Bastia
A port on Corsica's northeast coast, with an old town shaped under Genoese rule and a coast road north to Cap Corse.
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Bastia is a port city on the northeast coast of Corsica, the Mediterranean island that is part of France. Ferries from Nice and Italy call here, and Bastia-Poretta airport lies about 20 km south, so most visitors arrive by boat or plane. The Vieux-Port is the first place most people walk, with its cafés and ferry traffic. Above it, the Citadelle sits on the hill, and narrow streets of the old town run down toward the water.
Bastia works well for one or two days, or as a base for the north of the island. The Cap Corse loop starts from the town and winds around the northern tip, and Saint-Florent, a harbor town on the northwest coast, is an easy outing. Spring and autumn suit walking and driving best, when the weather is milder. Plan two nights if you want to take the cape slowly. A rental car makes the loop simpler.
Bastia in five
- Book the ferry before the carFerries to Bastia from Nice, Marseille and Toulon sell out in summer, and car spaces go first. Book both as soon as dates are fixed.Getting around France
- Drive Cap Corse as a day loopThe narrow coast road around the northern peninsula takes a full day with stops. Start early, fill the tank before you leave and avoid it in strong winds.
- Walk the Vieux-Port and the CitadelleThe harbor, the twin-towered Saint-Jean-Baptiste church and the old Terra Nova citadel fit in half a day. Check opening days for the museum inside the Citadelle.
- Add Saint-Florent and the Patrimonio winesThe Nebbio coast has a small marina and a wine appellation, about 30–45 minutes by car from Bastia. Book a tasting ahead, and keep a driver sober.Calvi
- Fly into Poretta, then rentBastia Poretta is about 20 km south, with buses and taxis to town. Rental cars sell out in summer, so reserve before you land.Ajaccio
Things to do in Bastia
See all attractions in Bastia
Need to know
- Airport
- Bastia Poretta (BIA), about 20 km south
- Getting there
- Flights from French cities; ferries from Nice, Marseille, Toulon
- Getting around
- Walkable center; rental car for Cap Corse and the coast
- Best base
- Near the Vieux-Port
- Time needed
- 1–2 days; 3 with Cap Corse and Saint-Florent
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Mild, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Mild, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Spring startsMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°WildflowersAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wildflowers
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Warm, quietMayRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- JunePartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh26°Low19°Swim seasonJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Swim season
- JulyClear8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low21°Peak, ferries fullJulyClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak, ferries full
- AugustClear8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low22°Peak crowdsAugustClear
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak crowds
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh25°Low18°Warm seaSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh21°Low15°Mild, calmOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Rain, quietNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, quiet
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Short daysDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short days
Average daily high and low in Bastia, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Bastia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 70%
- Wind
- 2 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 13%
Bastia
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°7°13%Monday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Tue12°7°5%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Wed11°8°35%Wednesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Thu11°10°38%Thursday: Rain. High 11°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 38%.
- Fri11°9°40%Friday: Rain. High 11°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 40%.
- Sat11°9°28%Saturday: Rain. High 11°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 28%.
- Sun13°8°16%Sunday: Rain. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 16%.
Updated 09:10 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Cap Corseabout 6–8 hours by car for the loopA winding coast road, stone villages and sea views.
- Saint-Florentabout 45 min by carA small yacht harbor and the Patrimonio wine area.
- Corteabout 1.5 hours by car or trainA mountain citadel town in the island's interior.Read the guide
Before you go to Bastia
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Rules for Bastia, checked
- Non-EU visitors need a valid passport. Check whether you need a Schengen visa for your nationality on diplomatie.gouv.fr before you book.Source
- Carry your passport or national ID card at all times, since French police can ask to see identity papers.
- Smoking is banned in bars, restaurants and other enclosed public places across France.
- Bringing meat, dairy or plant products into France from outside the EU is restricted. Check the rules on douane.gouv.fr before you pack.Source
- Service is included in restaurant bills by law, so tipping is optional. Leaving a few euros for good service is a common gesture.
Plan around Bastia
The country overview before you cross to Corsica
Read the guideCorsicaThe island overview and driving loops
Read the guideAjaccioNapoleon's town on the west coast
Read the guideCalviA citadel town and beach to the west
Read the guideGetting around FranceCar, ferry and rail in one guide
Read the guideBastia FAQ
Is Bastia worth visiting?
Yes for a day or two. It has a lively old port, a citadel and a local feel, and it is the base for Cap Corse. Beach trips are better south of town.
How many days do you need in Bastia?
One day covers the port and Citadelle. Two or three days lets you add Cap Corse and Saint-Florent at a calmer pace.
How do you get to Bastia from the mainland?
By flight from French cities or by ferry from Nice, Marseille or Toulon. Ferries with a car take longer but save a rental. Book early for summer.
Do you need a car around Bastia?
Yes for Cap Corse and the coast. The center is walkable, and trains and buses are limited.
Is Bastia or Ajaccio better to visit?
Bastia suits Cap Corse and Italy ferries, and feels more working-port. Ajaccio is warmer, more resort-like and closer to the west coast beaches.