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As popular as France may be, it can seem as if all the so-called ‘hidden gems’ have already been discovered.
Not so fast…
Although virtually every part of Paris has been revealed, there’s still the ‘Pink City’, pristine beaches, and in this case, pastel dreamscapes off the radar of most travelers.
As we all know, Summer is the best time to explore all of France from top to bottom.
In other seasons, a getaway to the island may not always match the weather, but there is no better time to plan a trip to Corsica, especially to the capital. Ajaccio.
This colorful waterfront charmer is the perfect place to unwind on the Mediterranean without falling into the same washed-out getaways, while indulging in all the French delights you’ve ever dreamed of.
Think flowing local wine, savory bakery items and unparalleled scenery without the crowds while other holidaymakers face hordes of crowds in Spain, Italy and Greece.
France’s seamless beach base
Marseille has a rougher reputation, while the rest of the French Riviera, like Nice, has crowds from all walks of life, and Ajaccio has neither.
That’s a selling point if we ever heard one.
Ajaccio has urbano delicacies, but best of all: easy access to the beach. You don’t have to rent a car, pack up half your hotel room and turn a nice dip into a full-day expedition.
Travelers can dive into the Mediterranean directly from the city center, on the beach of Saint-François, below the unmissable beach Miollis CitadelHead to Trottel Beach for more freedom of movement and water sports thrills, or look for real postcard photos along the Sanguinaires Road.
According to TripAdvisorThese are the 3 beaches of Ajaccio that you absolutely must visit:
- Capo di Feno beach
- Marinella Beach
- The beach of Saint-François 👆
The summer weather is truly beautiful Also for a full-fledged beach day. Expect temperatures in the mid-80s from July to August, but keep in mind that it will still be sunny in the fall if you can’t handle that in the coming months.
Ajaccio’s beaches are not all full-service beach clubs with loungers laid out, but you can find chairs on some beaches, especially around the seaside restaurants.
Your best bet is listed above Marinella Beachotherwise, you may want to do your morning exercises to prepare for a day of sprawling out on a beach towel.
But the good news is Ajaccio’s coastline has no shortage of soft white sandespecially at Capo di Feno.
Located on the edge of town, this wild Corsican beach is both a surfer’s paradise and a relaxing retreat – perfect for spreading out, taking in the rugged coastline or shredding waves if that’s your thing.
You won’t find these views in Paris
Sure, Paris has the Eiffel Tower and countless magical sights that are hard to fathom when they’re right in front of you, but Ajaccio has the kind of view you can’t squeeze between city blocks.
Here, the vibrant scenery comes with turquoise waters, rugged cliffs, pastel-colored buildings and fiery sunsets over the Sanguinaires Islands.
Even better, we recommend taking it up a level with Corsican wine, freshly caught seafood, local sinfully delicious cheese and pastries leaving you wondering why you ever settled for a sidewalk cafe with traffic fumes and the clicking of pedestrians.
Ajaccio is still unmistakably France, just with salty air, tranquil island vibes and much more space to breathe and recharge, and that’s what summer is all about, right?
If you need a rec, top notch A Terrazza is away from the “action”. It’s on the high side budget-wise, but consider it a sunset tax if you score a patio seat.
You won’t have any extra jet lag when you come here
Getting to Ajaccio is easier than its dreamy, remote location suggests. Most travelers will want to fly into Ajaccio Napoleon Bonaparte Airport (AJA) — that’s right, this city was the birthplace of the famous Napoleon Bonaparte.
There are many direct flights from Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Nice.
For Americans, Paris obviously offers the easiest transfer because it’s so well connected to US cities, although there are also new flights to Nice if you want to double your epic beach trip.
There is also an extensive one ferry timetableincluding departures from Marseille, and even cross-country to Sardinia, if you really want to maximize your Mediterranean odyssey and arrive in Ajaccio the old-fashioned way.
