The main point of access to the Haute-Corse region, lively Bastia is a city where you can enjoy a truly authentic atmosphere. Museums and fashionable bars rub shoulders with splendid historic buildings, modern boutiques of local artisans are found alongside old-fashioned cafés, and picturesque markets and elegant restaurants tempt you to try the local cuisine.  

Watch the coming and going of the fishing boats and the teeming life of Porto Vecchio, stroll along the narrow streets of the two old districts of Terra Vecchia and Terra Nova, visit the citadel perched between the walls on top of the hill, admire the historic buildings with their brilliant colours and the age-old churches and enjoy the cool shade of a tree in Jardin Romieu. But above all, take the time to savour the timeless beauty of Bastia; the ideal place to do so is the nineteenth century Piazza San Nicola, a meeting place for locals and tourists alike, where you will find a sea of shops, bars and restaurants. 

Where the city captivates you with its history and culture, the area surrounding Bastia is an unmissable natural attraction. A trip along the coastal paths from the Cap Corse peninsula offers breath-taking views; among the beaches along the unspoilt coast is hidden one of the most idyllic ones on the island: Saleccia, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The natural reserve of Étang de Biguglia, on the other hand, is the ideal destination for anyone who wants to observe the local fauna and flora in the largest wetland in Corsica.

But before you leave Bastia, do not forget to taste its renowned traditional products: smoked cured meats from the mountains, delicious organic fruits and vegetables and tasty cheeses… a wealth of mouth-watering foods and wines!