Ajaccio Airport (AJA), also known as Napoleon Bonaparte Airport is the most important international airport on the island of Corsica, serving Ajaccio and southern Corsica. The airport is situated 20 minutes by bus from the city center.

Local bus: The centre of Ajaccio can be easily reached by getting on bus number 8, operated by TCA bus service of Ajaccio which connects the airport with the main train station. The first bus departs from the airport at 6:30 am and the last one at 11:20 pm, once every hour. The price of a one way ticket is about €4.50 and can be bought directly from the driver.

Another possibility of getting to the main station is by taking bus number 12 which departs from bus stop P+R Campo dell`Oro, located at 15 min walking distance from the terminal. Although a bit inconvenient, it is a good alternative since the price of a single ticket is only around €1.

Taxi services: If you are in a hurry and want immediate service, you can always get yourself an official airport taxi (YATTAXI). The average taxi fare to the city center is around €15. Make sure you don`t get into unofficial taxis, because drivers might try to overcharge you.

Renting a car at Ajaccio airport: Since Ajaccio is on an island, you might consider renting a car and maybe explore other towns. You can rent it directly in the airport area (Budget, Europcar, Hertz) or book online prior to your arrival.

There are direct ferry routes from Ajaccio to Marseille, Nice, Toulon, and Ciutadella. Companies operating ferry boats are Corsica Ferries, La Meridionale. Summer seasons are generally busy, and thus it is advisable to book in advance.

A single railway line connects Ajaccio with Bastia (3½ hours and around €22) on the island`s east coast via Corte. The main railway station, Gare d`Ajaccio (about 1,600 ft north from the city center).

Another option for getting around is Corsica`s little train called Trinighellu, rather an attraction for tourists than a really convenient and fast vehicle. There are only three narrow gauge lines with a junction in Ponte Leccia. One line connects Ponte Leccia with Bastia, the second one goes south to Ajaccio via Corte and Vizzavona and the third one goes to Calvi along the western coast via Ile Rousse.

The train service is not very frequent, just two to four a day on each line. The journey from Ajaccio to Corte takes 1 hr 40 min, from Corte to Bastia 1 hr 30 min, from Corte to Ill Rouse 1 hr 55 min, from Bastia to Ill Rousse 2 hr 30 min and from Ill Rousse to Calvi 40 minutes. Traveling times in opposite directions may be a little different.

There are frequent bus routes to various destinations in Corsica. Most leave from the bus station directly adjacent to the main cruise ship and ferry terminal at Quai L`Herminier. Many city bus lines stop in front of the bus station, and it is easily walkable from the main train station.

-Summer polyphonies (every Wednesday in July and August): discover the traditional Corsican songs thanks to these 45 min. concerts : today`s voices are often accompanied by centuries-old instruments.

-Night shopping (every Friday in July and August): shops located in the historical center are open nights as well as street art events such as music, theatre and so on.

-Napoleonic Days (August): historical reconstructions, bivouac, changing of the guards all provide a travel back in time during these 3 days dedicated to Ajaccio`s famous son.

-Chestnut Fair in Bocognano (December): a Fiera di a Castagna (or chestnut fair) takes place every year during a whole week-end. You will then meet agricultural producers, craftsmen and cultural actors from all over the island. You will taste various products from the seven sectors of Corsican gastronomy such as cheese, honey and chestnut under all its forms.

For the freedom to explore the area, we strongly advise you to rent a car, which is what a majority of visitors to Ajaccio choose to get around by. This is the best way to learn as much as possible about the area because public transportation is not the best. You can rent a car at the Ajaccio airport and also at all Corsican airports.

Main roads (there are no motorways) are generally very good. However, many country roads, especially mountain roads, are likely to be narrow and winding with very little room for manoeuvre. Driving in busy towns can sometimes be a little challenging but not particularly dangerous. Most visitors quickly get used to the Corsicans` liberal interpretation of the Highway Code and find the whole experience relatively stress-free.

If you would rather not rent a vehicle, taxis are sometimes the only other way to get around if you want to explore further outside the Ajaccio area.

Bicycling in Corsica is really only recommended for the most athletic visitors. If you head almost anywhere in from the coast, you can be guaranteed that your ride will involve some climbing. There are a number of bike rental shops in the city center of Ajaccio.

Yes, walking is without a doubt the ideal way to visit the historic center of Ajaccio, as well as all the other towns and villages in Corsica.

Ajaccio is a very safe place and as long as you take normal precautions with your valuable you should not have any problems.

Ajaccio Municipal Tourist Office offers practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, public transport, sightseeing and tours) as well as brochures and maps. The office is located on 3 boulevard du Roi Jérôme, 20181 Ajaccio. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm, closed for lunch, open on Saturday from 1:30pm to 5:30 pm. Tel. +33 (0)4 95 51 53 03, www.ajaccio-tourisme.com.

As part of France, the currency used in Corsica is the Euro, US dollars are not accepted. Credit cards have become more widely accepted, but it is worth noting that some restaurants and hotels (mostly B&Bs) in Corsica don`t accept credit cards, this is especially true in the mountain villages. Some places refuse cards for small amounts (typically under €15). Always enquire first. Also note that ATMs are scarce in rural areas. It`s wise to stock up with euros.

Ajaccio and southern Corsica enjoy a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are especially mild. Average low temperatures in the winter are well above freezing (39°F in January), while high temperatures often exceed 86°F in the summer. Each year, there are over 2,700 hours of sunshine, making southern Corsica one of the sunniest spots in Europe. Storms are relatively frequent, especially in the autumn and spring. It rarely snows in Ajaccio.

The sea temperatures are warmest in July and August and generally stay warm in September and October. Although the outside temperatures can be high in May and June, the sea is usually cooler and generally takes until July to really warm up.

The official language in Corsica is French, but a large number of Corsicans speak Corsican - Corsu. It has no current legal status and French Government has yet to ratify the European minority language charter.

Quite a few of the locals will speak a little English, especially in shops and restaurants in the larger towns and menus are often translated into English. Most hotels will have an English speaking member of staff although, generally, in the more remote villages few people will speak English. We suggest you get a good English-French guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

This varies in different areas, but can be any time between 12 pm and 4 pm, when most shops will be closed but re-open between 4 pm or 5 pm and remain open until as late as 11 pm in the height of the season. However, the larger supermarkets tend to remain open all day (except Sundays).

In the heart of the city, many restaurants and markets keep Corsican gastronomic tradition alive. Many of the food choices consist of seafood (urchins, lobsters, local fish) as well as mountain specialties (fresh bruccio – i.e. a sort of Corsican cream cheese - tasty cured meat, hew or goat cheeses). Gourmets will appreciate savory pastry turnovers made with vegetable or herbs as well as Corsican sweet doughnuts.

If you head to the beautiful harbor area you`ll find a number of inviting eateries close to the water`s edge. Here you can enjoy some delicious seafood or tasty pizzas, all while soaking up the view of the numerous yachts and sailing boats moored in the harbor.

Ajaccio also has its own AOC (Appellation d`Origine Contrôlée), with vineyards on sunny slopes growing only sciaccarello to make bold red wines with spicy aromas.

Corsica food, in general, has French and Italian influences, but has many unique dishes of their own. The chestnut was one of the ancient (and even current) Corsican`s traditional foods, and many meals and even desserts are prepared with this. Also, most of the domesticated pigs on the island are semi-wild, released to forage for food much of the year, and the charcuterie reflects this flavor. Typical Corsican meats include lonzu, coppa, ham, figatellu and saucisson made from pig or boar meat. Canistrelli are typical corsican pastries which come in many different flavors. Corsica also produces a uniquely flavored olive oil made from ripe fruits collected under trees. Many villages have small shops where locally produced food is sold. That said, it may be difficult to find a restaurant that prepares truly Corsican dishes, and you may find yourself eating at a tourist oriented Pizzeria, which nonetheless serves excellent food.

The city is home to the only casino in Corsica. In addition to the classic roulette and poker, the casino is equipped with a large game room full of various slots. The city is simply full of various nightclubs and discos. Tourists are traditionally very pleased with amazing night walks on yachts. This romantic adventure will surely leave a lot of positive impressions.

Much of the nightlife in Ajaccio is based around dining at one of the many restaurants or cafes which can be found in town or on the beautiful harbor. There is a great selection of bars to choose from to enjoy a few post-dinner drinks or glass of local wine.

Many shops in Ajaccio are stylish and expensive (prices are typically higher in Corsica than on mainland France or Italy) selling designer French and Italian brand names. Arts and crafts include local painting, leatherwork, pottery and wood carving. Produits Corse, mostly food items, indicate goods made on (and often exclusive to) the island. Corsican cheeses and charcuterie are renowned.

The daily market on Place César-Campinchi is well worth visiting. This market is one of the largest fresh produce markets on the island and although not cheap, the quality is second to none. Alongside bright freshly cut flowers, fruits and vegetables laid out under striped awnings are stalls selling delicacies such as fig jam, honey, wild boar sauces and ewe's milk cheeses as well as Muscat wines and myrtle liqueurs.

VAT: In Corsica the standard TVA rate is 19.6% (rates of French VAT), but reduced rates apply to certain products and services.

Corsicans are generally laid-back and easy going, they appreciate friendliness and patience: be sure to greet people with `Monsieur`, `Madame` or `Mademoiselle` and try not to get irritated by any hold ups you may have such as roads being blocked by two drivers having a chat.

Corsica is an island of culture with an abundance of music, art and cultural festivals which are organized by volunteers passionate about their chosen interest. Many of the island`s villages also hold a fete or festival to celebrate its local crafts and produce as well as religious or historical events.

Emergency services:

-Fire 18
-Ambulance 15
-Police 17

Hospital Notre-Dame De La Misericorde, 27 Avenue Impératrice Eugénie, 20303 Ajaccio, France