(5 Rue Miot. Tel. 06 0732 2014) A great stop for lunch if you're shopping. The Lebanese salad is especially delicious and surprisingly filling.

  (36 Boulevard Paoli. Tel. 04 9531 0464 ) Open every day for lunch and dinner, but come early if you want to bag a seat at lunchtime. Try chèvre chaud or one of the cheap, but tasty, pizzas.

  (Place Hotel de Ville. Tel. 04 9531 6425 ) The perfect place for a romantic rendezvous, La Place du Marché offers refined seafood dishes and a wide range of local wines. The service is helpful and attentive, but not intrusive. Closed on Sunday.

  (San Martino di Lota. Tel. 04 9531 4098) Awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, La Corniche perches high on a hillside with spectacular views of the Mediterranean, about 10 kilometres north of Bastia. The menu includes classic continental dishes served with Corsican twists.

  (7 Boulevard du Général de Gaulle . Tel. 04 9531 0161 ) Take your pick from a table within the fabulous café or outside seating on Place St-Nicolas. Order a chocolat chaud or a bottle of Pietra, the local amber brew, made from chestnuts.

  (Avenue Sampiero, Montesoro. Tel. 04 9533 3653) There's something for everyone at the Fly Café. Friday night brings karaoke and Saturday has live music within a theme: salsa, the 80s or pop-rock.

  (4 Avenue Emile Sari. Tel. 04 9537 6588) Advertising "musical encounters", Le Cabaret hosts jazz and blues concerts on the weekend from 10pm-5am.

Head to Campagna for free tastings of charcuterie and liqueurs. It also has a great selection of cheeses, wines, canistrelli (biscuits), olive oils and patés (25 Rue César Campinchi. Tel. 04 9534 0078).

Many shops close for la sieste, usually between noon-2pm. However, most restaurants and cafés, especially in the city centre, remain open.

Head to Le Vieux Port and the red lighthouse, Jetée du Dragon. It boasts the best views of the horseshoe-shaped port, surrounded by charming, worn buildings that seem to lean inward. Continue clockwise on a lovely boardwalk stroll.

The Théâtre Municipal de Bastia hosts Dance and New Technologies, a meeting of artists: star choreographer Carolyn Carlson and the group Electronic Shadow. Creative use of light, music and dance promises a memorable experience (17 May. Tel. 04 9534 9800).

 – This bustling little port town 45 minutes from Bastia is well-known to celebrities, including Kylie Minogue. On the way, make sure to stop off along the wine route running through the village of Patrimonio and taste some of the best wines on Corsica. Take the D81 west from Bastia.

While taking advantage of the island's many beautiful hiking trails, don't be too afraid if you spot a snake. There are no poisonous snakes on Corsica.