1. Saint-François beach
Just a stone's throw from Ajaccio town center, Plage Saint-François is close to the harbor and the ramparts of the ancient citadel.
Dominated by a palm-lined promenade on boulevard Lantivy, this beach of fine sand and turquoise water offers panoramic views over the Bay of Ajaccio.
Perfectly situated for a relaxing break, it's close to the hustle and bustle of Ajaccio and its shops.
2. Barbicaja beach
If you take the Route des Sanguinaires, which runs from downtown Ajaccio to the Parata peninsula, Barbicaja beach is the first on your route.
It's not one of the largest beaches in the Gulf of Ajaccio, but its small bay of white sand is incredible.
With its shallow, clear water, it offers a unique view of the seabed. Granite boulders add to the beauty of this popular spot for beach volleyball enthusiasts.
3. Trottel beach
Walk along boulevard Lantivy to Trottel beach, a 15-minute walk from the town center and Saint-François beach.
It's one of Ajaccio's largest beaches and one of the few with disabled access. With its fine sand and crystal-clear water, Trottel beach is a supervised bathing site. It's also a meeting point for scuba diving and water sports enthusiasts.
On one side you can enjoy a marvellous panorama of Ajaccio, and on the other you can see the bay of Porticcio, as well as the Napoléon Bonaparte airport through which your flight to Ajaccio arrived.
4. Mare e Sole beach
On the south shore of the Gulf of Ajaccio, it's nicknamed the " silver beach " in reference to the color of its very fine sand.
Bordered by umbrella pines and sinking into azure waters, this 500-metre-long silvery bay is very popular with visitors. And with good reason: in addition to its postcard-perfect scenery, this long stretch of sand is protected from the wind.
It's the place to be for families in Ajaccio. The calm, shallow water is ideal for children.
In the hamlet of Pietrosella, there are a number of restaurants and shops where you can have lunch by the water. But if you prefer a picnic, just head a little further into the pine forest to find some wild, sheltered spots.
5. The Sacred Land beach
With its small white sandy coves appearing beyond the brown granite rocks, the Sacred Earth beach never ceases to seduce.
Beyond this rocky landscape, the site offers a magnificent view of the Sanguinaires archipelago and the Parata site.
This beautiful beach is also famous for its memorial. The Borne de la Terre Sacrée was built in 1933 to honor the memory of the thousands of Corsicans who died for France in the First World War. This memorial contains an urn containing soil samples officially taken from the battlefields of the Marne, the Somme, Verdun... It is one of only 6 such monuments in the world.
6. The beaches of Capo di Feno
Capo di Feno is home to two beaches separated by a field. Petit Capo is, as its name suggests, the smaller and lesser-known beach. It's an unspoilt, very intimate place where wild nature has retained its rightful place.
Grand Capo beach is a little more touristy, even though it offers little in the way of infrastructure. It's a well-known spot for surfers, with impressive waves. That's why you need to be vigilant and follow the signs on the beach.
These beaches are accessible via a narrow road in the direction of Minaccia. They can also be reached on foot from the Grand site de la Parata parking lot, along the Chemin des douaniers footpath.
7. Marinella beach
This is one of Corsica's most famous beaches, and also one of the most splendid in the Gulf of Ajaccio. Named after the famous singer Tino Rossi, whose house is nearby, Marinella beach offers crystal-clear, shallow waters, ideal for safe bathing with a breathtaking view of the Sanguinaires islands.
Enjoy this idyllic setting with a meal in one of the nearby paillotes or relax on a rented deckchair on the white sand.
Photo: Flickr