Visit Ajaccio, Corsica - a travel guide

On the west coast of Corsica, Ajaccio (population about 50,000) has wood covered mountains circling it to the rear, and the port and citadelle towards the sea, on the Gulf of Ajaccio. This combination means that Ajaccio remains mild even during the winter months - hence the town is popular with tourists for much of the year around due to its fine climate and sheltered position.

Ajaccio has its origins in a Roman town that was located on the hill just north of the present town, and a lot of ruins and artefacts have been uncovered from this earlier occupation.

Ajaccio's more recent claim to fame is as the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte - this will not escape your attention on a visit to the town, as you pass the house where he was born - now the National Bonaparte Museum - the caves where he played, and statues of Napoleon and streets and places named in his honour. Perhaps the most impressive monument is the one in the Jardins de Casone.

The main centre of the town of interest to visitors is the 16th century citadel, and the region just to the west and north of the citadel. This region includes the  Place Bonaparte and the renaissance cathedral, and continues up to Place Foch a little to the north. Note that it was in this cathedral, the Cathedrale Notre Dame de la Misericorde, that Bonaparte was baptised (you can still see the marble font where it happened).

Passing by the pretty fishing harbour, enter Ajaccio old town, around Place Foch, and explore the narrow streets lined with attractive, typically Mediterranean, houses - this part of the town is very picturesque and  perhaps the highlight of a visit.

The Fesch Museum has a very highly regarded collection of Italian Renaissance paintings. The collection was originally that of Napoleon's uncle!

Around Ajaccio there are a large number of cafes, bars and restaurants, and it is perhaps these that define Ajaccio better than the Napoleon monuments - the relaxed, casual approach to life that Ajaccio seems to adopt so well.

The region outside the town has several highly rated beaches, and you should also take the time to walk the hillside behind the town - there are great views from a viewpoint on Monte Salario. A little further afield, the Tour de la Parata is on a clifftop 12km from the town, and provides stunning views over the Iles Sanguinaires. Both are highlights of your visit to Corsica.

One very popular boat trip from Ajaccio is to the Isles Sanguinaires. Also not to miss is the renowned prehistoric site at Filitosa, 40 kilometres south of Ajaccio.

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