The Best Tourist Activities in Ajaccio

Sometimes nicknamed the Imperial City, for being the birthplace and childhood home of Napoleon Bonaparte, Ajaccio is a must-visit tourist destination on the west coast of Corsica. Between heritage and nature, cultural visits and outings, outdoor activities, swimming, and water sports, a wide range of entertainment and diverse events await solo travelers, couples, groups of friends, and families. Air Corsica offers you a selection of the best activities in Ajaccio.

The Best Cultural Activities in Ajaccio

Founded in 1492 by the Genoese in a gulf sheltered from the winds, the city of Ajaccio nestled around its citadel. Its towers, walls, and garrison attracted inhabitants seeking protection against raids by Barbary pirates. Its rapid growth and prosperity established Ajaccio over a few centuries as a major center of economic, artistic, and cultural life in Corsica. Tourists, travelers, and locals can enjoy numerous visits and discoveries year-round. Discover our selection of the best cultural activities in Ajaccio!

Visit Napoleon’s Birthplace

The extraordinary and tragic destiny of Napoleon Bonaparte continues to fascinate many people worldwide, with names like Austerlitz, Jena, and Waterloo still resonating in the collective imagination.

The National Museum of the Maison Bonaparte is housed in the home where the future emperor was born on August 15, 1769. In a remarkable setting featuring furniture acquired by Letizia, Napoleon’s mother, you will learn about this illustrious family’s past and discover more about the man and his legend. Temporary exhibitions and events are regularly held to bring this extraordinary place to life in many ways.

Admire the Masterpieces at the Palais Fesch

Visiting the Ajaccio Museum of Fine Arts is a must for culture lovers. Since its creation, the Palais Fesch has gathered rich collections of paintings, sculptures, art objects, drawings, prints, and photographs. Numerous Renaissance paintings are displayed here, including unique and invaluable works. You can also admire some of the greatest masterpieces of 19th and 20th-century Corsican painting by exceptional island artists such as Lucien Peri, François Corbellini, Charles-Léon Canniccioni, Jacques-Martin Capponi, and Jean-Baptiste Bassoul. The Palais Fesch also houses valuable Napoleonic collections that attract visitors interested in the extraordinary life of the man affectionately called the "Little Corporal" by his soldiers.

Temporary exhibitions are regularly organized, offering fresh and insightful perspectives on the deep and complex relationship between fine arts and the Isle of Beauty.

Discover Ajaccio on a Double-Decker Bus

Want to explore Ajaccio’s iconic tourist sites and admire some of the best viewpoints? Hop aboard a double-decker bus touring the city. The route is guided by an audio commentary and includes several stops for new discoveries and photo opportunities. You’ll follow the coastal road leading to the Parata peninsula and enjoy breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, or stop at Napoleon’s cave.

Alternatively, you can ride the little train of Ajaccio, which offers two routes: a shorter one focused on the city center, and a longer one reaching the Sanguinaires Islands.

Explore the Historic Center on Foot or by Bike

Looking for a free activity? The streets and shopping alleys of the historic center offer visitors a unique atmosphere, with beautiful houses, churches, and chapels.

A walking tour immerses you in the city’s soul, introducing you to a place with a strong, welcoming personality open to the world. Admire shop fronts, step inside stores, relax on a café terrace, sit on a bench while enjoying artisan ice cream, and simply take your time discovering Ajaccio at your own pace. Renting a bike is also a fun way to explore the city—electric bikes are recommended since Ajaccio is partly built on hills, which can mean many climbs.

Several providers also offer affordable guided tours on foot or by bike, combining leisure, relaxation, and culture!

The Best Water Activities in Ajaccio

Whether you prefer a boat ride or a day at the beach with your feet in the water, Ajaccio, as a port city, is also a well-known seaside resort on Corsica’s wild west coast. Many nautical activities are available, ranging from relaxation to adventure sports. With 300 days of sunshine per year, good weather is almost guaranteed!

Swim or Relax on Ajaccio’s Beaches

Several beaches are right in the city or just steps from the port. You can swim at Trottel or Saint-François, for example. The vast Ricanto beach stretches its long blond sandy strip up to Ajaccio airport’s runways.

Beaches also line the coastal road linking Ajaccio to the Sanguinaires Islands. You might lay your towel at Santa Lina, Scala di Sole, or Macumba. For a wilder experience, Capo di Feno beach west of the city is appreciated for its wild landscapes and clear waters. Its waves attract many surfers every year.

Depending on the beach, you’ll find leisure providers and facilities such as boat or pedal boat rentals, beach huts, bars or restaurants, showers, and lifeguard stations.

Enjoy a Sea Excursion

Want to venture out to sea? Sea excursions are among Ajaccio’s most popular water activities. Those with a coastal boating license can rent a boat and set off on their own adventure. You can also rent a sailboat with a skipper for a half-day or full-day outing on the sea.

For a more affordable sea experience, you can join a guided boat excursion, enjoying a cruise lasting a few hours or a whole day.

These cruises and boat trips departing from Ajaccio allow you to admire the stunning Sanguinaires archipelago from the deck. You can also sail to the Piana cliffs and the Scandola Nature Reserve, whose postcard-perfect landscapes have remained pristine.

Explore the Underwater World of the Gulf of Ajaccio

In Ajaccio or the nearby resort of Porticcio, the Corsican seabed attracts many enthusiasts every year. Professionals offer diving initiations or courses in the Gulf of Ajaccio or near the Scandola Reserve. Beneath the crystal-clear waters, you’ll find wrecks, dramatic drop-offs, and diverse local marine flora and fauna.

If you’re not comfortable diving deep with tanks, snorkeling is an excellent alternative.

Try Various Water Sports

Many providers rent pedal boats, jet skis, kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards. You can try new water sports—relaxing or thrilling—alone, as a couple, with family, or friends.

For adrenaline lovers, towed inflatable tubes, water jets, or parasailing offer strong thrills.

The Best Outdoor and Nature Activities in Ajaccio

One of Corsica’s largest urban areas is nestled in a natural setting. Outdoor and sports enthusiasts can explore many discoveries just a few kilometers from the city center. Here is our selection of the best outdoor activities in Ajaccio and its surroundings.

Hiking in the Maquis, Between Sea and Nature

Many hiking trails await just outside Ajaccio. From the Sanguinaires Islands, the Customs Officers’ Trail offers a walk along a wild and grand coastline with preserved landscapes. The Bois des Anglais, on the city’s heights, is also a starting point for the Ridge Trail (Caminu d'e Creste). Spectacular views of Ajaccio, the coast, and the Sanguinaires Islands follow one another, delighting hikers. Extend your day to admire the sunset—it lights up the sea, sky, and islands in a blaze of rare intensity.

Seeking cooler air? Head into nearby Corsican mountains and explore trails shaded by conifer and laricio pine forests. The Vizzavona Pass is easily reachable by car or train.

Most hiking trails are child-friendly. For comfortable and safe family outings, we recommend suitable shoes, hats, and plenty of water.

Try Climbing, Tree-Top Adventure, or Via Ferrata

Tree-top adventure parks are perfect family activities, where parents and children navigate fun, well-designed courses among the trees.

Corsica’s terrain also suits rock climbing. If you’ve never tried it, consider hiring a specialist instructor to climb routes safely.

Several via ferrata routes await near Ajaccio. In a magnificent setting accessible to beginners, the Tolla via ferrata overlooks the lake of the same name. More challenging, the Peri via ferrata offers a good test for more experienced athletes. A guide or specialized provider is recommended.

Experience Canyoning in Cool River Waters

Canyoning combines swimming, hiking, jumping, sliding, and rappelling. Equipped with a wetsuit, helmet, and sometimes a harness, you follow a stream or river course.

The Richiusa canyon, about 30 minutes from Ajaccio, and the Verghellu canyon, less than an hour away, are accessible to children from 9 years old and are ideal spots for family canyoning initiation.

Take Flight with a Paragliding Introductory Flight

Want to discover Ajaccio from the sky? Several companies offer introductory flights or discovery days in tandem paragliding. Take off from Pevani or Tavera and soar among the clouds with the endless Mediterranean Sea as your horizon.

Exceptional conditions allow paragliding all year round, summer and winter alike, in complete safety.

Many Activities for a Custom Stay

Our selection of the best activities in Ajaccio can only give a glimpse of the rich tourist, cultural, natural, and historical heritage of this unique destination. There is so much to see and do! This is without even mentioning the many exceptional sites accessible by car nearby, such as the Piana cliffs, the Scandola Reserve, or the archaeological site of Filitosa.

We encourage you to contact the Ajaccio Tourist Office to discover a wider range of activities, compare prices, and read reviews. You can book excursions or services online, create a personalized itinerary, and enjoy an unforgettable holiday.