Visit Bastia

Bastia isn’t a very large city, and most of its restaurants are conveniently located right in the city center, near the port. To enjoy a good meal and sample the island’s best local specialties—like veal with olives, wild boar stew, or Corsica’s famous cheese and cured meats—head to Quai 1er Bataillon de Choc. Traditional restaurants line the waterfront, serving delicious local produce and freshly caught fish brought in from just a few meters away.

Alternatively, take a stroll through Place du Marché, where you’ll find a wide variety of restaurants, ranging from fine dining to classic traditional cuisine.

The city of Bastia offers a selection of hotels, most of which are located in the city center. Along the wide Boulevard Paoli, you’ll find several great options. Staying in one of these hotels means you’ll be just steps away from the coastline—an idyllic setting for a stroll under the Corsican sun.

Getting to Bastia requires a bit of planning—it’s not like hopping on a high-speed train in mainland France at the last minute.

There are several ways to reach Corsica. Bastia has an airport located less than half an hour from the city center by car. Shuttle services are available to make getting into town easier. The airport is served by multiple airlines from across Europe, and from Paris, you can reach the “Island of Beauty” in just 1 hour and 45 minutes.

If you’re traveling from the southeast of France, taking a ferry is another option. From Toulon, the journey to Bastia takes about 11 hours. Ferries also operate from Nice and Marseille. Be aware, though, that if you’re prone to seasickness, it can be a long trip.

The real charm of visiting Corsica isn’t just exploring Bastia’s beaches. While Bastia itself is a beautiful city, its surroundings are equally stunning and well worth discovering.

If you have a car, take a trip to the northern tip of the island, the Cap Corse. The peninsula offers breathtaking coastal landscapes that are simply unforgettable.

For seasoned adventurers seeking a challenge, Corsica is home to one of France’s most famous hikes: the GR 20. This trail crosses the island from northwest to southeast, starting near Calenzana and ending in Conca. You don’t have to tackle the entire route—you can explore just sections of this iconic trek.

Every step reveals the island’s dramatic mountain scenery, leaving you truly in awe of Corsica’s natural beauty.

If you’re visiting Bastia just to explore the city itself, a weekend is enough to discover this charming coastal town. The main sights—such as the Citadel, Sainte-Marie Cathedral, and Place Saint-Nicolas—are all within the city center. You’ll even have time to spend an afternoon relaxing on Arinella Beach.

However, if you want to venture further and explore Corsica’s more remote areas, plan for a stay of at least 4 to 5 days. This will give you time for a short hike and visits to some of the island’s perched villages, like Patrimonio or Nonza.

It’s hard to pick just one spot for an evening stroll in Bastia—you could wander almost anywhere! But some places have an extra charm after night falls.

The Citadel is, of course, a perfect place for a nighttime walk. Perched on a rocky outcrop, it offers panoramic views of the Old Port. There’s no more peaceful spot in the city after dark than the Citadel.

For a similarly relaxing stroll, you can walk along the Old Port and the beaches. The sound of waves breaking on the shore is simply mesmerizing.

To swim and relax on Bastia’s most beautiful beaches, you’ll need to venture slightly outside the city center.

Arinella Beach is easy to reach via the tourist office, which offers free shuttles daily from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

One of the most popular beaches in Bastia and its surroundings is Miomo Beach. This pebble beach is dominated by a Genoese tower, giving it a unique charm and making it a truly picturesque spot.

If you visit Bastia and encounter some rainy weather, don’t worry—you’re simply unlucky, especially if it’s summer! Bastia is one of the 2,500 towns in France (out of 34,955) that sees the least rainfall.

In summer, Bastia receives five times less rain than the national average (34 mm of rain in Bastia during summer 2023 versus 163 mm across France). Still, a few drops won’t ruin your visit—there’s plenty to do indoors.

On a rainy day, you can always explore the Citadel. Head to Bastia’s oldest district and take a look at Sainte-Marie Cathedral. A wet day is also a perfect excuse for some shopping, picking up souvenirs from the Island of Beauty.

For a treat for yourself or someone special, visit Boulevard Paoli or Rue César Campinchi, Bastia’s popular shopping streets. You’ll find everything from local crafts to well-known brands, ensuring you’ll leave with your hands full.

Bastia doesn’t have many campgrounds. Two campsites are located near the Chjurlinu Lagoon in Biguglia, making them the closest options to Bastia’s city center.

Bastia has a bus network that connects the main points of interest. However, the city center is quite compact, and most places can easily be reached on foot—except for some beaches, like Arinella, Bastia’s most famous beach.

To reach Arinella Beach, head to the tourist office, where a free shuttle runs daily from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with departures every 20 minutes. This is the only really useful public transport option in Bastia.

For exploring the city itself, walking is ideal—you can stroll through the streets and admire the colorful houses of this charming town.

Visiting Bastia with family will delight both children and adults alike—the Island of Beauty truly lives up to its name.

To make the most of your stay, be sure to explore key sights such as the Old Port, Place Saint-Nicolas with its impressive statue of Napoleon I at the heart of the square, and Sainte-Marie Cathedral, the largest cathedral in Corsica and a designated historical monument.

The cathedral is located in one of Bastia’s most iconic areas: the Citadel, the city’s oldest district, built in the 14th century. Near the Old Port, you can also visit Jardin Romieu, a charming passage that links the Old Port to the Citadel—strolling through this green oasis is always a pleasure.

To dive deeper into the city’s history, the Bastia Museum is a must. Finally, no family visit is complete without some relaxation on one of Bastia’s sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters, a treat for all ages.

Bastia is a city where accessibility for wheelchair users is still developing. While buses are equipped with ramps and dedicated spaces for people with reduced mobility, not all bus stops are accessible. Sidewalks are often narrow, and in some areas, wheelchair users may need to travel on the road.

Visiting attractions is generally possible, as most tourist sites have ramps and other accessibility features. Getting to these sites can be more challenging, but it is possible to reach Arinella Beach, which holds a Level 3 Handiplage certification for accessibility.