Weekend trip to Bastia, Corsica
- Sandeepa
- Nov 11, 2021
- 3 min read
Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean Sea which lies southeast of the French mainland and immediately north of the Italian island of Sardinia.It is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and a single chain of mountains makes up two-thirds of the island. The regional capital is Ajaccio, which is the birthplace of Napoléon.
Bastia is a city located in the North-East of Corsica. Bastia is the main port of the island and its principal commercial town.
Want to get a glimpse of Bastia? check out this video
How to Reach Bastia
✈️ By Flight - Direct flights from Paris, Nantes, Marseille and Bordeaux in France. Also, available from some airports in Uk and Germany.
Our flight was from Nice, which is a 50 mins flight.
Also, there are flights from other cities
⛴By Sea - Ferries from Nice,Marseille, Livorno, Savona, Genoa, Marseille are some of the ports.
✨Things to do at Bastia
1. Saint Nicolas Square - This is the main square of the city. Bordered by the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Place Saint Nicolas is the meeting place for Bastiais people of all ages to enjoy terrace lunch, grab a drink with friends, or moments of relaxation with family. Unfortunately, it was under renovation/maintenance when we visited Bastia.
2. The Citadel - Bastia Citadel is one of the top attractions of Bastia city, Corsica. Citadel of Bastia is both picturesque and historical site of the city.It is in this village atmosphere, full of serenity with a superb view of the Tuscan archipelago. You can grab a drink or have a meal at one of the restaurants with the view of this beautiful view- highly recommend.
3. Old Harbour Bastia - There are two harbours in Bastia. The old harbour is a very colorful and vibrant place and perfert place to spend your evenings with many bars and restaurants, or simplying strolling along the water front. Be sure to walk out along the Quai des Martyrs de la Liberation for the best views of the harbour.
4. The Palace of Governors - Overlooking the cove of the Old Port from its hanging gardens, this castle was the permanent residence of the governors who had direct links with Genoa. This building was renovated after the bombings of the Second World War. Since the beginning of the 20th century, it has housed the municipal museum, formerly dedicated to Corsican ethnology.
5. Romieu Garden -The jardin Romieu is a beautiful garden which offeres stunning views if the bastia Old port. It is part of the citadel of Bastia, the oldest and most suggestive part of the city, between the palace of Governors and the San Carlo bastion, therefore in a central area and very easy to reach, even on foot, as well as at a short distance from the port of Bastia.
6. Bastia Cathedral - The Bastia Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Mary is a former Roman Catholic cathedral in Bastia built from 1495 onwards, with major reconstruction at the beginning of the 17th century. Behind the church stands the chapel of Sainte-Croix, known for its exuberantly decorated interior and for the figure of Christ des Miracles,
7. The Market Square - Halfway between Saint Nicolas Square and the Old Port, the market square, called “u mercà” by the Bastiais, is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque districts of the city. This pretty square, lined with plane trees, has many cafés and restaurants and a perfect place to grab a coffee, drink or have a meal.
8. The church of Saint John the Baptist - This is the largest of Corsica, was built between 1636 and 1666. The bell towers on the facade were added later in the 19th century.
Bastia doesn't have the best beaches in Corsica and can be a little windy. However, one beach that I liked was L'Arinella beach. Calvi has better beaches and highly recomened if you love beaches.
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