Cruises to Ajaccio

Corsica is a wildly beautiful and rugged island off the south-east coast of France, 390km from Marseille. Find the perfect cruise to Ajaccio, Corsica with MSC Cruises.

Ajaccio: Napoleon Bonaparte native town

Corsica is a wildly beautiful and rugged island off the south-east coast of France, 390km from Marseille.

A popular spot with holiday-makers, a visit to the capital city of Ajaccio is one of the ‘must-sees’ on your Mediterranean cruise vacation. Located on the west coast of the island, Ajaccio was moved about two miles south of its original location, during the Genovese occupation of 1492.

Today, Ajaccio's appealing mild climate year-round is a big draw for many of its northern neighbours who enjoy visiting local attractions such as the Citadel jetty and Napoleon’s birthplace. Ajaccio's economy is driven by the production of cigars, fresh pasta and other gourmet products crafted with care by its local artisans.

Your luxury MSC cruise ship will dock in the port of Ajaccio itself and we offer a multitude of exciting ways to spend your day away from the ship.

One of the best ways to get to know this city is to join our city walking tour, taking in the old districts of Ajaccio and Napoleon’s birthplace.

The more extensive city tour takes in Casone Gardens, a lovely verdant spot within the town, offering a chance for quiet relaxation in this historic city.

Make the most of your time in Ajaccio by taking advantage of our excellent deals on interesting outings; read on for more information about our excursions below.

Cruises to Ajaccio - France - Mediterranean

Directions


The port is 5-minute walk from the city centre.

Port average temperature

The temperate figures shown are based on monthly average weather conditions for the selected port. Weather data is not real-time, and sometimes no data is shown for a specific date, month or port in general.

AJACCIOMonths
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high °C131314162023272725211714
Average low °C345710131617151175
 AJA01 - CITY TOUR  (approx. 3 hours) - 2013
Level of difficulty: easy  Panoramic Tour  Explore the most attractive areas of this lovely old town, which was founded by the Genoese in 1492. Ajaccio is best known for being the home of Napoleon Bonaparte who was born here in 1769; there is no street or building in town that does not pay testament to his life. Visit the lush Casone Gardens, one of the town’s many green areas and stop at Parata to admire the view over the “Bloody Islands”, a small group of islets dotted with guard towers. Our trip also includes a tour of Ajaccio’s historic district. Please note: the visit of the historical part includes a walk on uneven ground; we advise to wear comfortable shoes. In case of religious events the Cathedral could be closed.

Price per person $58.00 Adults $41.00 Children

   


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 AJA04 - TORTOISES PROTECTION CENTRE (approx. 3.5 hours) - 2013
Level of difficulty: moderate  Limited Availability  Recommended for families  The A Cupulatta Tortoise Protection Centre, the only one of its kind in the whole of Europe, is an ideal destination for families and nature lovers alike. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to see around 3,000 tortoises and turtles that live in these spacious, 2.5 hectare parklands. The number is set to rise even further in the future if the park’s breeding programme continues to bear fruit. Having been opened to the public in 1998, the park has proved to be a popular tourist attraction. The 170 different species of tortoise and turtle that call the park their home are sure to delight and fascinate in equal measure. Watch out for the cutest of the park’s inhabitants: baby tortoises and turtles measuring only a few centimetres in length. Mementos can be purchased in the park’s souvenir shop. Your tortoise tour comes to an end with your return to the port and your ship. Please note: as the tour involves about 1.5-2 hours of walking on uneven and rough ground, including some steps, it is not recommended for guests with mobility problems or using a wheelchair. You are recommended to wear comfortable shoes and a hat.

Price per person $73.00 Adults $51.00 Children

   


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 AJA05 - SIGHTSEEING TOUR AROUND VIZZAVONA FOREST (approx. 3.5 hours) - 2013
Level of difficulty: easy  Panoramic Tour  Limited Availability  Corsica is renowned for its natural beauty, so why not join this excursion and experience this wild and rugged island at its best. We will head inland, through the unspoilt splendour of the forests and the mountains. As we leave the coast the fresh sea air is replaced with the scent of the “maquis”, the typical Corsican shrubland composed of a variety of sweet-smelling plants such as lavender, myrtle, cyclamen and wild mint. You will travel through Bocognano, set on a plateau amidst a chestnut forest. The sturdy grey houses of this town provide a welcome respite from the summer heat and make this a popular summer destination for Ajaccians. The road then winds northwards for 6 km to the Col de Vizzavona, a forest of beech and laricio pines and one of the best hiking spots in Corsica. Invisible from the road, trees shield the little village of Vizzavona composed of a cluster of forested huts and a small train station. We will enjoy a little free time in this tranquil shady spot before driving back by the same road to Ajaccio. Please note: this tour is not suitable for guests suffering from vertigo. Due to different climatic zone on the mountain, we suggest to bring a warm jacket.

Price per person $58.00 Adults $41.00 Children

   


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 AJA06 - A WALK THROUGH HISTORY & NAPOLEON'S HERITAGE (approx. 2.5 hours) - 2013
Level of difficulty: moderate  Cultural  We will leave the port for a guided tour around Ajaccio’s old town, walking past Napoleon's residence, Place Foch and Ajaccio Cathedral. We will visit the Fesch Museum, a building commissioned by cardinal Fesch, maternal uncle of Napoleon I. This museum is considered one of the most important in France for its collection of Italian paintings, second only to the Louvre. Art lovers will delight in the impressive collections by Tiziano, Truenese and Botticelli, whilst history buffs can admire the extensive Napoleonic collection. Please note: the visit to the historical centre includes a walk on uneven ground; please wear comfortable shoes. Shooting videos or taking pictures inside the Museum is prohibited.

Price per person $42.00 Adults $29.00 Children

   


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The excursions in the program above are intended to provide MSC Guests with an idea of the different tours that can be arranged in each port of call; this program is merely a guide and confirmation of each excursion and its description and prices will be made during your cruise. Full information can be found in the onboard Tour Magazine.