Corsica Travel: Ajaccio or Bastia?

Ajaccio or Bastia - Comparison Overview

Ajaccio or Bastia - Short Answer

Both towns have a long history and a lot of charm. You can't go wrong by staying at any of them.
I think the best way to explore Corsica in depth is to do a road trip, and you should spend at least one night in both.
However, I understand you may want to do a city stay and explore from there.

So, here is a summary of my comparison:

• Access = Tie (airport and ferries)
• Most charming streets = Bastia
• Ease of exploring = Ajaccio
• Most charming marina = Bastia
• Best monuments = Bastia
• Best museums = Ajaccio
• Best access to beaches = Ajaccio
• Best vibe / food scene = tie
• Best day trips in the region = Ajaccio

Read further to understand the decision and see pictures.

Where are they located? Can I visit both? - Map

Below is a map to help you get oriented and locate those 2 major towns.
And the driving times (via highways) are:

• Ajaccio to Bastia = 2h40 via the center of the island (Corte)
• Ajaccio to Bastia = 5h30 via the West Coast (driving by the Calanques de Piana, Calvi and l'île Rousse)

All my favorite locations are included (with GPS coordinates and practical tips) in my travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your Corsica road trip:

How to get to Bastia or Ajaccio

Both towns are home to a port and an airport.
You can reach both Ajaccio and Bastia by plane and by ferry.

Airports

The classic option is to reach Corsica by air.
Both Bastia and Ajaccio have an international airport.

Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte airport is the largest in Corsica and is only 15min drive from the city. Many companies use it.
Bastia-Poretta airport is smaller around the major airline Air France. it is 20km South of Bastia.

Compare flight options and prices on Skyscanner

Ferries to Corsica

Another great way to travel to Corsica is by ferry. This allows you to take your own car and the views as you arrive around the island are splendid!

Ferries depart mostly from:

• France: Nice, Marseille or Toulon
• Italy: Genoa, Savona, Piombino

Most ferry companies have lines to Bastia and Ajaccio.
The fastest ferry is from Piombino to Bastia (only 3 hours).
Some ferries are overnight: for example Marseille to Ajaccio will take 10 to 11 hours.

You can find all your ferry options and times on Directferries.com

My opinion

Bastia is easier to access by ferry (faster).
Ajaccio is easier to access by plane (largest airport).
But at the end, it depends on where you come from, when and how you want to travel...

Charm of the town - Ajaccio vs Bastia

Streets of Ajaccio 

With a population of around 50,000, Ajaccio is the largest town in Corsica.
It is surrounded by mountains, so as soon as you get more open views from the streets, it can be very scenic. However, it has a lot of tall buildings.
The centre of Ajaccio is based around the 16th century citadel that is still in military use.
The old town part of Ajaccio is a mix of large squares and narrow streets with pastel-painted houses.
There are lots of shops, food markets and restaurants.

The port is right by the old town and open to the sea.

Streets of Bastia 

The old town of Bastia is organised around 2 main features: the citadel and the old harbour.
Between them, you can find large squares and narrow streets with colorful houses. 
Many buildings date back to the 18th century.
It is more of a maze to explore, finding charming streets in many corners.
The old part is especially charming, as it is more enclosed and dominated by the Church of Saint John the Baptist.

My opinion

I think Bastia has more charm than Ajaccio.
However, I do enjoy the views of the mountains from the city of Ajaccio.

Ease of exploring - Ajaccio or Bastia

Getting around Ajaccio 

In Ajaccio, the old center is down along the waterfront.
It is rather in length.
However, as soon as you want to explore a bit more of the city, it requires going uphill.
And know that many rental accommodations are on the hills of Ajaccio. Streets can be very steep, but you can take a cab to get back up!
If you don't want to walk, you can find touristic trains and open-top bus to get an overview of the town - get your ticket

Getting around Bastia 

The Marina area is easy to explore. But that stops there. As soon as you want to reach the rest of Bastia there are stairs or slopes.
Plan good walking shoes or enjoy the tourist train.

My opinion

Ajaccio is a little easier to explore than Bastia.

Need to rent a car in Corsica?
My tips:

• Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com - one of the best rated comparison sites!
• Choose the car and company you prefer (not too big but with enough power for mountain roads)
• Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind! 
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See my 36 tips about renting a car in Corsica

Best monuments

Monuments of Ajaccio 

Some of the main monuments to see in Ajaccio are:

• The citadel (only from the outside as it is still in military use)
• The cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption
• The church of Saint Roch
• The Place de Gaulle with the statue of Napoleon
• Place Foch with a statue of Bonaparte
• The Lantivy palace from the 19th century
• The Fesch palace (also a museum)
• The Anglican church and other churches

Monuments of Bastia 

Some of the main monuments to see in Bastia are:

• The citadel area with the walls on a promontory
• The Governor palace (also a museum)
• The Saint-Roch Oratory from the 17th century
• The Saint Jean Baptiste Church by the marina from the 17th century with baroque features.
• The Romieu Garden
• ...

My opinion

In Ajaccio, there are many small buildings to admire, but not one that really stands out.
However, in Bastia I find the buildings have more visual interest.
My winner is Bastia.

Best museums

Museums of Ajaccio 

The main museums of Ajaccio are:

• The National Museum of the Bonaparte Residence - a small museum where the emperor spend part of his Childhood - see official website
• The Fine art museum in the Fesch palace - a great mix of art and architecture including the Imperial Chapel - see official website

Museums of Bastia 

The main museum of Bastia is:

• the Bastia Museum in the Governor's Palace - dedicated to Corsica's history and heritage, with sculptures, paintings and pieces of furniture - see official website

My opinion

Although I enjoy the Bastia museum, the 2 main ones in Ajaccio have a lot to offer.
I think the winner is Ajaccio.

Best access to beaches

Beaches of Ajaccio 

Right in the town of Ajaccio, you can find a small sandy beach: Saint-François beach. It is located next to the citadel and easy to access.
But very close to Ajaccio you can access, by car or boat, beautiful beaches with sand such as Ricanto or Porticcio beach.
And a little further South are the stunning beaches around the Isolella peninsula such as Mare e Sole with very fine sand.

Beaches of Bastia 

Around Bastia, there is a long beach to the South: Arinella beach. Not a 'dreamy beach' but it is wide.
In town, there is only a small cove accessible by a staircase: Ficaghjola beach.

To find stunning beaches, you should cross towards Saint-Florent and the Agriates Desert (see the day trips section further down).

My opinion

There is no discussion here. Ajaccio is the clear winner.

Best vibe / food scene

Vibe of Ajaccio 

In Summer, the town is vibrant with markets, restaurants, bars... there is a large variety on the main squares or hidden in the narrow streets.
If you enjoy food, don't miss the market on Foch square every morning from 7 am to 2pm (not on Mondays from November to March).

Vibe of Bastia 

Bastia has a little fewer options for nightlife, but it offers a great vibe all year-long.
The area around the marina is especially enjoyable, with a large choice of restaurants and bars.

My opinion

If you are visiting in Winter and looking for animation, Bastia is your better option.
However, in Summer, both towns have a lot to offer food-wise and great vibes. 

Best for day trips

If you are staying longer than a weekend, you may also explore the region. 
Let's have a look at the best day trip to enjoy around each of the cities.
You can book group tours or rent a car to explore them at your own pace.

Need to rent a car in Corsica?
My tips:

• Compare car rental prices on Discovercars.com - one of the best customer-rated comparison sites!
• Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind! 
• Choose a car not too wide and with sufficient power for mountains
• Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

Day trips from Ajaccio 

Some of the best day trips to enjoy from Ajaccio are:

• A boat trip to the Sanguinaire Islands
• A walk around La Parata and its tower with stunning views
• Going up in the mountains to villages such as Bastileca, famous for their meat
• Going south to the beautiful beaches around Isolella

And further, but doable on a day trip:

• Going North: The calanques of Piana - colorful pink cliffs - learn more
• Going South: the fascinating town of Bonifacio over white cliffs - learn more

Day trips from Bastia 

Some of the best day trips to enjoy from Ajaccio are:

• Biguglia Pond Nature Reserve
• Saint-Florent, its old town and the Patrimonio vineyard - learn more
• The Agriates desert with stunning - learn more
• The charming village of Erbalunga on the East coast of Cap Corse - learn more

And further, but doable on a day trip:

• Going North: The tour of Cap Corse - learn more
• Going West: the charming towns of l'Ile-Rousse (learn more) and Calvi (learn more)
• Going South: the roman ruins of Aleria (learn more)

My opinion

It is very close to a tie.
But because Ajaccio allows you to visit 2 of the most amazing sites in Corsica (Piana and Bonifacio), I think the winner is Ajaccio.

Accommodations in Ajaccio and Bastia

Accommodations in Ajaccio 

Ajaccio has a wide range of accommodations with big brand hotels, boutique hotels... and a lot of rental apartments. The best rated ones are the rentals!
Just know that many of the rentals will be located uphill from the old center touristic area with steep streets to reach them.

• Waterfront rental apartment: Grand T3 de standing Hyper Centre - see photos and availability
• Old town rental apartment: Au coeur de la Vielle ville - see photos and availability
• 4 star hotel - Palazzu U Domu - see photos and availability
• 3 star hotel - Napoleon Hotel - see photos and availability
• or Check out the best rated accommodations in Ajaccio

Accommodations in Bastia 

I personally was underwhelmed by the accommodation options in Bastia when I searched for my own trips.
I stayed at the best Western Bastia.
Know that Bastia has hills, and many accomodations can be uphill from the touristic area.

• Chain - Best Western Montecristo - see photos and availability
• Boutique - Hotel Port Toga with pool  - see photos and availability
• 4 star - Hotel des Gouverneurs with sea views - see photos and availability
• Boutique - Hotel du palais Bastia Centre - see photos and availability
• Rental apartment in Citadel - A Casa Divina with a great terrace - see photos and availability
• or Check out the best rated accommodations in Bastia

Want to see more of the best Corsica has to offer?

• 35 best places to visit in Corsica - read article
• 21 best beaches in Corsica - read article
• 21 best things to do in Corsica - read article
• 35 of the most beautiful Corsica landscapes in photos - read article
• 16 best villages and towns in Corsica - read article
• How to plan a road trip in Corsica - read article
• Tips to drive in Corsica - read article
• Beaches of Palombaggia (read the article), Tamaricciu (read the article) and Rondinara (read the article)

Planning a trip to Corsica?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

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