Ajaccio is the capital and largest city of Corsica and an important port. There are a large number of shops, boutiques, cafes, as well as daily markets.
Ajaccio's architecture is not that of a typical Mediterranean resort, but rather that of a wealthy town in mainland France. Beautiful houses adorn the promenades and the centre, and the full facilities of the largest city are great for restocking supplies when travelling around the island.
Sights and history
The city is the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte and many of the monuments in the city are dedicated to him. You will find his birthplace, which is also a museum, his monument, several of his statues. The beautiful, compact centre, full of narrow streets and grand houses, invites you to stroll and enjoy the restaurants.
Don't miss these sights in Ajaccio:
- Maison Bonaparte - Napoleon's birthplace with museum (price around 7 eur, see official website)
- Cathedral of the Assumption - Napoleon was baptised there and the interior is dominated by a baroque altar - a gift from Napoleon's sister Elisa. The cathedral dates back to 1593
- Chapelle Impériale - a monumental chapel dating from 1860, which houses the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte's parents and siblings
- The Citadel - a massive fortress on a promontory above the sea right in the centre of Ajaccio originally dating from BC, the current form dates from the 17th century
- Musée Fesch - a famous art museum founded in 1852 (see official website)
From Ajaccio you can take a trip to the Iles Sanguinaires (Blood Islands). The archipelago consists of four islands. The islands were in the past a haven for pirates. The Blood Islands are most beautiful at sunset.
Beaches and promenades
Directly in Ajaccio you will find three beaches, which are not among the most beautiful in Corsica, but they are definitely enough for refreshment during urban tourism. The main one is Plage Trottel in the south of Ajaccio, which is the most spacious and where you will find a small restaurant, showers and toilets.
In the centre, just below the citadel, you can take a dip at Plage Saint-Francois, which winds like a narrow strip of pebbles and sand under the Bd Pascal Rossini, the most famous promenade full of restaurants.
To the east of Ajaccio, near the local airport, is the Plage du Ricantu, more than 3.5 km long, with beautiful clear water that already extends beyond the city limits.
Accommodation
Ajaccio is definitely a town you should stop in for at least 1 night, and can also be an ideal base for trips along the west coast if you prefer to stay in towns. It's also where you'll find the largest number of larger hotels, including multinational chains, which are otherwise scarce throughout Corsica.
The average price per night in summer is between 92 eur and 147 eur per room, which is above the Corsican average.
We've also included tips on specific accommodation to make it easier to find your way around.
- Cheapest accommodation ( 103 eur per night) - Hotel le Dauphin **, Hôtel La Pinède ***, Hotel Napoleon ***
- Best hotels ( 147 eur per night) - Best Western Plus Ajaccio Amirauté ****, Mercure Ajaccio ****
Transportation
Parking
If you go to Ajaccio by car, you will find many public car parks along the coastal promenade by the harbour and close to the centre. Parking is only free in the green zones on the outskirts of town and only for 45 minutes. In the city centre you usually pay for parking 0,50 eur.
Public transport buses
Public transport in Ajaccio is served by about 9 bus routes that cover the whole city and its surroundings. Tickets can be purchased at newsagents or from the driver in cash only.
- 1 eur - 1 hour, valid on lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, B
- 2,20 eur - 1 hour, valid on line 5 "Navette des Plages", if purchased from the driver 3 eur
- 6 eur - 1 hour, valid on line 8 going to the airport
An alternative is to buy a carnet of 10 tickets for 9 eur, valid only on regular lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, B
Official information can be found on the transport company's website mobilite.muvitarra.fr.
Intercity buses and trains
The main bus station is located near the port and buses depart from there throughout Corsica. The railway station is just a few dozen metres north of the bus station.
Destinations accessible from Ajaccio by public transport (for bus timetables: isula.corsica, for train timetables: cf-corse.corsica):
- Bastia: 4-6 times a day by train, journey time 4 hours, cost approx. 22 eur
- Bonifacio: 2-3 times a day M1 bus, journey takes 3.5 hours, costs approx. 16 eur and you have to change buses in Scupet
- Porto-Vecchio: 2-3 times a day M1 bus and once a day M5 bus, journey time 3.5 hours, cost approx. 16 eur
- Figari: 2-3 times a day M1 bus, journey time 3 hours, cost approx. 12 eur
- Propriano: 2-3 times a day M1 bus, journey time 1.3 hours, cost approx. 8 eur
- Calvi: 2 times a day by train, takes 3 hours, costs approx. 26 eur and you have to change at the station U Ponte á a Leccia
- Corte: 4-6 times a day by train, takes 1.5 hours, costs approx. 12 eur
- Ota: 1-2 times a day M2 bus, 2.5 hours, cost approx. 8 eur
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Corsica.