Campervan Hire in Ajaccio

Renting a campervan is always something special: you travel at your own pace, you can take your time to explore the area and stay in the most beautiful places. If you want to embark on a special journey, you should rent a campervan and get to know the beauty of Corsica.  

Not only the Mediterranean climate and picturesque bathing bays attract countless tourists to Ajaccio every year, but more and more people are renting a campervan on the French island to get to know Corsica from a different perspective. 

Unspoilt nature, varied hiking tours, cultural highlights and historic towns have something to offer for every taste and make a trip with a campervan an unforgettable adventure. If you explore the sunny island with a camper van, you will get to feel the versatility of Corsica first hand.  

The best place to rent a campervan on Corsica is in Ajaccio. From here you can explore the island in your own time in a camper van. 

What do you have to look out for? 

If you want to rent a campervan in Corsica, you only need a valid drivers licence and your identity card. 

From what age can I rent a campervan in Ajaccio? 

If you want to rent a campervan, you should be at least 21 years old and have a valid drivers licence. 

What else is there to consider when renting a campervan in Ajaccio? 

If you want to rent a campervan in Ajaccio, they are already fully equipped with all the extras.  

The roads of Ajaccio are easy to drive on with a campervan and even the winding west coast is no obstacle. Only those who want to penetrate the deep mountain valleys and gorges should park the campervan a little outside the towns, as it could get a bit tight there.  

Even on the beaches or in the cities, there is usually always enough parking space available for the campervan and those who travel to remote areas will usually still find untouched nature where you are completely alone. 

Ajaccio has a mild climate all year round and is ideal for renting a campervan and exploring the island. 

For sun worshippers and beach lovers, summer is the best time to travel by campervan in Ajaccio. In July and August, you can expect wonderfully warm temperatures of around 30 degrees here and the water temperature rises to around 25 degrees. Since most tourists come to Ajaccio in summer, this is also the time when the island is busiest and the biggest festivals are celebrated.  

In July, for example, you can taste different wines at the Voice du Von festival, listen to numerous Corsican concerts or watch the impressive fireworks for the bank holidays. 

There are also many concerts and festivals in August, and in Ajaccio Napoleon's birthday is celebrated with a huge fireworks display. 

If you like it quieter and more cosy, come to Ajaccio in spring or autumn to rent a camper.  

In spring, you can witness how the island slowly blossoms again and comes to life. Hiking and sightseeing are also more pleasant at this time, as the sun is also milder.  

The first olive festivals begin in March and you can still stroll through the small towns in peace and quiet. If you are on Corsica in May with your campervan, you should definitely visit the big cheese festival in Venaco.  

In June, the famous Corsica Raid takes place every year. In the orienteering race, people engage in an exciting race of hiking, sea kayaking, canyoning and mountain biking.  

Also in June, the island's biggest jazz festival takes place in Ajaccio. 

But the mild winters also have their charm and are perfect for renting a caravan and exploring the island in a campervan. From November, the chestnut season begins in Ajaccio and numerous festivals invite you to feast and dance.  

In February, the Italian Film Festival comes to Bastia, the Festival of the Racing Pigs is celebrated and the big carnival parade in Corte takes place.  

So Ajaccio is worth a campervan trip all year round and there is something to do and discover in every season. 

Whether to the south, north or east, the area around Ajaccio is extremely varied and you can reach all destinations in just a few hours by campervan.

The southern route 

Ajaccio 

Before the round trip with the campervan begins, there is already a lot to discover at the starting point in Ajaccio.  If you want to follow in Napoleon's footsteps, there is plenty to see in his birthplace.  

Start at the famous Bonaparte House, where Napoleon spent most of his childhood. The tour continues to the cathedral where he was baptised, followed by a visit to the Fesch Museum, where you can marvel at Napoleon's unique collection of Italian paintings.  

Before continuing on to Ajaccio's most beautiful beaches, visit the Îles Sanguinaires, the city's best viewpoint.  

For a cool down and some relaxation, head to the beaches of Ajaccio. The main beach, Marinella, attracts many locals and tourists every day, which is why it is one of the most crowded in the area.  

The Terre Sacrée beach is a little quieter, and at Capo di Feno you will find a large and wild beach where you can relax. 

At the traditional market in Ajaccio, you can stock up on the best delicacies before the real journey begins. 

Coti-Chiavari 

The most beautiful beaches in Corsica can be found in the southern town of Coti-Chiavari. With its medieval charm, the town is at its best and you can still easily feel the breath of the past here.  

Culturally, there are three towers to visit here, which were once part of the Genoese defence system.  

The 19th century prison, now privately owned, is also worth a visit. 

Hiking enthusiasts will also find plenty to do here; several hiking trails lead to the Muro and Nero peaks, the Cacalu peaks or the Castagna Guardioloa, among others.  

Beach lovers and those seeking peace and quiet will feel most at home on the beaches of Mare e Sol, Cupabia, Cala d'Orzo and Argent. 

Propiano 

A true bathing paradise can be found in Propiano and the place is also known for its numerous offers and activities.  

From here, all-day boat trips are offered to the Îles Sanguinaires and the Scandola nature reserve. In the town itself, you will also find a number of restaurants and shops that leave nothing to be desired.  

Those who like to hike along the sea will find many marked hiking trails here, which lead past small, lonely and wild bays every now and then.  

Very close to Propiano you will find the huge and wild-looking beach of Portigliolo, which lies at the mouth of a small river. If you then continue towards Campomoro, you will find unspoilt nature that invites you to linger. 

Sartène 

In the southwest of Corsica lies the small town of Sartène, which with its impressive fortified buildings is reminiscent of the blood feud of the 19th century. 

As the oldest cultural site on the island, the town has a lot to offer in terms of history. Among other things, the famous menhirs and dolmen sites can be visited here or the 17th-century church Église Sainte-Marie Assunta can be admired. Prehistoric artefacts can still be admired today in the town's former prison, which lies above the old town.  

Bonifacio 

Among the most beautiful beaches on the island are the Petit Sperone and the Grand Perone, which invite you to sunbathe. But Bonifacio has much more to offer than just its beautiful beaches. 

To enjoy a unique view of the city, you should book a boat tour and also visit the nearby sea caves. 

Culturally, there is the citadel and the Bastion de l'étendard to marvel at and if you follow the path from Col Saint Roch, you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of Bonifacio's cliffs. 

Porto-Vecchio 

Corsica's third-largest city rewards again with fantastic beaches that invite you to relax, snorkel and also windsurf.  

The old town is enclosed by a fortress and is car-free in summer, so you can stroll through the small streets in peace. The church of Saint Jean-Baptiste, rebuilt in 1868, is worth a visit.  

L'Ospelde 

On the way to L'Ospelde, you can once again enjoy fantastic views of the bay of Porto-Vecchio. Lake Ospedale in the middle of the mountains can also be seen from the path. 

If you want to take a closer look at the area, you can take a two-hour hike to the largest waterfall on the island.

Aiguilles de Bavella 

The best hiking routes can be found in the nature park around Aiguilles de Bavella. On the Bavella pass, you can choose between several marked hiking trails and enjoy incredible views over the peaks of Corsica.  

The most famous hiking route is the Trou de la Bombe, which takes about 2.5 hours to complete. Here, you follow the path through the pine forest to the cliffs overlooking a huge gorge. 

The northern route 

Bastia 

From Ajaccio, you head directly north to the city of Bastia, where there is much to discover culturally. Historic churches, cathedrals, citadels and palaces invite you to visit and in Napoleon Street you can shop to your heart's content. 

For relaxation, head to the beaches of La Marana, Toga and Ficaghjola Bay, and if you're looking for water sports, you'll find them at Arinella beach. 

Cap Corsa 

Famous for the best sightseeing and hiking routes, we continue to Cap Corsa. Several paths start from here, leading along the coast and rewarding you with unique views. If you don't feel like hiking, you can also book a cruise around the Cap. 

Saint Florent 

In the island's second largest marina, enjoy a stroll through the cute little streets up to the citadel, from where you are rewarded with a fabulous view of the Gulf of Saint-Florent.  

If you don't want to go by car to the Désert des Agriates, there are also various boat trips available in Saint-Florent. 

Désert des Agriates 

The most beautiful beaches in the Désert des Agriates are Saleccia and Lotu. Here you swim in crystal clear water surrounded by pine forests, a perfect place to relax.  

Calvi 

Around Calvi there is again much to discover. Many small quaint villages invite you to take long walks and enjoy unique views of the surrounding mountains. In the small village of Occi, you can climb up the mountain to watch the colourful sunset. 

Balagne 

Craft, art and culture are on the agenda in Balagne. Known for its fine wines and olives, this diverse region has much to offer. Picturesque Balkan villages, botanical gardens, stunning mountains and secluded coves invite you to spend a few days here and explore the area. 

La Revellata 

In the wild area of the La Revellata peninsula you can still find a little peace and quiet, as few tourists come here. So if you are looking for peace and quiet and want to do a lot of walking in nature, this is the place for you. Lonely bathing bays and wonderful water invite you to relax here for a while. The best view over the entire bay is from the Notre Dame de la Sera chapel. 

Fango Valley 

Nature lovers will also find plenty of peace and quiet in the 26,000-hectare Fango Valley.  

Here you can explore the river by canoe, take a dip in the natural fresh water or discover the area on a hike. If you have a lot of patience, you might even get to see the marsh turtles. 

Scandola 

The Scandola nature reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a huge variety of flora and fauna. If you want to take a closer look at nature, you can only reach the reserve by boat. But beware, hiking, fishing and diving are prohibited here. 

Spelunca Gorge 

An extraordinary hike can be experienced through the Spelunca Gorge. Here you have the choice of hiking through the entire gorge in about five hours or taking the shortcut from the village of Ota. 

Since Corsica is part of Europe, there are no special rules here if you want to rent a campervan. In Ajaccio and the surrounding area there are plenty of well-equipped campsites that you can easily drive to with your camper. As an alternative to the campsites, there are also many pitches for caravans, which are then specially marked. However, wild camping is forbidden in Corsica and is punishable by heavy fines.  

How do I get to the pick-up station? 

The quickest and easiest way is to rent the campervan directly in Ajaccio, as the city is only about 15 minutes away from the airport.  From the airport, you can get to the pick-up station either by bus number 8 or by taxi, which costs around €15. If you are travelling with your family and have a lot of luggage, special transfers are also offered from the airport.

How long are petrol stations open in Ajaccio? 

Most petrol stations in Ajaccio and the surrounding area are open 24 hours a day. Only in the smaller towns do petrol stations usually close at 9pm in the evening. 

How long are supermarkets and shops open in Ajaccio? 

Supermarkets in Corsica are usually open daily from 8am to 8pm and on Sundays from 8am to 1pm.  

In high season, other shops keep their doors open from 9am to 7pm, only closing for a siesta between 12pm and 2pm in low season.