What to do in Bastia in summer?
There is no better season than summer to experience the gentle way of life in Bastia! At this time of year, Dolce Farniente takes on its full meaning. Strolling around, marvelling at the pretty coloured facades, rediscovering the world on the terrace in the shade of the plane trees or escaping to the sea... All these little pleasures can be experienced in Bastia in summer! Are your bags ready? Let's go!
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Discover Bastia, the summer town
Bastia, radiant in the sun, can be visited in summer through a colourful tour. Take the time to discover it during a city walk and wander through its lively streets! Follow our top 10 must-sees to explore the city at your own pace, without missing the essential places. From the Genoese citadel to the Museum housed in the Governors’ Palace to the Baroque churches, Bastia‘s heritage will not leave you indifferent. Taste the local specialities by following our good gourmet addresses, without forgetting the traditional market installed every weekend in the heart of the city: you will be conquered by the tempting smells of cheese, honey and charcuterie which emanate from the stalls of the local producers.
Complete your visit with a bucolic escapade to Monserato on the heights of Bastia: in addition to enjoying a different view of the city, this walk is an opportunity to discover the magnificent chapel of the Scala Santa and its rare holy staircase. At the end of the day, return to the Place du Marché to attend the polyphonic singing concert “Bastia in Cantu” in the church of Saint Jean-Baptiste, held every Friday from June to September at 6.30 pm. This emotional interlude in time will be a great way to start your summer evening before enjoying tasty dishes from the regional cuisine on the terrace.
In summer, be guided!
Lovers of guided tours will not be left out, as the Tourist Office offers a selection of tours during the season during which the history, traditions and identity of the town are revealed to you. For a journey to the heart of the Corsican soul, let yourself be carried away by “Les Légendines“! These unusual and anecdotal tours of Bastia, offered by a guide every Tuesday from April to October, immerse you in the city’s past, its legends and local superstitions.
If you only have a little time, consider discovering the city’s tourist highlights on a small train: this tour is ideal for families, who will appreciate giving their children a playful way to discover Bastia.
If you want to extend your discovery of the region, its traditions and rural heritage, let yourself be tempted by the “Canti in Paese” tours, combining immersion in the heart of the villages and Corsican polyphonic songs.
Get away on an excursion
Take advantage of your holidays in Bastia to go on a beautiful escape! The surrounding area is dotted with little gems of nature, which you will love to discover on free or guided excursions. The Tourist Office offers various tours, both on the land and on the sea, to enable you to explore the area. Be inspired by our 5 favourite excursions.
Set off to discover the peaceful balcony villages nestling on the mountainside, cocoons of tradition and preserved landscapes. From Furiani to Santa Maria di Lota, passing through Ville di Pietrabugno and San Martino di Lota, discover ovens, wash houses and fountains from the past still standing, bearers of an ancient charm, vestiges of a rural past and eternal witnesses of stone.
Travelling the Wine Route
Between rock and scrub, discover the wines of Cap Corse and their grape varieties! If you like to discover the relief of the Cape, while punctuating your walk with epicurean stages, this circuit is made for you. From Luri to Macinaggio, passing through Morsiglia to Patrimonio, the Wine Route itinerary allows you to meet winegrowers who are passionate about their land and their vines, representing three of the most beautiful PDO wines of Corsica: the PDO Coteaux du Cap Corse, the PDO Muscat-du-Cap-Corse and the PDO Patrimonio. You will enjoy tasting these sunny wines directly at the estates, sharing with these producers real moments of conviviality.
Take a break from shopping and souvenirs
On holiday, shopping and bringing back souvenirs is a must! This is the ideal opportunity to discover the know-how of the island’s designers. You can meet them on Rue Napoléon, Boulevard Paoli or Rue César Campinchi. You will be seduced by the extent of their creativity: jewellery, clothing, cosmetics, or even decorative arts…. Gourmets will also be able to satisfy their taste buds, as numerous delicatessens and shops selling Corsican products line these shopping streets. It is precisely in these temples of delicacies that you will find charcuterie, liqueurs, honey, Corsican biscuits and cheese. Finally, if there is one event not to be missed by fashionistas in Bastia during the summer, it is the Night Shopping during the first weekend of the sales!
Find freshness in the mountains
In just a few minutes, enjoy the fresh mountain air and breathtaking panoramas! The Nivere walk is one of the must-do hikes, accessible 5 km above Bastia from the village of Cardo. Take advantage of the mild evening to walk along the Glacières trail. In 4 hours return, you can contemplate a magnificent panorama of the bay of Saint-Florent, amidst the fragrances of myrtle, rosemary and Nepita warmed by the day’s sun. To the south of Bastia, go up to the village of Furiani to discover the Chapelle Santa Maria: the highlight of a simple walk through the maquis, the chapel gives access to a beautiful viewpoint over the lagoon and the Étang de Biguglia. If you like sunrises, set off to climb Monte Stello in the cool of the dawn. Starting from the village of Pozzo, this walk on one of the most beautiful peaks of the Cap Corse will amaze you by its lights and its view “Mare a Mare”, with on one side the Gulf of Saint-Florent and on the other, the north of the Bastiese agglomeration.
During your stay in Bastia, do not hesitate to ask for the guide “Balades et Randonnées” published by the Tourist Office.
Enjoy the beach and the sea
Ideally situated at the entrance to Cap Corse and at the end of the Marana lagoon, Bastia offers a particularly vast playground for outdoor activities and leisure. The Arinella water sports centre is a must for all your aquatic activities, as it offers equipment rental (kayak, paddle, windsurfing) as well as inflatable games on the water for your children to enjoy. Those who love sunbathing and lazing around can have a great time on the long sandy beaches of La Marana or Pietracorbara beach. Also take advantage of your holidays in Bastia to discover the wild beaches of the Agriates Desert ! Saint-Florent is just a few minutes away by car and is the starting point for sea shuttles or 4×4 transfers to the superb beaches of Lotu and Saleccia. Don’t forget to bring your picnic to enjoy your day at the beach as it should be!
