Bastia is docked in the city, and the centre is a few minutes' walk. See the huge Place Saint-Nicolas, the old town and Old Port, and the hilltop Citadel with the Governors' Palace museum. Cap Corse is a scenic drive north.
Where Bastia lies
BastiaAvignonBarcelonaRomeGenoaMarseilleRavennaSavonaVallettaAjaccioAlicanteAlmeríaAmalfi and PositanoBilbaoCadizCagliariCannesCartagenaCataniaGibraltarIbizaLa SpeziaLivornoMahón, MenorcaMalagaMessinaMonacoNaplesOlbiaPalermoPalma de MallorcaPortoferraioPortofino / Santa Margherita LigurePulaRovinjSaint-TropezSalernoSèteŠibenikSorrentoTarragonaToulonValenciaVillefranche-sur-Mer and NiceZadarWhere your ship docks
Ships dock in Bastia's port, which the port calls a 'port in the city'. A free intra-port shuttle runs inside the port, and a vehicle for people with reduced mobility is available on request at the Information Point (Port of Bastia).
Shuttle. Free intra-port shuttle inside the port; PRM vehicle on request (Port of Bastia).
Getting to the sights
| The way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Walk to Place Saint-Nicolas, Old Port, Citadel | A few minutes to the centre | Free |
| Taxi or tour to Cap Corse | Unverified | Unverified |
Walk to Place Saint-Nicolas, Old Port, Citadel
- Take the free intra-port shuttle to the port exit if offered.
- Walk to Place Saint-Nicolas.
- Continue south through Terra Vecchia to the Old Port and up to the Citadel.
The Citadel is uphill.
Taxi or tour to Cap Corse
- Taxi rank in front of the North Terminal on arrival (Port of Bastia).
- Taxis Bastiais: +33 4 95 32 70 70.
Winding coastal road; agree a firm return time.
What to see
Place Saint-Nicolas
One of the largest squares in France, facing the sea.
- How
- Walk from the ship.
- Time
- 30 minutes
- Tickets
- Free
Terra Vecchia and Place du Marché
Old town with a morning market and Saint-Jean-Baptiste church.
- How
- Walk.
- Time
- 1 hour
- Tickets
- Free
Old Port (Vieux Port)
Colourful harbour with cafés; best views from Quai des Martyrs.
- How
- Walk.
- Time
- 45 minutes
- Tickets
- Free
Citadel and Governors' Palace museum
Hilltop old quarter with the city museum and hanging gardens.
- How
- Walk uphill from the Old Port.
- Time
- 1.5 hours
- Tickets
- Unverified
Romieu Gardens
Terraced gardens between the Old Port and Citadel.
- How
- Walk.
- Time
- 20 minutes
- Tickets
- Free
Your day, hour by hour
Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.
- Walk off to Place Saint-Nicolas.
- Morning market at Place du Marché.
- Old Port, then climb through the Romieu Gardens to the Citadel.
- Governors' Palace museum (check hours).
- Lunch at the Old Port.
- Back on board 45 minutes before all-aboard.
What goes wrong, and how to avoid it
Beware
- Uphill walk to the Citadel.
- Tourist office closed weekends (open Mon–Fri 8:30–12:30 and 13:30–18:00).
Do this
- Tourist office: Place Saint-Nicolas, tel. 04 95 54 20 40.
- Try Corsican cheeses and charcuterie at the market.
Fees, money and access
Rules & fees
- No cruise passenger tax for visitors confirmed.
Accessibility
Port provides a free intra-port shuttle and a reduced-mobility vehicle on request. The centre and Place Saint-Nicolas are flat; the Citadel is uphill with steep lanes. Tourist office publishes an accessibility guide.
Money
Euro. Cards widely accepted.
More of the Western Mediterranean
Sources & what we could not confirm · 4 sources · checked 2026-11
- Port of Bastia (CCI Corsica): Access, transport and parking
- Port of Bastia: Cruise destination
- Bastia Tourist Office: Accessibility
- Corsica Travel Guide: Bastia
- Exact berth names and walking times
- Governors' Palace museum hours and ticket
- Petit train
- Cap Corse taxi prices
- An independent check in November 2026 could not confirm this: No cruise passenger tax for visitors confirmed.