corsica – How to visit Corsica in 14, 15 or 16 days.
  • Road trip in Corsica – The best itineraries for 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 15 days
  • Ajaccio: The 20 Best things to do
  • Bonifacio: Top 20 things to do and see
  • Calvi: The 15 things you must do!
  • Cap Corse: The 15 must-see attractions
  • Corte: 20 things to do and see
  • Porto: Top 12 things to discover
  • Porto-Vecchio: Top 17 things to do and must-see attractions
  • Saint-Florent: The 12 best things to do
  • Agriates Desert – The definitive guide
  • Calanques de Piana – How to visit the Calanques de Piana by boat, by car and on foot
  • Lavezzi Islands – Oganize your trip to the Lavezzi island easily!
  • Scandola Nature Reserve – All my best tips to visit Scandola
  • The 23 Best Beaches in Corsica : The definitive guide to the most beautiful beaches!

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Visit Bastia

Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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Corsica Lovers

To awaken your senses in Corsica - Claire et Manu’s Blog

12 best things to do in Bastia (photos + tips)

by Claire ROBINSON , Region Lovers | 30 June 2023 | no intrusive ads, no sponsored content, just some affiliate links - if you use them, we get a small commission (read more)

Corsica’s 2nd largest city and capital of Haute-Corse , Bastia is a city of character. With its colorful facades and winding streets, you’ll be seduced by its beauty, worthy of the most famous Italian cities. In fact, Bastia was developed by the Genoese as early as the 14th century , around two districts: Terra Vecchia (the old port district) and Terra Nova (the citadel district).

In this article, we’ll guide you on your future visit to the city with 12 ideas of must-see places in Bastia. Excursions, places of worship, beaches and local produce: we give you all our practical tips and advice on what to do in Bastia . Enjoy your visit!

Check out our 12 ideas and tips on what to do in Bastia and the surrounding area over a weekend or several days!

This opinion is completely independent , based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.

The best things to do in Bastia

Before we reveal all our ideas for things to do and see in Bastia, here’s a short video to inspire you!

1. Stroll through the citadel district

Why visit the citadel district.

Overview of the citadel district.

The citadel district is a must-see in Bastia! This is where you’ll find the fortifications built by the Genoese in the 14th century. We found it very pleasant to stroll through its winding streets. This part of the town also offers a superb view of the Bay of Bastia! The citadel is built on a rocky promontory overlooking the old port. On a clear day, you can even see the Italian island of Isola d’Elba.

What you will see

View of the Holy Cross Oratory.

Take a stroll around the citadel district, and you’ll see some of Bastia’s major monuments, including the Palais des Gouverneurs and the Oratoire Sainte-Croix. We enjoyed discovering Bastia’s residences, such as La Casetta, a former Genoese town hall, or the more unusual U Cimbalu. We were astounded by this residence and its trompe-l’œil paintings, created in the 20th century and depicting emblematic Corsican figures.

Last but not least, this area offers some very fine views:

  • From the port: down the “Mantinum” stairs from the Governors’ Palace.
  • Overlooking the sea: from the Aldilonda pedestrian walkway below.

How much time to allow

To visit the citadel district, allow at least 1 hour. This part of town is relatively small and easy to find your way around.

U Cimbalu and its frescoes.

More information on the citadel district

We advise you to take good walking shoes to visit this area. The climb to the citadel is steep, but the ground is not difficult.

Access to the citadel is possible for people with reduced mobility:

  • from the promenades below.
  • by elevator on Quai Albert Gillio, level with the Mantinum.

Although parking is forbidden in most of the district, you can park in the underground parking lot at the citadel (chargeable, accessible by elevator, with electric recharging points). Next to the parking lot, you’ll undoubtedly see Bastia’s little tourist train, which stops here for the departure of guided walking tours of the district.

View of the mantinum.

OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Corsica

  • Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
  • Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
  • Think of the complete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
  • There is a lot of demand, book it early .

bastia tourist information office

Located in the heart of the citadel district, Sainte-Marie Cathedral dates back to the 17th century. Listed as a historical monument, it contains numerous works of art. Its pavement, made of Italian marble (Carrara and Levanto) and Corsican marble (Corte, Bevinco), made a lasting impression on us. But the cathedral is best known for its solid silver processional statue of the Virgin Mary, which we found quite impressive!

View of the solid silver Madonna in Sainte-Marie Cathedral, Bastia.

You can admire the cathedral’s facade, which has been altered over the centuries. Inside, you’ll be seduced by the profusion of ornaments and materials (gold, gilded stucco, marble…) typical of the Baroque style. They are seated in the very wide nave, on the barrel vault decorated with a 19th-century painting, and in the spacious choir, housing a statue of the Virgin Mary almost 2.60 m high.

We were also impressed by the 19th-century organs from Bergamo’s Maison Serassi. Leonoro dell’Aquila’s 16th-century wooden altarpiece of the Assumption is also a must-see.

Finally, can you spot the seven bishops’ hats buried in the cathedral crypt?

Allow 30 minutes to visit the cathedral and admire all it has to offer. Please note that there are no historical explanations to accompany you on your visit.

View of the interior of Sainte-Marie Cathedral.

More information on Sainte-Marie Cathedral

St. Mary’s Cathedral is open daily from 8am to 12pm and from 2pm to 5pm, except on Sundays and during religious services.

The floor is flat and smooth, with no difficulties.

The access and the visit are free.

Please note that the cathedral is not lit. To illuminate both the entire cathedral and the showcase of the solid silver Madonna, you need to go to the coin slot to the left of the main entrance. You can only insert 50-cent coins (for 1min30 of illumination) or €1 coins (3min of illumination).

Read our article on Sainte-Marie Cathedral to help you prepare for your visit.

3. Visit the Palace of the Governors

Why visit the palais des gouverneurs.

View of the façade of the Palais des Gouverneurs.

You won’t want to miss the Palais des Gouverneurs! We were stunned by its facade, which unfurls masterfully across the Place du Donjon. The original Genoese fortified construction was called “la Bastia” and gave its name to the town. The residence of Genoese power until the 18th century, it soon became an army barracks.

Partly destroyed during the Second World War, it was rebuilt in 2008 in a contemporary style, adapted to its new functions as a museum of art and history. The only museum in Bastia, it is listed as a historic monument. We advise you to visit it: it will allow you to enter the historic citadel.

View of a room in the Bastia Museum, Palais des Gouverneurs.

The Palais des Gouverneurs, or Musée de Bastia, offers visitors the chance to discover the history of Bastia and, to a lesser extent, the citadel. The chronological tour extends from ancient Corsica to the 18th century. We learned more about Bastia’s urbanization, Italian influence, 18th-century wars, Frenchization, religious art and the industrial revolution.

The fine and decorative arts collections, together with multimedia displays, provide a clearer picture of Bastia’s place over the centuries, both in Corsica and more widely in Europe. The tour ends with a visit to the museum’s gardens, offering a beautiful view of the port.

To get the most out of your visit, allow 2 hours.

View of the garden of the Palais des Gouverneurs.

More information on the Palais des Gouverneurs

In addition to its permanent collections, the museum sometimes organizes temporary exhibitions. We advise you to check the program on the official website .

Opening hours:

  • May to September: 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Closed Mondays in May, June and September and open daily in July and August.
  • October to April: 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
  • Closed on November 1st, November 11th, May 1st, May 8th and during the Christmas school vacations.

Tickets cost €5 and can be purchased on site.

The museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility, who benefit from an adapted itinerary. You can bring your children with you, and a baby changing facility is available in the toilets.

You can also get there by public transport. A free shuttle service is available from the train station. By bus (lines 2, 3, A and B), get off at the “Cours Docteur Favale” or “Place Vincetti” stop.

For parking, go to the citadel parking lot, Place Vincetti, which closes at 10.30pm.

To organize your visit to the Palais des Gouverneurs, read our dedicated article.

WHERE TO STAY IN Bastia

To enjoy the charm of this colourful, vibrant city, it’s best to spend one or more nights here! Our suggestions:

Option 1: in the lower center

We recommend..:

  • Hôtel des Gouverneurs , in the citadel – see prices, photos and availability
  • Hotel Monsieur Miot and its beautiful decor – see prices, photos and availability

hotel des Gouverneurs

Option 2: up-center

  • Hotel Le Bastia and its magnificent views of the city and the sea – see prices, photos and availability

Hotel Le Bastia

Option 3: in the surrounding area

  • Hotel Alivi , north, with beach access – see prices, photos and availability
  • Hotel Pineto in the south, along the sandy beach – see prices, photos and availability

Hotel Alivi

See our list of the 10 best hotels in Bastia, with our reviews

4. Stroll through the Romieu garden

Why stroll through the romieu garden.

View of the Bastia lighthouse from the Romieu garden.

The Romieu garden was created in the 19th century, making it Bastia’s first public garden. Its aim was to link the upper and lower towns. The town of Bastia has few green spaces, and this one offers a short, shady stroll with a very interesting view of the harbor lighthouse.

View of the Romieu garden staircase in Bastia.

The Romieu garden is a rock garden featuring local species such as umbrella pines, and exotic species such as Japanese charcoal and Australian belombra. We were seduced by its wrought-iron staircases, statues and free-standing vases.

At the bottom of the garden, you’ll descend a vast horseshoe-shaped staircase that particularly impressed us. It leads to a small square on the harbor quays, and is decorated with a fountain. This staircase, and to a lesser extent the garden, are emblematic of Bastia. They have been listed on the Inventaire Supplémentaire des Monuments Historiques since 2017.

Relatively small, it takes 15-20 minutes to fully enjoy the garden and its views.

View of the Romieu garden entrance.

More information on Jardin Romieu

The Romieu garden has staircases. If you’re heading uphill to reach the citadel, the climb is steep but easier than if you’re taking the road.

Open all year round, Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9am to 8pm, and Wednesdays and Fridays from 8am to 11pm.

The visit is free of charge.

USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A DREAM TRIP TO Corsica

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  • + 220 photos to help you choose

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5. Stroll around the old port

Why take a stroll around the old port.

View of Bastia's old port.

A stroll through the old port district is a must if you want to discover Bastia, a maritime city. To get the full picture, head to the end of Dragon Pier, at the foot of the lighthouse. We found the view sublime, with the colorful facades of the buildings and the majestic Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste standing out impressively from the rest of the city.

Afterwards, we took advantage of the lively quayside restaurants. We soon made our way back to the heart of the city via the district’s pretty alleyways.

View of the fountain in Place du Marché, Bastia.

In addition to the Church of St. John and the boats and restaurants of the port, you’ll stroll through colorful streets revealing ancient Bastia palaces such as the Palais Cardi or the Castagnola house. In rue Napoléon, boulevard Paoli and rue Campinchini, you’ll find a wide range of stores.

During our walk, we passed through the market square. We recommend a visit here, right next to the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, a small square with a beautiful contemporary fountain.

Allow at least 2 hours for a leisurely stroll through the old port, its streets and alleys.

View of boulevard Paoli.

More information on the Old Port district

Terra Vecchia, or the old port district, is the heart of Bastia. The alleyways are sometimes narrow and accessible by stairs, but the main streets are not difficult.

While the area is quiet, especially on Mondays, the market square is bustling with a local market every Saturday and Sunday morning. During the festive season, you’ll find a Christmas market here, and in summer, bands often perform in the square, which is invaded by restaurant terraces.

6. Visit Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church

Why visit saint-jean-baptiste church.

View of the façade of Saint-Jean-Baptiste church.

Standing proudly above the port of Bastia, the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste is a must-see! Probably more famous than the cathedral in the citadel, we really enjoyed this church, which is as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside. Listed as a historic monument, it is the largest church in Corsica!

View of the 18th-century pulpit in Saint-Jean-Baptiste church.

The Church of St. John the Baptist is in the Genoese Baroque style. Here you’ll find a sumptuous 18th-century pulpit, the most valuable in Corsica. Created by Genoese sculptors, it is made of white marble, inlaid with other types of marble, such as Siena yellow or Polcevera green.

We found the organ loft impressive, evoking the stern of a Baroque ship. Take a look at the beautiful silver tabernacle on the high altar. Finally, we noticed the side altars adorned with large Baroque paintings by Genoese artists.

A visit to Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church will take between 20 and 30 minutes.

View of the nave of Saint-Jean-Baptiste church.

More information on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church

The ground is not particularly difficult. A side entrance with a ramp makes the church accessible to people with reduced mobility and baby carriages.

Visits to the building are free of charge. Open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm, and Saturday, 8:30am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm, except during religious services.

Find out more in our article dedicated to Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church.

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bastia tourist information office

7. Visit Place Saint-Nicolas

Why visit place saint-nicolas.

View of Place Saint-Nicolas.

Bastia’s nerve center, Place Saint-Nicolas, is where Bastia families and tourists meet. Overlooking the commercial port where the ferries pass by, we found this square, one of the largest in France, very charming. Punctuated by century-old palm trees, it measures around 280m long and 80m wide.

It’s lined with cafés and shops, as well as several events (concerts, flea and textile markets on Sunday mornings, an ice rink for the festive season…), making it an important part of life in Bastia.

View of the statue of Napoleon I in Place Saint-Nicolas, Bastia.

Several buildings dot the Place Saint-Nicolas. We admired the monumental statue of Napoleon I, portrayed as a Jupiter in antique style. This 19th-century monument in Carrara marble is nearly 8m high!

A little further on is a bandstand, surrounded by flowerbeds. To keep children occupied, a merry-go-round is located on the periphery of the square. Finally, don’t hesitate to leave the square to take a closer look at the Casabianca submarine. This enabled us to find out a little more about the liberation of Corsica, occupied by Italy during the Second World War.

Allow 15-20 minutes to explore Place Saint-Nicolas.

View of the Casabianca submarine, place saint-nicolas Bastia.

More information on Place Saint-Nicolas

Place Saint-Nicolas presents no particular difficulties.

As far as transport is concerned, there’s a cab rank and paid parking spaces specifically for motorcycles. Underground parking is available at a charge, and can be accessed from a number of entrances on the square itself.

The square is also served by bus line 3 (Falata di a Pia and L’Altu d’A Pia stops).

This is also where you’ll find the tourist office and the tourist train, which departs from the station right in front of it.

View of the tourist office, Bastia.

8. Taste Corsican products at U Paese

Why and where to try corsican products.

View of the U Paese boutique, Bastia.

You can’t leave Bastia or Corsica in general without sampling the local produce! Succulent charcuterie, a wide choice of cheeses (ewe, brocciu…) and terrines, as well as mustards and oils, with maquis herbs or myrtle, you’ll be spoilt for choice. For sweet treats, we recommend you try Corsican honey and the “Nuciola” spread, made with hazelnuts from Cervione!

Many stores sell Corsican products in Bastia. We recommend a visit to the “U Paese” boutique in Rue Napoléon.

View of the entrance to the U Paese boutique.

With its yellow front, you won’t want to miss it! The U Paese store offers top-quality Corsican products: wines, spirits, cheeses, charcuterie, as well as sweet dishes and Corsican condiments, whet our appetites. Here, the friendly staff will let you taste the products before you buy.

Here you’ll find lonzo or vacuum-packed coppa slices: ideal if you don’t have room in your suitcase and don’t want to spend a lot (between €5 and €6 for a dozen slices). Delicatessen is also available in pieces (expect to pay at least €15).

It will take you 15 to 30min depending on how long you take to make your choice and whether you taste some local Corsican products.

View inside the U Paese boutique, Bastia.

More information

The U Paese store is open every day from 9am to 7pm, except Sundays and Mondays, when it is open from 10am to 6pm.

HOW TO GET TO Corsica

bastia tourist information office

Option 1: by ferry

Departure from France and Italy

  • See all ferry options in our article
  • Compare schedules, prices and availability directly

Advantage: you can take your car!

bastia tourist information office

Option 2: by plane

Airports in Bastia, to visit the North, Figari to visit the South, or Ajaccio convenient for all Corsica. Compare flights!

9. Visit Saint-Roch Oratory

Why visit saint-roch oratory.

View of the façade of the Saint-Roch oratory.

From Place Saint-Nicolas and Rue Napoléon, the Oratoire Saint-Roch is the first religious building you’ll come across. Once you’ve admired the 19th-century neoclassical façade, we strongly recommend you enter. The origins of this oratory date back to the 16th century! The Saint-Roch brotherhood was then reserved for teenagers from the lower town. This oratory, with its rich Baroque decor, is well worth a visit!

What you’re about to see

View of the altarpiece in the Saint-Roch oratory, Bastia.

Inside, you’ll be amazed by the walls covered in red silk damask and waxed walnut panelling. We were immediately drawn to the high altarpiece, sculpted in the 17th century by Genoese marble-maker Domenico Saporito. It frames a 17th-century painting by Florentine artist Giovanni Bilivert. Saint-Roch can also be seen in a niche in the nave. This time, it’s a polychrome wooden processional statue, recently restored. Don’t forget to check out the sumptuous ceiling decorations before you leave!

15min will be enough to admire this modest-sized oratory, more if you’re an architecture enthusiast.

View of the interior of the Saint-Roch oratory.

More information on Saint-Roch Oratory

The Oratoire Saint-Roch has no special access for people with reduced mobility or baby carriages. The ground is not particularly difficult. Only two low steps lead up to the monument.

The building is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 8.30am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm, and Sunday 8.30am to 1pm, except during religious services.

10. Visit the Oratory of the Immaculate Conception

Why visit the oratory of the immaculate conception.

View of the façade of the oratory of the Immaculate Conception in Bastia.

Still on rue Napoléon, you’ll come across another oratory, that of the Immaculate Conception. We noticed its pretty facade with a Baroque portal in Carrara marble. Take the time to observe its detailed mouldings before entering!

This 17th-century building is once again inspired by Genoa’s Baroque style. As in the Oratoire Saint-Roch, you’ll see that the walls are covered in silk damask and red Genoa velvet. It would be a shame not to take a look at this listed oratory!

View of the solid silver chandelier in the Immaculate Conception oratory, Bastia.

Before entering, look down at your feet: there’s a beautiful paving stone representing a sun. You’ll be amazed by the richness of this oratory. We were particularly impressed by the decoration of the vault, painted in the 17th and 19th centuries by Italian artists.

A Sienese silversmith is also responsible for the half-moon-shaped solid silver candlestick on the altar. Used only for special occasions, we’d never seen anything like it! Finally, you can admire display cases featuring sculptures of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, as well as 16th- and 19th-century paintings in the side altars.

The Oratory of the Immaculate Conception is rather small. Allow around twenty minutes to admire it properly.

View of the interior of the Oratory of the Immaculate Conception, Bastia.

More information on the Oratory of the Immaculate Conception

Outside religious services, the building is open daily from 8am to 6pm.

There is no specific access for people with reduced mobility. The ground presents no particular difficulties.

11. Enjoy the beaches of downtown Bastia

Why enjoy downtown beaches.

View of Toga beach, Bastia.

Bastia is a coastal town with two beaches in the city center. The first is Toga, located in the more residential north of the city. Ficaghjola, on the other hand, lies to the south of the citadel. Accessible on foot, these small beaches are ideal if you want to soak up the sun, and why not go for a swim, without straying too far from the city center.

View of Ficaghjola beach.

The two beaches are very different. The one at Toga is pebble-covered and in two parts, linked by a path along the coast. It runs alongside the residences of Bastia.

The beach at Ficaghjola is actually more of a small cove, bordered by the coastal rocks that run alongside the road. The coarse sand section is small and not very busy. But you’ll see the Bastians sunbathing there. In both cases, the water is turquoise and transparent in fine weather, inviting you to take a dip.

If you just want to have a look around, allow 5min for Ficaghjola beach and 10min for Toga beach.

If you really want to make the most of it, allow a few hours, but you won’t find any fun or water activities.

View of access to Ficaghjola beach.

More information on downtown beaches

It’s a 20-minute walk from Place Saint-Nicolas to Toga beach, and a 5-minute drive. A staircase provides easy access to the beach, and free parking is available just a 2-minute walk from the beach. There is no access for people with reduced mobility.

An 8-minute walk from the citadel takes you to Ficaghjola beach. Access is very easy thanks to the U Spassimare, a gentle road that runs along the seafront. By car, it takes just 5 minutes to get to this cove from the old port, but we don’t recommend it. In fact, there is no real dedicated parking lot with a large capacity. It’s possible to park on the roadside, but this is the main access road to Bastia, so it’s very busy.

Swimming is unsupervised. A ramp, followed by two steps, provides access to the beach.

THINGS TO DO AROUND Bastia

Discover all our articles on the region:

  • What to do in Bastia
  • Where to sleep in Bastia
  • Luxury hotels in Bastia
  • Best restaurants in Bastia
  • Visit the Palais des Gouverneurs (coming soon)
  • Visit the Bastia Citadel (coming soon)
  • Rent a car at Bastia airport
  • Ajaccio or Bastia: where to go?

12. Discover Scala Santa

Why visit scala santa.

View of the façade of the Scala Santa Bastia.

The chapel of Our Lady of Monserrato is better known as Scala Santa, and for good reason! It houses a Scala Santa, or Holy Staircase, reminiscent of the one Jesus is said to have climbed for his judgment before his crucifixion. There are only 10 in the world, the best known being the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome!

Pope Pius VII authorized the construction of this scala santa after 424 members of the Roman high clergy had been exiled to Bastia on the orders of Napoleon I, who was in conflict with the Pope at the time. Having received the hospitality of the locals, permission to build a scala santa was a token of their gratitude. No wonder this 16th-century chapel has been listed as a historic monument!

View of the interior of the Scala Santa, Bastia.

The chapel’s facade, damaged by Genoese soldiers in the 18th century, was completely rebuilt in the 19th century in a neoclassical style. We were struck by the contrast between its sobriety and the richly decorated interior.

In addition to the paintings adorning the vaults, you’ll see white marble Genoese sculptures in the choir niches, as well as numerous paintings in the side chapels. In the one on the right, the work by Bastia painter Anton Benedetto, depicting the martyrdom of Saint Felicity and her sons, is listed as a Historic Monument. But what really caught our attention was the scala santa. The faithful must climb its 33 steps on their knees to be absolved of their sins.

The chapel is small, and in places in poor condition. It takes 15 minutes to visit.

View of the Scala Santa Bastia sign.

More information on Scala Santa

By car, you can get there from the citadel district or Bastia’s old port in just 15 minutes. It is well signposted from the heights of Bastia.

Alternatively, you can walk to Scala Santa. However, the climbs to get there are tough, especially in fine weather. We went there from the Bastia court district, and returned via the citadel. We advise you to opt for this 2nd solution. The roads will be asphalted, unlike our 1st itinerary. It takes 20 minutes to climb to the heights of Bastia. You’ll enjoy beautiful views of the city and harbor. Once you’ve reached the top, take the quiet road and follow the signs.

Visits are free and the chapel is open from 10am to 6pm all year round.

Excursions from Bastia

Cap corse and the village of erbalunga.

From Bastia, we recommend exploring Cap-Corse, the mountainous region north of Bastia.

For this, you can take a day trip in a 4WD vehicle. Enjoy splendid panoramic views from the perched villages of Cap-Corse, such as Nonza, as well as from the beach at Saleccia: discover this activity .

In addition to its sumptuous landscapes, Cap-Corse boasts many authentic villages, such as Erbalunga with its Genoese tower. To make sure you don’t miss a thing and organize your visit to the region in the best possible way, visit our dedicated article .

View of the village of Erbalunga.

Agriates Desert

The Agriates Desert is a very wild part of Corsica, located south of Saint-Florent. There’s nothing desert about it, on the contrary, it’s covered with streams and Mediterranean scrub. This very mountainous region is home to some very beautiful beaches, such as Lotu and Saleccia . There are many possibilities, such as boat crossings from Saint-Florent, or hiking.

To explore the interior of the Agriates Desert, you can’t take your car, as the trails are very bumpy. We recommend a 4WD day trip from Bastia. You can discover the beaches of Ghignu and Malfacu and hike along the desert before returning to Bastia. Book your excursion now.

To make the most of the Agriates Desert, take a look at our dedicated article !

View of Lotu beach.

Saint-Florent and the Patrimonio vineyards

Just a 40-minute drive from Bastia, the town of Saint-Florent is well worth a visit! It is nestled between the Cap Corse mountains and the Agriates desert. Now a seaside resort, it has retained its charm, notably thanks to its 15th-century citadel and port, and is one of our favorite destinations in Corsica .

If you’re in Saint-Florent, be sure to visit the Patrimonio vineyards. Just a 10-minute drive away, the scenery is magnificent, with the hills and sea in the background. If you’re a wine lover, you can even stop off to visit vineyards that have remained family-run businesses.

To find out more, take a look at our article on Saint-Florent and the surrounding area .

View of Saint-Florent.

L’Île-Rousse and Balagne

If you’re up for a bit of driving (1h30 minimum), you can take a trip to Île-Rousse and Balagne, one of our favorite regions in Corsica .

L’Île-Rousse is a very pleasant seaside town, with beautiful beaches and a lighthouse on the Pietra peninsula, accessible from the town center. We’ll give you all the tips you need to organize your visit.

From here, you can explore the Balagne region, its beaches and authentic villages such as Pigna. To make sure you don’t miss out, read our dedicated article .

View of Île-Rousse.

The Roman ruins of Aléria

It will also take you 1h30 to reach the ruins of Aléria, south-east of Bastia. This tour is for you if you’re a fan of archaeology and Roman history in particular. Along with Mariana, Aleria was Corsica’s other major Roman colony. Take a stroll through the village, visit the archaeological museum, and discover the remains of the colony with its ancient thermal baths and traces of its vanished temples. To find out more, visit our article on Aléria .

View of the remains of Aléria.

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Corsica

Inspiration destinations

  • Best things to do in Corsica
  • Ajaccio or Bastia?
  • North or South Corsica?
  • Planning a road trip in Corsica
  • Itineraries: 3 days – 4 or 5 days – 1 week – 10 days – 2 weeks

bastia tourist information office

  • The most beautiful beaches of Corsica
  • The most beautiful villages of Corsica
  • The most beautiful cities of Corsica
  • The most beautiful destinations in Corsica
  • The museums of Corsica
  • Hidden gems in Corsica
  • The most beautiful natural pools
  • What to do in North Corsica
  • Best things to do in South Corsica
  • Canyoning in Corsica

Beach of Ostriconi

Where to stay

  • Where to sleep in Corsica
  • The most beautiful hotels in Corsica
  • Best luxury hotels in Corsica
  • Best seaside hotels

Hotel Cala di Greco

  • Which ferry to Corsica
  • How to get to Corsica
  • Renting a car in Corsica
  • Driving in Corsica

bastia tourist information office

Best things to do in Bastia: other ideas

Ride on the u spassimare.

The U Spassimare is a soft path running along Bastia’s seafront, from the Toga marina in the north to the Arinella beach in the south. It passes by the Ficaghjola beach, the Aldilonda, the Quai des Martyrs in the old port, and Place Saint-Nicolas.

Benches and deckchairs line the route. Many Bastians take advantage of this road to play sports or simply stroll and enjoy the sunshine.

View of U Spassimare, Bastia.

Other noteworthy churches

Bastia also boasts a number of other remarkable churches:

  • Notre-Dame de Lourdes church:

On our way back up to the marina, we saw this large 20th-century church, whose original vault and stained glass windows were destroyed during the Second World War. Only the statue of the Virgin Mary above the choir, presented in a rock setting in reference to Lourdes, remains intact. While it lacks the splendor of Bastia’s other religious buildings, we think it may be worth a visit as Corsica’s only church dedicated to Notre-Dame de Lourdes.

View of Notre-Dame de Lourdes church, Bastia.

  • Saint-Charles-de-Borromée church:

This church is one of the oldest in Bastia. It was founded by the Jesuits in the mid-17th century. We liked its façade, inspired by that of Gesu in Rome. A statue of Saint Ignatius of Loyola can be seen in a niche beside the front door. In the 18th century, the Jesuits were expelled from the church, which was then dedicated to St. Charles de Borromeo. Unfortunately, the church is only open during religious services. But we advise you to go there because you’ll also see the façade of the Caraffa palace, a wealthy Bastia family. Historically, you’ll find yourself on what was the city’s main thoroughfare in the 17th and 18th centuries.

View of the façade of Saint-Charles de Borromée church.

What to do in and around Bastia: sporting activities

Nautical activities.

During your stay in Bastia, we recommend that you take advantage of the water sports. In addition to those available on the beaches of Arinella and Marana (jet-ski…), you’ll find diving clubs in the heart of Bastia’s marina.

We recommend that you embark on a cruise from Bastia’s old port. Here is our selection:

  • Excursion to Cap-Corse: discover the Genoese towers of Miomo and Sacro, and the beaches of Lavasina and Erbalunga. Book your cruise now.
  • Excursion to the tip of Cap-Corse: discover the Bay of Santa Maria, the Finocchiarola islands and the Giraglia island. Book your cruise now.
  • Day trip to the island of Capraia: discover the 3rd largest island in the Tuscan archipelago, its old town, volcanic rocks and unspoilt beaches. Book your cruise now.

View of the Cap Corse croisière stand in Bastia's old port.

Flying activities

From Bastia airport, numerous air excursions are available, allowing you to discover the beautiful landscapes of the surrounding regions from a different angle.

Here are the ultralight flights available:

  • Flight over Cap-Corse: fly over the villages of Nonza, Erbalunga and Pino, and heavenly beaches such as Pietracorbara. Check availability and book your flight . This tour is also available by gyrocopter (ULM 2-seater), click here to book your flight.
  • Flight over the Gulf of Saint-Florent and the Agriates Desert: fly over the town of Saint-Florent and the beaches bordering the Agriates Desert (Lotu, Saleccia, Ghignu…) Check availability and book your flight .
  • Private flight over the Monte Cinto region: over the mountain ranges and lakes of central Corsica (Monté Cinto, Paglia Orba and Capu Tafunatu). Check availability and book your flight.

View of Arinella beach.

Horseback riding

Bastia has a number of equestrian centers nearby. Here is our selection:

  • Haras des Sables : 16min drive from Bastia, between the Bugliglia lake and the beach. Beach walks available. Find out more and contact the riding school via the official website .
  • Cavallu di Brando : 18min drive north of Bastia. Several pony rides are available for beginners and even children. Find out more on the official website .

What to do around Bastia

Nearby beaches.

To the south of Bastia, there are two great beaches: Arinella and Marana. Although touristy, these sandy beaches are still very pleasant, and offer a wide range of activities and facilities:

  • Arinella Beach: sports fields, skatepark, ping-pong tables, playground, toilets, disabled access, showers, parking (car, bike, scooter), restaurants and snack bars, yacht club, jet-ski and towed-boat tours: find out more on the official Bastiajet website . Flying inflatable boat tours are also available on the official Corsica Aero website .
  • Marana beach : racket sports fields, parking lot and sailing club (water sports equipment rental, courses and training: see official website for details).

View of the restaurant and yacht club on Arinella beach.

Discover our article dedicated to Arinella beach to help you prepare for your visit.

Visit Galea Park

Parc Galea is a 40-minute drive from Bastia. We really recommend this visit, which is one of our favorites. The Galea park features landscaped gardens for visitors to discover the botanical species of Corsica and the Mediterranean. These include one of Europe’s finest collections of cacti, with no fewer than 300 species!

Cactus view of Galea Park.

Along the way in the gardens, exhibition pavilions and museums are set up on the themes of Corsica’s cultural and natural heritage. Fun and accessible, for adults and children alike! A program of lectures and documentary screenings in the dedicated cinema brings the site to life.

Parc galea scenography view.

Last but not least, a “barefoot” trail lets visitors take off their shoes and reconnect with nature on a playful journey that’s sure to delight young and old alike!

Galea Park is open:

Adult admission costs €9, with children’s tickets priced at €6 (7/18 years) and €4 (4/6 years). Children up to the age of 3 are free.

  • daily from 2 pm to 6 pm from April 17 to June 30 and from September 1 to 30.
  • daily from 10 am to 6 pm from July 1 to August 31.
  • Sundays from 12pm to 6pm from March 12 to April 16 and from October 1 to 29.

View of the barefoot path in Galea Park.

Discover our article dedicated to the Galea park to help you prepare your visit.

Visit the archaeological site of Mariana

A 30-minute drive from Bastia, you can discover the Mariana Museum and its archaeological site. Inaugurated in 2021, this museum houses an archaeological collection enabling visitors to learn more about Corsica, the way of life of the first inhabitants of the town of Mariana and their links with other Mediterranean peoples.

The remains of this ancient, early Christian and medieval town can be seen right next to the museum. Don’t miss the 12th-century Canonica Cathedral, still in use today.

View of the archaeological remains of the city of Mariana.

A self-guided tour of the museum costs €7, with a reduced rate of €4 and free admission for children under 8.

The museum is open daily from 10am to 7pm, except Mondays.

Find out more in our next article dedicated to the Mariana museum and archaeological site.

Biguglia pond and nature reserve

A 15-minute drive south of Bastia, you can take a stroll in the Etang de Biguglia nature reserve. This protected natural site in the commune of Furiani borders the Marana beach. This area is the wettest in Corsica and therefore home to numerous birds and a rich flora. However, the site is difficult to access out of season. We advise you to enjoy the views of the pond from your car, or by bike along the main road.

View of the BIguglia pond.

Admire Lake Padula

Lake Padula can be reached by car in 45 minutes from Bastia. We recommend a stopover if you’re on your way to Saint-Florent, for example. The views of this man-made lake and the surrounding mountains are truly breathtaking. You’ll also have the chance to admire the pretty village of Oletta, overlooking the lake.

View of Lake Padula.

Visit the surrounding villages

Are you staying in Bastia for a few days? If you have time, you can visit the villages around the capital of Haute-Corse:

  • Village of Vescovato: 40 minutes south of Bastia, this typically Corsican hilltop village is a delight to explore. Streams and covered passageways wind their way through traditional houses.
  • Village of Furiani: 10min south of Bastia by car, home to the Genoese Paoline tower, remnant of an ancient medieval castle. From the castle, you can take a 1-hour walk to reach a small Romanesque chapel and enjoy a beautiful view of the Marana lido and Biguglia lake.
  • Balcony villages of Santa Maria di Lota and San Martino di Lota: 20 minutes from Bastia, these villages are the starting point for numerous hikes. They include numerous religious buildings and are characterized by their farmland.
  • Balcony villages of Ville-di-Pietrabugno and Cardo: just 10 minutes from Bastia, you’ll find numerous hiking trails. Ville-di-Pietrabugno is home to the imposing church of Sainte-Lucie, and Cardo to 16th- and 18th-century icehouses.

View of the village of Vescovato, south of Bastia.

Useful tips: Bastia, Corsica, France

Where is bastia.

Bastia is located in the north of Corsica, in the Haute-Corse department.

How to get there

Bastia is served by regular national flights from Paris, Nice and Marseille. It’s also Corsica’s biggest port, along with Ajaccio, so you can opt for the ferry to get there. To choose the best solution, consult our dedicated article on the subject .

View of Bastia airport.

Tips for visiting Bastia

To visit Bastia, we recommend you wear good shoes! Indeed, the climbs up to the citadel are quite steep. If you come to Bastia from spring to autumn, a cap and sunglasses will be more than useful, especially in the exposed citadel area or on Place Saint-Nicolas.

View of a street in Bastia.

Getting around Bastia and the surrounding area

The easiest way to visit Bastia’s surroundings is by car. In the urban area, most parking lots are free of charge, but not in the city center, where you’ll find a large number of pay-and-display underground parking lots.

The most pleasant way to visit Bastia is on foot. The town is on a human scale, and everything is within easy walking distance. It’s also the best way to meander through the city’s narrow streets!

Bicycles are also available for hire, enabling you to ride to the beaches south of Bastia, for example. For more information, visit the official website of Cycles 20, a 13-minute walk from Place Saint-Nicolas.

Bastia boasts a significant bus network, with numerous lines linking the city center to the rest of the conurbation. Find out more on the official website.

View of Bastia citadel parking lot.

Where to stay in Bastia?

In Bastia, you’ll find numerous hotels in the city center, generally rated 2 or 3 stars. Here’s a selection to guide you:

  • Hôtel des Gouverneurs (4 stars): a sophisticated hotel in the citadel district, offering stunning sea views, a panoramic terrace, bar and cosy lounge. Prices, photos and availability. Look out for our dedicated article very soon.
  • Hôtel Monsieur Miot (3 stars): a concept hotel in an apartment building with modern, ergonomic rooms, whose reception is located in the center café. Prices, photos and availability. Look out for our dedicated article very soon.
  • Hotel Alivi: a little further from the town center but with sea and beach views. Prices, photos and availability.

See our article on the best hotels in Bastia .

View of the Monsieur Miot Bastia hotel room.

Where to eat in Bastia

A wide choice of restaurants is available in Bastia. Dishes are generally hearty, and local produce is given pride of place. Here’s our selection of restaurants in Bastia:

  • Le Café des Gourmets: a downtown restaurant offering healthy cuisine (poke bowls, salads, tartines…) and a breakfast and brunch menu (sweet and savoury pancakes, cookies…). Our dedicated article will be available shortly.
  • La Table de Mare & Gusto: a restaurant on the market square, offering refined Corsican and Italian cuisine. You’ll also find tapas and a store selling local produce. Our dedicated article will be available shortly.
  • Le Nova: a restaurant with a pleasant terrace, near Boulevard Paoli. The à la carte menu features tapas, salads, pastas and risottos, as well as a wide choice of cocktails. Our dedicated article will be available shortly.

View inside the café des gourmets Bastia.

Visit Bastia in 1 day

If you’re visiting Bastia and only have a day to spare? See below for our selection of must-sees.

  • Start by strolling through Place Saint-Nicolas .
  • Then take rue Napoléon . Visit the Saint-Roch Oratory .
  • Continue down the street and buy Corsican products at U Paese .
  • Visit the Oratory of the Immaculate Conception .
  • Take the “ruelle de la création” and you’ll find yourself in the market square .
  • Visit Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church .
  • Time for lunch? Take a break on the terrace of Table Mare & Gusto .
  • Resume your tour of Bastia by taking rue Cardinal Viale Prelà, then rue Saint-Jean, and take the alley to the left of the A Scaletta restaurant to visit the old port .
  • Walk along the quays of the old port to the Romieu garden and visit it. Leaving the Romieu garden, walk up the Favale crossroads to the citadel .
  • Enter the citadel and stroll down Rue Notre-Dame to Cathédrale Sainte-Marie .
  • After your visit to the cathedral, retrace your steps to finish the day with a visit to the Governors’ Palace .

View of Sainte-Marie Cathedral from the street.

Visit Bastia in 2 days

Bastia is a city that can be visited in a weekend. See below for our visit tips:

  • Head back towards the marina: why not take advantage of Toga beach if the weather’s fine?
  • Retrace your steps and take a look at the Notre-Dame de Lourdes church.
  • Stroll around Place Saint-Nicolas.
  • Then take boulevard Paoli . Time for lunch? Eat at the Nova restaurant .
  • Take rue Font-Neuve to stroll down rue Napoléon . Visit the Oratory of the Immaculate Conception .
  • Visit the Saint-Roch Oratory.
  • Head up Via Vattelapesca to take a look at the Church of St. Charles Borromeo .
  • Time for dinner? Return to the old port. Why not dine at Table Mare & Gusto in the market square?
  • After your visit to the cathedral, retrace your steps and visit the Governors’ Palace .
  • Lose yourself in the citadel and dine in one of its many restaurants.
  • Take a look at the frescoes in the U Cimbalu house.
  • Take a 20-minute walk to the Scala Santa and visit it.
  • Descend from the heights of Bastia to reach the Ficaghjola beach .
  • After enjoying the beach, take the U Spassimare back to the old port and admire the view from the Aldilonda .
  • Dinner on the old port or at the Café des gourmets.

View of the Dragon Jetty lighthouse.

Visit Bastia in 3 days

Are you staying in Bastia for a 3rd day? Take advantage of the opportunity to go on an excursion or visit Bastia’s surroundings. Here is our selection:

  • Option 1: Go to Parc Galea , then eat at Les Sens restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the archaeological site of Mariana , and enjoy the Arinella beach . On the way back to Bastia, take a look at the Biguglia pond .
  • Option 2: Visit Galea Park in the morning and take a cruise to Cap-Corse in the afternoon.
  • Option 3: Take a 4WD day trip to the Agriates desert , or take your own car and visit Cap-Corse , Balagne, or Saint-Florent and its gulf .

View of Galea Park.

Frequently asked questions

What to do in bastia when it rains.

A wide choice of activities is available if it rains during your stay in Bastia.

Cultural activities:

  • Go to the cinema: Le Régent or Le Studio.
  • Visit religious buildings: Oratoire Saint-Roch, Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, cathedral…
  • Visit the Palais des Gouverneurs – Museum of Bastia.
  • Go to the municipal theater.

Fun activities:

  • Escape Game Scappa 23min drive south of Bastia.
  • Factory zones (laser games, arcade room and board games) in Furiani (15min south of Bastia by car).
  • Furiani bowling alley (laser gun and billiards) 20min drive from Bastia.

View of Le Régent Bastia cinema.

Bastia or Ajaccio: which to choose?

Having trouble deciding between the capital of southern Corsica and that of northern Corsica? It all depends on what you’re looking for. The two cities are very different. For access to beaches and museums, choose Ajaccio, and for the city’s beauty, atmosphere and religious buildings, choose Bastia. To find out more, read our dedicated article .

View of Bastia.

What to do in Bastia with your family

Here are some ideas for visiting Bastia with your family:

  • Take the little tourist train tour: departing from the tourist office, you’ll see Bastia’s must-sees in a fun way that won’t tire out the little ones. Find out more on the official website.
  • Enjoy the Arinella beach: children will love its playground and water activities.
  • Family Parc: a 20-minute drive south of Bastia, this leisure park is specially designed for families. You’ll find a mini-accrobranche, a zip line, as well as activities and games for children, teenagers and adults. Find out more on the official website.
  • Go to the Western Splash aquatic center: right next to the Family Parc, your children will find what they’re looking for (wave pools, slides…). Find out more on the official website.
  • Corsica Zoo: a 45-minute drive from Bastia, this 8-hectare park is home to over 400 animals of around 60 different species. Find out more on the official website.

View of the Arinella Bastia beach playground.

Which campsites are close to Bastia?

There are a number of campsites to the north and south of Bastia. Here is our selection:

  • Les Sables Rouges : the closest campsite to Bastia (8 minutes by car), very close to the Arinella beach.
  • Camping San Damiano (4 stars): campsite located between the Etang de Biguglia and the beach, with swimming pool, playground, entertainment and supermarket.

All our tips in this article were put into words with the help of Fanny.

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1 Day in Bastia, Corsica: Itinerary with Top 18 Things to Do

Photo of Camille L.

What to do in Bastia?

Are you going  to visit Bastia  during your stay in  Corsica ?

To help you organize your trip, I have prepared the  top 18 things to do and see in Bastia . You will find all  the places of interest to see  during your walk in the city but also  the most beautiful places in the surroundings.

At the end of the article, I also give you an idea of ​​a program to  visit Bastia in 1, 2 or 3 days  as well as a  selection of the best hotels  according to your budget.

So,  what to do and see in Bastia? 

Table of Contents

Visit Bastia: the essentials

1. place saint-nicolas.

We begin this guide to Bastia with its emblematic square:  Place Saint-Nicolas.

It is  opposite the ferry terminal  where ferries arrive from the mainland or  Italy .

This vast esplanade is  one of the largest in France.  It hosts  many events  throughout the year:  concerts  in summer, an  ice rink  during the Christmas period and  the Salon du Chocolat  which attracts thousands of gourmets every year in October. On  Sunday mornings , there is also  a large flea market and a flea market.

Bordered by huge plane trees and  surrounded by bars and restaurants , it is the ideal place to  have a drink on the terrace.  You will also find the boutique of the emblematic brand of aperitifs in Corsica,  the Cap Corse MATTEI house .

The square also houses  a statue of Napoleon, a war memorial and a bandstand.

Tips for your Bastia itinerary:

Be sure to stop by  the Bastia tourist office , which is located on Place Saint-Nicolas, to get a map of the city.

It is also from this square that you can take  the little train  for a  50-minute guided tour  of the main tourist sites of Bastia.

Tickets are on sale from the tourist office or from the driver and all the information can be found  on the official website.  

Bastia itinerary 1 day

2. Napoleon Street

Continue your tour of Bastia by  rue Napoléon , an extension of place Saint-Nicolas. You are now entering  the Terra Vecchia district,  the oldest in Bastia.

This  pedestrian street  brings together several  artisan and designer shops  as well as a few  souvenir shops or selling Corsican products .

At the level of the monuments , mark a stop to admire:

  • The Saint-Roch oratory:  built in 1604, it has a beautiful interior all in gilding. Its walls lined with red silks and paneling are typical of some oratories in Italy
  • The oratory of the Immaculate Conception:  built in 1611 in the same style as Saint-Roch, it has a beautiful marble altar.

When you leave the oratory,  take the small lane of Creation  to  reach the market square .

As its name suggests,  the Bastia market takes place here every weekend . It brings together many  local producers  who will be happy to introduce you to good regional products such as coppa, lonzo or delicious Corsican cheeses.

If you want  to do some shopping in Bastia , in addition to rue Napoléon, I advise you to stroll along  Boulevard Paoli  and  rue César Campinchi . These are the 2  main shopping streets  of the city.

Bastia itinerary 1 day

3. St. John the Baptist Church

Among the  must-see religious monuments  in Bastia, don’t miss  the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church.

It is located at the end of the market place.

Built between 1636 and 1666, it is  the largest church in Corsica . It is  classified as a historical monument. 

Its facade, in Baroque style, has the particularity of  having 2 bell towers , and its  richly decorated interior  is adorned with  numerous works of art.  There is in particular the  silver tabernacle of the high altar  and a  marble statue of Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

It is at the level of the Old Port that you can best admire its imposing facade and its bell towers.

Bastia itinerary 1 day

4. The Old Port

A stay in Bastia would not be complete without a short  stroll in the Old Port.

In the   heart of the old town , you can sit on the  terrace of one of the restaurants  and  enjoy the view  of the pleasure boats. Fairly quiet during the day, it is particularly lively in the evening.

Bastia itinerary 1 day

5. The Romieu Garden

Visiting Bastia also means discovering  the Romieu garden,  a place of passage which marks the  junction between the Terra Vecchia district  and that of  Nova Vecchia.

You can reach it  from the south quay  of the Old Port via  the monumental Romieu staircase  which offers a  splendid view  of the entire city of Bastia. The garden is a  very nice place  to  walk in the shade  of tall trees.

Are you going to Bastia?

You know it:  the hardest part is certainly to find a hotel offering a good price/performance ratio!

And yes,  the closer you get to your travel date, the less availability there will be .  Many tourists are going to visit Bastia   on the same dates as you , and you can be sure that all the best placed and interesting rooms from a price point of view will have already been reserved!

Fortunately, the solution to this problem is simple:  do like me and plan ahead!

So take 5 minutes now to take a look at  the list of travelers’ favorite hotels in Bastia.

And if you like a hotel,  book it!

Cancellation is often free, it’s quick, easy, and it will protect you from the inconvenience of finding nothing , except mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To see the best offers of the moment in Bastia,  simply click here.

Once your hotel is booked, it’s time to continue reading this guide!

Bastia itinerary 1 day

6. The Citadel of Bastia

Going up through the Romieu garden, you will reach  the citadel , one of the  main places of interest in Bastia.

Built on a rocky promontory in 1380 by a Genoese governor, the citadel offers a  maze of narrow streets  punctuated by building facades in warm colors and a few  small restaurants with a view of the sea.

To see absolutely in the citadel of Bastia:

  • Rue Notre-Dame,  the main street
  • Saint Mary’s Cathedral,  with its Baroque interior decorated with paintings by Italian masters. There is also a processional statue of the Virgin in silver weighing no less than 500 kilos!
  • The oratory of the brotherhood of Sainte-Croix,  in the purest Rococo style, it contains a black Christ found at sea by fishermen in 1428
  • The place of the dungeon  where one formerly tied (trousers lowered!) during a whole day, the tradesmen a little charlatans who would have cheated their customers. At the end of the day, their counter was broken down to prevent them from trading. We then spoke of “banca rotta” for broken counter in Italian, which gave the well-known expression of going bankrupt.
  • The Governors’ Palace  which houses the Bastia History Museum: I’ll tell you about it below.
  • The Louis XVI gate,  once the only access to the citadel. To its left was the gallows, used for executions. The gate and the fortifications of the citadel are listed as a Historic Monument.
  • The miniature village of René Mattei,  located in the former powder magazine of the citadel. You will find a reproduction of a Corsican village with a mill, oven, sheepfold, torrent, church and the sound of bells, everything is there! Very random hours, it is better to call before.

Bastia itinerary 1 day

7. The Governors’ Palace / The Bastia History Museum

Among the tourist attractions of Bastia, I advise you to  visit the city’s history museum.

It is located at the level of the citadel, in  the former palace of the Governors,   classified as a Historic Monument. With its bright orange facade, you can’t miss it.

The museum is dedicated to the  heritage and history of Corsica . You will find an important  collection of sculptures, paintings and furniture  retracing  7 centuries of history not only of the city but also of all of Corsica. A good way to immerse yourself in history before continuing your  Corsica itinerary !

The entrance ticket also includes access  to the Governor’s Gardens  to enjoy the  panorama of the city, Cap Corse  and if the weather is clear as far as the islands of the Tuscan archipelago such as the island of Elba.

Practical information (schedules, prices) can be found  on the official website.

Bastia itinerary 1 day

8. Boat Trip from Bastia

A  boat trip around Bastia  is one of the best  activities to do during your stay in Northern Corsica. 

Departing from the  Old Port of Bastia , you will have  the choice between 3 cruises:

1) A boat trip to discover part of Cap Corse.

This outing lasts about  2 hours  and allows you to pass along the  Genoese towers  that dot  the cape to Porticciolo.  The landscapes are magnificent and depending on the season/weather there is a small swimming stop planned to cool off.

2) A sea trip to the tip of Cap Corse.

This boat trip lasts a little longer than the previous one  (4h30)  and therefore allows you to push the trip  to the end of Cap Corse , the northernmost point of the island of beauty.

You will therefore have the opportunity to  enjoy the beauty of the landscapes even more! 

Bastia itinerary 1 day

9. The Beaches of Bastia

Where to go to the beach  in Bastia?

I prefer to warn you, it is not in Bastia that you will find the  most beautiful beaches in Corsica . For that, it is better to continue your  Corsica itinerary  by  Cap Corse  or  the Agriates desert  for example (I talk about it below). But if you feel like cooling off, then don’t worry, they’ll do just fine.

Here are the closest beaches to Bastia:

  • The beach or rather the small cove of Ficaghjola , accessible by a staircase which is about 300 meters from the citadel.
  • Arinella beach,  a large sandy beach south of Bastia. You will find a nautical base offering various activities: kayaking, paddle, windsurfing…
  • La Marana beach,  a succession of sandy beaches bordered by the pine forest. These are the most touristic, you will find restaurants and many water activities. It is also possible to rent deckchairs and parasols.
  • Toga beach,  a small pebble beach just 5 minutes walk from the center.

To  go to Arinella beach , you can take the  free shuttle  from the tourist office. In season, there are every 20 minutes between 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Bastia itinerary 1 day

10. Biguglia Pond Nature Reserve

If you no longer know what to do in Bastia and you have  finished your walk in the city , you can take your car to reach  the nature reserve of the pond of Biguglia .

It is located  south of the city , between Bastia and the airport, 15 minutes by car.

The reserve is  the largest wetland in Corsica . Along a  discovery trail , you can try to  see many birds  among the hundred species living there: cormorants, herons, coots, flamingos.

On the site is also  the ecomuseum of the fort,  a former Genoese fort converted into an  educational area  on the nature reserve. Admission is €2 for a self-guided tour and €4 if you want a guided tour + a 2-hour walk through the reserve.

Bastia itinerary 1 day

11. Walks from Bastia

If you like to walk, there are some  pleasant walks starting from Bastia:

The Monserato Oratory

The start is from a staircase behind the courthouse. You will first pass in front of  the Convent of Saint Anthony  before reaching the Oratory of Monserato (10 minutes on foot).

He is recognized for his  “Scala Santa”  or  “holy staircase”  of which there are only about ten copies worldwide. This staircase is an  immense privilege  granted by  Pope Pius VII  to the inhabitants of Bastia. Covered in red velvet and gilding,  the faithful can climb it on their knees  to be absolved of all their sins.

The trail from Toga to Alzeto

From the heights of the port, take the old mule track to enjoy a superb view of the city and the sea.

Hiking the Chemin des Glacières (from Cardo)

The village square marks the  start of the glacier path , a hike of about 1h30 one way which will take you to  very old stone buildings, the “Nieve”  used to  store ice.

It was stored and used to serve as an anesthetic during operations or quite simply by wealthy families from Bastia who could enjoy ice cream in the middle of summer!

Bastia itinerary 1 day

What to do around Bastia?

Now that you have visited the city, you can continue your Corsica itinerary  by  visiting the surroundings of Bastia.

Here are the  best places to see:

12. The Perched Villages around Bastia

There are several  beautiful balcony villages  to discover near Bastia.

I particularly advise you to  go through:

  • Ville di Pietrabugno  where the hamlets of Alzeto and Guaïtella are located. You will find old houses from the 15th and 16th century as well as fountains, oil presses or bread ovens. Alzeto is also the starting point of the chemin de la Glacière de ville, which will take you to an icehouse in 45 minutes on foot.
  • San-Martino Di Lota  made up of 11 hamlets. Not to be missed: the Saint-Martin church in Acqualta and the Sainte-Dévote church in Pietranera. Several hiking trails accessible from the town.
  • Santa-Maria di Lota  made up of 6 hamlets. You can in particular pass by the marina of Miomo, the hamlet of Figarella for its castle and its church, or the hamlet of Mandriale for its 17th century Genoese bridge. From Mandrial, you also have the option of climbing to Col Saint-Jean, in about 1h15 on foot.
  • Furiani  and its Genoese tower surmounted by a bell tower. The village is the starting point for the hike to the Santa Maria Assunta church. Built in the 9th century, it is classified as a Historic Monument. To enter, you must first go through the town hall of Furiani who will give you the keys.

Bastia itinerary 1 day

13. Cape Corsica

North of Bastia, you absolutely must  go to Cap Corse . The natural landscapes are splendid as are some beaches!

You can of course  go around it by car , but it would be a shame not to take the best-known hike:  the coastal path . The walk starts from Macinaggio and goes to Centuri, 19 km away all the same!

But don’t panic, you can only do part of the trail,  from Macinaggio to Barcaggio  and that’s good because it’s the  most interesting part  with  pretty viewpoints  and  beautiful beaches  where you can stop for a swim.

Count  3h30 on foot just for the outward journey  (but you can return by boat).

In addition to the customs trail, there are  plenty of other things to do in Cap Corse:

  • A 2-hour boat trip  with swimming stop. Perfect if you don’t feel like walking.
  • Explore the different villages  of Rogliano, Barrettali, Canari…
  • Discover the black pebble beach of Nonza
  • Contemplate the panorama  over all of Cap Corse from the viewpoint of the Mattei mill
  • Walk the Patrimonio wine route

Do you want  to discover Cap Corse and the surroundings of Bastia by boat far from other tourists?

I have what you need!

The best way to discover Cap Corse  is to  opt for a private boat trip.

You  rent a boat with a skipper , and he will take  you to the most beautiful places around Bastia.

Motor boat, sailboat, catamaran  or even  yacht  : it’s up to you to choose the boat that suits you to  spend a dream day!

Bastia itinerary 1 day

14. Saint-Florent / The Agriates Desert

It is only  40 minutes by car from Bastia,  that you can have access to  2 splendid beaches classified among the most beautiful in Corsica !

To do this,  go to Saint-Florent , a pretty village by the sea, the starting point for the  boats leaving for the Agriates desert .

After about twenty minutes at sea, you will be dropped off at  Saleccia beach  or  Lotu beach.  Both are downright heavenly with  turquoise water and white sand ! These are really the 2 beaches to see around Bastia.

Departing from Bastia airport,  you can also choose to  fly over the beaches of Agriates  and take in the view by opting for a one-hour flight in a  gyrocopter  or in a  microlight .

There are also  day trips from Bastia   to Saleccia beach.

Accompanied by a very nice guide , you will leave for a  trip in 4×4  on the roads of Cap Corse and  to the beach of Saleccia  where you will have a few hours to swim.

Bastia itinerary 1 day

Corte  is only  1h10 drive from Bastia , in the center of Corsica.

During a  walk in the city , you can discover:

  • The Citadel  and the Eagle’s Nest
  • The regional museum of anthropology of Corsica  on the history of the island
  • The belvedere  and its panorama of the citadel
  • The Paoli course

Not far from Corte, you will also have access to some of the  most popular hikes in the region , such as the  Gorges de la Restonica ,  Lac de Nino  or the  Vizzavona forest.

Bastia itinerary 1 day

16. The Archaeological Site of Mariana

Lovers  of history and old stones  can also  visit the archaeological site of Mariana.

It is  25 km south of Bastia , near the airport.

The site, to which access is  free , presents several  vestiges of an ancient city from Roman times  : a market, mosaics, a necropolis.

Here you will also find  the Canonica Cathedral  dating back to medieval times. Dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, it was built at the beginning of the 12th century.

Excavations are still underway on the site and the opening of a museum is planned.

Bastia itinerary 1 day

17. The Wine Route

Another idea of ​​things to do around Bastia is to  travel the wine route.

The road starts  from the north of Bastia  and runs through  part of Cap Corse  where there are many vineyards. I advise you in particular to go  to Patrimonio  known for the  AOP Patrimonio , and produced by more than thirty wineries.

You can stop in one of the estates for a  short tasting session.

In the Nebbiu region , towards Saint-Florent, you will also find the vineyards of  the AOP Muscat-du-Cap-Corse , ranked among  the best muscats in the world.

Bastia itinerary 1 day

18. The Road of the Senses

An original initiative for this  route of the senses  which allows  craftsmen and producers  to make known  their work and their know-how. 

Marked by  blue signs along the road , you can stop  to visit the workshops or farms  to  taste delicious local products . The members agree to respect precise specifications to  guarantee the quality and origin of the products.

The road of the senses brings together several  winegrowers ,  breeders,  market gardeners  but also  honey producers ,  distilleries  and  craftsmen.

More information on the Route des Sens partners  on the official website.

Bastia itinerary 1 day

How many days to visit Bastia?

To  visit the city of Bastia  and discover the places of interest I’m talking about, you won’t need  more than a day.

If you want to  spend a few days in Bastia , and take the opportunity to  visit the surroundings,  then I recommend spending  2 or 3 days there.

Here are my  ideas for itineraries  to visit Bastia in 1, 2 or 3 days.

1 Day Bastia Itinerary

I give you here a  route to visit Bastia in one day:

  • Departure from  Place Saint-Nicolas
  • Passage through  Rue Napoléon  to admire  the Saint Roch oratory   and  the oratory of the Immaculate Conception
  • Join  the market place
  • Visit of  the Church of Saint John the Baptist
  • Passage through  the Old Port  to reach  the Romieu staircase and the gardens
  • Walk in  the citadel
  • Visit of the  Bastia History Museum
  • Go for a swim and relax on  one of the beaches  around Bastia
  • Take one of the  walks from Bastia
  • Take a walk in the  Biguglia pond nature reserve

2 Days Bastia Itinerary

For  2 days in Bastia,  repeat the program of day 1 and add:

  • A day in the Agriates desert.  Take the maritime shuttle from Saint-Florent and reach the beaches of Saleccia or Lotu.

If you don’t necessarily feel like driving, there are  day trips from Bastia  to Saleccia beach.

You will be  accompanied by a very nice guide  who will take you on a  4×4 trip  on the roads of Cap Corse and  to Saleccia beach  where you will have a few hours to swim.

3 Days or More in Bastia

If you have  3 or more days in Bastia , in addition to the previous 2, I recommend:

  • To go to Cap Corse.  And you can even take the opportunity to do part of the wine route and the route of the senses that crosses it.
  • To go around the perched villages  located around Bastia and to walk on the paths.
  • To join Corte  to discover the center of Corsica and its mountains.

Accommodation in Bastia

  • Best Western Bastia Centre:  Located 1 km from the Old Port and the city centre. Spacious and very clean double room from €75 per night, breakfast at €11.50. Most: the comfort of the rooms, the private car park, the very pleasant staff.  It is our favorite for its performance / price ratio in Bastia!
  • Hotel Port Toga:  Located just opposite the ferry arrival and departure port. Modern double room with comfortable bedding from €85 per night. Most: the roof terrace, the view of the sea, the good breakfast.  This is the ideal hotel for a ferry arrival or departure in Bastia!
  • Hotel Restaurant & Spa L’Ostella:  Located 4 km from the center and 500 meters from the beach. Warm and comfortable double room, some with a balcony with sea view, from €90 per night, breakfast at €12.50. Most: the caring staff, the excellent restaurant, the wellness center with indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi.
  • Alivi:  Located 350 meters from the beach and 2 km from the center of Bastia. Double room with terrace overlooking the sea from €135, breakfast at €16. Most: the pool, the setting, the view, the restaurant.  This is our recommendation for an upscale stay in Bastia!
  • Hôtel Des Gouverneurs:  located in the citadel, 2 minutes walk from the Old Port. Elegant and cozy double room from €180, breakfast at €19. Most: the view of Bastia and the sea, the geographical location, the availability of staff, the indoor swimming pool.  This is our recommendation for a luxury stay in Bastia!

Where to eat in Bastia

  • La Table de Nathalie:  a small restaurant located on Boulevard Paoli, behind Place Saint-Nicolas. It offers original cuisine, combining tradition and modernity, using excellent fresh produce. The dishes are hearty and the plates very well presented. Everything is homemade and the welcome is super friendly. Reservation recommended, there are not many tables!
  • Pizzeria Chez Vincent:  located rue Saint-Michel. We come here to enjoy excellent pizzas, well garnished, or delicious burgers. If you can, dine on the terrace to enjoy the view of the Old Port.
  • Le petit Zinc:  located 1 rue de l’Ancienne Poste. Essential address in Bastia! The cuisine is refined and delicate, the service pleasant and the atmosphere and setting rather chic and trendy. All the elements come together to make a good meal and have a good time.

How to go to Bastia?

Bastia airport  is located 20 km south of the city center.

You can also  reach Bastia by boat  from  Nice ,  Marseille  or Toulon , or from  Italy.

Tourist Map of Bastia

To help you visualize the city a little better, I made you a   tourist map of Bastia  listing the places to visit that I talk about in this top 18 things to do in Bastia. You can display the map legend by clicking on the top left button with a small arrow.

And you, what are you planning to do in Bastia?

Are you going to Corsica, Read also

Discover all our articles on Corsica :  all Voyage Tips articles on Corsica are listed here.

  • Ajaccio:  Top 20 places to discover
  • What to do in Corsica?  The Top 20 Best Things to Do and See
  • Itinerary: 5 days in Corsica  – The ideal circuit to visit Corsica in 10 days
  • Itinerary: A week in Corsica  – The perfect itinerary to visit the South of Corsica
  • Itinerary: 7 days in Corsica – The ideal circuit to visit Corsica in 7 or 8 days
  • Best Accommodation in Corsica

Photo of Camille L.

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bastia tourist information office

Hiking the GR20 in Corsica: An Overview Guide

Pines and path on the Gr20 Corsica

Top tips and recommendations for hiking the GR20.

[Updated April 2020]

This post contains affiliate links for which Expedition Wildlife may receive a commission (where applicable) at no additional cost to you.

As prepared as I felt I was at the beginning of the GR20 north trek, I didn’t fully comprehend what lay ahead in the coming days on the trail. This post will cover recommendations and tips, gear considerations, and more.

GR20 Statistics

Distance Total:   112 miles (180 kilometers).

Total Elevation Gain:   41,900 ft (12,775 m).

Total Elevation Loss:   41,800 ft (12,735 m).

Duration:   16 days.

Physical Difficulty Level:   High , uphill and downhill training highly recommended.

Mental Difficulty Level:   High , comfort with heights and ledge exposure required.

Gear Necessity: Light or ultralight gear highly recommended (see list below). Food available along the trail, but recommend purchasing as you go.

Recommended Guides:  Cicerone’s  Trekking the GR20 Corsica: The High Level Route   by Paddy Dillion is an essential guide. *This is our recommended guide to take with you on the trail!!*. Or for French speakers, TopoGuides’ A Travers la Montagne Corse (in French).

Corsica GR20 map

Click the Google Maps image to see all the stages for this trek.

GR20 North Section – Calenzana to Vizzavona

Distance Total:   62 miles (100 kilometers).

Total Elevation Gain:   26,500 ft (8,080 m).

Total Elevation Loss:   24,300 ft (7,400 m).

Duration:   9 days.

GR20 South Section – Vizzavona to Conca

Distance Total:   50 miles (80 kilometers).

Total Elevation Gain:   15,400 ft (4,695 m).

Total Elevation Loss:   17,500 ft (5,335 m).

Duration:   7 days.

*UPDATE AS OF 5/2019: The Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu (the first hut on the North-South hike), unfortunately, succumbed to flames in May 2019. For the most updated information on this refuge, contact either the Tourist Information Centre in Calvi  or ask the Facebook GR20 forum. We will update here on our website when we find more information about reconstruction/opening times, camping permits, food availability, etc.

**UPDATE AS OF 4/2020: While the refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu is being repaired and rebuilt, there is still the option of camping on site. Someone is available to take payment for pitching a tent, as well as to maintain the toilets and prepare food for visitors. Easy foods, such as cheese and crackers, can also be purchased, and an overhanging tent for coverage while eating can be used.

About the GR20

The GR20 trek is on the island of Corsica, just off the southern coast of France. It has been dubbed the “hardest trek in Europe” by hiking and trekking guides all over the world.

This designation is apt, as the consistent significant elevation gain and loss, coupled with the need to use your hands during dozens of instances throughout the route, make for a challenging trek overall.

Don’t let that scare you off from hiking the GR20, however. As long as you are in good hiking shape and have your wits about you with heights and ledge exposure, it’s likely you’ll be just fine.

The biggest danger on the trail overall is bad weather in the high mountains. Be sure to stay put if the weather is foul from the get-go as dry rock is near-essential for some sections in the northern route.

Always listen to your gut and don’t attempt to continue with a hike that is beyond your comfort level.

Bocca-u-saltu-GR20-Corsica

Despite its difficulty level, hikers come from all over the world to conquer Corsica’s stunning and unique mountains. Photo by Christa Rolls

Hiking the GR20: An Overview

The GR20 is classified as a long-distance trek, spanning nearly the entire north-south distance of the Corsican island, a total of 112 miles (180 kilometers). It has a serious mountain-to-valley elevation variation of about 32,000 feet (10,000 meters) over a 16-day hiking period.

The northern starting point is the town of Calenzana and the southern terminus is the town of Conca.

If you’re hiking north, top off your hike with a jump into the clear blue ocean at Calvi, just north of Calenzana. If you’re hiking south, jump in the ever bluer waters of Porto Vecchio, just south of Conca. It’s a tradition.

Keep to the red-and-white blazes

The trail itself is  well-marked with red-and-white blazes throughout the entirety of the trail. Keep to these marked areas as they will provide the easiest and safest direction of travel.

Choose whether to travel north or south

The most common direction of travel is from north to south, as most hikers prefer to get the harder days out of the way first.

If traveling from the south, the last few days of the trek will be the most arduous.

The trail is broken into two sections

The GR20 has a north section and a south section. Vizzavona, a small town, marks the junction between the two sections.

The north is the most difficult section , as the most technical and grueling days climbing up and down rugged and rocky mountains are largely covered  during the first four days heading south .

Get the right guide

The aforementioned guides and online resources have nearly everything you need to know about each stage of the hike, day by day.

The Cicerone guide has incredibly detailed information (nearly turn-by-turn) and includes nearly everything you’ll ever need to know about the hike , and the Corsica for Hikers forum (corsica.forhikers.com) is a great place to see a general overview of what to see and expect along the trail.

San Martino di Lota ocean

Doesn’t this look enticing? The ocean view from Pietranera, Corsica. Photo by Christa Rolls

When to go/Best Season to Hike the GR20

E arly June to Mid-to-Late October  is the recommended time to tackle the GR20. Most refuges and re-stock locations will stay open through September.

Wait until the refuges are open and the snow has largely melted away from the main parts of the trail. This is, of course, unless you have mountaineering experience and plan to hike the trail with the appropriate gear and experience. You may need to bring crampons if you go earlier in the summer season.

Check the trail conditions with the refuges separately, or  GR20 Facebook page . I must say, the Facebook page is especially helpful for updated trail conditions.

I went in September and the weather was perfect. All the refuges and various re-stock locations were open and everything wasn’t horrendously busy. Yet, plenty of people were on the trails and at the refuges. There also wasn’t any snow on the trail, and it wasn’t as busy as the trails usually would be in July and August (vacation months for most of Europe).

I recommend you avoid July and August, if possible, to avoid the crowds. 

Once you hit October, check transportation options and contact refuges ahead of time to determine if they’re open. Starting in October, you’re officially outside of high season.

Sunset at Refuge Piobbu

A field of tents set up by GR 20 hikers at Refuge D’Ortu Di U Piobbu. Just look at that view! Photo by Christa Rolls

Check out our other long-distance trekking guide of the Tour du Mont Blanc!

Cost of Hiking the GR20 North

For the GR20 north portion of my visit to Corsica,  I spent about €200  on transport and trail necessities. This accounted for:

Transportation

  • Bus transportation from the Bastia airport to the downtown Bastia train station (€9)
  • Train from downtown Bastia to Calvi (train station takes credit cards; €16)
  • Bus transportation from Calvi to the Gite d’Etape Communal in Calenzana (bus info center takes credit cards; €9)

Accommodation

  • Tent space each night at refuges (using my personal tent; €7-9)
  • Snacks for the evening (read: end of day beer; prices vary, usually €2-3)
  • Periodic lunches for the next day (Barquette or Tabbouleh; around €7)
  • Treating myself to dinner two nights (€20 at the refuges and hotels; hotels such as that as Ascu Stagnu will take credit card)

With the purchase of the tent space or refuge bed, use of the showers (which were always cold by the time I arrived) and communal gas stove is free of charge.

Prices for tent spaces and food at the southern refuges are comparable. The cost to rent a tent is typically around €10 and to rent a bed is around €14.

Barquette Tabbouleh GR20

Barquette or Tabbouleh purchased from Refuge D’Ortu Di U Piobbu. Photo by Christa Rolls

Getting to the GR20 trailhead

No matter where you are starting your hike, give yourself one full day to travel to the trailhead. It just takes time and a solid handle on the train or bus schedules to get to where you need to be.

Check out the unofficial Corsica bus (corsicabus.org) page for bus and train timetables. Also, don’t hesitate to contact the Tourist Information Centers for more information (all details listed at the end of this post).

Keep in mind that bus and train timelines will change outside of the high season. This is typically mid-to-late September.

Possible points of entry

If traveling north to south, you’ll want to start at Calvi. This is, of course, unless you want to only do half the route on the easy side traveling North-South. In this case, you would start at Vizzavona and end at Conca.

If traveling south to north, you’ll want to start at either Conca or Vizzavona. Head to Conca to do the full South-North trail or the easier half of the southern trail. Start at Vizzavona if you plan on doing the harder half-section of the South-North trek.

Getting there from Calvi

If you are traveling the traditional North to South route, the best option would be to fly or ferry into Calvi directly. Calvi is the closest major town near the north trailhead.

From there, you can either hail a taxi directly to Calenzana or explore around Calvi and take the Beaux Voyages once-a-day bus to Calenzana. Note that Beaux Voyages has limited operations times outside of July and August and may only run on weekdays.

It might cross your mind, to walk to the trailhead at Calenzana from Calvi. This will take an hour or two and you’ll be on a narrow road with no sidewalks. Exercise extreme caution when walking these roads and don’t assume you have the right of way .

Getting there from Bastia

Most flights go out of Bastia, but keep in mind that you’ll spend most of the day just trying to get to Calenzana or Vizzavona.

A handful of times throughout the day, a bus will be parked just outside the baggage claim doors taking people to downtown Bastia’s train station. Tickets for the train to Calvi or Vizzavona can be bought directly at the train station.

Consider getting a flight that arrives earlier in the morning to give you time to get to the train station to catch the train, then travel the three-hour journey to Calvi.

More Train Logistics

Trains go between Calvi and Bastia, and Bastia down through Vizzavona and to Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte.

You may also start off from Ajaccio or Porto Vecchio to get to the trailhead. To get to Conca, you’ll need to catch a bus from Vizzavona or Porto Vecchio via Eurocorse Voyages. Again, I recommend flying into a northern airport if starting on the north end.

The train does not go to the southern terminus of Conca, or Porto Vecchio, if you are considering a south to north route. Contact the Gite de la Tonnelle ahead of time to arrange for a shuttle transfer to Conca from Sainte Lucie.

Accommodation on the GR20

You have a handful of different options for accommodation along the trail.

The GR20 forums state there being issues with bed bugs in some of the tents and bed spaces. This is a good reason to bring your own tent!

Reserve a bed/rent a tent at a refuge

The first option is to get/reserve a bed at the refuges in one of their communal rooms. Or, you can rent/reserve a tent hired by the refuges.

Each refuge has its own setup, but keep in mind that refuge tents are often very limited.

If you are planning to trek the GR20 during the high season, especially July and August, contact the refuges ahead of time to reserve yourself a bed or tent space.

Bring your own tent

The next option is to bring your own tent and pay for a space to sleep on the refuge grounds. I didn’t have any issues getting a space for my tent. Just know that refuges tend to get busier as you move south. The easier sections of the trail have more day hikers!

Rent a hotel room

Periodically, there are hotels where you can get an actual room, if you want a hot shower and good bed. Don’t count on this very often, though!

NO wild camping

Wild camping is technically illegal along the GR20.  In some places, you’ll see spots that have been designated specifically for camping out, but these are few and far between.

Auberge U Vallone Corsica

The Auberge U Vallone sits among pines along the rocky slopes of the Ravin de Stranciacone. Photo by Christa Rolls

Food on the GR20

I packed all my own food for the entire northern section trip. However, I did end up getting lunch snacks at most of the refuges to carry for the following day. This, coupled with my Jetboil system, was heavier than I would have liked.

I would recommend having some snacks in your pack for the day and purchasing most meals at the refuges. This will save you a ton on pack weight, as long as you can manage the refuge meals financially.

Otherwise, skip bringing your stove system , as the refuges will offer a gas stove and utensils for cooking.

Food at the refuges

All refuges will offer some variation of breakfast and dinner, and some a selection of snacks and lunch barquettes.

Fewer still will have miniature stores with fresh cheeses or freeze-dried meals for purchase. Note that some refuge meals are definitely better than others, both in my experience and based on what my fellow hikers told me.

The dinner at Refuge Tighiettu was fabulous (local charcuterie, delicious pasta with sundried tomatoes and olives, and an apple puree for dessert). Friends on the trail raved about the omelets and dinner at Auberge U Vallone.

Breakfast at most refuges will cost you about €9 (usually bread and cheeses) and €20 for dinners (soup or charcuterie, pasta of some kind, and a dessert). The prices are pretty high, but carrying all of the food can be grueling, too.

It’s up to you how you want your hiking experience to be.

The food I packed and carried

  • Breakfast: apple cinnamon oatmeal and Starbucks VIA coffee.
  • Snacks/lunch: beef jerky, chocolate, nut, and fruit protein bars, LARA coconut bliss bars, fruit leather, cashews, and tabbouleh purchased from the refuges (sometimes it was hard-boiled eggs or crackers and cheese).
  • Dinner: Couscous and salmon packets, freeze-dried chicken gumbo, freeze-dried veggie burrito, and freeze-dried honey lime chicken and rice for 8 nights total (doubled up on each).

Water on the GR20

For the majority of the northern section you won’t have to worry about filtering water. Refuge managers will always tell you which water spout is potable or not . 

Most people I met on the trail didn’t filter from the tap and experienced no issues.

The southern half of the trail, however, has a different bacteria in the water. It is recommended to only use potable water stations or bring a water filter with you.

I drink a ton of water (about 3L+ in a day during a long hike) so I use the Katydyn 6L Gravity Camp water filtration system . I also kept the filter at camp with me.

If you drink like a camel, grab the Sawyer Mini water filtration system . It’s super compact and lightweight and is perfect if you don’t need more than a couple of liters.

Ford along Le Golo Fleuve Corsica

Nearing the Ford along Le Golo Fleuve – just look at those pools of glorious water! Photo by Christa Rolls

Weather on the GR20

Weather in the mountains can be incredibly unpredictable.

On my first night in Calenzana, the weather forecast anticipated only sun for two weeks. Yet, a raging thunderstorm came from over the mountains and poured down on us. Thankfully that was the only time during my trip!

Be sure to layer up as well. The elevation gain and loss will take you to colder, windier places, then back to warmer, less windy locales. Even in summertime, the evenings can be quite cool in the mountains.

Always check the weather forecast with the refuge the night before and morning of heading out. Don’t go up to the higher mountain passes if the weather looks foul!

Storm over Calenzana Corsica

Thunderstorm over Calenzana, despite the sunny weather forecast. Photo by Christa Rolls

Miscellaneous tips for hiking the GR20

Always leave your itinerary with someone you trust off the trail.

The difficulty level of the GR20 should not be taken for granted or lightly. Anything can happen in a mountainous and remote region such as the Corsican mountains.

Leaving your itinerary and travel plan, and setting up call times to check in with someone, ensures you can be found somewhat quickly if something bad were to happen to you on the trail.

Be mindful and careful

Injuries occur every year on the GR 20, usually because people simply get tired or don’t watch where they are putting their feet. DON’T get complacent on the trail! 

Always be mindful of where you place your feet. Only wait until you’re ready to continue when you reach a spot that prohibits you from turning around.

Learn some French

It will benefit you to learn a bit of French before you head out on your trip.

Not all of the refuge managers will be able to speak English  or languages other than French (which is technically different than Corsican but is close enough where French is well understood).

In addition, many of the people you’ll be hiking and dining with at night will be French speakers.

At the very least, learn to say the basic phrases, such as:  hello  ( bonjour  or  bonsoir ),  please  ( s’il vous plait ), and  thank you  ( merci ).

Get good hiking poles

Use poles when you need to, and know when to put them away . By the latter I mean, when you need to use two hands, don’t fumble around with trying to cling for dear life to your poles simultaneously. These are my favorite hiking poles.

  • Nearly all of day 3 I didn’t take my poles out because I felt they would hinder me too much on the ascent and the descent.
  • On day 4, I only took my poles out once I got to the long scree field about halfway up the ascent. Otherwise I needed my hands free for most of the first part of the ascent. The descent on the other hand is quite nice and there are only a handful of times that you have to climb down small rock walls.
  • Other than these two days, I was able to navigate the rocks with my poles collapsed in one hand.

Get good hiking shoes

Make sure your shoes are durable enough to handle essentially rock climbing on rough rock and that the tread isn’t falling apart. I swear by my Vasque hiking boots !!

This goes along with making sure you have broken your shoes in and have good socks that don’t cause blisters. I recommend SmartWool and Darn Tough  or using a liner sock to prevent rubbing. Seriously, I LOVE Darn Tough socks …

“Trust your shoes and your feet”

This was the best advice I received on the trail. That seems simple enough, but when you’re literally crawling up scree or climbing up rocks, sureness in your footsteps is what helps to keep you going.

Explore other parts of Corsica

Take time before or after the trail to explore other parts of the island and experience Corsican culture.

I spent a good amount of time in Bastia after my trek and I had a lot of fun. There are options to explore the historic city and eat amazing food, kayak, go boating, take a bus to Erbalunga or Saint Florent and simply explore, scuba dive, horseback ride through the hills of Cap Corse, and more.

Check out some of the tours offered around Corsica!

  • For even more adventure after your trek, go on 4×4 to explore the hills and beaches of Cap Corse .
  • Have a relaxing sunset cruise and wine tasting – trust me, if you’re a wine lover, try the wine!
  • Head out by boat to sea stacks to explore the ocean and even see some birdlife .
  • Explore the lesser-known western side of Corsica by boat , and relax on the beautiful beaches!

Lighten your load

If you can swing it financially, only carry enough food in your pack for snacks and some kind of lunch. Otherwise, forego carrying all of your food and a stove with you.

If you must carry a stove, I recommend a small gas stove or getting a Coleman canister to pair with a tiny setup and a titanium cup.

Refuges will have a kitchen with gas available for your use as long as you have paid for a tent space or bed in the refuge.

Scope out gas canister options

There are many places where you can purchase gas canisters, the most common type being the pierceable canister.

You can purchase adapters on amazon to have these fit to the screw-on canisters, such as those used with Jetboils. However, it’s possible to buy the latter at various locations.

The SPAR grocery store at Calenzana will typically have them in stock throughout the season, and various SPAR groceries around the island, especially near the GR20 or in Bastia, will carry them. I found mine at a hardware store a few blocks from the train station in Bastia.

Check out  The Next Challenge’s guide to gas canisters   for more information on different types, adapters, and more.

Take time for a rest day, if you need it

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with giving your body a break. This is a tough trek, so listen to what your body needs and modify your hiking days accordingly.

Watch for the rock cairns

Rock cairns on the GR20 are appropriately placed to guide hikers in the right direction. DO NOT add to or remove stones from these carins. They are especially useful in the high mountains when the trail blaze had been wiped away.

GR20 Route to Ascu Stagnu

The small rock ledge just under the red-and-white GR 20 blaze marks the “hiking” route up rock walls and granite slabs to Ascu Stagnu. Photo by Christa Rolls

Gear recommendations for the GR20

My pack weighed a solid 12 kg without water, which was definitely more than I wanted given my total body weight. Your pack should only be about 20% of your body weight .

Keep in mind that I was carrying everything on my own. It helps if you’re sharing the load with someone else!

The full list of the gear I brought is as follows –

Backpacking Gear

  • Deuter Lite 60+10 SL Hiking Pack  (Recommend Hyperlite  or similar lightweight pack, or smaller  Deuter pack size (45-55 L) )
  • Eastern Mountain Sports 20 degree sleeping bag
  • Sea to Summit backpacking pillow
  • Thermarest foam pad
  • Marmot Pulsar 2P tent (Recommend instead Ultra-lightweight 1 P tent)
  • Emergency blanket for tent footprint
  • Black Diamond hiking poles
  • Petzel Headlamp
  • Collapsible bowl
  • T itanium spork  or other eating utensil
  • Collapsible cup /mug
  • Jetboil stove (not necessary, as camps have cooking stoves to use with accommodation)
  • Coleman gas canister

Food and Water

  • Camelback 3 L bladder
  • Katadyn 6L water filtration system (There is potable water at every refuge, so a Sawyer mini water filtration would be more appropriate)
  • Breakfast, lunch/snacks, and dinner for 9 days on the trail (If you can, purchase more food at refuges to save weight)

Clothing and Footwear

  • Vasque hiking boots
  • Three pair hiking socks ( SmartWool  and  Darn Tough )
  • Reef flip flops  (or other house shoes)
  • Three pair Patagonia hiking underwear  (originally purchased on discount at REI)
  • Two hiking bras  (originally purchased on discount at REI)
  • One pair Columbia convertible pants
  • Two moisture-wicking long-sleeved shirts
  • Two moisture-wicking short-sleeved shirts
  • Patagonia fleece  (given to me by a mountain hut manager after someone left it for a month)
  • Smartwool long john pants  (originally purchased on discount at REI)
  • REI puffy jacket
  • North Face rain jacket
  • Columbia   Rain Pants
  • Buff neck warmer
  • North Face glove liners
  • Prana ear warmer

Emergency and First Aid

  • First Aid kit : alcohol wipes, antibacterial ointment, antidiarrheal, antihistamines, ibuprofen, antacid, epipen, gauze, medical tape, small round of duct tape, safety pin. In my first aid kit, I only used the ibuprofen twice and the alcohol wipe and antibacterial ointment once (not even from the trail, rather the steps of the first refuge… fail). I’d still recommend bringing a good suite of these things for your first aid kit. You never know when you’ll need it!
  • Hiking whistle  (check the chest buckle on your hiking pack – some have a whistle built in)
  • Travel Insurance – I recommend this for every trip you take!

Health and Hygiene

  • Toiletries: wet wipes, face wipes, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, nail clippers, contacts and glasses, sunscreen, mini toothbrush, toothpaste, concealer wand (for after trip), sunscreen lip balm, collapsible brush, shampoo soap bar
  • Lightweight camping towel
  • Sunglasses  and baseball hat
  • Corsica guide  to hiking the GR20 – comprehensive in detailing alternative routes, accommodation and food options along the trek, and history of the region

Tools and Repair items

  • Repair kit for tent/mattress

Backpacking Extras

  • Eiger Dreams by Jon Krakauer (I probably didn’t need a physical book, but it was nice after a long day)
  • Eye mask and ear plugs
  • Phone charger and battery pack (A Solar battery charger pack would have been better!)
  • Dry bag (I really didn’t need this on the trail… but it came in handy for my kayaking trip later!)
  • Stuff sacks for organizing gear (e.g., one sack for kitchen, one for food, one for clothes, etc.)

Personal Items

  • Credit cards and ID/passport

Monte Cinto GR 20

Standing at the Pointe de Eboulis, just below the Monte Cinto. Photo by Christa Rolls

Getting around Corsica after the GR20

There are buses and trains to get you around most of the island. If you want total freedom to visit places not regularly visited by bus or train, you’ll have to rent a scooter or car.

In the summertime and early fall, the buses and trains will run quite regularly. Outside of this season, some routes will stop altogether. Check the tourist information office websites for timetables and other information.

Otherwise, contact one of the main tourist information offices for information about routes and timetables.

Bastia Tourist Information Office

Place Saint-Nicolas, 20200 Bastia, France

+33 4 95 54 20 40

https://www.bastia-tourisme.com/

Calvi Tourist Information Office

Chemin de la Plage, Port de Plaisance, 20260 Calvi, France

+33 4 95 65 16 67

https://balagne-corsica.com/

Ajaccio Tourist Information Office

3 Boulevard du Roi Jérôme, 20181 Ajaccio, France

+33 4 95 51 53 03

https://www.ajaccio-tourisme.com/

Depending on which city you end up flying out of, you’ll have a host of options for different sites to see and activities to do before you head out.

Don’t miss hanging on one of the island’s beautiful beaches for a day to rest your muscles after the strenuous hike. Beaches found around Cap Corse and the Porto Vecchio region are especially lovely.

If you aren’t one for lying about on the sand, there are opportunities for snorkeling, scuba diving, boating and sailing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, and so much more at beaches in Corsica.

Most of all, have fun and be safe!

Are you planning to hike the GR20? Let us know if you have any questions!!

Happy hiking!

Christa and Nathan

Trekking the GR20 Pin

About the Author: Christa

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  1. Office de Tourisme de Bastia

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  2. Tourist offices

    Tourist offices. OTI SARTENAIS VALINCO TARAVO. 33(0)4 95 76 01 49; OTI de PORTIVECHJU. 33(0)4 95 70 09 58; ... Office de Tourisme Intercommunal de Bastia Place Saint Nicolas, 20200. Monday to Friday: 8.30am-12pm & 1.30pm-5.30pm [email protected] ...

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    If you need tourist documentation, information or personalised advice... our travel consultants will deal with your request as soon as possible. ... Office de Tourisme Intercommunal de Bastia Place Saint Nicolas 20200 Bastia Phone : 33(0)4 95 54 20 40 Mail : [email protected]. Opening hours. Monday to Friday: 8.30am-12pm & 1.30pm ...

  4. BASTIA, CITY OF ART AND HISTORY

    16/17th century: During the 16th and 17th centuries, many brotherhoods were created and a rich cultural and artistic life developed. 1768: Corsica becomes French and the Genoese domination ends. 1794: The English take possession of the city for two years. 1796: Bastia becomes again the capital of the Golo department.

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    Office de Tourisme Intercommunal de Bastia Place Saint Nicolas, 20200. Monday to Friday: 8.30am-12pm & 1.30pm-5.30pm [email protected]

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    The Bastia tourist office offers a selection of visits and excursions during which you will be able to discover the history, traditions and identity of this territory, which is lovingly attached to its roots and its specificities. For an immersion in the heart of the Corsican soul, a journey into the city's past, its legends and local ...

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    Things to Do in Bastia, France: See Tripadvisor's 37,617 traveler reviews and photos of Bastia tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in April. We have reviews of the best places to see in Bastia. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.

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    Discover our brochures and tourist guides. Creazione Mediterranean Fashion and Design Festival MICE & Events ... Office de Tourisme Intercommunal de Bastia Place Saint Nicolas, 20200. Monday to Friday: 8.30am-12pm & 1.30pm-5.30pm [email protected] ...

  9. OFFICE DE TOURISME INTERCOMMUNAL DE BASTIA

    office de tourisme intercommunal de bastia Place Saint Nicolas, Avenue Pierre Giudicelli, 20200 04 95 54 20 40

  10. BASTIA

    Facing east towards the Tuscan coast, Bastia has the inimitable charm of an old Mediterranean city, with its narrow streets lined by lofty houses, whose discreet elegance is hidden behind painted shutters. Founded in 1378 by the Genoese, who made it the capital of the island, its name comes from the "bastille" (fortress) which overlooks the city.

  11. Bastia

    Understand [ edit] Bastia is the second largest city by population in Corsica with almost 49,000 inhabitants (2019). Tourism has not brought much prosperity to the city, and unemployment remains high by French standards. Bastia received its name from a Genoese construction of a "bastiglia" in the 1300s. Both Bastia and bastiglia are cognates of ...

  12. Bastia: Follow the guide! 12 unmissable sites, advice and tips for a

    1. Saint Nicolas Square, the lungs of Bastia, where all major events take place . Let's start at the beginning, with Saint Nicolas Square, the lungs of the city: bordered by plane trees, this is one of Europe's biggest squares and where all of Bastia's major events are held. Saint Nicolas Square is also an irresistible invitation to sit down, in summer and winter alike, to eat or drink ...

  13. Bastia Corsica Travel Guide

    Bastia, Corsica's second largest city with a population of about 40.000 people, sits pretty on Corsica's east coast, facing Italy with views out to the Tuscan archipelago. Directly to the the north, and accessible by car or bus is le Cap Corse, a wild peninsula studded with Genoese towers and a vast natural preserve that has become a hiker's paradise.

  14. Must-see attractions Bastia, The Northeast Coast

    Statue of Napoléon Bonaparte. Bastia. Depicting Napoléon in the guise of a Roman god, this statue occupies pride of place in Bastia's largest square. Discover the best attractions in Bastia including Terra Nova, Vieux Port, and Terra Vecchia.

  15. Bastia travel

    Bastia. As France's second busiest passenger port, after Calais, the dynamic city of Bastia remains lively year-round, and offers a wonderful welcome to Corsica. While it may not have the relaxed charm of its long-term rival Ajaccio, and is home to fewer people, it's much larger to stroll around, and has the feel of a genuine lived-in city ...

  16. 17 Best Things to Do in Bastia

    Bastia Tourist Office is located on Saint-Nicolas Square. Get your map of the town here! From the square, you can also take Bastia's small tourist train. During this 50-minute guided tour, you will discover the city's main points of interest. You can buy the tickets at the tourist office, or directly from the driver.

  17. The Bastiais Country

    The travel itineraries proposed by the Saint Florent Office of Tourism. The Legendines of Bastia, an unusual visit to the town. A musical break with Bastia in Cantu in the church of Saint John the Baptist in Bastia An adventure in an open top bus in the Place Nicolas to Erbalunga passing through San Martino di Lota.

  18. 12 best things to do in Bastia (photos + tips)

    Corsica's 2nd largest city and capital of Haute-Corse, Bastia is a city of character.With its colorful facades and winding streets, you'll be seduced by its beauty, worthy of the most famous Italian cities. In fact, Bastia was developed by the Genoese as early as the 14th century, around two districts: Terra Vecchia (the old port district) and Terra Nova (the citadel district).

  19. Corsica

    Wine tourism in Cap Corse with Corsica Wine Tours. From 550€ Wine tourism getaway around Bastia during your cruise with Corsica Wine Tours. 600€ for 1 group of 2 to 6 people. Discovery of the vineyards of South Corsica with Corsica Wine Tours.

  20. Le petit train touristique de Bastia

    The Bastia Tourist Train offers its visitors the commentary of experienced national interpreter guides specialized in the heritage of this city of art and history. ... Reservations and sales are also possible at the Tourist Office at 04 95 54 20 40. Phone: 06 73 92 09 18. Phone: 06 09 37 00 54.

  21. 1 Day in Bastia, Corsica: Itinerary with Top 18 Things to Do

    Be sure to stop by the Bastia tourist office, which is located on Place Saint-Nicolas, to get a map of the city. It is also from this square that you can take the little train for a 50-minute guided tour of the main tourist sites of Bastia. Tickets are on sale from the tourist office or from the driver and all the information can be found on the official website.

  22. Tourist Offices

    Tourist Offices and Tourist Information Points, tourist information on all of Corsica. BASTIA - CAP CORSE REGION CAP CORSE : Tourist information Centre BP-19 20248 MACINAGGIO Tel : +33(0) 4 95 35 40 34 BASTIA : Tourist information Place Saint Nicolas 20200 Bastia. Tel : +33(0) 4 95 54…

  23. Hiking the GR20 in Corsica: An Overview Guide

    The GR20 is classified as a long-distance trek, spanning nearly the entire north-south distance of the Corsican island, a total of 112 miles (180 kilometers). It has a serious mountain-to-valley elevation variation of about 32,000 feet (10,000 meters) over a 16-day hiking period.