View of the seaside port city of Bastia with many small boats, pier and lighthouse as well as the green, mountainous hinterland.
A lighthouse at the end of a pier surrounded by dark blue water.

Bastia – Corsica’s Charming Port City

Published: 18 July 2024, 11:00

The pretty harbour city in the north of Corsica is the ideal starting point for discovering the French Mediterranean island with its beautiful sandy beaches, rugged coastline and mountainous interior. The former fishing village has become a charming coastal resort with a busy harbour, colourful house fronts, baroque churches and narrow streets with an Italian atmosphere.

The roots of the city go back to Roman times. In the 14th century, it was developed by the Genoese into a fortress city (Genoese “bastia”) and flourished until the 17th century. This time of prosperity can be seen in Terra Vecchia, the old harbour district, and Terra Nova, the citadel district in the upper town. The Vechju Portu harbour invites visitors to watch the fishing boats while enjoying a snack or coffee. In the citadel, you can learn more about the history of the Mediterranean’s fourth-largest island.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 44,000
  • Official language: French
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)

Ten tips for Bastia

View of the harbour with two small, blue-white fishing boats in the foreground. Around the harbour basin are buildings with predominantly yellow fronts. The striking bell towers of a church can be seen a little further in the background.
The old harbour is a good starting point for a stroll through the city. The old town, big church and market square are close together. © pkazmierczak/stock.adobe.com
Large, red square surrounded by palm trees and white buildings. On the left is the sea and a promenade frequented by cars.
The heart of Bastia and local meeting place: Saint Nicolas Square is a wonderful place to stroll and spend some time. Events are also often organised here. © bolga2b/stock.adobe.com
View from the sea of buildings upon a rocky cliff. In front of it are two small lighthouses, each on a pier. A mountain panorama be seen in the background.
The Citadel district is located in the upper part of Bastia. Here you can wander through the narrow streets, see the old fortress and enjoy the view of the bay. © Eva Bocek/stock.adobe.com
View across the harbour basin with many small boats to a striking, yellow church with two towers. The church is surrounded by several buildings, which are reflected in the water of the harbour together with the church.
Corsica’s largest church: église Saint-Jean-Baptiste is located in the harbour district. The baroque church with its two bell towers is the city’s landmark. © Unclesam/stock.adobe.com
View from the sea of buildings upon a rocky cliff. A brown lift shaft can be seen on the right above a flat, rectangular building. Two construction vehicles are parked on the shore.
Take the lift to the Citadel district: getting to the upper town didn’t used to be so simple – but there has been a lift since 2020, making it quick and easy. © travelbook/stock.adobe.com
View of an orange-coloured fortress wall around a deserted square. Next to it is a three-storey building with an archway.
A bright orange citadel. The former Palace of Governors houses a museum that tells the impressive story of the city’s history. © e55evu/stock.adobe.com
A deserted coastal path with a brown fence that stretches along a fortress wall directly above the sea. Stones in the water under the man-made path can be seen.
Stroll along the promenade: Aldilonda is the name of the path that winds along the fortress wall below the citadel by the sea for half a kilometre. © Jon Ingall/stock.adobe.com
A small bay with few people in the turquoise water. The beach is surrounded by stones in the foreground. Behind the beach is a hill with trees and buildings upon it.
The small Ficaghjola Beach near the citadel is a great place to cool off after a walk through the city. © Ina Ludwig/stock.adobe.com
View of a large bay surrounded by a greenery that merges into the mountains. Only a few people and a small building can be seen on the beach.
A full day of swimming is best spent on Arinella Beach. The fine sandy beach is easy to reach by bus from Bastia. © Olivier Cretian/stock.adobe.com
View of a natural landscape characterised by a green meadow, two small trees, a body of water and mountains.
Biguglia Pond Nature Reserve is located just outside Bastia. A discovery trail leads through Corsica’s largest wetland area. © Rodolphe/stock.adobe.com

Corsica – wild beauty in the Mediterranean

Corsica is known as the “mountain in the sea” and is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily, Sardinia and Cyprus with an area of around 8,600 km². The island, which is located at the same latitude as southern Tuscany, is characterised by snow-capped mountains, white sandy beaches, fragrant forests and picturesque mountain villages. More than 80 percent of the island is mountainous. At 2,706 metres, Monte Cinto in the northwest of the island is Corsica’s highest mountain. While the east of the island is rather flat and characterised by shallow sandy beaches, the west boasts a rugged coastline with secluded bays. The mountainous interior of the island is a paradise for hikers and climbers. In short: Corsica is the perfect place for those who love nature, hiking and swimming in the sea.

Five Corsica highlights

View of a town built on a mountain. The buildings are close together and surrounded by trees.
Situated in the heart of the island on a high plateau: the beautiful town of Corte is the former capital of Corsica. Many hiking trails start here. © e55evu/stock.adobe.com
Aerial view of a bay with crystal-clear water on which two sailing boats are moored. Coral reefs can be seen on the sea floor. The light-coloured, narrow sandy beach on the right of the picture runs towards a green mountain.
Clear water, shallow sandy beach and small reefs for snorkelling: Roccapina Bay is located in the south and is considered a beach and water sport paradise. © quentin/stock.adobe.com
Aerial view of a town built on a rocky peninsula. To the right of the town, a harbour with many small boats can be seen bordering a built-up shoreline. The peninsula is surrounded by a green-blue sea and a green, hilly island side.
A town that seems to float above the water: Bonifacio is located on an 80-metre-high chalk cliff at the southern tip of the island. Ferries to Sicily depart from here. © Balate Dorin/stock.adobe.com
View of a high, slightly snow-covered mountain. In front of the mountain is a valley with a river, stones and trees. On the right side of the river is a hiker with a backpack.
Hiking paradise: from coastal paths to mountain tours, the island boasts an extensive network of trails. The highlight is the challenging GR20 long-distance hiking trail. © Rokas/stock.adobe.com
View of a bay surrounded by high mountains with deep blue water.
The west of Corsica is characterised by four large bays. One of these is the Gulf of Porto, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its fabulous beauty. © knik/stock.adobe.com

Bastia from BER

Aircraft shortly before touching down on the runway

Eurowings  

Info-i pictogram

Bastia-Poretta Airport (BIA) 

Five travel tips for ...

1. Go windsurfing on Algajola Beach in the north

2. Sail around Cap Corse by boat

3. Dive into the underwater world around Porto Vecchio

4. Climb Monte Rotondo with its many mountain lakes

5. Hike through the Corsica Regional Nature Park

1. In the south: the dreamy Rondinara Beach, surrounded by pine forests 

2. In the west: the extensive, fine sandy beaches on the Gulf of Ajaccio

3. In the north: Algajola Beach is popular with windsurfers 

4. In the east: Canella Bay is perfect for snorkelling

5. In the southeast: The picturesque Palombaggia Beach with red rocks in the water

1. Visit Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte

2. Visit Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Corsica’s largest church in Bastia

3. See the excavations of the Roman city of Aléria

4. Listen to classical music at the music festival in Erbalunga on Cap Corse

5. Discover the medieval old town of Sartène

Picture Source title:
© fottoo/stock.adobe.com 

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