Ajaccio: The Best Beaches, Day Trips & Places to Stay

Ajaccio is the capital of Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, and sits right on the Gulf of Ajaccio. With its narrow old town streets, little squares and cafés, the harbour and a few historic sights, the city is definitely worth a visit.
But for me, the real highlight of Ajaccio is its location. Around the Corsican capital, you’ll find plenty of beautiful beaches and little coves, along with beach clubs and laid back seaside restaurants. And if you feel like escaping into nature, the green countryside is never far away either.
So Ajaccio is perfect if you want a mix of city vibes, sea, good food and a few easy day trips.

Unique Places to Stay Around Ajaccio

If you’re already in Corsica, I think your accommodation can be a little more special too. Around Ajaccio, you’ll find a few pretty unusual places to stay where the accommodation itself becomes part of the experience.

Cabin mit offenem Dach: Schlafen unter den Sternen

This little Nature Cabin in Ajaccio is definitely not for anyone who needs lots of luxury and Wi-Fi on holiday. But in return, you get something you don’t come across every day: an open roof above the bed, plenty of nature and a pretty amazing view of the stars at night.

The cabin is intentionally simple and blends right into the surrounding landscape. Instead of a TV and Wi-Fi, you get peace and quiet, plenty of nature and lots of time outdoors. One of the coolest features is the open air bathroom with a freestanding bathtub. And when the sky is clear in the evening, the bed suddenly becomes the perfect spot for a little stargazing.

A little adventure comes with the stay, though. The cabin is weather dependent, and getting there isn’t exactly designed for oversized suitcases. But in return, you get a pretty unforgettable night right in the middle of nature.

La Roulotte: A Charming Caravan Stay

Around 20 minutes from Ajaccio, right in the middle of the Corsican maquis, you’ll find this unusual little wooden home on wheels. The little Roulotte is part of a very unique property in the Gravona Valley and feels more like a little home in the middle of nature than a typical holiday rental.

Inside, there’s a bedroom, a private bathroom, a small kitchen and a dining area. Outside, you’ll find a private terrace beneath old oak trees with views of the mountains.
Breakfast is included too, with homemade jam, orange juice, coffee, tea and Corsican canistrelli biscuits. If you’re in the mood for a little extra wellness, you can also book a private area with a jacuzzi.
Otherwise, you can take a dip in the pool, hang out in the shared spaces, visit the chickens and donkeys or even pick some homegrown tomatoes.

And the location is pretty much perfect for this guide. The Roulotte is already tucked away in the countryside just outside Ajaccio, so the two trips to the river and the turtle farm that I’ll introduce below can easily be combined with a stay here. Both are basically right on the doorstep.

More Unique Places to Stay in and Around Ajaccio

Besides the unique places to stay mentioned above, I’ve also picked out a few hotels in and around Ajaccio that I’d definitely take a closer look at if I were planning a stay. I haven’t stayed at these hotels myself, so these aren’t personal recommendations based on my own experience. They’re simply places that caught my eye because of their location and facilities.

Hôtel La Pinède* is located right on the Route des Sanguinaires, just a few steps from Barbicaja Beach. There’s also a pool and private terraces with views of the sea and pine trees. Simply dreamy!

Hôtel Spunta Di Mare* is located right by the sea at the entrance to Ajaccio and offers a heated indoor pool as well as panoramic views over the Gulf of Ajaccio. The proximity to the airport is another handy bonus.

Hôtel Cala di Sole* is in a peaceful spot right by the sea on the Route des Sanguinaires, with its own little beach and a pool. Some rooms also come with sea views and a private terrace.

Hôtel Le Week end*is also right on the coast, making it a great option if you want to stay as close to the sea as possible. There’s a pool, a sun terrace, a restaurant and bar, as well as rooms and suites with sea views.

Sublime, hyper-centre d’Ajaccio* is right in the heart of Ajaccio and only around 500 metres from the beach. The apartment is decorated in a bright Boho style and comes with sea views, a terrace, a gorgeous freestanding bathtub, a sauna and a hot tub.

Day Trips into the Countryside Around Ajaccio

After all that nature around the places to stay, it makes sense to head a little further into the countryside. Around the Gravona Valley, Corsica gets even greener and more mountainous. And instead of swimming in the sea, you can simply take a dip in a river for a change. There are two day trips in particular that are easy to combine.

River Swimming at Paillote Andrea

Corsica is obviously pretty good at beaches and sea views. But the island can do rivers too. At Paillote Andrea on the Gravona, you can spend a day surrounded by nature and take a refreshing dip in the river. The swimming spot is near Tavaco in the countryside around Ajaccio and is a designated bathing spot on the Gravona. Right by the river, you’ll also find the Paillote of the same name, which is perfect for a little break in between.

Instead of sand between your toes, you’ll find rocks, trees and clear river water here. Especially on hot summer days, it’s a pretty great change from the beaches around Ajaccio.
When swimming in Corsica’s rivers, though, it’s always worth keeping an eye on the weather further inland. After heavy rain, water levels and currents can rise quickly. Just because the sun is shining on the coast doesn’t necessarily mean it looks the same a few kilometres away in the mountains.

A Cupulatta: A Turtle Day Out

Just a little further on, you’ll find A Cupulatta, a rather different kind of day trip. The turtle park is located near Vero in the Gravona Valley and is dedicated to the breeding, research and conservation of land and freshwater turtles.

The roughly 2.5 hectare park is home to numerous species from different parts of the world. Alongside European tortoises, you’ll also come across some much larger species. The park is divided into different areas and is surrounded by nature, making it a lovely little escape from the beach.

At first, this might sound like the kind of day trip you’d mainly do with kids. But it really doesn’t have to be. As a change from the beach and sea, A Cupulatta is actually a pretty fun and interesting option. And if you like turtles, you can definitely spend a good few hours here.

Exploring Ajaccio: What to See & Do

Even though this guide isn’t meant to be a classic city guide, I obviously couldn’t leave Ajaccio itself out completely. The old town is perfect for exploring on foot. With its narrow streets, little squares, cafés and old harbour, you can easily spend a few hours wandering around.
And of course, you can’t really visit Ajaccio without a little Napoleon. Napoleon was born at Maison Bonaparte in 1769, and his former home is now a national museum.

Then there’s the Palais Fesch, the cathedral and the citadel. If you’d rather be outside, head towards the Route des Sanguinaires. This scenic coastal road runs all the way to Pointe de la Parata, passing plenty of beaches and little coves along the way. It’s especially beautiful around sunset.
Or you could hop on the Open Top Bus Tour*. Of course, that’s another fun way to see the city and coastline.

The Best Beaches, Beach Clubs & Restaurants Around Ajaccio

And now it’s finally time for the sea. The coastline around Ajaccio is surprisingly varied. The gulf stretches for around 17 kilometres and has 22 official bathing spots.Along the Route des Sanguinaires, you’ll find a mix of little coves, sandy beaches and wild stretches of coastline. On the southern shore, there are longer sandy beaches instead.
What I particularly like about this area is that you can easily combine a day at the beach with good food. The Paillotes are simply part of the Ajaccio coastline and make it pretty easy to spend a whole day by the sea without eventually ending up with a squashed lunchbox in the car.
That’s why I’m listing the beaches here together with the beach clubs and restaurants that go with them.

KOS Beach Club at Plage de Marinella

Plage de Marinella is located along the Route des Sanguinaires and is known for its soft sand and clear, turquoise water. The beach also became famous thanks to Corsican singer Tino Rossi, who had a home nearby.

Right on the beach, you’ll find KOS Beach Club. The club has a laid back Boho chic vibe inspired by Bali and the Greek islands. Add Mediterranean cuisine, cocktails, pastries and a pretty relaxed beach atmosphere, and you’ve got a great spot for a long lunch or a few hours by the sea.

Cala Braise & Neptune Plage am Plage de Marinella

From KOS Beach Club, you can continue along the beach towards Neptune Plage. In between, you’ll find Cala Braise, sitting slightly above the beach on a terrace. From here, you get lovely views over Plage de Marinella and the sea.
A staircase leads down to the beach, where you can also rent sun loungers. At Cala Braise, the menu revolves around the brasero, an open grill where meat and fish are cooked directly over the fire. The menu is fairly small and changes regularly.

Ein paar Meter weiter kommt ihr dann zum Neptune Plage, das direkt am Strand liegt. Und das ist wirklich ein ziemlich schöner Beach Club. Viel Holz, natürliche Materialien, gemütliche Sitzbereiche und jede Menge liebevolle Deko sorgen für einen richtig schönen Boho-Look. Dazu kommen Liegen direkt am Wasser und natürlich das Meer gleich vor der Nase. Auf der Karte stehen unter anderem Pizza sowie Fleisch und Fisch vom Holzfeuer.

Plage du Scudo & Paillote du Scudo

Plage du Scudo is one of the smaller beaches along the Route des Sanguinaires. Crystal clear water and the wild landscape surrounding the bay make this little beach especially beautiful.

Right above the bay, you’ll find Paillote du Scudo, built into the rocks overlooking the sea. There’s a lounge area for drinks and apéro, as well as an open air panoramic space with views across the bay. The menu includes fresh fish, scallops and meat cooked on the plancha.

Plage de Capitello & L’Alta Rocca

Just south of Ajaccio, you’ll find Plage de Capitello, a beautiful sandy beach where the Gravona and Prunelli rivers meet. Overlooking the beach is the historic Genoese tower, Tour de Capitello, which gives the area a completely different feel.
So if you fancy adding a little history to your beach day, you can take a stroll up to the tower after your swim.

Right on the bay, you’ll find L’Alta Rocca, a pretty beautiful paillote with plenty of Boho flair. The terrace sits right by the sea and is perfect for a relaxed lunch overlooking the bay. The menu features Mediterranean dishes, pizza, salads and tapas.
Later in the day, things get a little livelier, with cocktails, sunset views and music. On Sundays during the season, they also serve brunch.

Plage de Scodi Neri & La Crique und Del Amor

If you feel like driving a little further south along the coast from Ajaccio, you can make a detour to Plage de Scodi Neri near Olmeto. The beach is quite a bit further south of Ajaccio, so it’s more of a day trip for when you’re in the mood to explore a little more of the coastline.

Right on the bay, you’ll find two restaurants: La Crique and Del Amor. La Crique sits slightly above the beach and has a lovely terrace overlooking the bay. A staircase leads down to the beach, where you can also rent sun loungers.
The menu features Mediterranean dishes and fresh fish, including sea bream, tuna and octopus cooked on the plancha. Del Amor is also right by the coast and combines a restaurant with a beach setting. So you can take a dip in the sea and then sit down for a meal with a view.

My Ajaccio Takeaways

For me, that’s what makes Ajaccio so interesting: you don’t really have to choose between the city and the beach. You can wander through the old town in the morning and get your little dose of Napoleon, then head to one of the beaches along the Route des Sanguinaires and spend the afternoon at a beach club.
And once you’ve had enough sand in your bag, you can escape into the countryside for a swim in the river or a visit to the turtles. Add some pretty special places to stay, little coves and plenty of opportunities to combine a beach day with good food, and you’ve got a pretty great mix.

Ajaccio has its history and Napoleon, of course, but there’s so much more to the region. Think beautiful beaches, relaxed beach clubs, refreshing river swims, good food and even sleeping under the stars.
And honestly, it’s this mix that makes Ajaccio and the surrounding area so appealing.

Do you want to discover more of Corsica? If you’d also like to explore the southeast coast around Porto-Vecchio and Bonifacio, have a look at my guide for the area. I’ve put together even more tips for beautiful beaches, restaurants, day trips and unique places to stay.

More Travel Inspiration

Fancy exploring somewhere else? Then have a little look around and get inspired by my latest travel stories and tips. You might just find your next travel idea waiting for you.

• 
  Ajaccio: The Best Beaches, Day Trips & Places to Stay
  Ajaccio is the capital of Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, and sits right on the Gulf of Ajaccio. With its narrow old town streets, little squares and cafés, the harbour and a few historic sights, the city is definitely worth a visit.But for me, the real highlight of Ajaccio is its location. Around the…
• 
  London Tips: Hotels, Restaurants, and Experiences
  London is always a good idea. At least for me. The city is big, loud and sometimes a little chaotic. But London is also exciting, cosmopolitan, colourful, creative and incredibly diverse. A true world city with impressive architecture, cool neighbourhoods, beautiful parks and seemingly endless ways to spend your time. You certainly won’t get bored…
• 
  Corsica Guide: The Most Beautiful Places, Beaches & Tips in the South
  For me, the south of Corsica is one of those regions where you really can’t go too wrong. Turquoise blue sea, white sandy beaches, little coves, impressive coastlines and pretty towns full of Corsican charm. What I particularly love is the lack of huge hotel complexes lined up one after another. This guide is mainly…