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.

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.

The other main part of Bastia to explore is the new town, the other side of the harbour around the substantial citadel, and much trendier if slightly less impressive than its old town neighbour.

The 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.

Meanwhile venture a little further into the town to see Place St Nicholas, 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 the town, 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

To the north of Bastia is the 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 settings. There are several splendid viewpoints as you pass around the peninsula, and also a few good beaches en route.

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