Have you decided to visit Bastia in 1 day? Excellent idea, you won’t have time to get bored!
The capital of Haute-Corse invites you to discover its picturesque Old Port, perched citadel and exceptional religious heritage.
Between land and sea, this town of character also seduces with its colorful streets and panoramic views.
In this article, we propose a detailed itinerary to optimize your day through Bastia’s must-sees. Here you’ll find practical tips, plenty of photos and alternatives for nature excursions.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Practical tips for visiting Bastia in 1 day
What can you see in Bastia in 1 day? Is it long enough?
Yes, one day is enough to discover the heart of Bastia and its main cultural sites. Don’t miss the Palais des Gouverneurs, its unique museum, discover the iconic silhouette ofSaint Jean-Baptiste Church and explore its colorful streets at your own pace.
Note, however, that if you want to take a break at the beach, you’ll have to get up a little earlier or plan an overnight stay to make sure you have enough time.
Getting around Bastia
The most pleasant way to visit Bastia is on foot. The town is on a human scale, and everything is within easy walking distance. The key is to have good shoes, as the climbs up to the citadel are quite steep.
Bicycles are also available for hire, enabling you to ride to the beaches south of Bastia. Bastia also boasts a significant bus network, with numerous lines linking the city center to the rest of the conurbation. Find out more on the official website.
Otherwise, please note that if you want to explore the area around Bastia and take advantage of the many natural sites and hilltop villages, you’ll need to rent a car!
Where to sleep in Bastia
WHERE TO STAY IN Bastia
To enjoy the charm of this colourful, vibrant city, it’s best to spend one or more nights here! Our suggestions:
Option 1: in the lower center
We recommend..:
- Hôtel des Gouverneurs, in the citadel – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Monsieur Miot and its beautiful decor – see prices, photos and availability
Option 2: up-center
We recommend..:
- Hotel Le Bastia and its magnificent views of the city and the sea – see prices, photos and availability
Option 3: in the surrounding area
We recommend..:
- Hotel Alivi, north, with beach access – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Pineto in the south, along the sandy beach – see prices, photos and availability
See our list of the 10 best hotels in Bastia, with our reviews
Our ideal itinerary: Bastia in 1 day
Breakfast on the Old Port
What better way to start your day in Bastia than by discovering its vibrant heart? The Old Port, with its tidy boats and pastel facades, is the ideal place to enjoy breakfast on the terrace.
Let yourself be tempted by a fiadone, a Corsican specialty made with brocciu, accompanied by a strong coffee. Here, the morning atmosphere is punctuated by the comings and goings of fishermen and the bustle of Bastians as they start their day.
Morning: Explore the Citadel, the upper town
You’re off to explore the city’s treasures! We recommend you head straight for the citadel’s colorful alleyways to enjoy its dolce vita atmosphere. Also known as Terra Nova, this is where you’ll find the fortifications built by the Genoese in the 14th century. Pass through the Passage Vauban to discover Bastia Cathedral at the end of a winding alleyway.
Behind its immaculate facade, you’ll find an original decor and some beautiful works of art.
Just a 2-minute walk away, you’ll also find the Palais des Gouverneurs.
Witness to the Genoese heritage, this building was a royal residence until the XVIIIᵉ century, a military barracks and today houses Bastia’s Museum of Art and History.
A chronological tour immerses you in the history of Corsica, from Antiquity to the XVIIIᵉ century, through fascinating and varied themes.
Lunch on the heights of Bastia
After a rich morning focused on heritage, a short break is in order.
You’ll find plenty of places to eat in the citadel district, including good alternatives for eating on the go (Boulangeries Ghjulencia or Agostini) and even on a terrace in the sun!
We really appreciated Restaurant Chez Vincent (1min from the Palais) for its exceptional view of the Old Port and its tasty cuisine.
Digestive stroll in the Jardin Romieu
After a good meal, why not stretch your legs in a bucolic setting? The Romieu garden is a rock garden with a harmonious blend of Mediterranean flora and exotic species. It offers superb views of the port below. This perspective will give you a better understanding of the places you’ll discover in the lower town right afterwards!
Descending the horseshoe-shaped staircase, you’ll walk along the Albert Gillo quays, bringing you back to the starting point: the old port.
Afternoon: Stroll through the lower town
Back in the lower town, you must enter theChurch of St. John the Baptist. After admiring its façade from the Old Port, you can discover its rich Baroque ornamentation. TheOratory of the Immaculate Conception is just a 2-minute walk away. This 17th-century building is once again inspired by Genoa’s Baroque style. Special mention for the walls covered in silk damask and red Genoa velvet!
After all these discoveries, it’s time to take a leisurely stroll through the lower town. You’ll find plenty of charming squares and tempting grocery stores, not to mention island know-how (jewelry, knives). The finest boutiques can be found on Boulevard Paoli, rue César Campinchi or rue Napoléon.
Others will prefer the lively atmosphere of Place Saint-Nicolas, with its colossal dimensions (280m long by 80m wide), its statue of Napoleon, its palm trees and its pretty kiosk!
Dinner in a Corsican restaurant
After a day full of surprises, it’s time for a well-deserved break! It’s impossible to leave Bastia without sampling its local specialties, starting with anchovies à la bastiaise or sardines with brocciu.
An ideal town for epicureans, the city offers numerous restaurants where you can savour the best of the island’s gastronomy. The best addresses can be found in our article where to eat in Bastia.
For dinner, we particularly appreciated the warm atmosphere and generous, tasty cuisine at Restaurant Nova.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Corsica
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Alternative 1: An iodized day in Bastia
Embark on a morning sea excursion
Facing the Mediterranean, Bastia is an ideal base for exploring the wild coastline of Cap Corse or discovering secret coves accessible only by boat.
Here’s a selection of things to do from Bastia’s Old Port:
- Excursion to Cap Corse: discover the Genoese towers of Miomo and Sacro, and the beaches of Lavasina and Erbalunga. See prices, info and availability.
- Day trip to the island of Capraia: discover the 3rd largest island in the Tuscan archipelago, its old town, volcanic rocks and unspoilt beaches. Book your cruise now.
- Excursion to the tip of Cap Corse: discover Santa Maria Bay, Finocchiarola Islands and Giraglia Island. See prices, info and availability.
Lunch in the Old Port
After this morning at sea, why not extend the experience to the plate? The restaurants of the Old Port feature fish dishes that are full of flavor. Discover our selection of the best restaurants in the port of Bastia.
A lazy afternoon on the beach
What could be better than an afternoon lounging on the beach? Bastia is a coastal town with two turquoise beaches within easy reach of the town center.
To the north Toga Beachstretches along the residences.
To the south of the citadel, the Plage de Ficaghjola, a small, intimate cove surrounded by rocks, has a discreet charm all of its own.
Other larger beaches are accessible to the south of Bastia, such asArinella and Marana. Look out for our dedicated article on this subject soon!
And if the weather doesn’t cooperate but you still want to see the sea without swimming, here’s an option that should please you…
The Aldilonda promenade, along the ramparts of the citadel, offers a soothing view over the Bay of Bastia.
Alternative 2: A family day out in Bastia
For this day, we suggest a morning visit to Bastia, in a “lighter version”, after which you can take your children on an excursion.
For example, you could decide to visit only the citadel district and enjoy the magnificent views, or opt for a fun ride on the city’s little train.
The afternoon will be devoted to an excursion:
Observe the fauna of L’étang de Biguglia
Just a 15-minute drive south of Bastia, you can take a stroll in the Etang de Biguglia nature reserve. This protected natural site in the commune of Furiani is the wettest area in Corsica. Your children may be lucky enough to see kingfishers, flamingos or cormorants.
The visit can be completed with a visit to the Ecomusée du Fortin, which explains the fishing industry of yesteryear.
And if you’re looking for a little more peace and quiet, why not try the adjoining Marana beach?
Horseback riding
Why not take advantage of your stay to go horseback riding and explore the landscape in an immersive way? We have identified two riding schools:
- The Haras des Sables, a 16-minute drive from Bastia, even offers rides on the beach (more info on the official website).
- The Cavallu di Brando center, 18 minutes away by car, offers pony rides (more info on the official website).
A bucolic stroll in Parc Galea
Just 40 minutes from Bastia, Parc Galea is a real favorite. This vast space combines landscaped gardens housing a remarkable collection of 300 species of cactus, exhibition pavilions and museums dedicated to Corsican heritage. Its playful, accessible approach appeals to young and old alike, while lectures and projections enhance the visit.
Don’t forget snack time!
A day with your children would be wasted without their “sacrosanct snack”, and fortunately there are plenty of places in town to give your kids a dose of fuel. Give them a taste of canistrelli, those little Corsican cookies. You’ll find delicious ones at Boulangerie A Biscutteria, 3 rue Naopoléon. Or opt for one of the city’s ice cream parlors, several of which are located around the Old Port.
Alternative 3: Focus on Bastia’s religious heritage
In addition to the two religious buildings mentioned above, you’ll see that Bastia’s religious heritage is very much to the fore, demonstrating the city’s great fervor.
You can visit the modern Notre-Dame de Lourdes church next to the Port of Bastia and the Church of Saint-Charles-de-Borromée (5min from the Old Port), one of Bastia’s oldest, steeped in Jesuit history.
Bastia is also notable for its two oratories – of the Immaculate Conception and the Holy Cross – veritable jewels of sacred art!
If you have the time, you can also visit Scala Santa, a 25-minute walk from the city center. This chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of Monserrato, houses a holy staircase, reminiscent of the one Jesus is said to have climbed for his judgment before being crucified. There are only 10 in the world, the best known being the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome. An amazing visit!
Bastia is also steeped in centuries-old traditions, and many religious festivals punctuate the year, expressing its fervor.
Since the XVᵉ century, penitent brotherhoods have played a central role in the town’s spiritual life, organizing processions and celebrations such as St. John’s Day (find the precise calendar from the tourist office here).
If you don’t happen to fall at the same time as these celebrations, you can still opt for a Corsican song concert at the Église Saint-Jean (more info here).
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What you need to know for your day in Bastia
The weather in Bastia
Bastia enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, sunny summers, with high temperatures in July and August. Winters are relatively mild. Spring and autumn are particularly pleasant.
These 2 seasons are ideal for outdoor activities.
The resort enjoys plenty of sunshine all year round, making it a popular destination whatever the season.
Summer tourist numbers
Capital of the Haute-Corse region and departure point for many road-trips, Bastia faces a sometimes intense influx of visitors during the summer months. To take full advantage of the city’s peaceful atmosphere, we recommend avoiding weekends, when most ferries dock, and visiting out of season.
It’s also a way of contributing to more responsible tourism that respects the environment and local people.
If, however, you’re taking your vacation in summer, we advise you to book your accommodation and restaurants in advance.
Adapt your itinerary when it rains
A wide choice of activities is available if it rains during your stay in Bastia.
Cultural activities include:
- Go to the cinema: Le Régent or Le Studio.
- Discover the many religious buildings: Oratoire Saint-Roch, Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Bastia Cathedral, etc.
- Visit the Palais des Gouverneurs – Museum of Bastia.
- Go to the municipal theater.
And if you’re with children, you can try out some fun activities:
- Escape Game Scappa, 23min drive south of Bastia.
- Factory zones (laser games, arcade room and board games) in Furiani, 15min south of Bastia by car.
- Furiani bowling alley (laser gun and billiards) 20min drive from Bastia.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Corsica
Inspiration destinations
Best of
- The most beautiful beaches of Corsica
- The most beautiful villages of Corsica
- The most beautiful cities of Corsica
- The most beautiful destinations in Corsica
- The museums of Corsica
- Hidden gems in Corsica
- The most beautiful natural pools
- What to do in North Corsica
- Best things to do in South Corsica
- Canyoning in Corsica
Where to stay
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
