Visit Bastia, Corsica - a travel guide
Bastia is a commercial port town (the most important on the island) found to the north-east of Corsica, in a fine location with the hills and Cap Corse behind the town. There are three sections of particular interest to visitors to Bastia: the old town, the citadel, and the old harbour.
Bastia old town
It is to the old town that you will be drawn with its faded (or is it derelict!) charm - narrow streets and alleys lined with tall, crumbling buildings, dating largely from the 18th century, culminating at the port where the neglected buildings contrast dramatically with the yachts moored in the harbour. Exploring this part of town you might give a thought to Victor Hugo, who lived here as a child.
Bastia old harbour
There are two ports in Bastia - the original traditional one, and the more recent port where Corsica Feries arrive with passengers from Italy and France.
The old harbour is the 'in' place to spend your evenings in Bastia, in the many bars and restaurants, or simply promenading along the front - be sure to walk out along the Quai des Martyrs de la Liberation for the best views of the harbour.
Citadel and region
The other main part of Bastia to explore is the other side of the old harbour around the substantial citadel. This part of the town is much trendier if slightly less impressive than its old town neighbour. The walk to the citadel passes through the gardens and passed the once-very-posh houses of the Terra Nova district.
The main 'notable' buildings within the citadel are the grand Governor's Palace and a couple of churches: the church of Sainte-Marie de l'Assomption and the Oratoire-Sainte-Croix.
Other things to see in Bastia
Venture a little further north to see Place Saint Nicholas (the large square behind the new port), and pop into the Mattei shop to pickup a few local delicacies, and to see how shopping in the town was 100 years ago. The shop might not have changed much, the prices unfortunately have.
There is a small pebble beach in Bastia, but the long sandy beaches slightly south of the town are worth making the effort to get to instead to avoid the over-crowding.
Other highlights in the town are the Museum of Ethnography, found in the 14th century Governor's Palace, and tracing the history of Bastia and Corsica from its pre-Roman origins to its role in the second world war; and the donjon (keep/prison tower) near the citadel.
If you are looking to escape the town for a while, walk up the hill behind to the two old forts - Fort Starforello and Fort Lacroix
Places to visit near Bastia
A couple of interesting places lie a few kilometres to the south of Bastia that are worth the excursion. At Murato there is a very unusual church constructed decoratively with alternating sections of white and black stone, and also with small sculptures incorporated. A little to the east of Murato at La Canonica it is also two churches that are of interest: the roman style church of Santa-Maria Assunta, and the small Church of San Parteo.
Behind Bastia in the hills there is a route called the 'Upper Corniche', which has several very good views back across the town and coast (follow the road through Montserrato, Cardo, Ville-de-Pietrabugno and San-Martino-di-Lota, now heading into the western edge off Cap Corse).
To the north of Bastia is Cap Corse, an interesting peninsula to explore with small fishing villages attractively set against a backdrop of mountains that run along the middle of the peninsula. Many of the villages are in remarkable craggy and picturesque settings, and a tour is highly recommended. There are several splendid viewpoints as you pass around the peninsula, and also a few good beaches en route.
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