Prepare your trip to Bastia

Bastia, gateway to Corsica

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Bastia is the main port city of Corsica and the arrival point for ferries from Italy. With Cors'Express, you disembark directly in the heart of the city from Genoa, Livorno or Civitavecchia and you can immediately start your discovery of the island.

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Second city in Corsica, Bastia seduces with its authentic Mediterranean character. Colourful facades, shaded streets and the smells of coffee mixed with Corsican charcuterie welcome you as soon as you get off the boat. The city takes its name from a Genoese citadel built in 1380, called In Bastia, and has since maintained a strong identity combining Italian influences and Corsican culture.

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To prepare for your stay and get plans and practical advice, go to the website of Bastia Intercommunal Tourism Office, located on Place Saint-Nicolas.

The highlights of Bastia

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Saint-Nicolas Square

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It is the lungs of the city. This huge esplanade shaded by century-old plane trees is lined with lively terraces and is the natural starting point for any visit. The Tourist Office is located there, and it is from there that the small tourist train tours start for a 50-minute guided walk through the city.

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Terra Vecchia and the Old Port

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Going up Napoleon Street from the square, you enter Terra Vecchia, the oldest neighborhood in Bastia. Its narrow streets are home to several remarkable Baroque oratories, including that of Saint-Roch and that of the Immaculate Conception, as well as the large Saint-Jean-Baptiste church with twin towers. Then going down to the water's edge, the Old Port awaits you with its houses with colorful facades reflected in the water. It is the ideal place for a morning coffee in front of the pleasure boats.

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The Citadel of Terra Nova

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Accessible from the Romieu Garden, this maze of paved streets dominated by the Genoese ramparts offers panoramic views of the sea and the port. In the heart of the citadel, the Palace of Governors, classified as a Historic Monument, hosts the Bastia Museum, which traces ten centuries of the history of the city and the island. An essential visit to understand the soul of Bastia.

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Excursions around Bastia

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Cap Corse

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To the north of the city, Cap Corse extends over forty kilometers and offers some of the most spectacular landscapes on the island. Villages perched overlooking the sea, wild coves accessible on foot, Genoese towers emerging at the bend of winding roads... Cape Town deserves a full day of car rides with impromptu stops.

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Saint-Florent and the Agriates Desert

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40 minutes west of Bastia, Saint-Florent is a village with a well-deserved reputation. Its picturesque port and its Genoese citadel make it a charming stopover, but it is especially the access to the Agriates Desert that attracts visitors. The beaches of Saleccia and Loto, accessible only by boat or by hiking, offer turquoise waters worthy of the Caribbean. Find all the ideas for outings on the website of the Bastia Tourist Office.

Reach Bastia from Italy by boat:

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Bastia, a major gateway to Haute-Corse, is easily accessible from Italy by sea. Three main Italian ports offer regular connections to this Mediterranean destination: Civitavecchia, Livorno and Genova.

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Civitavecchia: The port of Rome

Civitavecchia, located about 80 km north of Rome, is one of the most popular departure points to Corsica. This port welcomes cruise ships and liner ships all year round, with crossings to Bastia operated by Cors'Express

Journey and duration : The crossing takes about 1 hour, offering comfortable and fast navigation.

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Livorno: The port of Tuscany

Livorno is the main port of Tuscany, ideally located for travelers coming from Florence, Pisa or the Tuscan coast. This historic port has excellent road and rail links.

Journey and duration : The Livorno-Bastia crossing takes around 2 hours, making it one of the fastest options. Cors'Express is an excellent value for money.

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Genova: The Port of the North

Genova, capital of Liguria, is the northernmost port of the three options. A major historical and commercial port, it offers frequent connections to Bastia and other Corsican destinations.

Journey and duration : The Genoa-Bastia crossing takes about 3 hours depending on weather conditions.

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