Citadel
The walled Terra Nova quarter and the Governors’ Palace
Things to do in Bastia
What’s worth seeing in Bastia
Up in the citadel, in the Terra Nova quarter, the Governors’ Palace houses the Musée de Bastia, while the Baroque church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste stands on the Vieux Port. Between the citadel and the harbour lies the Jardin Romieu, a shady hillside garden with a viewpoint.
Citadel and Vieux Port
Vieux Port
The old harbour with Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Place du Marché
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Bastia on a short visit
If you only have a few hours, the old town is enough. From Place Saint-Nicolas, with its plane trees and café terraces, the fully pedestrianised Rue Napoléon leads to Place du Marché. From the square a passage leads straight to the church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, and between Place du Marché and the citadel lies the Vieux Port with its fishing boats and terraces.
A full day leaves time for the car-free citadel in the Terra Nova quarter as well. In the Governors’ Palace the Musée de Bastia covers more than ten centuries of the town’s history, and the Jardin Romieu, a shady hillside garden with a viewpoint, lies between the citadel and the Vieux Port.
With two days there is time for a trip to Cap Corse or Saint-Florent.
Churches and oratories
The former cathedral of Sainte-Marie is a Baroque church. It keeps a statue of the Assumption of the Virgin in solid silver, which is carried in procession on 15 August. The church of Sainte-Croix in the citadel has an 18th-century Rococo interior. Both churches are described in more detail on the citadel page.
On the Vieux Port stands Saint-Jean-Baptiste, a Baroque church with twin bell towers and the most important church in town. Two more churches belong to confraternities: the church of the Conception and the Oratory of Saint-Roch on Rue Napoléon.
Notre-Dame de Monserato stands on the heights above the town. The church has a Scala Santa, a replica of the staircase leading to Pilate’s praetorium in Jerusalem. Anyone who climbs its steps on their knees receives an indulgence, a privilege granted to the staircase by Pope Pius VII.
Town tour and guided walks
From April to mid-October the Petit Train, a little tourist train, runs from Place Saint-Nicolas past the Vieux Port up to the citadel and back through the lanes of the old town. The commentary is available in several languages, German among them. Tickets are sold at the Office de Tourisme on Place Saint-Nicolas and by the driver.
The Office de Tourisme runs guided walks on selected dates, for example on the town’s religious heritage. It also sells sightseeing visits and excursions.
Festivals through the year
On 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption, the silver statue from Sainte-Marie is carried in procession. In October Place Saint-Nicolas hosts the Salon du Chocolat et des Délices de Corse, a fair for chocolate and Corsican specialities. In the run-up to Christmas the U Mercà di Natale Christmas market takes over Place du Marché for several days.
Around Bastia
On Cap Corse you’ll find Erbalunga with its Genoese tower, Nonza with the church of Sainte-Julie, and Centuri. Saint-Florent is the starting point for walks into the Agriates and lies within the Patrimonio wine region. For more destinations in the area, see Day trips; for the beaches in and around Bastia, see Beaches.
Frequently asked questions
How much time do I need for Bastia? +
A few hours are enough for Place Saint-Nicolas, Rue Napoléon, Place du Marché and the Vieux Port. Add the citadel and the Musée de Bastia and the town fills a day; with a trip to Cap Corse or Saint-Florent, allow two. See Bastia on a short visit.
What can I see in Bastia when it rains? +
The Musée de Bastia in the Governors’ Palace covers more than ten centuries of the town’s history. Then there are the churches: the former cathedral of Sainte-Marie, Sainte-Croix in the citadel, Saint-Jean-Baptiste on the Vieux Port and the Oratory of Saint-Roch on Rue Napoléon.
Is there a sightseeing tour of Bastia? +
Yes. From April to mid-October a little tourist train runs through the town, with commentary in several languages, German among them. Tickets are sold by the Office de Tourisme on Place Saint-Nicolas and by the driver. The Office de Tourisme also runs guided walks on selected dates.
Do I need a car in Bastia? +
Not for the town itself. The citadel is car-free, Rue Napoléon is pedestrianised along its whole length, and Place Saint-Nicolas is the starting point for walks. For getting out of town, see Day trips.
What festivals are held in Bastia? +
On 15 August the silver statue of the Assumption of the Virgin is carried in procession from Sainte-Marie. In October Place Saint-Nicolas hosts the Salon du Chocolat et des Délices de Corse, and in the run-up to Christmas the U Mercà di Natale Christmas market fills Place du Marché for several days.