Nestled in the heart of a spectacular gulf, Ajaccio ‘s natural beauty and rich historical heritage are sure to please. Corsica’s capital offers a multitude of activities to suit all tastes. From its sandy beaches and historic sites to its renowned gastronomy, the imperial city offers a wide range of memorable experiences.

Whether you’re a fan of idleness, a history buff or a thrill-seeker, Ajaccio has some exceptional discoveries in store for you throughout 2025. Nature and adventure lovers will appreciate activities such as accrobranche, hiking, canyoning, quad biking and via ferrata.

Ajaccio’s cultural highlights

Ajaccio, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, is brimming with cultural treasures that bear witness to its fascinating history. The imperial city offers a journey back in time through its museums, monuments and historic districts.

Napoleon Bonaparte’s birthplace

Located in the heart of the old town, Napoleon’s birthplace is an emblematic site for understanding the origins of the famous emperor. Completely renovated in 2024, by 2025 it will offer an immersive experience thanks to new technologies. Visitors can now explore the Bonaparte family apartments and discover personal objects never before on display.

The museum also offers themed guided tours, including “In the footsteps of the young Napoleon”.In the footsteps of the young Napoleon“which retraces the childhood and adolescence of the future emperor in the streets of Ajaccio. Audioguides are available in eight languages, facilitating access to this heritage for international visitors.

The Fesch museum and the imperial chapel

The Palais Fesch houses one of the most important collections of Italian paintings in France, after the Louvre. Founded by Cardinal Fesch, Napoleon’s uncle, the museum features remarkable works by Botticelli, Titian and Veronese. For 2025, the museum has enhanced its collection with several major acquisitions and a new scenography.

Nearby, the Imperial Chapel,the resting place of several members of the Bonaparte family, impresses with its neoclassical architecture and sumptuous ornamentation. The fact is, these two sites form an essential cultural ensemble for understanding theBonaparte family’s influence on Ajaccio and beyond.

Seaside pleasures and water sports

With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Ajaccio is an ideal destination for beach and water sports enthusiasts. The town and surrounding area offer a variety of beaches, from intimate coves to long stretches of fine sand.

Ajaccio’s most beautiful beaches

The Capo di Feno beach, just 15 minutes from the town center, is one of Corsica’s most spectacular. Divided into two parts (petit and grand Capo), it offers a wild, unspoilt setting, ideal for a getaway. In 2025, new ecological developments will enable visitors to enjoy this exceptional site while preserving its natural environment.

Closer to the center, Saint-François beach offers a more urban atmosphere, perfect for a quick dip between two cultural visits. As for Ricanto beach, its expanse and shallow waters are ideal for families with children.

Water sports to discover

In 2025, Ajaccio will be a leading destination for water sports in the Mediterranean. Several activities are worth trying out:

• scuba diving to explore the exceptional seabed of the Scandola reserve;
• paddle and kayak to discover coves inaccessible from land.

These activities are offered by professional service providers who guarantee safety and quality supervision. What’s more, new combined offers enable you to discover several water sports activities in one day, for a complete experience of Ajaccio’s marine pleasures.

Excursions and discoveries around Ajaccio

Ajaccio’s privileged location makes it an ideal base from which to explore Corsica’s natural wonders. The surrounding area is full of exceptional sites that can be reached in a day.

Piana creeks and Scandola reserve

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Calanques de Piana and the Scandola Reserve are natural gems not to be missed. In 2025, new boat excursions will enable visitors to discover these sites from unprecedented angles, with stop-offs for swimming in secluded coves.

The glowing rock formations plunging into the turquoise sea are a breathtaking sight. These awe-inspiring landscapes have inspired artists and photographers the world over. For the more adventurous, guided hikes also allow you toexplore the calanques from land, with breathtaking views.

The Sanguinaires Islands

Located at the entrance to the Gulf of Ajaccio, the Sanguinaires Islands take their name from the glowing hue they take on at sunset. This small, wild archipelago is accessible by boat from the port of Ajaccio, with regular departures throughout the day.

In 2025, a new interpretation trail was laid out on Grande Sanguinaire, enabling visitors to discover the island’s exceptional flora and fauna. Birdwatchers will particularly appreciate this site, which is home to numerous species of seabirds. The Sanguinaires Islands are also a prime snorkeling spot, with a seabed rich in biodiversity.

Gastronomy and Corsican flavours in Ajaccio

Authentic, generous Corsican cuisine is one of the major attractions of a stay in Ajaccio. With its blend of local produce and Mediterranean influences, the local flavors promise a veritable taste journey.

Culinary specialities

Ajaccio’s gastronomy is characterized by exceptional products and recipes handed down from generation to generation. Among the unmissable specialties are :

• figatellu, dried pork liver sausage flavoured with wine and spices;
• brocciu, the island’s emblematic fresh cheese, used in both savory and sweet dishes.

For 2025, several Ajaccio restaurants have renewed their menus with creative reinterpretations of these traditional dishes. This fusion of tradition and modernity allows us to rediscover Corsica’s culinary heritage in a new light.

Local markets and producers

Ajaccio’s central market, located in Place Foch, is an essential gourmet stop-off for discovering local produce. Open every morning, it brings together producers and artisans offering charcuterie, cheeses, honeys and olive oils of exceptional quality.

In 2025, a new producers’ night market was inaugurated on the harbour, allowing visitors to discover local specialities in a convivial atmosphere. Guided tastings are organized every week, offering a complete immersion in Corsican gastronomy.

Events and festivities in Ajaccio in 2025

Ajaccio vibrates to the rhythm of numerous cultural events throughout the year. In 2025, the city offers a particularly rich calendar of events, blending age-old traditions with contemporary creations.

Traditional Corsican festivals

Traditional festivals offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in authentic Corsican culture. The Napoleonic Days, held in August, commemorate the emperor’s birth with historical re-enactments and parades in period costume. For 2025, the program has been enriched with sound and light shows retracing theNapoleonic epic.

The Catenacciu procession during Holy Week is one of the island’s oldest religious traditions. This impressive ceremony, in which an anonymous penitent carries a heavy cross through the streets of the old town, attracts large numbers of spectators every year.

Cultural and musical festivals

In 2025, Ajaccio confirms its status as a dynamic cultural city with a varied program of festivals. The “Ajaccio en scène” street arts festival takes over the town’s squares and alleyways in July, offering circus shows, theater and artistic performances for all audiences.

The“Jazzy Moments” jazz festival, created in 2023, is expanding for its third edition with a top-level international program. Concerts take place in the city’s emblematic venues, such as Place Foch and the Citadelle, creating a unique atmosphere where heritage and contemporary music meet.

To conclude on what to do in this Corsican town

Ajaccio, with its unique blend of history, culture and natural beauty, is a must-see Mediterranean destination for 2025. The Corsican capital has managed to preserve its authenticity while developing a modern and diversified tourist offering. Whether you choose to stroll its historic streets, relax on its idyllic beaches or explore its spectacular surroundings, Ajaccio promises memorable experiences.

The richness of its Napoleonic heritage, the beauty of its gulf and the quality of its gastronomy are just some of the reasons to discover or rediscover this fascinating city. What’s more, the many cultural events scheduled for 2025 add an extra dimension to Ajaccio’s appeal, making every season a great time to visit.

So, whether you’re a history buff, a nature enthusiast or simply in search of authenticity, Ajaccio is waiting to reveal its many facets and offer you an unforgettable stay in the heart of the island of beauty.