What to see and do in South Corsica around Ajaccio?

There’s no shortage of beautiful landscapes, crystal-clear white sandy beaches, picturesque villages and natural areas in this part of the island of beauty. Here’s a small sample of what you can see around the seaside resort of Ajaccio
of Ajaccio and the Gulf of Ajaccio for couples, friends and families. Napoleon Bonaparte’s birthplace and the surrounding area will never cease to amaze you.

The town of Bonifacio

The town of Bonifacio is made up of an upper part offering an exceptional view of the Mediterranean and the old town, and a lower part that will take you to a very pretty little marina.
Must-see points of interest:

1. The tower, the beach and the Lion of Roccapina.
2. The beach, the grotto and the absolutely sublime trou Saint-Antoine,
3. The Lavezzi Islands: the underwater tour gives you the chance to admire the seabed,
4. The cliffs of Bonifacio, which you can see from the boat on the way back from the Lavezzzi Islands,
5. The Roy d’Arago staircase, with its views over the Mediterranean and Sardinia, a must-do with good shoes!

The Sanguinaires Islands

This archipelago is made up of 4 islets. Their name has nothing to do with any battle, but with the red reflection on the rocks as the sun sets. A sight not to be missed! Cruises are organised to the main island, Mezzu Mare. The views over the gulf are magnificent, and you may even have the chance to see some of the island’s protected plant and animal species. Diving trips are also organised around the Sanguinaires Islands. The road leading to the Pointe de la Parata is well worth the diversions just before setting sail for the Sanguinaires Islands.

Beaches around Ajaccio

Sun, warm sand, clear, calm waters – that’s what awaits you if you head to the beaches around Ajaccio, the dolce vita. Here are a few top addresses that won’t disappoint:

1. Zonza, Pinarello beach: non-smoking area, water sports, surf spot, mattress hire, restaurants.
2. Porto-Vecchio, Santa Giulia beach. The bay of Santa Giulia is a little paradise on earth, a lagoon with crystal-clear turquoise waters and white sand. The rocks give this beach a wild feel, making it a not-to-be-missed but very popular spot!
3. Belvedere-Campomoro, Cala d’Agulia beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, this protected cove gives you the feeling of being alone in the world, which attracts naturists as well as hikers and cruisers. It can be reached by boat or on foot, with a 3-hour walk.
4. Pietrosella, the beach of Mare E Sole (or Silver Beach) because of its sand, with a superb view of Ajaccio and the mountains, sheltered from the wind, it has the particularity of sometimes welcoming cows. Although very picturesque, avoid approaching them, as they could well charge you!
5. Alata, la plage de Lava, this wild beach is very lively, with a wide range of water sports available: diving, flyboarding, jet skiing, etc. It is also close to protected natural sites: the Scandola Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Calanques de Piana, etc.
6. Cargèse, the beach of Peru. Situated between 2 Genoese towers, in a golf course between the Pointe de Cargèse and the Pointe d’Omigna, this sandy beach is almost 1 km long. Paillotes, kayak hire… The view is magnificent here too.

Ajaccio Ajaccio…

The Calanques of Piana

A Unesco World Heritage site, the Calanques are immediately recognisable by the red colour of their rocks, due to their volcanic past. This colour stands out even more when the sun goes down. Boat trips are available in the calanques, which can also be explored on foot or by mountain bike. The village of Piana is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Scuba diving around Ajaccio

A visit to Ajaccio is a must, and then you can set off to discover Corsica’s underwater flora and fauna, a wonderfully colourful world in crystal-clear waters. Among the most beautiful diving sites, you can try :

• The Gulf of Sagone,
• The Lavezzi Islands,
• The Gulf of Porto,
• The Cerbicale islands at Porto-Vecchio: dentis, groupers, barracudas,
• The Sanguinaires islands: Castagnole, girelle, sar, grouper.

Porto-Vecchio

Take on the challenge of the 16th-century citadel and its historic centre. The Place de la République next to the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church is a lively place with bars and ice-cream parlours. Many shops are open until midnight, and Porto-Vecchio is a lively place in the evening, with trendy wine bars, discos and polyphonic music for those looking for more local entertainment. The same goes for the marina, which is also a pleasant place to stroll around. The beaches of Palombaggia and Santa Giulia are very popular with tourists.

• Porto-Vecchio also boasts archaeological sites, with fortified settlements dating back to the Bronze Age and prehistoric fortresses. The Musée Départemental de l’Alta Rocca traces 11,000 years of history.
• The 16th-century Genoese towers of Fautéa, Pinarellu, Rondinara, Caldarellu and Omettu.
• Lac de l’Ospédale and the Ospédale forest, a magnificent lake bordered by a particularly dense forest to discover on foot.

Zonza

This seventeenth-century village is one of the most beautiful on the island, stretching between the mountains (Aiguilles de la Bavella) and the beach-lined Gulf of PInarello. In the village, you’ll see houses built of local stone, typical little squares, the nineteenth-century church of Santa Maria Assunta with its carved door and its high bell tower, a historic monument not to be missed, and the Alta Rocca Resistance Museum.

The Polischellu waterfalls

These pools of fresh, crystal-clear water are a feast for the eyes and ears, a veritable paradise for swimming and canyoning.

A Capulatta Park

This park is dedicated to the protection of terrestrial and aquatic turtles, with over 170 different species represented in the park. The park has many births each year, and you can discover the Galapagos tortoise and the South American red-headed tortoise.

The Prunelli Valley

A real haven of peace, bursting with natural treasures ranging from coastal landscapes to mountainous regions, shady paths, the Tolla lake and its nautical base, and the via ferrata will delight all budding adventurers.

Apart from the town centre, the famous Place De GAULLE, Place Foch, the foreigners’ quarter with its magnificent buildings and the fishing port, there is no shortage of things to see and do in Ajaccio and the surrounding area, by the sea or inland. Ajaccio also hosts the Journées Napoléoniennes (Napoleonic Days), a tribute to Ajaccio’s most famous family, with lectures, re-enactments, parades, dancing, games and music in August.