natural wonder
Calanques de Piana
Extraordinary red granite formations plunging into the blue Mediterranean on Corsica's west coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
37 km · about 45 min drive
EuropeFranceCorsica
Ajaccio
Corsica, France · Europe
About Ajaccio
Ajaccio sits on the route: 10 minutes from Alata, 37km from Calanques de Piana.
Ajaccio is in Corsica, France, with about 54,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Alata, about 6 km away.
Ajaccio is the capital and largest city of Corsica, France. It forms a French commune, prefecture of the department of Corse-du-Sud, and head office of the Collectivité territoriale de Corse (capital city of Corsica). It is also the largest settlement on the island. Ajaccio is located on the west coast of the islandRead more
of Corsica, 210 nautical miles (390 km) southeast of Marseille.
The original city went into decline in the Middle Ages, but began to prosper again after the Genoese built a citadel in 1492, to the south of the earlier settlement. After the Corsican Republic was declared in 1755, the Genoese continued to hold several citadels, including Ajaccio, until the French took control of the island.
The inhabitants of the commune are known as Ajacciens (men) or Ajacciennes (women). The most famous of these is Napoleon Bonaparte, who was born in Ajaccio in 1769, and whose ancestral home, the Maison Bonaparte, is now a museum. Other dedications to him in the city include Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport.
Where to Stay in Ajaccio
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Ajaccio.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Ajaccio.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Ajaccio?
Within an hour or so of Ajaccio: Calanques de Piana (37 km), GR20 Trail (40 km), Col de Bavella (42 km), Scandola Nature Reserve (52 km).
Are there any good drives near Ajaccio?
The nearest famous roads are Col de Bavella.
Where is Ajaccio?
Ajaccio is in Corsica, France, about 6 km from Alata.
Road trip
Drive to Ajaccio
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Ajaccio. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 54,364
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- France
- Region
- Corsica
- Timezone
- Europe/Paris
- Coordinates
- 41.9189, 8.7381
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in France
Carrying a warning triangle and hi-vis vest in your vehicle is mandatory. Motorway emergency phones connect to official breakdown services only.
Full driving guide for FranceTags
Worth the detour from Ajaccio
4 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
GR20 Trail
Europe's toughest and most spectacular long-distance hiking trail, crossing Corsica's mountainous spine over 180 kilometers.
40 km · about 45 min drive
mountain pass
Col de Bavella
Corsica's most spectacular mountain pass at 1218m, winding through twisted granite needles and fragrant pine forests in the island's wild interior.
42 km · about 50 min drive
national park
Scandola Nature Reserve
A UNESCO-protected volcanic peninsula accessible only by sea, with spectacular red porphyry cliffs and pristine marine ecosystems.
52 km · about 60 min drive
Driving roads near Ajaccio
- 42 kmCol de BavellaCorsica's most spectacular mountain pass at 1218m, winding through twisted granite needles and fragrant pine forests in the island's wild interior.
- 69 kmBonifacioA dramatic citadel town perched atop sheer white limestone cliffs at the southern tip of Corsica, overlooking the strait to Sardinia.
Driving in France
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.85/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€10.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Ajaccio.
Plan a trip around Ajaccio
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Ajaccio.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.