Stories · France
A weekend in Ajaccio
The story I wish I had read before going.
My first time in Ajaccio, I tried to see everything and mostly saw queues. Now I do it differently: a few places a day, the right ones, in the right order. Here is my 2-day thread.
Day 1 · Fresh air
In the morning, it’s Maison du Grand Site de France des Iles Sanguinaires - pointe de la Parata. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Travellers give it 4.5 out of 5 (1,988 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Late morning, I make my way to Plage Terre Sacrée. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. 4.7 out of 5 across 840 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or compare on Tiqets.
Lunch without a plan: the first noisy room you pass is often the right one.
After lunch, head to Plage de Sevani. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (209 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or go through Tiqets.
In the evening, meet me at Plage Moorea. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. 4.7 out of 5 across 213 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or compare on Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Ajaccio does the rest.
Day 2 · The icons
To start, I make my way to Monument commémoratif de Napoléon 1er - Munimentu Cummimurativu di Nabuliòne. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or also check Tiqets.
Then, meet me at Plage Trottel. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
For lunch, trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
Later, I make my way to Sentier des crêtes - Chjassu d’E Creste. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (317 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or also check Tiqets.
As the light fades, head to Plage de Barbicaghja. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (548 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or also check Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Ajaccio is a city that tells itself better at night.
If you’re still hungry
I still have a few up my sleeve: Napoléon, l'Épopée Immersive Ajaccio, NapoRama, Place Miot, Phare de Mezzu Mare - Fanale di Mezzu Mare - lieu plus en service, Cathedral Santa Maria Assunta and Départ bateau scandola , calanques de Piana Neptune croisière Ajaccio. Your call.
My advice
Walk. Then take public transport: that is where you see the city live.
Book the busiest places the day before: queues have ruined more than one morning.
Keep a little local cash: the best addresses are often the least equipped.
There. The rest is yours: the detours, the encounters, the café that becomes your own.
A Triovol story · written by someone who would go back tomorrow
Opening hours, prices and closures change: a quick look at the venue’s website before you go avoids bad surprises.