Bastia
A land fragrant with maquis, lapped by waves and splashed with sunshine, the town of Bastia combines authenticity, a change of scenery and a sense of wonder: from its historic heritage to its idyllic natural surroundings, a thousand treasures await travellers in search of pure beauty...
What you need to know about Bastia
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Dialing code+33
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Spoken LanguageFrench
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CurrencyEuros
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Travel FormalitiesID or passport
Destination Bastia
A City of Art and History, Bastia is the second largest city in Corsica after Ajaccio. Situated in the north-east of the island, at the base of Cap Corse, the city has a rich Baroque heritage, both civil and religious.
A summer holiday in Bastia is all about relaxation. Sip a cool drink in the famous Saint-Nicolas Square, or enjoy an ice cream in the Old Port looking out at the boats. You can also visit the Palais des Gouverneurs, which forms a prestigious backdrop to the city's museum, taking visitors on a wonderful journey through the history of Bastia.
Unmissable
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Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church
Dating from the 17th century, the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church dominates Bastia's market square. With its 2 bell towers rising to a height of almost 70 meters, it is the largest church in Corsica.
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Saint Nicolas Square
Bastia's quintessential gathering place, Saint-Nicolas Square, opposite the ferry terminal, is dominated by the statue of Napoleon Bonaparte.
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Bastia Harbor
Port of Corsica's second most populous city after Ajaccio. Bastia's geographical location, particularly its proximity to Italy, makes it the island's main port and economic leader.
Discover Bastia
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Explore Bastia
While you're in Bastia, why not take a stroll through the cool Romieu garden?
Away from the hustle and bustle of the major tourist resorts, at the northern tip of the island, Cap Corse is the perfect setting for an unforgettable holiday, with its secret coves, beaches and coastal paths...
Cap Corse is also all about the art of living: savour a lobster in Centuri, discover the famous vineyards and Muscat*, taste the local produce of olive oil, goat's or sheep's cheese, charcuterie or honey, or just let yourself be enchanted by the warmth and friendliness of the locals.
In the Bastia region, everything is set for you to write the most beautiful pages of your holiday memories in the sunshine and exceptional surroundings. In fact, the Genoese towers are impatiently awaiting your arrival in Corsica.
*Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation
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Best places to visit in Bastia
Sites and monuments in Bastia
- Santa Maria Cathedral
- Monserato Chapel
- Theatre of Bastia
- Oratories of the Confrérie de Saint Roch, the Confrérie de l'Immaculée Conception and the Confrérie de la Sainte Croix
- Romieu Garden
Bastia beaches
- Miomo beach
- Marana beach
- Lavasina beach
- Grisgione beach
- Erbalunga beach
Points of interest in the Bastia region
- Villages of Centuri, Canari, Cardo, Pieve, Santa Maria di Lota, San Martino di Lota and Ville di Pietrabugno
- Oletta and the Chapel of St Antoine
- Capo Sagro
- Island of Finocchiarolla
- Mattei's Mill and Erbalunga Tower
- Agriates' Desert
- Lake Padule
- Natural reserve of Biguglia pond (known locally as Chiurlinu)
- Archeological site of La Mariana
- Fortin Ecomusem
- Oletta Museum of sacred art
- Citron Ecomuseum in Nonza
- Nonza beach
- Saleccia beach
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Bastia gastronomy
Seafood
- Fish: grilled mullet, sea bass with fennel, sardines stuffed with brocciu, cod…
- Aziminu : Corsican bouillabaisse
- Seafood : oysters, mussels
Mountain specialities
- Fresh Brocciu cheese,
- Corsican charcuterie: prisutto, coppa, lonzu, salamu, salsiccia and the famous figatellu, succulent liver sausage
- Ewe and goat's milk cheeses
Typical Bastia and Corsican dishes
- Wild boar, stewed or baked in a pie crust
- Corsican veal
- Tianu: pork ragout
- Stuffatu: lamb or kid roasted or stewed
- Pulenta: sweet chestnut flour
- Pasta: ravioli and cannelloni with brocciu, lasagne with wold boar, pasta sciutta (with lobster)
Desserts
- Fritelli: fritters
- Torta: hazelnut tarts
- Canistrelli: biscuits
- Cakes with the sweet chestnut flour
- Pastizzu: Corsican cake flavoured with anise
- Fiadone: tart with the brocciu and lemon, sometimes soaked with alcohol
Drinks
- Corsican wines* : vins-de-corse, ajaccio, patrimonio, Cap Corse muscatel
- Cap Corse wine* flavoured with aromatic plants, macerated oranges and cinchona
- Local Pastis*: Dami and Mannarini
- Liquors* with plants of the maquis: mint, myrtle, sweet chestnut, walnut, anise, violet or orange
- Local beers* made from sweet chestnut flour: Pietra (amber), Serena (blond), Colomba
*Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation
Must-see events in Bastia
- FebruaryItalian Film Festival
- MarchComics Festival
- AprilBritish Film Fortnight
- JulyFestival Cap sur le Rire in Erbalunga
- AugustErbalunga Music Festival
- SeptemberSpanish Film Festival
Did you know?
The city of Bastia offers a surprising panorama of the Mediterranean Sea and the islands of the Tuscan archipelago: Capraïa, Elba, Pianosa and Monte Cristo. To sample the view, simply walk around the Palais de Justice up a few steps from Boulevard Paoli, the town's main thoroughfare. Up there, a delightful path will lead you to Aletto fountain, one of the oldest in Bastia.
Useful links for your trip to Bastia
To go further
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Travel formalities and documents
Everything you need to know and do before taking your flight.
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Travel assistance
All the information you need to travel: rights, advice, information on underage travellers and pet travel
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Luggage
Preparing your hand luggage or hold luggage in important step before your trip. That's why it's essential to know how to prepare your luggage properly.
