excursions around Bastia

Balcony villages, Cape Corsica, lagoon, archaeological site, wine route or even the authentic senses route... The area around Bastia are dotted with little treasures, which you'll love to discover on excursions. There are a number of different routes, both guided and self-guided, to help you explore the surrounding area. Here is our selection of «favourites» to discover during your holiday.

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A beautiful tour combining nature and heritage

South of Bastia: Furiani, the Armand Cesari stadium and the Pietra brewery

Just 10 minutes south of Bastia, the commune of Furiani offers a wonderful blend of nature and heritage. You'll love the hilltop village, with its fountains, wash-houses and Genoese tower supporting a magnificent bell-tower, taking you back to the Corsica of yesteryear. From the village, a simple walk through the maquis leads you to the Santa Maria Chapel, with its lovely view over the Marana lagoon. On the way back down to the plain, you'll love the footpaths among the dunes, the smell of the maritime pines in summer and the mimosa in winter. The Armand Cesari stadium and the unmissable Brasserie Pietra (guided tours in July and August) are other places to add to your itinerary!

Discovering the Balcony Villages

Ville di Pietrabugno, San Martino di Lota, Santa Maria di Lota

Have you seen on the heights of Bastia, What about these villages perched on the hillside? Between the sea and the mountains, they are what we call the «Balcony villages».

With all their charm of yesteryear, they make for great getaways just a few minutes from Bastia. Whether you're looking for Cardu, Town of Pietrabugno, San Martino di Lota, Santa Maria di Lota, All have preserved their traditional habitat, surrounded by scrub, olive and chestnut trees. These villages offer a real break from time.

Departing from Bastia, With the «Between Sea and Mountain» half-day tour, you can discover these sumptuous villages at your own pace. Ovens, wash-houses, fountains and wine-presses from days gone by - authentic Corsica comes into its own here!

A protected nature reserve

Birdwatching at the Étang de Biguglia Nature Reserve

L’Biguglia pond is the green lung of the Bastia region! With its 1,790 hectares, it's one of Corsica's best-known bodies of water and even the largest on the island. The site is a protected nature reserve, offering the chance to observe more than 250 species of birds and discover almost 350 plant species. Don't hesitate to take the walk along the banks of the pond: it will take you to a shelter where you can watch the birds, and pink flamingos in particular, in total discretion! The Nature Reserve is a must-see in spring for photography enthusiasts, as it's the ideal time to follow the migration of oriental species that are uncommon in France. Don't miss the’Fortin Eco-museum, on the peninsula of the lake. Housed in a solid building with a rich historical past, it offers visitors a chance to discover the pond's flora and fauna through a scenography that explores the history of the site, the phenomenon of migrations, fishing activities and knowledge of wetland environments.

What to see around Bastia!

Just a few kilometres from Bastia, discover striking landscapes and varied and surprising places of remembrance. Remains from the Roman era, a medieval cathedral, but also a wealth of plants and ancestral treasures in the Traditional Gardens of Cap Corse, as well as awareness, biodiversity and ornithology in the Etang de Biguglia Nature Reserve.

Discover our guides

Are you an individual or a group looking to discover the city's top tourist attractions? Take a guided tour with one of our tour guides: vhe classic or themed tour, in French or in a foreign language, there are several options for discovering the city and Corsica under the guidance of professionals.