Advice

Let’s take a quick break to mention a few extra spots that didn’t make it into the main itinerary. To round off your visit, you might want to head up into the hills above Bastia to see the Scala Santa Chapel, also known as Our Lady of Monserato. Listed as a Historic Monument, it houses a Holy Staircase, a rare relic that makes this a special religious site.

The walk up takes about 20 minutes. If you’ve still got some time after that, the area around Bastia is full of great places to explore. Having a car really helps, you’ll be able to get to small villages, nature reserves, and hiking trails much more easily.

If you’re after a bit of downtime, head to the coast: there’s the pebble beach at Toga, the popular Marana beach, a variety of activities at Arinella, or the peaceful little cove of Ficaghjola. Only 15 minutes from Bastia by car, you’ll find the Biguglia Lagoon Nature Reserve, a rich natural area home to many species of birds, perfect for a scenic walk. Another great option is to visit the “balcony villages” around Bastia.

These picturesque spots are nestled in lush greenery and give you a real taste of traditional Corsican life. Some of the most charming ones are Ville di Pietrabugno, Santa Maria di Lota, Furiani, and San Martino di Lota, all less than half an hour from town. If you head further north, you’ll reach Cap Corse, a stunning stretch of coastline that’s ideal for hiking, boat rides, and exploring charming little seaside villages.

If you’re up for a bit more adventure, the Agriates Desert is about a 40-minute drive from Bastia. Don’t let the name fool you, it’s not a desert in the usual sense, but a wild and beautiful area full of Mediterranean plants and wildlife, with some of the island’s most breathtaking beaches. You can even catch a boat from Saint-Florent to reach these hidden gems.

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to stick around a little longer! For more tips, head to our website and check out the Bastia city guide for all the details.