BastiaCorsica · France

All About Bastia

Bastia is one of the most significant towns in Corsica, where a sense of modernity blends flawlessly with the eternal lore of the island. Positioned on the north-eastern coast, Bastia is a favorable port town due to its proximity to mainland France and Italy. The city was actually the capital of Corsica until 1791. It is divided into two main sections. Terra Nova is the citadel on the hill, having several 15th-century Genoese buildings. Terra Vecchia is the neighborhood around the old harbor. A former fishing village that transformed into an important trading center by the 16th-century. First-time travelers to Bastia can indulge in wine excursions around Cap Corse, marvel at the beauty of Saint-Jean Baptiste church, savor Corsican culinary pleasures, and spend hours resting by the sea on attractive beaches. Taking a ferry to Bastia is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.
 

Routes and Ferries to Bastia

Ferry tickets to Bastia go up in demand starting June and stay that way till the end of August. Ferryscanner can help find the best connections from France and Italy, even when planning a last-minute holiday. Corsica Ferries and Moby Lines are the two leading companies with vessels covering these routes. A relaxing voyage from Genoa takes seven hours, whereas the ferry from Livorno reaches Bastia in just over four hours. Ships from Nice, Savona, Piombino, and Marseille also routinely anchor in Bastia.

When already in Corsica, a novel way to reach Bastia is by train. The railway line from the capital Ajaccio chugs through a scenic route that cuts across the mountains. The train is particularly known for vibrating a great deal and has limited seats, but you can usually buy tickets on the same day during the off-season.

Bastia Airport, situated 20km from the center, stays open all year round, offering flights from Mainland France arrive from Paris, Marseille, and Lyon. Activity at the airport increases during the summers when seasonal low-cost airlines fly to Bastia from different parts of Europe. A bus runs from the airport to the city, but you are better off taking a taxi if carrying a lot of luggage.
 

Port of Bastia

Port de Bastia is considered the second busiest port in France, catering to 55% of Corsica’s seafaring traffic. Located centrally, next to Saint Nicolas Square, movement in and out of the port is smooth and quick even during peak tourist season. Depending on your departure point, ferry tickets to Bastia will bring you to either the north or south passenger exits of the harbor. A free on-demand shuttle further eases travel within the port. Necessary facilities like toilets, free WIFI, mobile charging, and a nursery with baby changing stations add to the comforts of the port. While the city center is a short walk away, a bus and taxi stand help connect the port with the rest of the region.
 

Best Beaches

The beaches of Bastia are the jewels of its coastline that merge seamlessly with the alluring waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Several sandy and pebble beaches line up from the south to the north of the city, one after another, presenting tourists with a wide range of possibilities on a sunny day.

Plage de Toga

A short distance from the harbor, past the marina, is a tiny pebble cove called Plage de Toga. Not the best site for swimming, even though the water is clean, it is more of an excuse to be near the sea, sunbathe, splash around, and take in the surrounding views. There is parking closeby, and the center of the city is a mere 10-minute walk away.

Plage de l’Arinella

This grand sandy strip of land is located only 10 minutes from Bastia center. There is a free shuttle from the Tourism Office to Plage de l’Arinella, which gives you a good idea about its popularity. Family-friendly and packed with conveniences such as showers, toilets, playgrounds, restaurants, and basketball courts, everyone from the city comes here on warm summer days. If driving on your own, there is ample parking near the beach.

Plage de Grisgione

A 15-minute drive from Bastia, along the north coast, leads to a lovely little pebble beach, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The sea around Plage de Grisgione is calm, but do bring along water shoes if planning to swim. Locals use the beach as a starting point for kayaking or paddleboarding far out to sea. There is a kayak rental shop nearby, along with showers and a refreshment kiosk.

Plage de Nonza

The most famous beach in Corsica is surprisingly also one of its least crowded. This is largely due to a lack of facilities and the fact that Nonza isn’t exactly child-friendly. Moreover, the one-of-a-kind black-pebble gray-sand beach is a result of an asbestos mine that once operated in the district. Nevertheless, the hour-long drive from Bastia to Nonza is totally worth it, especially when you combine your beach time with a walk around the quaint village perched on top of the hill.

Plaga de la Marine de Pietranera

About 5km from Bastia is Plaga de la Marine de Pietranera, a small pebble beach that hardly ever gets busy. The seabed here slopes gently, making it ideal for children. Additionally, few low-level boulders act as the perfect platform for jumping into the warm and clear waters. Plan your beach day here to include a sunset dinner at the ‘La Baraque Pietranera’ restaurant, known for its delectable seafood dishes.
 

Places to Visit

There’s much to see and do in Corsica. Before you head out of Bastia for an adventure, dedicate a few days to exploring the city’s many fascinating attractions.

Bastia Citadel

Known as Terra Nova, the walled citadel atop a cliff is an imposing sight for tourists arriving via ferry tickets to Bastia. Overlooking the port, it was built by the Genoese governor Leonelli Lomellini in 1380. Today, the village is a labyrinth of narrow streets with ancient buildings, cute cafés, and souvenir shops. While strolling around the citadel, keep a lookout for the Palace of Governors and the underground water reservoir. Musée de Bastia, with its temporary and permanent exhibitions highlighting Bastia’s economic, political, and social past, also deserves a few hours of your time.

Glacier Raugi

Nothing brings a smile to the faces of both adults and children like delicious ice-cream. In Bastia, a place called Raugi has been the initiator of joy for the past 80 years. Every Bastian resident has a favorite flavor and a fond memory of having ice-cream at this family-run shop. When at Raugi, you can choose between ice-cream sundaes, sorbets, and scoops of flavors such as myrtle, chestnut, and mandarin. If really hungry, they also serve pizza and pasta, but the ice-cream is what draws most people here.

Saint Nicolas Square

The hub of all activities in Bastia, Saint Nicolas Square is a grandiose open space next to the harbor covering an area of 22,400 square meters. A venue for music concerts, Sunday flea markets, and the ever-so-popular Salon du Chocolate in October, local families frequently come to the square in the evening to play and walk on quieter days. Along the edge of Saint Nicolas Square are terraced cafés, the tourism office, and a statue of Napoléon Bonaparte as a Roman leader. While at the square, head towards the nearby Napoléon Street, where a row of branded and artisanal shops await eager shopaholics.

Cap Corse

A holiday in Bastia places travelers next to Cap Corse, an advantageous location that permits exploration of the peninsula through short day trips. A drive along the coast leads to memorable encounters with locals living in gorgeous villages like Erbalunga, Centuri, and Rogliano. The best place to visit near Bastia for wine lovers is Patrimonio, known for its variety of red, white, and rose wines that one can taste at L’Orenga de Gaffory, Domaine Gentile, and Lazzarini estates. The winding roads of Cap Corse do present a challenge, but the reward is an unbelievable journey brimming with exciting discoveries.

Mattei Concept Store

Mattei is an atmospheric shop with an old-world charm that compels passersby to stop and enter. Inside are redwood shelves stacked with wines, aperitifs, and exclusive gourmet offerings from various parts of the island and the world. A small museum section tells the shop’s history starting from 1892 when founder Louis Napoléon Mattei first concocted the famous Cap Corse aperitif. A walk through this delightful store isn’t reserved for connoisseurs only but for anyone interested in the culinary arts.
 

Transportation Around Bastia

Having several pedestrian-only streets, Bastia is an excellent destination for walkers. A great place to start a day tour is from Saint Nicolas Square, traversing through the different neighborhoods, occasionally stopping to admire the architecture, and for a quick drink at a café. The residents of Bastia are extremely friendly. So, feel free to ask anyone around for directions if you do get lost. Travelers arriving for an extended vacation with ferry tickets to Bastia typically rent a car. This gives them the freedom to explore the rest of the island at will. The traffic in the city is troublesome, but it’s smooth driving once outside its limits.

A pretty regular bus service exists within Bastia, including a free minibus between the Citadel and the train station. The local tram has a limited route and isn’t the most convenient of transport options. Taxis on the other hand are everywhere. Keep in mind that they have a different rate for daytime and night.