Cheap Hotels In Ajaccio
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About Ajaccio
As the capital of Corsica and the gateway to the French island, Ajaccio is all about laid-back Mediterranean glamour. The pretty buildings of the palm tree-fringed old town spill out into lively bars and restaurants by night, while during the day people head out of the city to explore the pristine sandy beaches and mountain tracks. With a small but first-rate selection of art museums, it packs a cultural punch too.
Hostels in Ajaccio include rustic homes in mountain villages where you can immerse yourself in local culture. Look out for spots with free breakfast to start your day with coffee and pastries. There's usually free parking for cars and bicycles: ideal if you've got your own transport. Choose an Ajaccio hostel with an outdoor terrace where you can sip a glass of local wine and watch the sun go down over the mountains.
Ajaccio is Corsica's biggest city, but it's still small and easy to walk around. The pastel-coloured buildings of the old town are home to pavement cafés and restaurants curving around the ferry terminal and port area. For some beach time, take the 25-minute drive along the coast to Porticcio or catch a boat across the bay. You'll find a long sandy shore and a colourful strip of local shops and restaurants. There are also lots of traditional villages to discover nearby, like Villanova and Zévaco, with steep cobbled streets and bare-stone farmhouse buildings.
You can visit Maison Bonaparte, the ancestral home of Napoleon, to see the room where the general was born. Just up the road is the Palais Fesch art museum and its collection of Italian paintings. Make the 90-minute drive from Ajaccio to take in Corsica's scenery at the Calanques de Piana, where the red rock formations are home to nesting sea eagles and cormorants. Just 12km outside the city is the Torra di a Parata (Tower of Parata), built in the 16th century as part of the city's coastal defences against pirates and a good spot for ocean views.
Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport is just over 5km from downtown, about 10 minutes in a taxi. Buses also run between the city and the airport and take 30–40 minutes. The town itself is small enough to wander on foot, with public buses between Ajaccio and other towns on Corsica. Hiring a bike is another good way to get around, especially if you want to explore the rugged tracks in the nearby countryside.