The must-haves
Walking through its narrow streets, Bastia reveals an authenticity unlike any other! With its relief layout, colourful facades, lifestyle and architecture, it's a town full of charm with the feel of a Genoese city. From the old town to the Citadelle, by way of the Romieu Garden and its Old Port, Discover this beautiful city through these must-see places to visit in all seasons.
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- Bastia seduces with its lively squares, its pedestrian precinct and its lively neighbourhoods friendly atmosphere and art of living.
- From Old Port at the Citadelle, The town offers a unique blend of sea, heritage and charming little streets.
- Bastia is best experienced through its residents, their welcome, their authenticity and this conviviality which gives all its soul to the city.
Place Saint-Nicolas
It's a great place to live in Bastia and where everyone gathers for a drink on the terrace, to stroll and chat.
Whether it's children busy on the merry-go-rounds or parents comfortably seated under the hundred-year-old plane trees, everyone knows how to appreciate this place as it should be.
As well as being the starting point for your sightseeing tours around the city, it is also a mecca for flea markets and festivities such as the Salon du Chocolat et des Délices de Corse (Chocolate and Corsican Delights Fair) organised every year in October.
Rue Napoléon
Entirely pedestrianised, the rue Napoléon has become the flagship of artisan boutiques, designers and decorators from Bastia. It has a very special atmosphere, friendly and relaxed, and is a great place to stroll around. Food lovers and gourmets will appreciate the many gourmet addresses offering sweet and savoury tasting breaks.
Market Square
This pretty square lined with plane trees offers direct access to the’Saint Jean-Baptiste church, In recent years, the area has attracted an increasing number of young families looking to enjoy the benefits of city life while rediscovering the village spirit.
Here, all generations mingle and all social classes live to the rhythm of this colourful district: local children, long-standing residents and new arrivals... all enjoy the Bastiese art of living.
The Old Port
Located between the Citadelle and the Place du Marché, the Old Port of Bastia is a real place where it's good to stop and appreciate all its charm.
A must? Sitting on the terrace of a café in the early hours of the morning watching the fishermen's boats return, strolling along the quays admiring the pleasure boats, or savouring an ice cream while contemplating the colourful facades of the houses. As you can see, the Old Port is an invitation to relax!
At first light, head for the’Aldilonda a veritable footbridge over the sea leaning against the ramparts of the Citadelle, to admire the breathtaking spectacle of a sunrise over the sea Tyrrhenian.
Saint-Jean Baptiste church
Since Old Port, You can see its imposing façade protruding... it's the’Saint-Jean Baptiste church !
Framed by two bell towers rising to 70 metres, you really can't miss it. As beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside, its oratory spares no expense in gold, stucco, trompe-l'œil paintings and other rare marbles. You'll especially love the decoration of its nave, which invites you to meditate and daydream as you contemplate it.
L'Aldilonda & Le spassimare
Among the highlights of Bastia, Aldilonda is an experience in its own right. This recently-built coastal promenade hugs the rock and the sea, offering a spectacular path between the Citadelle and the Old Port. Here, you walk almost above the water, lulled by the sound of the waves and sublimated by unique panoramas of the Mediterranean.
Conceived as a link between heritage and modernity, the Aldilonda invites you to slow down, contemplate and breathe. At sunrise or sunset, the light is magical, transforming every step into a suspended moment. Accessible to all, It is the perfect embodiment of Bastia's art of living: authentic, elegant and resolutely sea-facing.
The Citadel
Nestled in the heart of the Terra Nova, the Citadelle It's famous for the beauty of its narrow streets and the colour of its houses, subtly highlighted by the sun's rays. There are no cars here! It's precisely this principle that gives it its incomparable tranquillity. You'll love its small village feel, inviting you to «take the time» to stroll around and enjoy its many restaurants and cafés, quite simply...
Then discover the Mantinum, a veritable theatre of greenery overlooking the Old Port offering superb views over the whole of the old town.
The Governors' Palace
With its architecture and beautiful orange façade, it's sure to catch the eye! The flagship of the Citadelle, the Governors' Palace is magnificent for its contrast with the azure blue sky of Bastia. This listed building Historic Monument is hosting the Bastia Museum, The museum's permanent collections and temporary exhibitions invite visitors to discover more than ten centuries of the city's history.
Le Jardin Romieu
If you're looking for a peaceful spot of greenery, the Romieu Garden is the perfect place! Linking the Citadelle in the Old Port, This small, sloping park, planted with beautiful trees (Judas, belombra, pittosporum charcoal, etc.), offers the chance to stroll along its shady, pebble-covered paths.
Le Romieu Garden also provides access, via its monumental staircase on the Quai sud du Vieux Port, from a splendid vantage point overlooking the town of Bastia, where the sunrises are simply magnificent!
Sainte-Marie Cathedral
Located in the heart of the Citadel, the Sainte-Marie Cathedral is a fine example of the Baroque style in vogue in the 17th century.e and XVIIIe century. Inside, you'll love the many masterpieces of marble and stucco, trompe-l'oeil paintings, paintings by masters and statues. Don't miss the monumental statue of the’Assumption of the Virgin Mary made of solid silver: weighing almost half a tonne, it is traditionally carried in procession on 15 August during the celebration of the Sainte Marie.
THE CHAPEL OF SCALA SANTA
Away from the city, nestling in the Bastia countryside, on the heights of Bastia, the chapel of Our Lady of Monserato, founded in the 15th century, is home to a rare historical monument: a « Scala santa »or escalier saint which recalls the passion of Christ.
This relic, which few monuments in the world can boast of possessing, was granted to the people of Bastia in 1816 by the Pope. Pius VII According to Christian tradition, a special indulgence is attached to these velvet-covered holy stairs: the faithful who climb them on their knees in contrition are absolved of all their sins. A place of faith steeped in history and not to be missed, just a short walk from the town centre.
