Find your perfect hire car at Bastia Poretta Airport
A stunning island with a blend of Mediterranean and French cultures, Corsica is the perfect holiday destination. The island of Corsica is one of the least populated regions of France. It’s just a 4 hour ferry ride from the mainland but also nestles close to the coast of Italy and so not surprisingly also has an Italian flavour.
The vibrant port town of Bastia is in the North East of the island. Its nearby airport, Bastia Poretta Airport is just 17km south of the town. The airport is one of four serving the island and has direct flights to a number of European destinations including London Gatwick. It’s a good place to start your trip to Corsica and hiring a car from our Avis team is a great way to explore this mesmerising island.
Where to find Avis at Corsica Bastia Poretta Airport
You’ll find our Avis counter at Corsica’s Bastia Poretta Airport located in the airport’s arrivals hall of the terminal building. The rental cars are found in car park P1, a short walk from the terminal building at the entrance to the airport.
How to get from Basia Poretta Airport to Bastia centre by car
Bastia Poretta Airport is located to the south of Bastia close to the town of Lucciana and is an easy drive of around 25min into the centre of Bastia depending on traffic. Take Route Territoriale 11 (T11) and follow signs for the town centre and Citadelle or head towards the Old Port.
Things to do in Bastia
With centuries of history and a plethora of cultural attractions, Bastia is the gem of Corsica and best explored on foot.
Start off in the old quarter at the heart of Bastia, known as Terra Vecchia, a labyrinth of winding streets, baroque churches and attractive buildings. Star attractions include the Chapelle de l’Immaculée Conception, which has a striking painted ceiling.
The area surrounding the Citadelle, Terra Nova is another of the city’s ancient areas where historic buildings, such as the Cathédrale Ste-Marie, are found. Be sure to wander through the chic Old Port area and check out the luxury yachts by the quayside.
For retail therapy, head to the two main shopping streets - boulevard Paoli and rue César-Campinchi - which run parallel to the central Place St Nicolas.
Recommended day trips from Bastia Poretta Airport
With its winding roads and beautiful scenery, Corsica makes for a fantastic road trip destination. If you fly into Bastia Poretta Airport, the island’s main attractions are all just a leisurely drive away.
Bastia to Calvi
Just under two hours’ drive west of Bastia along the N193, the coastal charms of Calvi await. Corsica’s premier tourist spot, with palm-shaded beaches, colourful buildings, cobbled streets and endless days of sunshine, Calvi is a quintessential Mediterranean beach town, perfect for those after sun, sand and sea. Although a popular tourist draw, the town’s 8km stretch of beach never feels overcrowded.
Bastia to Saint-Florent
A small town on the northern coast of Corsica, Saint-Florent is a picturesque destination. Just 40 minutes’ drive from Bastia along the D81, Saint-Florent offers a pretty harbour lined with bars, cafes and popular seafood restaurants.
Tips for driving in Corsica
Corsica has a good network of roads linking all the major towns and cities with easy drives from Macinaggio to Corte, Porto-Vecchio, Figari and Bonifacio. There are narrow winding roads in some towns and villages and rural parts of the island.
f you have not driven on Corsica before, be aware that you will be driving on the right hand side of the road as in the rest of France and mainland Europe and it may be helpful to familiarise yourself with the road rules for France before you pick up your Avis hire car.
You’ll find parking fairly straightforward in towns like Bastia and even popular destinations across the rest of the island. There is plenty of on-street parking plus municipal car parks.