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bastia.info

Travel guide

Bastia

Bastia is a port town in Corsica, with ferries sailing to France and Italy. Up in the citadel, in the Terra Nova quarter, the Governors’ Palace houses the museum of the town’s history. The Vieux Port, overlooked by the Baroque church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, lies between the citadel and Place du Marché. Cap Corse and Saint-Florent are within easy reach for a day trip.

See the sightsPlan your journey
View across Bastia’s marina to the ferries in the harbour and the houses on the hillside

Weather in Bastia

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7-day forecast

What brings you to Bastia?

01

By ferry

Ferries link Bastia with Marseille, Toulon and Nice and with Livorno and Savona, and in season with Genoa and Piombino too.
Arriving by ferry
02

By air

Bastia-Poretta Airport is about 20 km from town, and an airport bus runs daily to the centre.
From the airport into town
03

Beaches

Arinella is the largest beach in town, Ficaghjola a pebble beach on the Front de Mer.
See the beaches
04

Weather and when to go

July and August are the warmest and driest months, October and November the wettest, and winters are mild.
See the weather

Citadel, harbour and surroundings

Citadel Bastia’s citadel, the Citadelle in French, is the Terra Nova quarter. It takes in the Governors’ Palace with the Musée de Bastia and the former cathedral of Sainte-Marie. Vieux Port Bastia’s Vieux Port lies between the citadel and Place du Marché. The twin bell towers of the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste rise above the harbour. Cap Corse Cap Corse begins just north of Bastia. Erbalunga is on the east coast, Nonza on the west coast, Macinaggio and Centuri at the tip of the cape, with the Sentier des Douaniers in between. Saint-Florent Saint-Florent lies on the gulf west of Bastia. Boats run from the harbour to the beaches of Lotu and Saleccia in the Agriates, a coastal path leads there on foot, and the Patrimonio vineyards surround the town.

Bastia on the map

All places on the map as a list (11)

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Bastia? +

By air to Bastia-Poretta Airport, by ferry from France or Italy, or by train on the Chemins de fer de la Corse from Ajaccio and Corte. For details, see Airport and Getting there.

How far is the airport from Bastia? +

Bastia-Poretta Airport is about 20 km from town. An airport bus runs daily between the airport and the town; the journey takes about half an hour, and departures are timed around the flights. More on the airport bus.

Are there beaches in Bastia? +

Yes. Arinella is a sandy beach and the largest in town, Ficaghjola a pebble beach on the Front de Mer. Both lie within Bastia itself; for more beaches along the nearby coast, see Beaches.

Can I get to Cap Corse without a car? +

Yes, as far as the coast at Erbalunga. Bus line C runs all year from Bastia to Erbalunga and Sisco, and the ride to Erbalunga takes just under 20 minutes. More on Cap Corse.

When is the best time to visit Bastia? +

July and August are the warmest and driest months, and June is usually dry as well. October and November bring the most rain; winters are mild, with frost and snow rare. For the forecast and the climate, see Weather.