Ajaccio (Corsican: Aiacciu) is the capital of the French Mediterranean island of Corsica, home to 71,000 people (2019). It is a sun-kissed tourist town with frequent visits by cruise ships. It has a boardwalk along its attractive coastline, with excellent restaurants and lots of Napoleon-related sites.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Although the coastline of Ajaccio and its natural harbour was almost certainly visited many times in antiquity, the development of a proper city did not happen until the late 1400s when the Genoese built a citadel that still stands to this day and serves as a military installation for the French army. After most of Corsica was conquered by the French in the 1700s, Ajaccio remained a Genoese territory until the late 1760s. Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleone di Buonaparte) was born in Ajaccio in 1769 just after the city became the capital of Corsica.
1 Napoleon's House (Maison Bonaparte). House where Napoleon Bonaparte was born. Now a museum. 2 Cathedral. Church of Ste. Marie. 3 Church of St Erasme. 4 Citadel. The Citadel was founded in 1492. Its current Genoese appearance dates to some time after 1559. You can only admire the exterior, as it remains a military base out-of-bounds to the public. (updated Oct 2017) 5 Harbour station. 6 Musee Fesch, 50 rue du Cardinal Fesch. 14th- to 19th-century Italian art collection amassed by Napoleon's uncle, Cardinal Fesch. Includes works by Titian, Raphael & Botticelli. €10. (updated Oct 2017) 7 Filitosa (20 km south of Ajaccio off highway T40). Apr-Oct 09:00 to sunset.
Football: AC Ajaccio were relegated in 2023 so they now play soccer in Ligue 2, the second tier in France. Their home ground 1 Stade François Coty (capacity 10,400) is 2 km east of town centre. Take the train to Bocognano. The train from the Gare d'Ajaccio leaves daily at 07:41 and takes under an hour through forests and past mountains to get to Bocognano, a village with an alpine feel, a few restaurants and bars, a couple of boulangeries, and a spectacular view of the mountains. There are hiking trails in the area (check the board beside the mairie. Or you can just have a coffee, enjoy the view, and return on the 10:49 train to Ajaccio. Hikers can take an 18:30 train back.
1 Le 20123, 2 rue du Roi de Rome. Open every evening. Closed Mondays in winter. Simple dishes cooked in a traditional "grandmother style". Four-course set menu, €33. (updated Nov 2017) 2 Mani, 7 rue du Roi de Rome, ☏ +33 4 95 50 10 42. Sophisticated bistrot serving Corsican food with modern panache. (updated Nov 2017) Ajaccio Market (in English), Marcatu d’Aiacciu (in Corsican) or Marché d’Ajaccio (in French). Central market selling French cheeses, charcuterie, olives, oranges, and zucchini in season. Close to the cruise ship port. (updated Feb 2026)
Look for local red or rosé wines with "Ajaccio AOC" on the label, or enjoy a Aperol Spritz. There are a wide variety of wine bars, brasseries, and cafes. Avoid the touristy Irish and English pubs. Drink responsibly.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Ajaccio typically sees ~30°C daytime highs and 6 rainy days.
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