Discover Bastia

Bastia combines buildings from several centuries with a distinctive waterfront and paths by the sea. The city offers clearly distinct sights, from sacred architecture to views of the Tuscan Archipelago.

Citadel and Sacred Architecture

The first structure of the Citadel of Bastia was a keep, built at the end of the 14th century on the orders of the Genoese governor Leonello Lomelline. The churches date from later periods: Sainte-Marie Cathedral was built between 1604 and 1619 and is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Saint-Jean-Baptiste was built between 1636 and 1666 and is the largest church in Corsica.

A closer look at Saint-Jean-Baptiste adds further detail to this chronology: its swallow’s-nest organ gallery dates to 1742 and is decorated with three paintings. They depict scenes from the life of Saint John the Baptist. The church’s construction date and the later date of the organ gallery mark different parts of its history. At the Oratory of the Immaculate Conception on Rue Napoléon, another detail stands out: the forecourt has a pebble mosaic.

Old Port, Gardens and Sea Views

Around the Old Port, a bay and old Tuscan-style buildings shape the scene, arranged like an amphitheater around the water. The port serves as a waterfront promenade year-round, where you can stroll among cafés, yachts and colorful fishing boats.

The gardens of the Musée de Bastia lie above the Old Port. From there, you can see the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. The Jardin Romieu offers a different perspective on the quays: it overlooks them, and its staircase winds beneath the trees past vases on pedestals, statues and a fountain. The garden also offers sea views.

The Mantinum open-air theater provides another specific landmark at the port: it has more than 600 seats and space for 2,000 standing spectators; its 16 rows of seats face the Old Port. The Mantinum project also includes an elevator intended to connect the Old Port with the Citadel.

Paths and Green Spaces

For a walk or ride by the water, the Aldilonda is a useful landmark. This 450-meter-long walking and cycling path runs along the sea beside the Citadel’s fortification walls and connects the north and south of Bastia. It differs from a visit to a park: the focus here is on a route by the sea.

U Forte à A Croce is a four-hectare urban park in the heights of Bastia, intended for relaxation, walking and recreational activities. U Guadellu is a different path and is accessible to everyone. Fruit trees line it; there are also pergolas, play areas and fountains along the way. When planning, you can therefore choose between a waterfront route, a larger park area, and a path lined with trees and amenities.

Which of these sides of Bastia matters for your trip can guide your search for a suitable hotel in the city: the churches and citadel offer a historical focus, the Old Port combines a promenade with sea views, and the paths and green spaces provide further destinations for walks and leisure.

Discover more destinations: Aregno, Pietralba, Pietra-di-Verde, Calenzana, Brando, Furiani, Poggio-Marinaccio, Saint-Florent.

For the broader travel overview: Haute-Corse.