The capital of Haute-Corse welcomes visitors with its 15th-century citadel, active Mediterranean port, and winding old town streets. A gateway to Corsica's beaches and mountains.
In Bastia, Corsica's second-largest city, you can climb the 14th-century citadel walls for Mediterranean views, walk through morning fish markets at the old port, or explore the Terra Vecchia quarter where baroque churches rise between ochre-colored buildings. Local restaurants serve brocciu-stuffed sardines and fresh seafood, while trains depart through the mountains toward Ajaccio, crossing bridges and coastal cliffs along the way.
The Old Port and Citadel
Four-story buildings in orange and yellow line the U-shaped old port, where fishermen sell their morning catch from their boats. You'll find waterfront restaurants serving fresh seafood throughout the day. Walk up through the Romieu Gardens to reach the citadel, following stone staircases and terraces between cypress trees. The Governor's Palace museum (€8 entry) within the 14th-century walls contains exhibits of Corsican daily life, including traditional musical instruments and agricultural tools.
Markets and Local Life
Visit the Place du Marché between 7:00 and 13:00 to buy from local vendors, with the busiest trading on weekends. You'll find prisuttu ham (€40/kg), young brocciu cheese (€15/kg), and vegetables from nearby valleys. The 17th-century Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church towers above the square, with marble altars and baroque frescoes inside. You can visit the church from 8:00 to 18:00, except during services.
Getting Around
Walk between Bastia's main areas on stepped streets and sloping pathways. Buses travel from the airport to the city center hourly from 6:30 to 20:30 (€9 one-way). Ferries depart daily to Nice (5 hours), Marseille (8 hours), and Livorno (4 hours). Trains run to Ajaccio, taking 3.5 hours through mountain passes and along the coast.
Beaches and Day Trips
Find four public beaches within 3 kilometers of the city center. Arinella Beach stretches for 1.5 kilometers, with water reaching 24°C in summer and visibility to 5 meters depth. On clear days, you can see Monte Cristo island. Drive north onto the Cap Corse peninsula to follow a 130-kilometer coastal road past 15th-century watchtowers and fishing villages. Stop at Erbalunga, 10 kilometers north, to explore its stone houses and small harbor. The village's waterfront restaurants serve local fish with Corsican wines.
