The best city hikes and walks around Étang de Biguglia

waiting for the ferry

Very beautiful, especially in the evening.

Bastia's Rue Napoléon is a charming, completely car-free pedestrian zone that opened in 2013 and stretches between Place Saint‑Nicolas and the Vieux Port. It impresses with: 🤝 Historic ambience: Paved with pale Brando stone, lined with pastel-colored houses with Genoese facades and stucco above the doorways. 🛍️ Lively shopping street: Numerous boutiques of local designers, souvenir shops, ice cream parlors, and cafés create a lively atmosphere. ⛪ Religious gems: Two magnificent oratories – the Oratoire Saint-Roch (1604) and the Immaculée-Conception (1609) with Baroque interiors – are located directly on the street. 🚶 Central connection: It serves as a stylish link from the lively Place St-Nicolas with its Napoleon statue down to the old harbor, ideal for a relaxed stroll. In short: Rue Napoléon is Bastia's most elegant promenade – car-free, culturally rich, and full of Mediterranean flair. Perfect for shopping, culture and relaxed enjoyment.

🌊 Panoramic view of the picturesque Vieux-Port with its pastel-colored houses, yachts, and lighthouse – a classic Corsican motif. View over the city: From the fortified walls and the "chemin de ronde," the view sweeps far over Terra Vecchia, Bastia's historic old town with its narrow streets and rooftops. Sea and island panorama: On clear days, the view extends as far as the Tuscan islands (Elba, Tuscan Archipelago). Quiet promenade atmosphere: Picturesque walkways along bastions such as San Gerolamo and San Carlu, surrounded by lush greenery and medieval battlements. Access & accessibility: Via stairs from the Vieux-Port up to the citadel – a short but worthwhile climb with a rewarding view.

🌅 Bastia's Seafront – Atmosphere & Character The promenade in Bastia doesn't stretch along a traditional, continuous sandy beach, but rather runs in several sections along the coastline – particularly between the Old Port (Vieux Port), Place Saint-Nicolas, and the new marina. Instead of wide sandy beaches, rocky stretches, smaller bays, and the proximity to urban city life dominate. 🏛️ Sights & Highlights Vieux Port (Old Port): The picturesque old port is the centerpiece. Framed by pastel-colored houses and cafés, it invites you to stroll and linger. Place Saint-Nicolas: One of the largest squares in France, lined with palm trees, right on the water. Ideal for strolls with views of the sea and the ferries. Marina & Modern Waterfront Promenade: Located just south of the old port, with more modern facilities, boats, and yachts. A section of walking paths along the coast also begins here.

The Cathedral of Sainte-Marie de Bastia, also known as Santa Maria Assunta, is an outstanding example of Baroque architecture in the heart of the citadel of Bastia. It was built between 1604 and 1619 on the remains of an older church and is dedicated to the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. 🏛️ Architecture & History The cathedral is Baroque in style with a 19th-century neoclassical façade. Its interior features a three-aisled basilica, measuring 44.7 meters long, 23.35 meters wide, and 17.1 meters high. The choir is slightly raised and ends in a semicircular apse decorated with a radiating ceiling. A striking feature are the ceremonial hats of the bishops buried in the crypt, which hang from the choir ceiling. 🗺️ Visiting Information Address: 12 Rue Notre Dame, 20200 Bastia, France Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Sunday: 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Special Features: The cathedral is a functioning place of worship and an important cultural heritage site in Corsica.

The church is the largest church in Corsica. It was built between 1636 and 1666.

It is one of the largest squares in Europe, lined with plane trees. It is the setting for all major events, and on Sundays there is a huge flea market across the entire square. Many cafés invite you to take a break