France travel guide

Ajaccio

A sunny harbour city on Corsica’s west coast – known for Napoleon, beautiful beaches, palm-lined promenades and a relaxed atmosphere where French elegance meets Corsican soul.

Ajaccio, the capital on Corsica’s west coast, is a lively and welcoming city where history, everyday life and Mediterranean atmosphere go hand in hand. The city is world-famous as the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, and traces of him are found everywhere – from Maison Bonaparte to monuments, museums and street names that give Ajaccio a distinctive identity.

In the charming old town you will find narrow streets, colourful façades, markets and small cafés where it is easy to pause and enjoy local specialities. Along the palm-lined harbour promenade, restaurants and wine bars sit side by side, with views of the marina and the shimmering Mediterranean setting the mood from morning to evening. Ajaccio is also a destination for travellers who want to combine city life with beaches and nature. Just outside the centre are sandy beaches and sheltered coves that are perfect for swimming, boat trips and relaxed days in the sun. The city is also a good base for exploring the west coast, with spectacular natural sights such as the Calanques de Piana, Porto and the dramatic red granite cliffs along the coast.

City guide

Experiences

10 things to do

Ajaccio offers a wonderful combination of history, city life, sea views and Corsican atmosphere. Here you can follow in Napoleon’s footsteps, enjoy life along the harbour promenade and combine cultural experiences with beach days and beautiful excursions along the west coast.

The city is ideal both for relaxed days in the centre and as a base for boat trips, beach life and nature experiences around the Gulf of Ajaccio.

Visit Maison Bonaparte, Napoleon’s childhood home, now a museum in the heart of the old town.
Explore the old town with narrow streets, small shops, markets and authentic Corsican city life.
Stroll along the harbour promenade with palms, marina, restaurants and fine views over the bay.
Relax on Plage Saint-François, a central city beach perfect for a quick swim.
Take a boat trip to the Îles Sanguinaires, a beautiful island group known for spectacular sunsets.
Visit Ajaccio Cathedral, the beautiful church where Napoleon was baptised.
Enjoy the sunset at Pointe de la Parata, one of the best viewpoints in the area.
Discover the Fesch Museum with its impressive art collection and Italian masterpieces.
Drive the coastal road towards Porto and experience one of Corsica’s most beautiful road trips.
Taste Corsican food and wine in restaurants and wine bars by the harbour and in the old town.

Gastronomy

Restaurants

Food experiences

Ajaccio has a varied restaurant scene where Corsican produce meets French classics, Mediterranean flavours and excellent pizza addresses. You will find everything from elegant dinners with sea views to atmospheric addresses in the old town and relaxed bistros in the centre.

This makes the city well suited both to long evenings with local specialities and to more informal meals with fresh ingredients, good wine and a genuine Southern French holiday mood.

Le 20123 – One of the city’s most distinctive addresses, known for traditional Corsican food in surroundings that feel like a small village. A very popular place.
Le Petit Restaurant – Intimate restaurant with modern, seasonal cuisine and a clear focus on Corsican ingredients.
A Nepita – Elegant address with market-driven menus and a refined Mediterranean style.
Brasserie GILDA – Pleasant brasserie in the centre with classic dishes, a good wine list and a lively atmosphere.
NAPUL'È PIZZERIA – A reliable choice for genuine Neapolitan pizza, made with craftsmanship and Italian tradition in mind.
Ô Vent d'Ange – Charming restaurant with seasonal cooking, local flavours and a warm, informal atmosphere.
A Terrazza – Restaurant with panoramic sea views and a more gastronomic experience in elegant surroundings.

Tip: Set aside one evening for a meal in the old town and another by the sea. That way you experience both the intimate historic atmosphere of the centre and the more open maritime mood that makes Ajaccio such a pleasant food city.

Ferry, harbour and route planning

Ferries to and from Ajaccio

Ajaccio is one of the most important ferry ports in Corsica and a natural arrival point if you want to holiday on the south-western side of the island. The harbour is centrally located at the Gare Maritime, close to the city centre, making it easy to continue to your hotel, rental car or the old town shortly after arrival.

From Ajaccio, ferries run especially to Marseille, and also to Nice and Toulon at certain times, depending on season and ferry company. This makes Ajaccio a good choice both if you travel by car from mainland France and if you want to combine a sea crossing with a holiday in Corsica without arriving at the larger ports further north on the island.

For many travellers, the ferry to Ajaccio is a pleasant way to begin the journey. You arrive in the middle of a lively harbour city with beach, restaurants and sights close by, while also having easy access to onward drives towards Porticcio, Propriano, Bonifacio, the Calanques de Piana and the rest of the west coast.

Routes to Marseille, Nice and Toulon

See ferries

Train journey and nature experience

The train journey to Corte

The train journey to Corte is one of the most spectacular ways to experience Corsica’s dramatic nature. The narrow-gauge railway, operated by Chemins de Fer de la Corse, winds from the coast deep into the island’s mountain landscapes – through tunnels, across viaducts and along steep valley sides.

Many also call it the “flower train”, because in spring the route passes through areas full of flowering plants, shrubs and green mountainsides. Whether you travel from Bastia or Ajaccio, the scenery becomes increasingly wild as you approach Corte. For many, the highlight is the section via the Vizzavona Pass, where views open onto dense forests, deep gorges and high mountains.

This is not just transport – it is a nature experience in itself. The train gives you views you do not get from the road, and the pace lets you take in the landscape properly. The journey is perfect whether you want a day trip to Corte or want to combine mountain scenery with a coastal holiday.

1 hr 45 min from Bastia 2 hr 30 min from Ajaccio Several daily departures to Corte

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