Ajaccio
Country: France · Region: Western Mediterranean · Currency: Euro
Ajaccio is the capital of Corsica and a sun-kissed Mediterranean cruise port home to 71,000 people, featuring a boardwalk along an attractive coastline with excellent restaurants and numerous Napoleon-related sites.
Top sights
Napoleon's House, Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta d'Ajaccio, Citadel, Musee Fesch, Filitosa prehistoric settlement, Church of St Erasme
Things to do
- Napoleon's House (Maison Bonaparte)
- Museum located in the house where Napoleon Bonaparte was born.
- Musee Fesch
- 14th- to 19th-century Italian art collection amassed by Napoleon's uncle, Cardinal Fesch, including works by Titian, Raphael and Botticelli, entrance €10.
- Citadel
- Founded in 1492 with current Genoese appearance dating after 1559; exterior only visible as it remains a military base closed to the public.
- Filitosa
- Prehistoric Bronze Age settlement with standing stones and small museum located 20 km south of Ajaccio, open April-October, entrance €9.
Beaches
- Ajaccio beaches
- Multiple beaches accessible by bus lines from the city center.
Where to eat
- Le 20123
- Restaurant serving simple traditional Corsican dishes in grandmother style with a four-course set menu at €33, located at 2 rue du Roi de Rome.
- Mani
- Sophisticated bistrot serving Corsican food with modern panache, located at 7 rue du Roi de Rome.
Bars and nightlife
- Wine bars and cafes
- Wide variety of wine bars, brasseries, and cafes throughout the city offering local Ajaccio AOC wines and Aperol Spritz.
Getting around
The cruise ship dock at Quai de croisières is centrally located near the market and ferry terminal, with the town easily walkable on foot.
What to eat
Visit the central Ajaccio Market near the cruise port for French cheeses, charcuterie, olives, and seasonal produce, or try restaurants like Le 20123 and Mani for traditional and modern Corsican cuisine.
Tips
Book ferry tickets in advance during summer season, and note that many streets are cobblestone with steep slopes, so wear comfortable walking shoes.
Best for
History, Napoleon sites, Mediterranean coastline