Tour
3,5 km
1h30
21 audios
Text version
Welcome to Bastia, the capital of Northern Corsica. With baroque charm straight from Genoa, this Corsican gem is recognised as a “Town of Art and History”. The Genoese ruled Corsica for over four centuries, and their influence still shapes Bastia’s skyline, especially in the Citadel they left behind. Get ready to explore a city full of character. Stroll through narrow alleyways lined with colourful old houses, pause in lively squares, and take in historic buildings that pop up at every turn. Bastia is also about atmosphere. There’s something special about wandering along the Old Port, breathing in the sea air, or heading up into the surrounding hills for a change of scenery. This is a place of contrasts: sea and mountains, tradition and vitality, history and the present. Bastia is the perfect spot to soak up Corsican culture and to treat yourself to some of the island’s most delicious flavours along the way.
You’re now standing on one of Bastia’s main shopping streets. It’s named after César Campinchi, a Corsican-born lawyer and 20th-century political figure who served as Minister of the Navy and Minister of Justice, and a decorated hero of the First World War. Read more
This charming little street is the gateway to Terra Vecchia, the oldest part of Bastia. Welcome to Rue Napoléon. Read more
This small building tucked along Rue Napoléon is the Oratory of Saint Roch, a quiet space dedicated to prayer. While there was already a chapel here in the 16th century, the building you see today was constructed in 1604 by Francesco Marengo. Read more
Welcome to Market Square! Once known as Town Hall Square, this lively spot has been the beating heart of Bastia’s weekend market scene since 1880. Read more
You’re now standing in front of the largest church in Corsica: Saint John the Baptist Church. You may have already spotted its twin towers from the Old Port, which rise above the rooftops and boats, making it one of Bastia’s most iconic landmarks. Read more
You’re now standing in front of one of Bastia’s most iconic views, the kind you see on postcards. Boats gently bobbing in the foreground, rows of colourful old houses behind them, and the mountains rising up in the distance. Read more
Tucked into a small cove at the foot of the mountains, Bastia’s Old Port is one of the must-see highlights of Corsica, the Island of Beauty. Read more
The Romieu Staircase leads up to the Citadel and was built between 1871 and 1873 with one goal in mind: connecting the Old Port to the upper town. Read more
With the lighthouse on your right and Bastia’s Old Port stretching out to your left, backed by mountains, this panoramic viewpoint offers one of the most striking glimpses of the city. Read more
In front of you stands the Aldilonda. Inaugurated in 2020, this recent addition to the city has become a favourite among locals and visitors. Read more
Made up of narrow, winding streets, colourful façades, and several of the city’s key landmarks, this area is also known as Terra Nova, or the “upper town,” in contrast to Terra Vecchia, the “lower town,” which covers the Old Port and the city centre. Read more
The first church built on this rocky outcrop in the upper town dates back to 1488 and became an official cathedral a century later. The building you see today was completed in 1625, replacing the original structure, which was destroyed during conflicts with France. Read more
This little square is Place Guasco. With its traditional Corsican charm, it offers a peaceful break in the heart of the Citadel, and a few surprises beneath the surface. In 2019, it made headlines when archaeological remains were uncovered here. Read more
Rue Notre-Dame is one of the most historic streets in Bastia. Since the Citadel was built, this street has served as the main artery along the rocky promontory, connecting two of the city’s most important landmarks: Sainte-Marie Cathedral and the Governors’ Palace Read more
Turn around and take a moment to admire the gate in front of you. This is the northern entrance to the Citadel. During the Genoese era, this was the only entrance into the fortified town. In front of this gate once stood a large public square where townspeople would gather and where executions were carried out. Read more
To your right is the entrance to Romieu Garden, which shares its name with the staircase just below, which leads up to it. Designed in the 19th century by architect Paul-Augustin Viale, the same man behind the Romieu Staircase, this peaceful garden offers a green and tranquil escape high above Bastia. Read more
You’re now standing in Vattalapesca Square, nestled between the citadel and the Old Port. This part of Bastia underwent a major renovation in 2015, when the city set out to breathe new life into the area and turn it into a vibrant place to live and hang out. Read more
Tucked away among the houses of Bastia, Saint-Charles Church was built in 1635 by the Jesuits. Originally dedicated to Saint Ignatius of Loyola, it changed names in 1769 when the Jesuits were expelled and was rededicated to Saint Charles Borromeo, a 16th-century Archbishop of Milan and cardinal of the Catholic Church. Read more
At the end of the street on your left, you’ll see Bastia’s courthouse. Its foundation stone was laid in 1852, after the city’s magistrates called for a building worthy of their profession. Read more
On your left, along Campinchi Street, you’ll see the municipal theatre. You can walk up the steps to get a closer look at its façade, which overlooks Theatre Square. Read more
A real favourite with the locals, this lively plaza is buzzing with energy all year round. In summer, it hosts open-air concerts; in winter, there’s a Christmas market, a Ferris wheel, and an ice rink. What’s more, a charming flea market takes over every Sunday morning. There’s even a Chocolate Fair in October! Read more
Discover Bastia with app
An interactive guide through the most beautiful streets, squares, and districts
21 fun audioguides full of historical facts, anecdotes, and legends
Governors’ Palace
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