marseille main tourist attractions

11 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Marseille

Written by Lisa Alexander Updated Dec 26, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Lisa Alexander spent two years living in France and has traveled the country extensively.

With a busy harbor, vibrant urban energy, and a long list of things to do, Marseille appeals to visitors seeking an authentic tourist experience. This lively cosmopolitan city is France's oldest and the second largest after Paris .

The city has a distinctly Mediterranean ambience, from its red-tile roofed houses to the fishing boats in its port. Everywhere in Marseille, visitors are close to the serene blue waters, whether walking along a charming old street with a view, or feeling the refreshing sea breeze.

The city's colorful, multiethnic heritage also makes Marseille a fascinating place to visit. Considered the bridge between Europe and North Africa, Marseille is home to a sizable immigrant population from Algeria. It's possible to find traditional Arab souks as easily as a classic French bouillabaisse.

Find out more about the top attractions and how to spend your time here with our list of the best things to do in Marseille.

1. Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde

2. abbaye saint-victor, 3. explore the vieux port, 4. wander through the colorful streets of le panier, 5. musée des civilisations de l'europe et de la méditerranée, 6. enjoy nature walks and scenic boat tours at calanques national park, 7. château d'if, 8. musée d'histoire de marseille, 9. la vieille charité, 10. cathédrale de la major, 11. musée cantini, where to stay in marseille for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to marseille.

Perched on a hilltop above the harbor, this spectacular church is the most important landmark in Marseille. The site was used in ancient times as an observation point, and during the Middle Ages, was the location of a pilgrimage chapel.

Today, the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde is a beacon for the faithful, with an enormous gilded Madonna crowning the belfry. Built between 1853 and 1897, the church features an opulent Neo-Byzantine interior of light and dark marble arches supporting gilded mosaic cupolas. The lavish design has a mesmerizing effect.

After seeing the interior, visitors can spend time on the outdoor terrace that offers breathtaking views. The panoramas extend from the red-tile rooftops of Marseille's buildings to the Vieux Port (historic harbor), all the way to the Frioul Islands in the Mediterranean Sea.

Address: Rue Fort du Sanctuaire, Marseille

A short walk from the Vieux Port, the Abbaye Saint-Victor is another must-see tourist sight with splendid harbor views.

The Abbaye Saint-Victor was founded in the 5th century and incorporates the original basilica, which makes it one of the oldest buildings in Marseille that is still intact. The basilica, along with its crypt, is considered a gem of Early Christian architecture and art.

Most of the abbey was rebuilt in the 12th and 13th centuries during the Romanesque era. With its crenellated walls and towers, the foreboding exterior has the feel of a medieval fortress.

Inside, this 5th-century basilica reveals a simple and somber design, which gives it a special aura. The crypt houses a precious collection of sarcophagi from the 4th and 5th centuries, as well as the 11th-century tombstone of Abbot Isarnus. It is believed that the relics of Saint Victor are also buried in the basilica's crypt.

The Abbaye Saint-Victor is open for visits every day year-round.

Annually on Candlemas (February 2nd), pilgrims participate in a religious procession from the Vieux Port to the Abbaye Saint-Victor with a stop along the way at the Four des Navettes , an 18th-century bakery that makes the special boat-shaped biscuits of Marseille ( Navettes de Marseille ).

Address: 3 Rue de l'Abbaye, Marseille

The Vieux Port represents the birthplace of Marseille. This is where the city began as a Greek port around 600 BCE. Surrounded by serene blue waters, the Old Port is located in the west of Marseille near La Canebière boulevard.

A stroll around this bustling harbor immerses visitors in the sights and sounds of a thriving Mediterranean port. The waterfront is a focal point for tourists, and many say it's one of the best places to visit in Marseille for authentic local cuisine. Seafood restaurants specialize in bouillabaisse , the flavorful seafood stew that is the city's signature dish.

On the east side of the harbor, the Quai des Belges hosts a fish market every morning. Once an important commercial port, the Vieux Port is now used primarily by fishing boats and sports craft.

The Old Port is also the launching point for the ferries that sail to two popular tourist destinations: the Château d'If and the Calanques near Cassis.

Splendidly situated on a hillside above the Vieux Port, this colorful neighborhood is the historic center and cultural heart of Marseille. Le Panier is Marseille's oldest quarter, inhabited since antiquity when the ancient Greeks settled here in 600 BCE.

With its steep, narrow winding streets and quaint pastel-painted buildings, this quarter offers a glimpse into the charming personality of Marseille. Once a working-class neighborhood, Le Panier is now a gentrified residential area, but the typical houses with shuttered windows and lines of laundry provide a glimpse of its old-fashioned character.

Visitors may begin a walking tour on the north side of the Vieux Port harbor basin at the Quai du Port and then walk up La Canebière , a vibrant boulevard that buzzes with activity.

Wandering through this atmospheric neighborhood leads to discoveries of local artisan boutiques, gourmet food shops, and art galleries. Le Panier also brims with inviting little restaurants that feature outdoor terrace seating. Many restaurants serve excellent fresh-caught seafood; others specialize in French, Italian, or authentic Algerian cuisine.

The quarter has several important monuments such as the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), which was built in the second half of the 17th century based on a Genoese architectural model.

Other landmarks include the Cathédrale de la Major and the Vieille Charité , a dormitory for the poor in the 17th and 18th centuries that now houses a museum of contemporary art.

The Musée des Civilisations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée, also known by its acronym Mucem , provides an in-depth look at civilizations of the Mediterranean Basin.

A stunning complex of three different sites, this expansive museum presents a wealth of exhibits in various disciplines: ethnography, art, history, and cuisine of Mediterranean cultures.

Covering this wide range of content, the museum's galleries display paintings, photographs, documents, antique furnishings, and everyday objects, as well as lectures and film screenings.

The newest part of the museum is a dazzling ultra-modern waterfront building (on the former J4 Pier) with outlooks onto the harbor and the Mediterranean Sea.

The J4 building displays the museum's most important permanent collections, as well as temporary exhibits, and also hosts cultural events. The J4 building contains the museum's main gift shop, which sells a wide range of books on topics related to European culture and history.

Gourmands will be happy to discover the dining options on the rooftop of the J4 building. With renowned chef Gérald Passedat at its helm, Le Môle Passedat (open for lunch and dinner) offers breathtaking sea views and traditional Mediterranean cuisine (including mezze ) prepared from seasonal ingredients.

Also on the rooftop, the casual restaurant La Cuisine is open for lunch and dinner, and Le Café serves coffee, refreshments, and snacks.

An aerial footbridge connects the J4 Pier building with another section of the museum in the vaulted rooms of the Fort Saint-Jean , a 12th-century monument that played a role during the Crusades. The Fort Saint-Jean includes lush Mediterranean gardens and a ramparts path where visitors can admire sweeping panoramas of the Marseille cityscape, the Vieux Port, and the sea.

The third site, Le Centre de Conservation et de Ressources du Mucem , is located in the Belle de Mai quarter. This center provides a behind-the-scenes look into the work of the museum.

Address: 7 Promenade Robert Laffont (Esplanade du J4), Marseille

Official site: http://www.mucem.org/en

Between Marseille and the quaint fishing village of Cassis is the Parc National des Calanques , a splendid nature site where the Mediterranean meets the Massif des Calanques mountain range.

The landscape is distinguished by majestic limestone rock walls with fjord-like coves (" calanque " translates to "cove") filled with pools of saltwater in mesmerizing turquoise hues.

Outdoor sports enthusiasts will find many things to do at Calanques National Park, such as swimming, kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking. An excellent system of trails allows visitors to appreciate the pristine landscape and gorgeous coastal views.

For those who enjoy yachting and boat cruises, the fjords provide spectacular scenery on an idyllic journey through the tranquil maritime environment.

The largest calanques, Port-Miou, En-Vau, and Port-Pin, can be reached by car or by ferry from Marseille. It is also possible to take a guided boat tour or arrange a private boat trip.

A short ferry ride away from the Vieux Port of Marseille, the Château d'If is located on the Île d'If in the Frioul Islands archipelago, a nature conservation area that includes the tiny islands of If, Pomègues, Ratonneau, and Tiboulen.

The spectacular scenery features protected coves, turquoise waters, pristine beaches, sandy creeks, and impressive limestone cliffs. Thanks to the Mediterranean sunshine, the light creates a serene shimmering effect on the water, and a microclimate allows rare floral species to thrive here.

In this beautiful natural setting, the Château d'If was built as a fortress by King François I in the 16th century. Soon after, the fortress was converted into a prison. The location is depicted in Alexandre Dumas' novel The Count of Monte Cristo .

Ferry boat service is also available from the Vieux Port in Marseille to the Île de Ratonneau , where tourists may sunbathe on the beach, go for a hike, or visit the 19th-century Fort de Ratonneau .

In Le Panier quarter, just a few steps away from the Vieux Port, the Musée d'Histoire de Marseille tells the story of Marseille from its Gallo-Greek origins through the Middle Ages to the present day. The museum offers an impressive collection of artifacts, covering 2,600 years of history.

The historical evolution of France's oldest city comes to life in this sleek modern museum's bright spacious rooms. The collections contain 4,000 items and hundreds of multimedia exhibits.

The museum also has a garden, the Jardin des Vestiges , which is actually the excavation site of the 3rd-century BCE port of Massalia (also spelled "Massilia").

Address: 2 Rue Henri-Barbusse, Marseille

La Vieille Charité is located on the Place des Moulins that lies at the highest point in Le Panier .

The building was created in 1640 when the Town Council of Marseille decided to give impoverished residents decent accommodations, in compliance with a royal policy of "enclosing the poor."

In 1749, a three-floor public hospital with four wings was added to the building. There is a chapel at the center courtyard of the hospital complex. Built from 1679 to 1707, the chapel is a wonderful example of Italian Baroque architecture.

The facade of La Vieille Charité is more modern, dating from 1863. Upon close observation, visitors will notice the depiction of two pelicans feeding their young, to represent Charity looking after poor children.

Since 1986, La Vieille Charité building has been used to host scientific and cultural events and to house a museum, Le Centre de la Vieille Charité . This museum presents cultural events, ethnographic exhibits, and themed art expositions throughout the year.

Address: 2 Rue de la Charité, Marseille

Near the northwest corner of Le Panier, the Cathédrale de la Major (Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure) stands majestically on an esplanade overlooking the waterfront. This ornate Neo-Byzantine cathedral seems to keep watch over the Old Port, with its soaring twin towers and 70-meter-high dome.

Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte commissioned the construction of this cathedral in 1852. Completed in 1893, the Cathédrale de la Major is the largest church (and the only cathedral) constructed in France during the 19th century.

Its dimensions (142 meters long by 20 meters high) are similar in scale to Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. Classified as a Monument Historique , this cathedral incorporates an Early Christian baptistery that dates to the 5th century.

The lavish interior is richly decorated with Carrara marble and exquisite Venetian mosaics. An impressive assortment of statues is also found throughout the sanctuary.

At the foot of the cathedral is a plaza called " Les Voûtes ," a popular gathering place filled with shops, restaurants, and cafés. Locals and tourists alike enjoy strolling through this happening area. In addition to the trendy scene, Les Voûtes also offers fabulous sea views.

Address: 10 Place de la Major, Marseille

Art lovers will appreciate the superb collection of modern and contemporary art found at the Musée Cantini, displayed within a 17th-century hôtel particulier (mansion). The local art collector Jules Cantini bought this elegant house in 1888, and he bequeathed it to the city of Marseille in 1916.

The Musée Cantini boasts one of the country's most extensive assortments of modern art created between 1900 and 1960. Highlights of the collection include works by André Derain, Raoul Dufy, Wassily Kandinsky, Max Ernst, Joan Miró, and Pablo Picasso.

A short walk from the Musée Cantini is the Cours Belsunce , a wide esplanade designed in the 17th century as a place for residents to enjoy leisurely strolls.

Address: 19 Rue Grignan, Marseille

Most major attractions in Marseille are close to the Vieux Port and in Le Panier, the colorful and historic neighborhood of steep, narrow streets that wind up the hillside above the west side of Vieux Port. In these two quarters of Marseille, you'll find these highly rated hotels :

Luxury Hotels :

• The Hôtel La Résidence du Vieux Port features exceptional views of the waterfront and the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde across the harbor. This four-star hotel has been recently redecorated in a retro 1950s style.
• The InterContinental Marseille - Hôtel Dieu occupies a Monument Historique perched on a hilltop in Le Panier. This five-star hotel has a chic brasserie with an outdoor terrace, a Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant, room service, and an upscale spa with a sauna, two hammams, an indoor pool, and a fitness center.
• Overlooking the Vieux Port, the Sofitel Marseille Vieux Port is nestled in a picturesque location next to a spacious park and near the Abbaye Saint-Victor. The five-star property has a spa, hair salon, and several restaurants.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• The three-star Hôtel Escale Oceania Marseille is just steps away from the Vieux Port in the city center near many restaurants and shops. Stylish modern guest rooms feature large windows, private balconies, and Italian-style "rain" showers.
• Located right on the waterfront, the Radisson Blu Hotel Marseille Vieux Port offers great views of the Old Port along with four-star amenities. Guests love the outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace area, as well as the gourmet restaurant with pleasant outdoor patio that overlooks the marina.
• The bright, spacious guest rooms at the four-star Grand Hôtel Beauvau Marseille Vieux-Port - MGallery are decorated in cheerful Provençal style. The hotel is near the Vieux Port in the city center.

Budget Hotels:

• The two-star Hôtel Hermès is a short walk to Le Panier quarter and has a rooftop terrace overlooking the Vieux Port. The services (24-hour front desk and concierge) are better than expected for a budget hotel.
• Near the train station and a 20-minute walk from the city center, the ibis Marseille Centre Gare Saint Charles provides basic accommodations at an affordable price. This three-star hotel offers taxi service, parking, a breakfast buffet, and a restaurant with pleasant outdoor seating.
• Sightseeing in and around Marseille: For the perfect combination of sightseeing and seaside scenery, consider the Provence, Marseille, and Cassis Sightseeing Tour . This half-day itinerary includes a tour of the historic landmarks in Marseille, a scenic drive along the Corniche des Crêtes, a stop in the Provençal fishing village of Cassis, and a 45-minute cruise through the Calanques National Park.
• Provence Day Trip: If you want to experience the best of Provence, the Provence Countryside Tour is a great way to do it. This full-day adventure takes you to explore Avignon, the "City of Popes;" the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, surrounded by vine-covered hills; and the fortified medieval town of Les Baux-de-Provence.
• Luberon Day Trip: Lavender fields, hilltop hamlets, and rugged mountain terrain are the highlights on the Perched Villages of the Luberon Day Trip . This full-day excursion begins with a scenic drive through the beautiful Luberon foothills to see several charming medieval villages (Roussillon, Lourmarin, and Gordes), and continues to the 12th-century Sénanque Abbey and the town of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, known for its picturesque canals and wide selection of antique shops.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Exploring the Provence Region : Marseille is found in the heart of Provence , a favorite tourist destination in France. Many quaint hilltop towns and fishing villages, like Cassis, are easy day trips from Marseille . Also not to be missed are Aix-en-Provence (30 kilometers away) and Avignon (100 kilometers away).

Traveling Off the Beaten Path : Slightly further afield (an hour's drive) is the unspoiled countryside of the Luberon region in Provence's Haut-Vaucluse , dotted with ancient abbeys and hilltop villages. About 120 kilometers away from Marseille, the historic town of Nîmes is well worth the journey to see its ancient Roman monuments and top-notch museums.

Seaside Scenery and Beach Resorts : Around Marseille, the coastline beckons with sunshine and beautiful Mediterranean scenery. The quintessential port town of Toulon is an hour's drive away, and the glamorous resort of Saint-Tropez , with its beautiful beaches, is a two-hour drive. Continuing along the Côte d'Azur are Cannes , Nice , and Monaco , famous for fancy beach clubs, upscale hotels, fine dining, and art museums.

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Marseille   Travel Guide

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9 Best Things To Do in Marseille

Updated February 11, 2021

Meandering through Marseille's past, whether it's through the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde or the Le Panier and Vieux Port districts – or even the mysterious island on which Château d'If sits – is one of the best ways to experience France's

• All Things To Do

Le Panier Le Panier free

Le Panier – or the Basket – gives a glimpse of Old Marseille and real Marseille culture. From its narrow winding streets that spill into squares to its restaurants, ateliers (worskshops) and terraced homes, Le Panier is a delightful place to meander. It's also convenient to attractions, such as MuCEM and Cathedrale de la Major , among others.   

Visitors say that this district is full of character, highlighting the street art and local restaurants and boutiques. Others describe it as charming and a great place to wander for a few hours.

Vieux Port Vieux Port free

Vieux Port started docking ships and boats back in 600 B.C., and it was a vibrant hub of the city until steamboats became the preferred mode of transport and Vieux Port was considered too shallow. Later in WWII, the Germans bombed the port, and it was left in disrepair until the mid-1900s when a revitalization project restored the port. These days, it is back to its former self, with scores of bobbing sailboats and an array of restaurants, bars and shops located just ashore. 

Recent visitors said you could easily spend hours strolling through Vieux Port, perusing various shops and restaurants to satisfy any taste – and even hopping aboard a Ferris wheel. History buffs will be entertained here too, as there are several historical structures still standing, including Église Saint-Ferréol les Augustins, a Roman Catholic church that dates back to the 12th century. 

Abbaye Saint Victor Abbaye Saint Victor free

Abbaye Saint Victor is a working Catholic church, which was founded back in the 11th century as an abbey and named for the Roman soldier and Christian martyr Victor of Marseille. Much of the abbey was destroyed in 1794, with the austere church and crypts remaining.

Visitors call the abbey simple – and somehow stunning in its stark design. Others highly recommend paying the 2 euros for access to the unique crypts. 

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Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde free

The Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde – translated as Our Lady of the Guard – was built in the 1850s on the foundation of Marseille's ancient fortress. Today, this working Catholic basilica – filled with stunning marble, murals and mosaics – is a symbol of the city, the crowning point of its skyline and likewise, a wonderful place to enjoy sweeping views of the city below. You'll probably be able to spot it from the harbor, as a large, gilded statue of the Virgin Mary sits atop the bell tower. 

Some visitors called the climb up to the top "tough," but the views worth it. Although travelers admit that the church is beautiful, they were most impressed with the panoramic views. However, several reviewers also warned of heavy crowds and potential pickpockets. 

Fort Saint-Jean Fort Saint-Jean

Built in 1660 by Louis XIV, Fort Saint-Jean is a well-preserved fortress guarding Marseille at the entrance to the Old Port . Interestingly, it was built not to keep invaders at bay but to tamp down a local rebellion. Later, in the 19th and 20th centuries, it was used by the French military until German military forces occupied it during WWII. Today, the storied fort is a tourist attraction, where travelers stretch their legs and relax rather than prepare for battle. 

Travelers of all ages rave about the peaceful atmosphere of Fort Saint-Jean and the wonderful views from the top. They also note that it's surprisingly accessible, with ramps and elevators. 

Parc National des Calanques Parc National des Calanques

Visualize jagged limestone cliffs dropping into secret pebble beaches, which are lapped by the aquamarine waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and you'll start to get a picture of the Parc National des Calanques. Although many travelers view this national park from the sea, others say the hiking is absolutely magical too.  

Recent visitors said pictures don't do the Parc National des Calanques justice, swooning that its cliffs, inlets and beaches are breathtaking. While tourists mentioned seeing locals sunbathing on the secluded beaches, rock climbing and rappelling, and hiking, travelers short on time might have to limit themselves to a boat tour. The tourism board recommends a number of operators , including Croisieres Marseille Calanques and Levantin . These boat tours range in price: For instance, a brunch tour with Levantin costs 69 euros in the winter low season and 79 euros in summer high season. 

Mucem Mucem

The Musée des Civilisations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée, which goes by its acronym Mucem, is Marseille's history and cultural museum that leads visitors on an anthropological journey through Mediterranean history. Architect Rudy Ricciotti designed the contemporary building, which connects to the 13th-century Fort Saint-Jean via a footbridge. 

Travelers say this museum gives you a great understanding of the region's past all the way up to present-day. They also highlight the Mucem's rooftop gardens, saying that the views from these vantages are some of the best. 

Cathédrale de la Major Cathédrale de la Major free

Where the Abbaye Saint Victor is unembellished in its design, the Cath é drale de la Major is ornate. But it's also younger: The Cathédrale de la Major was built in the mid- to late 19th century, and its unique Byzantine design reflects a period in time where Marseille port was "the gateway to the east." Inside, visitors will find mosaics, statues and side chapels. 

Recent visitors said the Cath é drale de la Major is as impressive inside as it is outside. They also appreciate its location in Le Panier, near other top attractions, such as MuCEM and Fort Saint Jean. 

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Château d'If Château d'If

Château d'If is a 16th-century fortress, commissioned by King Francois I, set atop the smallest island in the Frioul archipelago less than a mile from Marseille. It was later used as a prison, considered ideal for its isolated, escape-proof location (similar to San Francisco 's Alcatraz ). Visitors to Marseille often travel by boat to this beautiful and mysterious monument, especially since it inspired the prison setting of Alexandre Dumas' famous book, "The Count of Monte Cristo." 

Once on the island, visitors are free to wander Château d'If at their leisure. Recent travelers described the experience as interesting, both for the ancient history exhibited here, as well as for the stellar views of the bay and Marseille in the distance. Since the island boasts only one outdoor cafe, some wish that there was more in the way of eateries or gift shops – even as a place to shelter from the cold winds of the island and kill time before boarding the ferry back to the city. 

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Visit Marseille: Top 33 Things To Do and Must-See Attractions

Things to do in marseille: the 33 best places to visit and highlights.

You’re planning to visit Marseille , in the south of France?

Great idea!

In order to help you plan your stay, I have written this guide of the 33 best things to do in Marseille , with all must-see attractions and points of interest.

In addition to the best places to visit, you will also find itineraries to visit Marseille in 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days (or more!) as well as my selection of the best hotels depending on your budget.

So, what are the best things to do in Marseille? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

1. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Guard

2. le panier, 3. the old port, 4. the mucem, 5. la major cathedral, 6. the cours julian, 7. the vallon des auffes, 8. corniche jf kennedy, 9. the palais longchamp, 10. the frioul islands, 11. château d’if (if castle), 12. the calanques of marseille, 13. marseille’s beaches, 14. stade velodrome, 15. abbey of saint-victor, 16. the goudes district, 17. borély park, 18. la canebière, 19. other museums to visit in marseille, 20. other monuments to see in marseille, 21. other activities to do in marseille, 22. marseille’s markets, 23. shopping in marseille, 24. l’estaque, 25. aix-en-provence, 28. baux-de-provence, 29. the luberon, 30. camargue, 31. verdon gorges, 32. take a boat trip from marseille, 33. visit a vineyard in provence, how many days to visit marseille, one day in marseille, 2 days in marseille, 3 days in marseille, 4, 5 days in marseille or more, where to stay in marseille, where to eat in marseille, how to get to marseille, rent a boat in marseille, tourist map of marseille, what to do in marseille with your family, which districts of marseille to visit, how to visit the calanques de marseille, how to visit marseille on foot, you’re traveling in france these articles will help you, visit marseille: 33 must-see attractions.

Start with one of the best known landmarks in Marseille: the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde (Our Lady of the Guard).

Known as the Good Mother , this iconic monument of Marseille, built on a hill 150 metres above sea level, dominates the entire city. From the Esplanade de Notre-Dame , you can admire a 360° panorama of the city and the sea.

A place of pilgrimage for 800 years , the basilica is dedicated to Mary , whose statue located at the top of the bell tower is the protector of the city and of sailors . Covered with gold, it weighs more than 9700 kg!

The interior of the basilica, all in white and red marble , can be visited free of charge. You can admire the beautiful Byzantine mosaics .

To reach Notre-Dame de la Garde , you have several options:

• On foot: many paths lead to the top of the hill but it will take some effort on your calves!
• By car: paid parking next to the basilica
• By bus: line 60 will take you to the entrance
• By small tourist train.

And there’s one last, much more original way to climb up there. Segway!

The Segway tour that I propose allows you to discover the best places in Marseille like the Old Port and the MuCEM and then go up to Notre-Dame de la Garde to enjoy the view.

It’s a fabulous experience and the guide is really lovely and interesting.

Book your Marseille Segway tour now below:

To visit Marseille , I recommend you take the city pass . Valid for 24h, 48h or 72h , it includes:

• Free entry to all museums including the MuCEM
• Free and unlimited use of public transport : bus, metro and tram
• A small tourist train ride between Notre-Dame de la Garde and the old town of Marseille
• The boat to Frioul or Château d’If
• Discounts for boat trips in the Calanques
• Discounts in some shops.

The City Pass Marseille needs to be purchased by clicking on the following green button:

Le Panier is the highlight district of Marseille.

Visiting Le Panier means discovering the oldest part of the city . It has long suffered from a poor reputation, but the trend has now reversed and it has become an unmissable stop on any tour of Marseille.

And the famous French series “Plus belle la vie” might look familiar since the Mistral district that features in the show was very largely inspired by Le Panier, and many of the outdoor scenes were filmed there.

Strolling through the narrow and steep streets of Le Panier is also a great way to discover the craft shops and many small bistros.

What to see in the district of Le Panier , in Marseille:

• The Place de Lenche and its view of the Good Mother
• The Place des Moulins where several mills were once located
• The Vieille Charité, a former hospice that now houses four museums
• The Place des Pistoles, the perfect spot for lunch on a terrace
• The rue du Panier

If you want to take a guided tour of the Le Panier , I recommend three options:

• A Segway tour 
• An small party electric scooter tour
• A private tour with a local

Simply click on the orange links for more information and to book.

It is impossible to miss the Old Port (“Vieux Port” in French) during your stay in Marseille.

Symbol of the city (along with the Good Mother!), this is where the Phoceans landed in antiquity and founded Massalia . Since then, the port has continued to develop, becoming France’s second port in the 19th century.

Today, industrial activity has been transferred to the new port of La Joliette, while the Old Port hosts pleasure boats.

The Old Port docks, recently redeveloped, have become a highlight part of a walk in Marseille. They are bordered by a row of cafés and restaurants and the locals of Marseille like to gather there during sports or cultural events.

This is also where the Marseille fish market takes place every morning.

Finally, the Old Port is the starting point for boat trips to visit the Calanques, the Château d’If and Frioul. I’ll tell you more about that later.

You’ve probably already heard about the sardine that choked the Old Port ! But do you know where this story came from?

In 1779, “La Sartine”, a frigate carrying French prisoners who had just been released, ran aground at the entrance to the Old Port . The mighty ship would block all the activity at the port for a good while!

The people of Marseille couldn’t help but turn the “La SarTine” into Sardine, and make it one of the best known anecdotes of the city!

The MuCEM is the one museum you must visit in Marseille . It is located at the end of the Old Port.

Opened only in 2013, the Museum of Civilisations of Europe and the Mediterranean quickly became an icon as unmissable as Notre-Dame de la Garde, with more than 2 million visitors per year.

The MuCEM is actually divided into two parts:

• The J4, the futuristic building built to mark Marseille becoming the European Capital of Culture, which hosts exhibitions dedicated to the Mediterranean world. There is also a bookshop and a panoramic restaurant.
• The Fort Saint Jean is connected to the J4 by a footbridge offering an exceptional view of the whole city on one side and the Frioul islands on the other.

Entry to the MuCEM’s outdoor areas and walkways is free.

If you want to discover the exhibitions , however, you will have to pay an entrance fee . The MuCEM visit is included in the City Pass Marseille.

Alternatively, because this is a very popular attraction, you can buy your tickets for the MuCEM in advance by clicking here!

Opening hours and information about current exhibitions can be found on the official website.

Other tourist attractions in Marseille: the Cathedral of La Major , also known as the “Sainte-Marie-Majeure Cathedral”.

It is located on the edge of the Le Panier district and is not far from the MuCEM.

Built in the 19th century , this imposing Byzantine-style church is one of the largest in France . It’s very similar in size to the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome .

From the outside, with its white and green marble façade, it is very reminiscent of the magnificent cathedrals of Florence and Siena . And the interior, with its archways, statues and mosaics , is well worth a look.

Entry is free.

You will have a beautiful view of La Major from the MuCEM footbridge and Fort Saint-Jean.

I continue this guide to Marseille through another iconic district: the Cours Julien.

The artists ‘ district is famous for its street art with many graffiti covering the façades between Cours Julien and Place Jean Jaurès.

If you don’t want to miss any of the most famous graffiti, I suggest you book a special 2-h guided tour of the street art by clicking here!

With its very lively and bohemian atmosphere , the Cours Julien is also home to many shops run by local artists and designers , second-hand shops, bookshops and junk shops.

Depending on the day of the week, there are also several markets, such as the farmers’ market or the organic market.

You’re going to Marseille?

You probably know it: the hardest part of planning your trip is to find an hotel offering a good value for money!

The closer you get to your travel dates, the harder it will be to get a good deal. Lots of people will be visiting Marseille on the same dates as you , so you can be sure that the best deals are booked extremely quickly!

Hopefully, there is a pretty simple solution to this problem: do like me and book your hotel as early as possible!

So, my best advice is to take 5 minutes (now) to have a look at the list of travelers’ favorite hotels in Marseille.

And if you see a good offer, book it!

Most hotels offer free cancellation, so it’s quick, easy, and you will avoid the the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the current best deals for your hotel in Marseille, simply click on the green button below 😎:

Once you’ve booked your hotel, it will be time to continue reading this guide and find out more about the best things to do in Marseille!

During your trip to Marseille, do not miss the Vallon des Auffes.

This small port is very picturesque with its fishing huts and the fishing boats typical of Marseille: the pointus. An authentic and typical atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

You can also treat yourself to excellent traditional cuisine in one of the renowned restaurants there. For pizza, there’s “Chez Jeannot” and for fresh fish caught the same day or bouillabaisse , head for “Chez Fonfon” , an institution in the Vallon des Auffes!

Or if you have a slightly bigger budget and want to indulge yourself with gourmet cuisine and an exceptional setting, I advise you to try the restaurant “L’Epuisette”.

Reservation recommended because eating at the Vallon des Auffes is a real highlight in Marseille!

The Corniche Kennedy is a long promenade along the seafront.

It starts at Les Catalans beach and in particular passes the Prophet’s beach , the Vallon des Auffes and ends at the Prado beaches . The place is very popular with Marseille locals who come here to cycle, ride their scooters or go for a run.

On foot, you can enjoy beautiful views of the islands and château d’If . I also advise you to go up to Valmer park to contemplate the panorama.

If you don’t want to walk, bus 83 leaves from the Old Port and runs along the entire corniche to Prado.

If there is one place that I recommend you to see in Marseille, it is the Palais Longchamp.

Its architecture is really impressive and it is for me one of the city’s most beautiful monuments . It was built in 1862 to celebrate the arrival of the waters of the Durance in Marseille and there is therefore a commemorative fountain representing abundance and fertility.

The Palais Longchamp is made up of two wings that house the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Take the stairs up to the top of the fountain to reach the gardens of the Palais Longchamp , one of the most beautiful parks in the city . It is one of the best places for a walk in Marseille.

Here you will find the observatory garden that houses the Museum of Astronomy, and the Zoological Garden. The latter used to house animals such as giraffes, lions, and even an elephant (the star of the zoo), which have now been replaced by life-size colourful statues.

The museums are free of charge with the City Pass Marseille, and entrance to the Longchamp park is also free.

If you’ve run out of things to do in Marseille, I advise you to escape to the Frioul islands.

Waterfront shuttles leave daily from the Old Port. The crossing takes about 25 minutes and costs about €10 for a round-trip. Prices and times can be found here.

The Frioul archipelago consists of four islands:

• The largest of these is Pomègues . It is known for having one of the most beautiful beaches in Frioul: Tahiti beach.
• Ratonneau, popular for its coves and beaches
• Tiboulen which is not served by shuttles
• If island where the castle of the same name is located: I’ll tell you about that later.

The boat will drop you off on the island of Ratonneau where there are a few restaurants. You can then go right around the island on foot (no vehicles are allowed) and swim in the small creeks with turquoise water .

There are also great views of If and Marseille from the Fort de Ratonneau and the former hospital.

From Ratonneau , walk along the seawall to the left of the port to reach the island of Pomègues .

To discover the Frioul islands, you can also spend a day sailing around Marseille. Yur skipper will show you the most beautiful places to swim!

Book via the button below:

For a romantic evening, I also recommend a sunset boat ride on a traditional wooden schooner.

You will sail towards the Frioul archipelago before stopping for a swim in a small cove with crystal clear water.

You can then enjoy a dinner served on board while admiring the sunset over the islands.

Book your sunset boat tour in Marseille by clicking on the button below:

And if you just want to go on a boat trip around Frioul islands for sunset but without dinner, click here to book this trip!

If you want to visit Ratonneau and Pomègues , allow for a full day to walk around and bathe. I advise you to take a picnic with you as the only restaurants are at the harbour.

For Ratonneau, 1/2 day is enough. Take the shuttle boat at least 3 hours before sunset , otherwise you won’t have time to discover the island. If you are in a hurry, the right side towards the Fort is preferable.

The same shuttles that go to Ratonneau also stop at If island where château d’If is located .

Its construction was decided in the 16th century by King François I to defend the shores against invasion but also to supervise the town that had just been annexed to the Kingdom of France. With its dungeon, towers, ramparts and moat, it is designed as a true fortress.

It was converted into a state prison in 1580. Famous prisoners include Mirabeau and the Marquis de Sade , but Château d’If is also where the Count of Monte-Cristo is held in the novel by Alexandre Dumas.

Guests can visit the Château d’If on their own or take a guided tour . There is an entrance fee to pay, and the waterfront shuttle costs extra. You can pick up your tickets on arrival or in advance online by clicking here.

To visit Château d’If, you can choose between:

• A return trip for If only
• A combined ticket for If + the Frioul islands: the boat drops you off on If, you visit the castle and take the shuttle back to Ratonneau.

Read the timetables carefully , as the last boat for If is at 3.00 pm or 4.00 pm depending on the season. More information can be found here.

As the Château d’If is one of Marseille ‘s top tourist attractions, it is best to book your tickets online in advance for the shuttle (especially in summer).

This is the highlight activity to do in Marseille: a boat trip to discover the Calanques.

These mini boat tours allow you to discover the most beautiful places in the Calanques National Park . On the programme: magnificent natural landscapes and beautiful creeks with translucent water.

From the Old Port, there are two tours to visit the Calanques of Marseille:

• The “L’integral des calanques” (Complete Calanques) route where you will enter all the Calanques from Marseille to Cassis. It lasts about 3 hours and a quarter hours, with a departure in the morning and in the afternoon.
• The small “L’essential des calanques” (Best of the Calanques) route which lasts 2 and a quarter hours, and allows you to pass through the three best known Calanques: Sormiou, Morgiou and Sugiton.

You will find more information on the shipping company’s website.

The big disadvantage is that the boats can carry hundreds of people so they are not necessarily ideal if you want peace and quiet or to take beautiful photos. And these tours don’t give you any opportunity to swim either.

But, good news, there are also some boat tours that are a little more luxurious and with fewer people , plus they include lunch and a swim in the Calanques. This is the type of day trip I recommend to make the most of the beautiful scenery!

For this type of high-end boat tour, you will have several options:

• A hybrid electric boat tour (max. 6 people – duration 7 hours – lunch included)
• A 5-hour catamaran trip.

This catamaran boat tour in the Calanques can be booked directly here:

• A full-day VIP boat tour on a magnificent boat (my favorite option!)

From the Old Port, you will discover the Calanque National Park on a beautiful boat: a traditional wooden schooner.

2 swimming stops in the Calanques are included (snorkelling equipment provided!), plus an aperitif and lunch highlighting local and organic products.

To enjoy a great day by boat in the Calanques of Marseille, you must book in advance by clicking on the button below:

Boat trips are the best way to discover several Calanques in one day , but you can also choose to walk to these magnificent coves. 

Several hiking trails run through the national park and allow you to go down in the coves. Bring sturdy shoes and plenty of water.

You can also go hiking in the Calanques with a guide . This activity must be booked in advance right here!

If hiking isn’t your thing, I recommend going to the Sugiton viewpoint. From the car park in Luminy, the starting point of the trail, it only takes 35 minutes to get there.

The viewpoint offers a splendid 360° view of the park and, below you, of the Calanque of Morgiou and that of Sugiton.

Finally, if you want to try scuba diving, I recommend that you opt for a an immersive scuba diving course in the Calanques . You can find more info and book by clicking here!

After the boat trip or hike, I end with another very nice way to visit the Calanques of Marseille: electric mountain bike.

This 3-hour itinerary with a tour leader leaves from the beach of Pointe Rouge beach and leads to the Calanque of Sormiou . The route is really well thought out and the landscapes are breathtaking.

You can book this activity via the green button below:

And remember, the Calanques park is the ideal playground for climbing and Via Cordata.  If you would like more information, click the links:

• Beginners’ introduction to climbing courses
• Climbing in the Calanques National Park – Beginner to intermediate level
• Multi-pitch climbing – Intermediate level
• Calanque d’En-Vau via cordata.

During your holiday in Marseille , you will most probably want to enjoy the beach!

So I have compiled a list for you of beaches to visit in and around Marseille:

• Catalans beach is not necessarily the prettiest, but it is the most centrally located and therefore the most practical if you don’t have a car
• Prophet’s beach located below the Corniche, is the most popular beach in Marseille. Ideal with children as the water is shallow to quite far out. Can be reached by bus number 83.
• The beaches of the Prado, a succession of beaches over several miles. Can be reached by bus 19 or 83. By car, payed parking is available along the whole stretch.
• Pointe Rouge, a long sandy beach well protected from the wind where you can have a go on a flyboard
• The very small beach of the Baie des Singes in the Les Goudes district
• The beach of L’Anse de la Maronais, not far from the Baie des Singes
• The three beaches of L’Estaque, north of Marseille
• The beaches and coves of the Frioul islands
• The Calanques, of course! Some of the most popular are the Calanque de Sormiou, Sugiton, the Calanque de l’En-Vau and Port-Pin.
• Sainte-Croix beach, located towards Martigues. This small sandy beach located at the foot of the rocks and on the edge of the pine forest is very pretty. There is also a path along the entire coastline.
• The beautiful beaches of La Couronne, which are very well equipped, are ideal for families
• The beaches of Cassis
• The numerous beaches of Sausset-les-Pins, a seaside resort located on the Côte Bleue.

A visit to Marseille without seeing the Stade Velodrome is inconceivable for OM supporters! The Olympique de Marseille is the legendary football club par excellence and is the pride of the whole city.

If you don’t have the chance to watch a match during your stay in Marseille, you can make up for it by visiting the inside of the stadium . The tour includes the players’ dressing rooms, the private boxes and behind the scenes, as well as a walk on the pitch to feel the turf!

And you can buy a souvenir of your visit from the official shop. A scarf, a shirt, a mug in OM colours: you will be spoilt for choice.

To organise your visit to the Stade Velodrome de Marseille, see the official website .

You will have a beautiful view of the stadium and Notre-Dame de la Garde.

Founded in the 5th century , the Abbey of Saint-Victor is a very beautiful building listed as a historical monument. 

Inside, you can visit the crypt (€2) which is made up of several chapels and contains numerous Paleochristian sarcophagi. 

From the terrace opposite the entrance to the Abbey, you can enjoy the unobstructed view of the Old Port and the MuCEM.

Just next to the Abbey, on Rue Sainte is the oldest bakery in Marseille “Le Four des Navettes” . Founded in the 18th century, this is where the iconic biscuit of Marseille was created: the navette.

You now know where to go to taste them!

Located at the gateway to the Calanques, the Goudes district is built around a small fishing port and its huts.

The picturesque setting attracts visitors every year, especially in the summer, to swim on the beach of the Baie des Singes or go hiking in the Calanques.

There are also several bars and restaurants. 

Borély Park is a huge 18-hectare park located near the Prado beaches.

There is a lake, playgrounds for the children, a rose garden and a botanical garden.

 At weekends, it is the busiest park in Marseille: picnics, strolls, rollerblades, bikes or football games, there’s plenty to keep busy! It is very nice, well equipped and is the perfect place for a walk outside the city.

Borély Park has long been famous because Marcel Pagnol mentions it in his book “La Gloire de Mon Père (The Glory of My Father). More recently, the series “Plus belle la vie” (Most Beautiful Life) regularly descends on the place to shoot scenes.

The park offers a pedalo, bicycle and boat rental service . There is also a café and the château which houses the Museum of Decorative Arts. 

Free entry to the Borély park/€3 for the botanical garden.

Let’s continue this tourist trail through Marseille with La Canebière.

The city ‘s iconic avenue connects the Reformed Church to the Old Port for nearly 1 km. This long retail street is lined with shops, restaurants and cafés.  You can also admire several historical monuments like the Opera or the Hotel de Noailles Hotel, a highly luxurious hotel now converted into a police station.

The Marseille information centre is also located on La Canebière.

But there is one slight drawback: La Canebière is often mentioned as a must-see spot in Marseille, but frankly it’s far from being very clean and doesn’t always smell great… 😅

The MuCEM is not the only museum to visit in Marseille.

If you have decided to spend a few days in Marseille , I recommend that you explore some of the other museums:

• The Marseille History Museum to learn all about the oldest city in France
• The Vieille Charité centre centre that houses the Museum of Archaeology and the Museum of African, Oceanic and Native American Art
• The Museum of Decorative Arts, Fashion and Ceramics in Borély Park
• The Museum of Contemporary Art 
• Longchamp Palace Museum of Fine Arts
• The Natural History Museum
• The Marseille Soap Museum where you can make your own soap.

Most of these museums are free to visit with the City Pass Marseille. 

In addition to the main attractions of Marseille, there are a few other beautiful landmarks not to be missed:

• The town hall, built in the 17th century
• The Alcazar library , a very famous former concert hall named after the Alhambra in Granada
• The Daviel Pavilion, the former courthouse of Marseille
• The Palais de la Bourse
• The Statue of David, an exact replica of the one displayed at the Accademia Gallery in Florence
• The triumphal arch, listed as a historical monument
• The prefecture, a very beautiful building located on rue Saint-Ferréol
• The Docks of Marseille for its unusual architecture
• The Marseille Opera House
• The Palais des Arts
• The Diamantée House and its pointed stone façade
• The Hôtel-Dieu, the city’s main hospital dating back to the Middle Ages. Today converted into a 5* luxury hotel: Hotel Intercontinental.
• The Pharo Palace for its view of the MuCEM and the Fort Saint-Jean

In addition to everything I’ve told you about, here is my selection of other unusual activities to try during your stay in Marseille (you can book by clicking on the links in orange):

• A four-and-a-half hour Food Tour where you will be stuffed with the amount of food to taste: Provençal burgers, local ‘panisse’ fritters, ice creams, macaroons, navettes and oriental pastries are all on the menu.
• A cocktail workshop to learn how to create two different cocktails
• An introduction to oenology with tasting of five wines from the South-East of France
• A brewing and beer tasting workshop
• Visit Marseille’s old town in a méhari 
• Side-car tour of the main districts of Marseille
• A private VIP tour of Marseille by van or limousine
• A Quiz Room: as a team, you will be required to answer questions on the subjects of sports, music and daily life, in a setting inspired by the most famous television games. A great activity to do in Marseille with friends or family.
• An escape game: there are lots of themes to choose from, and you’ll have an idea what to do in Marseille when it’s raining
• A virtual reality laser game
• A helicopter flight over the city and the waterfront

Do not hesitate to discover the best activities to do in and around Marseille by clicking on the button below:

I suggest you now take a tour of one of the city’s markets to soak up the scents and flavours of Provence .

For smell, you will visit the fish market that is held every morning at the Old Port. It’s the best place to buy the morning’s freshly caught fish!

Each district of Marseille has its own dedicated market:

• La Castellane: food and clothing market, with a bit of everything is one of the most popular
• Capuchins for fruits and vegetables
• La Friche de la Belle de Mai farmers’ market
• The flower market on Boulevard Chave
• The organic market at Cours Julien
• The Sunday flea market at Les Arnavaux.

To discover Marseille’s specialities, there’ nothing better than a gastronomic visit!

This three-hour tour includes many tastings, and will allow you to discover all the gastronomy of the South of France: pastries, seafood , tapenade, navettes , panisses and of course pastis !

I recommend that you book this gastronomic walking tour of Marseille on foot by clicking on the following button:

If you want to blow the budget during your visit to Marseille, here are the best places to go:

• Les Terrasses du Port, one of the city’s newest shopping centres, whose rooftop with a sea view quickly became a trendy place to go out in Marseille in the evening
• The Cours Julien for its more bohemian boutiques
• Saint-Férreol pedestrian street and its well-known brands such as Zara and H&M
• The Bourse centre, home to Galeries Lafayette, FNAC, Go Sport
• The street dedicated to fashion with its trendy boutiques of designers, jewellery and accessories
• La rue Paradis for more luxurious shopping with high-end boutiques such as Lacoste and Kenzo
• The brand new shopping centre “Le Prado” , next to the Velodrome
• Les Docks Village , an atypical indoor shopping centre.

If you don’t know what to do in Marseille on a Sunday , remember that most of the shopping centres and museums are open.

L’Estaque is the district located to the north of Marseille.

The name L’Estaque is often associated with painting because it has inspired many famous artists such as Cézanne, Renoir and Braque . A walking tour called “le petit chemin des peintres de l’Estaque” (a short trail following the artists of L’Estaque) allows you to discover the places depicted in their paintings as well as the history of the neighbourhood.

L’Estaque also has a beautiful beach with with a water sports centre, showers and toilets.

When exploring the area, do what Marseille’s locals do and taste chichis (sweet doughnuts) and panisses (made with chickpea flour) in one of the kiosks on the seafront.

From the L’Estaque, you can also enjoy a superb kayak ride along the Côte Bleue and its creeks with turquoise water. Book in advance by clicking here!

This trip is also available at sunset (reservation here).

To go to L’Estaque , I advise you to take the waterfront shuttle from the Old Port. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the scenery.

What to do around Marseille?

Now you know what to do in Marseille!

But my recommendations don’t stop there since I have compiled a list of the most beautiful places to visit in the surroundings of Marseille . They are all easily accessible by car or through organised excursions from Marseille.

The first city I suggest you explore in the surroundings of Marseille: Aix-en-Provence.

There aren’t necessarily any great monuments to see apart from the Cathedral of Saint-Sauveur , but the walk through the centre is very pleasant, with its shops, restaurants and brasseries .

Art lovers can also visit the Cézanne studio and the Granet Museum.

From Marseille , you can also take an organised day trip to visit Aix-en-Provence. 

There are three types of trip :

• A 4-hour guided tour of Aix-en Provence.
• A visit of Aix-en-Provence + Cassis.

The tour, in a small party, offers a guided walking tour of Aix-en-Provence and a walk on your own in Cassis . Alternatively, you can take a boat ride in the Calanques.

• A tour on your own of Aix-en-Provence + exploration of the lavender fields of Valensole

Arles is about a one-hour drive from Marseille.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can discover many Roman monuments such as the amphitheatre, the ancient theatre and the Constantin thermal baths.

If you want to visit Arles with an organised tour, I recommend you choose this one. You will not only visit the historic centre of Arles but also the beautiful village of Les Baux-de-Provence and that of Saint Rémy de Provence.

You can book by clicking the green button below:

To organize your visit to Arles, I have prepared a complete guide in this article: What to do in Arles?

Around Marseille, I advise you to visit Cassis . You can drive there in just 40 minutes.

With its small fishing port and the picturesque alleys, the setting is really lovely. Boat trips from Cassis allow you to discover the Calanques of En-Vau, Port-Miou and Port-Pin. 

If you have time, I also advise you to take the route des Crêtes that goes from Cassis to Ciotat. The landscape is beautiful!

If you don’t have a car, no problem, you can visit Cassis with an organised tour:

As with the Calanques of Marseille, three-hour electric mountain bike tours with an experienced instructor are offered to discover three Calanques of Cassis.

You can book directly by clicking here. 

You can also opt for (click the orange links for details):

• A hike with a tour leader that goes through three Calanques
• A sea kayaking day trip in the national park
• A stand up paddle board trip with an instructor.

Known as one of the most beautiful villages in France , it would be a shame not to go to Baux-de-Provence during your trip to Marseille.

The mediaeval village has a castle overlooking all the Alpilles . A beautiful panorama in perspective!

Just a five-minute walk from the village , do not miss visiting the Carrières de Lumière .

These former quarries have been completely reimagined and offer truly original multimedia exhibitions with works of art projected on the walls at more than 15 metres high.

Near Marseille, why not plan a day to visit the Luberon?

Not to be missed in the region:

• The perched village of Gordes , one of the most beautiful villages in France
• Senanque Abbey, a 12th century Cistercian monastery
• The village of Roussillon , where you absolutely have to go for a walk along the Ochre Trail, in the heart of an ancient ochre quarry. The colours are simply splendid!

And good news if you don’t have a car, just opt for an organised day trip to discover the Luberon and the villages I just mentioned.

Another beautiful region to visit around Marseille: Camargue.

You can discover the manades (bull and horse farms), go horse riding , watch the pink flamingos or take a boat ride on the Rhone!

A little further away but still feasible, I suggest you visit Verdon.

It takes about an hour and 40 minutes to get Moustiers-Sainte-Marie , the best known village in the area. From here, you can also visit the Lake of Sainte-Croix , the gateway the Verdon Gorge.

And if you prefer to take an organised tour, the best one from Marseille is this one. It also includes a visit through the Valensole plateau to discover the lavender fields (in high season).

In addition to the sea excursions I mentioned above, I recommend two other options that will allow you to discover the surroundings of Marseille by boat away from other tourists.

To enjoy a VIP experience, I therefore suggest you:

1) Book a private boat trip from Marseille

I think this is the best way to make the most of your day at sea in Marseille!

You rent a boat with a skipper , and he will take you to the most beautiful places close to Marseille: the rocky inlets, the Frioul islands and other spots. You will be spoilt for choice!

Motor boat, sailing boat, catamaran or even yacht : just choose the right boat for your dream day!

I always recommend that you rent a boat with skipper as early as possible , as this type of VIP day trip is very much in demand, and it would be a shame to miss out!

You will find all the skippered boats in Marseille by clicking on the button below:

2) Rent a boat to discover the surroundings of Marseille

If you have a boat licence, the 2nd solution for a great day at sea is simply to opt for to rent a boat in Marseille !

It’s very simple to do: click on the button below and book your boat immediately:

You will find a list of all the vineyards open to visitors near Marseille by clicking on the green button below:

And even better, some of the tours are free! Here are my three favourites (click on the orange links to book):

• The Domaine de la Bégude is 27 km from Marseille, and offers a free 30-minute guided tasting
• The Domaine Terre de Mistral offers five wines to suit your tastes
• Château Paradis offers six wines from a selection of white, rosé or red.

I advise you to allow at least three or four days to visit Marseille. This gives you time to discover the city as well as the Frioul islands and the truly magnificent rocky inlets .

And if you want to visit the surroundings, a week won’t be too long . No risk of getting bored!

Do not forget that to visit Marseille in 24h, 48h or 72h , the City Pass Marseille that I told you about at the very beginning is a great way to save money.

Do you have one day to visit Marseille ?

Here is the itinerary I suggest you follow to see the main districts and landmarks:

• Explore the Le Panier district
• Taking in the Cathedral of La Major
• The MuCEM: visit or just take the footbridge for the view
• A stroll in the Old Port
• The Cours Julian
• Go up to Notre-Dame de la Garde
• See the Abbey of Saint-Victor or the Palais du Pharo to admire the view

If you don’t want to or can’t walk, you have several other options (click the links to book):

• The hop-on hop-off bus
• The small tourist train , included in the City Pass Marseille
• The Segway tour. 

If you plan to spend a weekend in Marseille , I suggest you start by following the itinerary for day one.

For the second day , I recommend you visit the Calanques of Marseille:

• You can take the boat trip in the morning : return around 1.00 pm or 2.00 pm depending on the route
• Lunch break (or choose a luxury boat ride of the Calanques on a catamaran including lunch, or a luxury boat ride aboard a wooden schooner! )
• In the afternoon you can choose between shopping or a visit to the Palais Longchamp and park
• And in the evening, you can opt for a dinner boat tour on a catamaran , for example!

You can also spend an entire day hiking and swimming in the Calanques .

To make the most of your 2-day stay in Marseille, you should read my detailed itinerary: How to visit Marseille in 2 days?

What to do in Marseille in three days? Repeat my suggestions for days one and two.

On the third day, you can choose to:

1) Visit to the Château d’If and the Frioul islands: walking and bathing

Or take a boat ride around the Frioul archipelago:

Book a day’s sailing here

Sunset boat ride + dinner

2) Stay in Marseille:

• Take the Corniche to reach the Vallon des Auffes
• Follow the road to the Prado beaches
• Enjoy the beach or a walk in Borély park
• Then you can continue to the nearby Stade Velodrome or follow the seaside road to reach Les Goudes. 

On the fourth day in Marseille, I advise you to choose the option that you didn’t have time to do on day three.

If you spend five days or even a week in Marseille , get out of the city and visit the surrounding areas:

• A day for Cassis and Aix-en-Provence
• A day in Arles and Les Baux-de-Provence
• A day for the Luberon
• Visit to Camargue
• Explore the Verdon Gorge and also plan to spend a night there to really enjoy it.

Wine lovers can also plan a visit to a winery , Marseille being close to the vineyards of Bandol appellation.

You will find all the vineyards to visit around Marseille by clicking on the button below:

And even better, some of the tours are free!

Some of the most popular include (click on the links to book):

• The Domaine de la Bégude specializes in organic red and rosé wines
• The Château de la Galinière , where all the wines come from organic viticulture.
• The Terre de Mistral estate which offers wine tasting and olive oil.
• The Font des Pères estate, whose wines are produced under the Bandol, Côtes de Provence and IGP Mont-Caume appellations.
• Toyoko INN Marseille Saint Charles: located 1 km from the Old Port and 5 minutes from the train station. Very clean and comfortable double rooms from €70 per night, breakfast included. Strong points: the breakfast choices, the warm welcome, the location close to the train station and the town centre.
• Citadines Castellane Marseille: situated 400 metres and 1.3 km from Notre Dame de la Garde. Modern studio and apartment with fully equipped kitchen (dishwasher, microwave, hob…) from €78, breakfast €10. Strong points: the very convenient location, the comfortable bedding, the quiet. It’s my favourite hotel for its excellent value for money in Marseille!
• Staycity Aparthotels Centre Vieux Port: located 550 metres from the port. Fully equipped designer studio and apartment from €92, breakfast €9. Strong points: spacious, the perfect location to visit Marseille, the very friendly staff.
• NH Collection Marseille: located in the Joliette district, 900 metres from the MuCEM. Double room with simple and elegant décor from €160. Strong points: the excellent breakfast and the very varied choice, the comfortable beds, the location. One of the best hotels to stay at in Marseille!
• The Residence du Vieux Port: located on the docks of the Old Port. Modern double rooms with sea view from €200. Strong points: the view of the port and Notre-Dame de la Garde, the charming staff, the location. A great choice for a high-end stay in Marseille.
• InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu: in the historic district of Marseille, located 300 metres from the port. This 5* hotel offers comfortable and warm rooms from €290, breakfast €29. Strong points: the spa, the swimming pool, the gourmet restaurants, the terrace with view. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Marseille.

• Bistro o’Prado : located at 1 Boulevard Perier, just next to the Perier metro station. This brasserie offers a menu with few choices but a guarantee of quality. The dishes are delicious, with a touch of originality, and really plentiful. Very reasonable price.
• Le Bistro du Panier: located at 58 rue Caisserie. If you fancy a good burger in Marseille, head for the district of Le Panier. This small restaurant offers excellent burgers made entirely from fresh, high-quality ingredients (bread, meat, cheese), plus there’s the home-made fries that go with them! And don’t forget to save some room for the desserts, which are also home-made.
• Lacaille restaurant: located at 42 rue des Trois Mages. On the menu: atypical and gastronomic cuisine, a very good wine list, top-notch staff, a pleasant setting and affordable prices with a €30 fixed menu (starter/main/dessert).

Marseille has an international airport.

The prices of flights to Marseille vary greatly, so it is a good idea to compare them as soon as possible. To do this, you can use our flight comparison tools in partnership with Skyscanner. This will guarantee you the best price.

 You can also reach Marseille by bus or train.

I advise you to check the train times and fares and book your tickets directly here:

Finally, if you need to rent a car for your stay in Marseille, I recommend you go through Rentalcars.com .

You can compare the rates of all the rental companies with one click! And the you can change or cancel your booking at no cost.

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your stay in Marseille, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental!

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Marseille? 😊

To help you visualise the city a bit better, I have created this tourist map of Marseille , with all the best places to visit and things to do in Marseille and its surroundings.

You can display the map legend by clicking on the top left button, the one with a small arrow on it.

FAQ – I answer your questions about Marseille

• Take the little train and visit Notre-Dame de la Garde
• Take the boat to the Frioul Islands and/or the Château d’If.
• Visit Borély Park
• Enjoy the Prado beach just opposite the park
• Take a trip to the Calanques , on foot (easy stroll) or by boat!
• A tree-top adventure trail at Ecopark Adventures – There is even a mini park for 2-to-4-year-olds.
• Le Panier district, the oldest part of the city
• The Old Port district
• La Canebière , the most famous street in Marseille
• The Vallon des Auffes, for its picturesque port and excellent restaurants
• The Les Goudes district, far from the centre, close to the calanques.
• Visit the Calanques on foot
• Visit the Calanques by electric bike
• Visit the Calanques by boat
• Visit the Calanques with a luxury boat tour on a catamaran . If you have the budget, that is clearly the best option!

If you want to visit Marseille on foot, I recommend following the itinerary which I have described in the section: Visit Marseille in one day . This tour will allow you to discover the highlight sites of the city such as the district of Le Panier, the MuCEM, the Old Port and Notre-Dame de la Garde.

If you need help planning your stay in Marseille, don’t hesitate to ask me your questions in the comments section below.

France travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet France guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Rick Steves France guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

Discover all our articles about France: All Voyage Tips articles about France are listed here.

• Honfleur: Top 15 things to do and discover
• La Rochelle: 15 things top do and see
• Strasbourg: Top 25 things to do

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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Must-see attractions in Marseille

Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde

Occupying Marseille’s highest point, La Garde (154m), this opulent 19th-century Romano-Byzantine basilica is Marseille's most-visited icon. Built on the…

'The Basket' is Marseille's oldest quarter – site of the original Greek settlement and nicknamed for its steep streets and buildings. Its close, village…

Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée

The icon of modern Marseille, this stunning museum explores the history, culture and civilisation of the Mediterranean region through anthropological…

Ships have docked for millennia at Marseille’s birthplace, the vibrant Vieux Port. The main commercial docks were transferred to the Joliette area in the…

La Vieille Charité

In the heart of Marseille's Le Panier quarter is this grand and gorgeous almshouse, built by Pierre Puget (1620–94), an architect and sculptor born just a…

Musée d’Histoire de Marseille

This intriguing 15,000-sq-metre museum traces the story of 'France's Oldest City' from prehistory (the paintings of the Cosquer Cave) to the present day,…

Château d’If

Commanding access to Marseille's Vieux Port, this photogenic island-fortress was immortalised in Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 classic The Count of Monte Cristo…

Musée des Beaux Arts

Set in the lavish, colonnaded Palais de Longchamp, Marseille’s oldest museum owes its existence to an 1801 decree of pre-Napoleonic France's short-lived…

Cours Julien

Marseille's most vibrant bohemian quarter centres on Cours Julien, an elongated concrete square shaded by palm trees. It’s lined with great bars, cafes…

Jardin du Pharo

Perched high above the southern side of the Vieux Port are the six immaculately grassed hectares of the Jardin du Pharo, the grounds of the Palais du…

Galerie Trajectoire

This teeny tiny art gallery, located along a narrow sloping road in the historic neighbourhood of Le Panier, offers a platform to emerging artists and a…

Abbaye St-Victor

To the west of the Vieux Port lies Abbaye St-Victor, the birthplace of Christianity in Marseille, built on a 3rd century BC necropolis. It's €2 to visit…

La Joliette

The old maritime neighbourhood of La Joliette, moribund since the decline of the 19th-century docks, has been revitalised by bars, shops and restaurants…

La Cité Radieuse

Visionary modernist architect Le Corbusier redefined urban living in 1952 with the completion of this vertical 337-apartment tower, popularly known as La…

Cathédrale de Marseille Notre Dame de la Major

Standing guard between the old and new ports is the striking 19th-century Cathédrale de la Major. After its foundation stone was laid by Napoleon III in…

Îles du Frioul

Around nine kilometres west of Marseille lie the dyke-linked limestone islands of Ratonneau and Pomègues, known jointly as the the Îles du Frioul…

Musée Cantini

Donated to the city by the sculptor Jules Cantini on his death in 1916, this 17th-century mansion-turned-museum conceals some superb art behind its…

Fort St-Jean

Intended as much to control the citizens of Marseille as guard them from external threat, Fort St-Jean was built by Louis XIV in 1660 on the site of a…

Villa Méditerranée

This eye-catching white structure next to MuCEM is no ordinary ‘villa’. Designed by architect Stefano Boeri in 2013, the sleek white edifice sports a…

Musée d’Archéologie Méditerranéenne

Founded in the mid-19th century, and housed in La Vieille Charité since 1989, this small archaeological museum explores Mediterranean and Near-Eastern…

Musée d’Arts Africains, Océaniens & Amérindiens

These three collections of 'exotic' art have been installed in the handsome Vieille Charité since 1992. Well worth a visit, the museum explores the…

Musée d’Art Contemporain

Creations of Marseille-born sculptor César Baldaccini (1921–98) jostle for space with works by Christo, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Nice New…

Musée des Arts Décoratifs, de la Faïence et de la Mode

Over 2000 rare and often-wonderful examples of furniture, tapestry, ceramics and clothing from the 18th century to the present day are displayed across…

Its subdued façade makes the Fotokino visual art gallery easy to miss, but inside it offers a dazzling world of graphic eye-candy. Expect illustrations,…

Musée du Santon

One of Provence’s most enduring Christmas traditions is its santons (plaster-moulded, kiln-fired nativity figures), first created by Marseillais artisan…

Musée Regards de Provence

This niche museum is housed in the city’s former sanitary station, operational from 1948 until 1971. It’s essentially a graphic art museum exploring…

Fort St-Nicolas

Guarding the southern side of Marseille’s harbour (and threatening its sometimes rebellious citizens, who attempted to destroy it during the Revolution)…

Vallon des Auffes

Nestled around this picture-postcard fishing village, a remnant of old maritime Marseille long since swallowed by modern sprawl, are traditional cabanons …

Parc Borély

Five kilometres south of central Marseille, this 17th-century park encompasses a lake, a miniature of the Notre-Dame de la Garde cathedral, a botanical…

Fonds Régional d’Art Contemporain

The FRAC for Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur moved to this modern centre in La Joliette, with its striking plate-mail façade, in 2013. It hosts temporary…

Plage des Catalans

The small, bustling, beach-volleyball-busy Plage des Catalans is the closest stretch of sand to the Vieux Port.

More destinations you need to see

Best Beaches

Where to Go Shopping

Food to Try in Marseille

Best Restaurants

Nightlife Guide

Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Marseille Provence Airport Guide

Neighborhoods to Explore

Best Hotels

Public Transportation

48-Hour Itinerary

Day Trips From Marseille

Top Things to Do

The 14 Best Things to Do in Marseille, France

Pocholo Calapre / EyeEm / Getty Images

One of France's largest urban centers, the Mediterranean city of Marseille is as distant from Paris as you can imagine—both geographically and culturally. It's an ancient port that has long been a center of trade; "les Marseillais" (the locals) are proud of their distinctive culture and centuries-long history. It's known for its beauty, but also for being a bit "rough around the edges"—and that's all part of the appeal.

At once laid-back and vibrant, Marseille has it all: superb beaches and coastlines ; varied, fascinating neighborhoods; awe-inspiring historic monuments; and delicious local dishes and drinks that are certainly worth sampling. Add the opportunity for day trips to nearby national parks and postcard-perfect Provençal towns , and you'll soon see why the city makes an ideal hub in southern France. Here are some of the best things to see and do in Marseille, especially on a first trip.

Explore the Old Port

TripSavvy / Paula Galindo Valle

There's something timeless—even mythical—about Marseille's Vieux Port (Old Port), the waterfront that has seen some 26 centuries of trade and cultural exchange. The Phoenicians founded a colony called Massalia here in around 600 BC, and it became a major center of commerce in the Mediterranean, incorporated into the Roman Empire before being christianized during the 5th century. During the medieval period and religious wars known as the Crusades, the Port was guarded by the forts of Saint-Nicolas and Saint-Jean ; both continue to dramatically flank the port, and can be visited.

The Vieux Port may have tons of history, but it's still a vibrant center of present-day life in Marseille. Come take a stroll on the waterfront and admire the countless boats and ships moored in the harbor. Sit out at a terrace overlooking the port and enjoy a glass of wine or pastis, a typical Marseille liqueur flavored with anise and botanicals. Take a tour of the two forts, and/or a boat cruise out to the Friouil archipelago and islands beyond.

Visit the Chateau d'If, an Old Fortress and Prison

One of Marseille's most dramatic landmarks, the Chateau d'If looms near the coast of the old city, on the smallest island of the nearby Frioul archipelago. Built by King François I and completed in 1571, the formidable compound has served as a defensive fortress designed to protect Marseille from military invasions, as well as a state prison. Protestants and anti-monarchy figures were the most frequent prisoners between 1580 and 1871.

In 1844, French author Alexandre Dumas brought the Chateau d'If worldwide fame by placing it at the center of his novel "The Count of Monte Cristo." Today, it's an essential tourist destination and affords fantastic views over the sea and Old Port.

Getting there: From the Old Port, you can take a boat shuttle operated by Frouil If Express ; boats depart several times daily.

Head to the Beaches

During long summer days, planting a big beach umbrella in the sand and spending the whole day swimming, sunbathing, or boating can be an idyllic prospect. And even if you're visiting in the winter when chilly winds and cool temperatures often reign, you'll still probably want to hit the beaches around Marseille for activities such as coastal walks and sea views.

Where to find the best beaches in Marseille and its surrounding area depends on your style and preferences. If you're after a quick swim close to the city center, Catalanes Beach is only a 15-minute walk from Vieux Port. It's not the prettiest beach in the area, but it's ideal for a spontaneous dip.

For lifeguarded swimming during high season, head to the Plage du Prado or the Plage du Prophète , both wide, sandy beaches that are ideal for families, sunbathers, and sports enthusiasts. If you're drawn by wild beaches with stunning natural scenery or opportunities for snorkeling, head to the Calanques National Park and its remarkable coves.

Taste the City's Best Bouillabaisse

kabVisio /Getty Images royalty-free

Not everyone will think that Marseille's most-famous dish, bouillabaisse, sounds appealing. But unless you're vegetarian or vegan, we still strongly recommend you try a big, steaming bowl of this centuries-old fish stew originating in ancient Greece, and imported by the Phoenicians who colonized the area. Typically made with the fresh catch of the day or a variety of local seafood specialties, the stew is composed of an herb and saffron-rich broth, olive oil, and seasonal vegetables. Traditionally, you'd enjoy it accompanied by a toasted hunk of baguette and a spicy, garlic-rich paste called rouille.

The stew is so popular that you'll find it all over the city, year-round. But some of the best (and most picturesque) places to taste it are found on the Vieux Port; these include Le Miramar and Restaurant Michel .

See the City's Iconic Basilica—and Enjoy Panoramic Views

Looming over one of the city's highest points, Notre Dame de la Garde is widely seen as the symbol and figurative guardian of Marseille. The basilica is locally referred to as "La Bonne Mère," meaning "The Good Mother," and a bronze and gold-leaf statue of the Virgin Mary emerges from the bell tower.

Consecrated in 1864 on the site of several former chapels, the basilica was built in a Roman-Byzantine style. Come not only to admire its opulent façade and interior—rich with gold leaf, mosaics, elaborate dome structures, and stones in multiple hues—but also to enjoy sweeping panoramic views over the city, Old Port, and the waters beyond.

Getting there: We recommend taking the Petit Train de Marseille sightseeing train from the Old Port to the Basilica; this is also a great way to get an overview of some of the city's other key sites.

Take in the Splendor of Calanques National Park

Detractors sometimes describe Marseille as a city lacking in "traditional" beauty, yet they've clearly overlooked that the city is surrounded by some of the region's most stunning and well-protected marine environments. The Calanques National Park , sprawling between the outskirts of Marseille and the pretty port town of Cassis, is remarkable for its azure waters, which wend through craggy creeks (calanques) teeming with lush Mediterranean greenery.

Swim in protected coves whose waters are too blue to believe, or go snorkeling, boating, hiking, or rock-climbing in the park's seemingly endless calanques.

Getting there: From Marseille's Old Port, drive or take a taxi south to the national park (around 35 minutes). Alternatively, you can take the train to Cassis; from the town center, the "Port Miou Calanque" is around 30 minutes away on foot. There are numerous other trail departure points there as well.

Wander and Shop the Canebière District

J Boyer /Getty Images Plus  

To get an authentic local sense of daily life, head to La Canabière , the longest and widest avenue in the city. Built in 1666, it was greatly expanded during the end of the 18th century, and its grand neoclassical-style buildings reflect the period. It now extends all the way to the Vieux Port, making it an easy access point from the waterfront to the city center.

This is a popular place to stroll, browse for clothes and other items in the avenue's many boutiques, window-shop, and people watch from café terraces. Department stores, grand hotels, and restaurants also occupy the long avenue, which is adjacent to some of the other best shopping streets in Marseille, including rue Paradis, rue Saint Ferréol, and rue de Rome.

Get a Taste of Local Culture at the Capucins Market

If you share our enthusiasm for local farmers' markets and the opportunities for cultural discovery and exchange they tend to afford, this place is for you. Located in close reach of La Canebière shopping district, the Marché des Capucins is well known for proffering some of the city's best, and least expensive, fruit and vegetables.

You'll also find numerous stalls selling food products, spices, and textiles from North Africa and other parts of the Greater Mediterranean. You might say the market—also referred to as the Marché de Noailles—carries forth Marseille's centuries-old tradition as a bustling, diverse center of trade and cultural exchange.

Bask in Mediterranean History at The MuCEM

If you're interested in learning about the region's history—including Marseille's—spend some time exploring MuCEM (Museum of the Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean). It only opened in 2013, but is now one of the world's 50 most-visited museums. Tracing diverse traditions from the Antiquity to the present, its collections and special programs tell the fascinating story of Mediterranean cultural practices, archaeology, art history, cultural traditions, and contemporary art,

The main site near the Old Port, designed by Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta, stands beside the 17th-century Fort Saint Jean. Footbridges between the new and old structures dramatically symbolize how the Mediterranean forged powerful connections between European and Middle Eastern cultures.

Wander Old Marseille in the Panier District

Situated just north of the Old Port, Le Panier (literally, "the basket") has had inhabitants since around 600 BC, making it the oldest part of the city. It was once the center of a Greek colony called Massalia, from which Marseille's name is derived. During the 17th century, it was abandoned by more affluent residents for new developments to the east, and became a principally working class district populated by sailors and fishermen. It has also welcomed waves of immigrants from Italy, Corsica, and North Africa over the centuries. As evidenced by the old almshouse (La Vieiille Charité), it was until recently one of the city's poorest districts.

Today, Le Panier's narrow little streets, cheerful squares, and hidden corners are dotted with café terraces, hip restaurants, street art, and boutiques selling everything from Marseille soap (savon de Marseille) to jewelry. Be sure to take in the ochre and bright yellow façades, stone stairways, and hilly passageways; then wander through a few boutiques before settling for lunch on one of the area's sun-soaked squares.

Stroll or Drive La Corniche, Marseille's Coastal Road

Chris Hellier/Getty Images

One fantastic way to see the ancient port, sea, and islands from different vantage points is to take a long (often blustery) stroll along La Corniche , a boardwalk-style pathway built parallel to the coastal road of the same name. You can also drive it if you choose to rent a car.

The promenade stretches for 3 miles from the Catalanes beach to the Prado beach. Along the way, you'll see noteworthy sites including the aforementioned Chateau d'If and Iles du Frioul  (Frioul islands), opulent villas and mansions like the one pictured above, and excellent sea views.

Getting there: Pick a sunny day to enjoy the route or path to the fullest—not a difficult task in a city that gets an average of more than 300 days of sun a year. To walk, follow the signs and easy path from the Old Port to La Corniche.

Take a Train to Cézanne's Favorite City

Jean-Pierre Lescourret/Getty Images 

Hop on the train from the Marseille Saint-Charles station and spend a few hours roaming Aix-en-Marseille , one of the prettiest towns in the region. The birthplace of French painter Paul Cézanne, Aix and its surrounding mountains are the subject of many of his paintings. The popular market town is also renowned for its historic district, where you can bask in the sun on Provençal squares lined with warm-colored buildings and shaded by large trees. Have a drink or al fresco lunch on one of the terraces in the Cours Mirabeau, and take in the sights, colors, and traditions of the farmers' markets on and around Place Richelme.

Getting there: Trains depart around six times daily from Marseille Saint-Charles to Aix, with the direct TGV (fast train) taking only around 15 minutes. Booking in advance generally means you'll get lower fares.

Play a Game of Boules

iStock/Royalty-Free/Getty Images 

Especially during the warmer months, a common sight in Marseille is locals playing a game of pétanque , or boules. The game, similar to bocce, involves throwing grooved metallic balls on sandy pitches, aiming to get yours as close to the smaller target ball (called a "cochonnet") as possible. While some play it competitively, most locals enjoy it casually, as an excuse to catch up with friends and sip tall, ice-cold glasses of Pastis de Marseille mixed with water.

The game is widely played across the city, including around the Old Port and in local parks. To rent equipment and access pitches, you can head to recreation centers such as the Cercle des Boulomanes (50 Rue Monte Cristo).

Frolic at Borély Gardens & Château

 Courtesy of Chateau Borély 

Situated around 3 miles south of central Marseille, the sprawling grounds and gardens of the Château Borély offer an ideal way to get a break from the urban ground and enjoy some fresh air. The Parc Borély is one of the city's most popular local green spaces, boasting enormous green lawns, botanical gardens harboring thousands of species of plants, poetic canals filled with ducks and swans, and playground areas. There's even a beach-side walk from the grounds.

The 18th-century château now houses the Museum of Decorative Arts and Fashion, whose collections are noteworthy for their fine ceramics and exhibits dedicated to the history of style.

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• The Top 10 Things To...

The Top 47 Things to Do and See in Marseille, France

Marseille is famously the gateway to the French Riviera . Explore the charming Vieux Port, marvel at the Notre Dame de la Garde and jet off on a boat towards the Parc National des Calanques. We’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in Marseille.

Did you know you can travel with Culture Trip? Check out our collection of premium small-group adventures , designed with the culturally curious in mind.

1. Admire the spectacular Notre Dame de la Garde

2. Take a boat ride to Les Calanques

Natural Feature

4. Swot up the city's Mediterranean history at MuCEM

5. Appreciate Cathédrale de la Major's beautiful domed towers

6. Take a trip to Marseille's Old Town, Le Panier

Historical Landmark

7. Discover Marseille's oldest museum, Palais Longchamp

Museum, Park

8. Explore the 16th-century castle, Château d’If

Natural Feature, Historical Landmark

9. Sample a traditional tipple of 'pastis'

Bar, Restaurant, French

Whilst France in general might be known for its elegant and sophisticated cuisine and drinking scene, Marseille is particularly well-known for its pastis – an anise-flavored apéritif. Also known as ‘pastage’ by Marseille’s residents, there are plenty of spots across the city to sample this traditional tipple. Typically the apéritif is served with a jug of water, so drinkers can dilute the beverage to make it as strong or weak as they like. For an extensive selection, head to Pastis and Olives, where you can choose from 16 variations, or join a foodie tour of the city to discover the finest pastis in town.

10. Wander through the city's biggest avenue, La Canebière

11. Eat Bouillabaisse, the Local Soup Delicacy

Restaurant, Market, French, European

Bouillabaisse is a fish soup that comes specifically from Marseille and the surrounding coastline. Fishermen used to make soup with the rockfish they caught that they couldn’t sell in the market. They added Provençal herbs and simmered it over a period of a few hours. Nowadays, it’s a cultural delicacy – order it in advance (sometimes 48 hours) at the best restaurants, expect to pay at least €40 per head and most restaurants only take orders for more than 2 people. Read our guide on where to eat the best bouillabaisse , or book the Beyond Bouillabaisse experience to dedicate a day to this iconic delicacy.

12. Natural History Museum

Art Gallery, Museum

13. Corniche Kennedy

14. Cours Julien

Market, Theatre, Bookstore, Store

15. Parc Borely

16. Parc Valmer

17. fort st jean.

Historical Landmark, Architectural Landmark

The old Fort has had a facelift and now looks resplendent. It’s linked to the new MUCEM via a walkway that will take your breath away. It’s a great place for kids to run around the different tunnels and in and out of the old rooms.

18. Corbusier's Unité D'Habitation

Architectural Landmark

19. Friches Belle de Mai

Bookstore, Building, Theater

20. Noailles market

Noailles market (also known as the Capucins Market) is an explosion of vibrant colours and aromas, with market stalls packed with fruits, spices and North African delicacies.

21. Picnic outside the Hotel Dieu

Chain Hotel, Hotel

Experience the ‘blue hour’

Many people come to the South of France to paint, thanks to the luminous quality of the light. It’s caused by the mixture of dry climate, high temperatures and the crazy Mistral wind . For about an hour most days, at dawn and at dusk, the sky takes on an ethereal, blue quality, which is beautiful to witness and great to photograph or paint.

22. Play empress at the Jardin du Pharo

23. have an authentic hammam experience.

Architectural Landmark, Health Spa

Marseille has a huge Northern African influence, of which massages and hammams are an institution. People love the Bastide des Bains , near the Old Port area. It’s respectable and upmarket but great value. Have a massage in a private cabin and then head to the communal hammam to relax and unwind.

24. Experience African-French cuisine

Train Station

Provence is loved for its Mediterranean cuisine but Marseille also offers some wonderful North African cuisine with a French twist. Head to the couscous restaurants by Noailles metro station or by the main St Charles train station. The food here is quick and cheap at many of the sit-down restaurants. For something a little more upmarket, head to the Cours Julien area, where you’ll find some interesting and varied types of African restaurants. The area is edgy but lively and fun.

25. Pointe Rouge

All the way east along the coastal road from Marseille’s Old Port (“ le vieux port “) you’ll find a little stretch of sand called Pointe Rouge. It’s a cute locals beach, where teenagers hang out with their friends or kids play on the sand, while their parents sip wine at the local restaurant tables. Get the bus to stop Pointe Rouge.

26. Sentier Pédestre de l'Huveaune

The Sentier Pédestre de l’Huveaune is a riverside passage (along the small river Huveaune) that leads to the Parc Borély and the seafront from the centre of town. It’s great for a walk, a run or even on your bike.

27. The Crazy Zoo

Amusement Park

Twenty-five years ago, there used to be a real zoo in the grounds of the park next to Palais Longchamp. It was recently brought back as a “crazy zoo” with animal statues locked up inside the old animal cages. It’s a locals park where you’ll find families with small kids taking rides on the real horses around the grounds or couples asleep in self-hung hammocks.

28. Phare de Sainte-Marie

Built in 1855, the Sainte Marie lighthouse on the esplanade de la Joliette marks the northernmost point of Marseille’s harbor. The cylindrical turret is an impressive 60 feet high and is encased from top-to-bottom in brilliant white local limestone. The lighthouse, which was electrified in 1922, is now inactive but still makes a great photo opportunity as the dazzling white of the limestone contrasts against the azure blue of the cloudless sky and the Mediterranean Sea. Recommended by Laura Broomhead.

29. Ride the ferry boat

A picturesque little ferry boat sets sail from Marseille’s town hall several times a day, going from one side of the Old Port to the other. The ferry, which was originally steam driven, has now been replaced with a more eco-friendly version equipped with a solar propeller, so you can ride the waves without a heavy conscience. Recommended by Laura Broomhead.

30. Saint-Ferréol les Augustins

This Roman Catholic church is situated on the Quai des Belges at the eastern end of the Old Port of Marseille. The history of the church goes back to when the site was owned by the Knights Templar in the 12th century. The building has been added to and altered ever since, with the addition of the Italian-style bell tower and the neo-baroque facade. The mish-mash of styles and influences, in fact, works to great effect and this is a stunning addition to the already beautiful Old Port. Recommended by Laura Broomhead.

31. Saint Victor’s Abbey

This Roman Catholic church, founded in the fifth century by Christian monk and theologian Jean Cassien, is estimated to be one of the oldest places of worship in France. The church has many interesting archeological and architectural elements, but the highlight is probably the view from the towers onto the port below. Recommended by Laura Broomhead.

32. La Maison Diamantée

Located just behind the town hall, on Rue de la Prison, you will discover La Maison Diamantée, a beautiful 16th-century civilian palace with a facade featuring diamond facets. Redolent of the disappeared ancient city and patrician houses that were dedicated to the sea and trading, this architectural marvel served as the headquarters of the organizing association of Marseille’s Capital of Culture honor in 2013. Since 1925, its stairs and facade have been the subject of a classification as historical monuments, which makes it a veritable must-see in Marseille. Recommended by Andreea Pavaloiu.

33. La Vieille Charité

Undoubtedly, the crown jewel of Le Panier is the Vieille Charité. Designed by the Marseille-born architect Pierre Paul Puget and built between 1671 and 1749, the building was originally intended to house the poor of the city, but eventually served as prison for the growing number of homeless people and beggars of Marseille in the mid 18th century. Today, Marseille’s architectural gem hosts a cultural centre, research units, museums and art galleries. But its ground floor hosts the most intriguing show yet: Être femme à l’époque grecque – just one of the many touring exhibition that grace the rooms here. Recommended by Andreea Pavaloiu.

34. Le Petit Nice

Restaurant, French

The Best Day Trips to Take From Marseille

35. avignon & pont du gard.

Archaeological site, Building, Monastery, Architectural Landmark, Historical Landmark

36. Sénanque Abbey

Building, Monastery

37. Fontaine de Vaucluse

The town of Fontaine de Vaucluse is a perfect choice if you want to walk around a picturesque Provençal town and maybe do some kayaking. The source of the river Sorgue is a gentle walk along the river upstream of the town and there are some riverside restaurants to watch the kayakers if you don’t want to go in yourself. There are a number of kayak businesses downstream from where you can take a gentle and leisurely ride, stopping for a swim whenever you want. The train to Fontaine de Vaucluse takes just over 1.5 hours.

38. St Tropez

If you don’t want to stay in St Tropez, a day trip is just enough time to soak up the ambient glamour of this chic little village. Wander the cobbled streets of the old fishing district, La Ponche , try some local cake, the Tarte Tropézienne , and watch the mega yachts from a bar at the port . It’s rather complicated to get to without a car, but it can be done by taking a train to Sainte-Raphael, then a bus to Sainte-Maxime, then a ferry to St Tropez. The journey would probably take about 3.5 hours, compared to 2 hours in the car.

Arles is most well known for being home to Van Gogh and you can still see the famous settings and his work in the Van Gogh Foundation. It also has a Roman amphitheatre where you can see concerts and bullfights . Arles is 50 minutes from Marseille on the train and probably an hour by car.

Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark

Cassis is a small fishing village on the coast between Marseille and St Tropez. It’s a good day trip because it has a great beach (with beachside restaurants), upmarket artsy fashion and souvenir shops, and a cute harbour where you can sometimes see water jousting or just have a good meal. The train takes about 30 minutes but you will need to wait for a bus down into the village (which might add another hour onto your trip). Take your bikes on the train if you don’t mind the journey back uphill or catch a taxi. If you drive, parking is always difficult unless you arrive early, so it might be best to use the park-and-ride schemes on the hill overlooking town.

Nice is a big city so a day trip won’t do it justice, but it will give you an idea of why people love it so much. There’s so much to do here ( other than the beaches ) but if you only have a day, it’s best to check out the Roman remains of Cimiez , wander the iconic Promenade des Anglais and see some of Matisse’s artwork. He lived in the city for most of his life. Read our checklist of unmissable Nice attractions. Nice is just over 2 hours in the car and there are also fast trains.

42. Gorges du Verdon and Moustièrs-Saint-Marie

The hilltop village of Éze (featured image) has been the backdrop for lots of films. It’s about 3 hours by car from Marseille so it would probably be best to share the driving with someone else or car share. The road from Nice to Éze winds its way along the coastline in a precarious fashion ( so it’s often in movie car chases ) before it dips down into Monte Carlo.

44. Les Goudes

Goudes is a little fishing village that locals call “the end of the world”. It’s the last place you reach along the coast before you get to the Calanques and a great place to hike, swim (if you can brave the rocks) or just contemplate life.

45. Iles de Frioul

If you take the ferry a little further out from Château d’If, you reach the island of Frioul. It doesn’t have many residents, and is mostly a nature reserve and a great place to swim and have lunch. Take proper footwear and lots of water.

46. Côte Bleu

Everyone heads out of Marseille along the Còte D’Azur to discover the French Riviera or into the Luberon to see inland Provence. But the Côte Bleu is in the other direction (west from Marseille, towards the Camargues) and an absolute gem. Take the train that winds high up around the coastal cliffs and stop at any one of the lovely small seaside villages.

47. Ensuès-la-Redonne

Just a few minutes outside of Marseille on the Côte Bleu, you’ll find the little port of Ensuès-la-Redonne. There isn’t a big beach but it’s picture perfect (rocky, not sandy) with a waterside restaurant or two. They hold a lot of seafood and fish festivals here that are packed full of locals trying the first catch of the season.

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18 Top Attractions & Things to do in Marseille

By Alex Schultz · Last updated on April 3, 2024

Although it serves as a gateway to the glitzy French Riviera, the multicultural Marseille has long had a reputation for being a bit of a gritty port city. With a vibrant energy and an authentic feel, the The second-largest city in France is definitely fascinating to explore.

Marseille was founded in 600 BC alongside the Mediterranean Sea. Due to its importance as a trading hub, the city has long acted as a bridge between Europe and North Africa. As such, a diverse array of cultures and cuisines can be found in the area around its Old Port and in Le Panier – its colorful historic center.

Aside from getting lost amidst their mess of narrow streets, Marseille has impressive forts, churches and other tourist attractions to check out. Other things to do in Marseille include kayaking along the idyllic Cote d’Azur or taking a boat trip to the Château d’If – the famous setting of Alexandre Dumas’ novel The Count of Monte Cristo.

Map of Tourist Attractions in Marseille

18. Palais du Pharo

Now a very grand conference center, the picturesque Palais du Pharo was originally built in 1858 for Napoleon III. Set in a scenic spot overlooking the entrance to the Old Port, its gardens offer up some absolutely stunning views of all the beautiful boats, buildings and busy marinas below.

Erected atop the prominent Pharo hill at the request of the last French emperor, the elegant ‘imperial residence’ showcases some exquisite architecture. Although larger and more luxurious than the Villa Eugenie in Biarritz after which it is modeled, the palace was never actually inhabited by Napoleon III and Eugenie. This is because the empire fell before the building was finally completed.

From the sprawling, well-kept lawn of Parc Emilie Duclaux alongside it, you can snap some pics of its facade and enjoy sweeping panoramas over the port. Sunsets are particularly memorable here as all the day’s fading rays paint the sea a mesmerizing mix of warm colors.

17. Parc Borely

Renowned for its remarkable gardens, the pretty and peaceful Parc Borély lies just half an hour’s bus journey down the coast from the center. A treat to stroll around slowly, the sizeable estate is home to lovely fountains, lakes and a charming old chateau.

Created back in the seventeenth century by the successful French ship owner and merchant Joseph Borely, its formal gardens now cover a huge area. While some are laid out ‘a la Francaise’, other parts are English in design or connect to its seaside promenade and horse race track. Expertly maintained, their flowerbeds, lawns and leafy paths are decorated with stupendous statues and water features.

Aside from ambling about, you can admire its gorgeous eighteenth-century country home and replica of Notre-Dame de la Garde. The former also now houses a decorative arts and fashion museum with the park’s lakefront cafe being a great spot to relax and enjoy a drink.

16. Musée d'Histoire de Marseille

For those interested in learning more about the seaport’s rich history, heritage and culture, the Musée d’Histoire de Marseille is an absolute must. Packed with enthralling artifacts and exhibits, it shines a light on more than 2,600 years of the city’s past.

First unveiled to the public back in 1983, it occupies a large part of the Centre Bourse shopping mall, not far from the Old Port. Taking you from the Greeks, Gauls and Romans right up to the present day, its well-done galleries display an impressive collection of archaeological findings.

Besides examining the remains of ancient shipwrecks, visitors can see intricately crafted ceramics, mosaics and jewellery pieces that date back millennia. Countless maps and models help explain just how the Mediterranean city grew and developed. Outside, you can even wander around the incredible ruins of an Ancient Greek port.

15. Abbaye Saint Victor

Another hugely interesting historic sight to hit up is the enormous Abbaye Saint Victor that overlooks the Old Port. Very castle-like in appearance, its imposing ramparts, eerie crypts and atmospheric-old basilica are fascinating to explore.

Named after the local soldier, saint and martyr Victor of Marseilles, the fortified abbey was founded in the fifth century by the Christian theologian John Cassian. While most of it was eventually rebuilt, its worn, weathered basilica with its simple, sombre, almost empty interior still stands. An excellent example of early Christian architecture, it was stripped of all its priceless treasures in 1794 when the abbey was dissolved by the pope.

Down in its crypt, however, there are some centuries-old sarcophagi to inspect with numerous saints once having been buried here. After venturing below ground, head up to its humongous walls for fine views over the port.

14. Cite Radieuse Le Corbusier

Just inland from Parc Borely is yet more amazing architecture to see. This time radically modern, the ‘Cite Radieuse’ was designed by the revered French-Swiss architect Le Corbusier. On top of snapping some photos of its vast facade, organized tours show you more of its innovative design features.

Part of his Unite d’Habitation project to provide people with spacious, sociable, high-quality housing after the war, the ginormous concrete high-rise was completed between 1947 and 1952. Enormously influential, the massive twelve-story building with its hundreds of apartments inspired the Brutalist style of architecture.

On tours, you’ll hear about the history and principles behind its unique, imaginative design and even get to enter one of the original 1950s-style flats. From its wide-open rooftop terrace, you can bask in breathtaking views over the striking structure’s surroundings.

13. Vallon des Auffes

In complete contrast to Le Corbusier’s modern masterpiece, the tiny fishing port of Vallon des Auffes feels stuck in time. Lying just south of the center along the corniche, its charming boat-filled harbor and colourful sea captains’ cabins are as picture-perfect as they come.

Tucked away in between Catalans Beach and Malmousque Bay, its small cove is almost surrounded on all sides by a jumble of buildings cascading their way down to the water. Still very traditional, the quiet fishing community has a couple of great seafood restaurants and bars to try out.

A photographer’s dream, the harbor, its boats and buildings look particularly spectacular at sunset when a soft glow illuminates everything. The three semicircular arches of the tall nineteenth-century bridge crossing over it also creates some fantastic photo opportunities.

12. Day trip to Aix-en-Provence

With its relaxed pace of life and lovely Old Town, the elegant Aix-en-Provence makes for a wonderful day trip from Marseille. Very different from the port city, its tree-lined streets are bordered by stately Baroque buildings with hundreds of fountains decorating all its pretty public squares.

As the Counts of Provence once lived here, its center is full of fabulous old buildings and aristocratic palaces. Vieil Aix is also home to the city’s attractive Italian-style town hall and soaring Saint-Savior Cathedral. Ambling along Cours Mirabeau is also a must as the graceful avenue is fringed by outdoor cafes and upmarket boutiques. You’ll find some of its finest fountains here, all adorned with sublime statues and shooting jets of water.

Also famed for being the birthplace of Paul Cezanne, the city, its bucolic countryside and lavender fields have been depicted countless times by the country’s painters. Despite lying only a half-an-hour train journey away, the quiet country town feels a world away from the vibrant port.

11. Walk La Corniche

A delightful way to see more of the city is to walk along the long Corniche that snakes its way down the coast from the Old Port. Besides enjoying the refreshing sea breeze and scenery, there are also pristine beaches, parks and viewpoints to stop off at.

Actually named after the US President John Kennedy, the five-kilometer-long road stretches from the Palais du Pharo right the way to the Plages du Prado in the south. Originally just a small coastal path, its scenic balcony has broadened considerably since opening back in 1863.

Overlooking the Mediterranean and its islands, it takes you by famous restaurants, luxury hotels and some impressive nineteenth-century mansions. The Corniche also bizarrely has the longest bench in the world for you to sit on which extends a considerable three kilometers in length!

10. Vieille Charite

Now home to outstanding art and archaeology museums and a cultural center, Vieille Charité initially started out life as an almshouse. Also exhibiting some brilliant Baroque architecture, its complex can be found right in the center of the Old Town.

Actually located at the highest point in Le Panier, its chapel, courtyard and all the arcaded galleries of its hospice were built between 1671 and 1749. After housing the poor, it later served as a barracks for the French Foreign Legion.

Restored in the seventies, its chapel with its grand portico, dome and Corinthian columns makes for a very fine sight as do the three floors of fetching arcades all around it. In addition to seeing oriental and classical antiquities in its archaeology museum, artifacts and artworks from Africa, Amerindia and Oceania are displayed in its other museum.

9. Palais Longchamp

Definitely one of the city’s most beautiful buildings, the majestic Palais Longchamp lies not far from the train station by the long, landscaped park of the same name. Now home to both Marseille’s fine arts and natural history museums, it also boasts a phenomenal fountain backed by dramatic statues and colonnades.

After taking thirty years to build at an enormous expense, the opulent palace was finally inaugurated back in 1869. It was actually commissioned to celebrate the construction of the Canal de Marseille. A major engineering achievement, the eighty-kilometer-long canal is still one of the main sources of water for the city.

Its huge sparkling waterfalls and basins perfectly highlight this as the astounding statue of a woman representing the Durance River stands at the center of its stone grotto. Already an epic view and photo opt during the day, at night it is magically lit up. After checking out its museums, take time to stroll about all the paths and pavilions behind the palace.

Not to be missed, the MuCEM provides a fascinating look at the history and culture of European and Mediterranean civilizations. Occupying a marvelous modern building alongside the sea, its galleries are packed with all kinds of interesting artifacts and exhibits.

Built right by Fort Saint-Jean on land reclaimed from the sea, the cutting-edge museum was unveiled in 2013 when Marseille was designated the European Capital of Culture. Along with the vast fortress alongside it, they represent the old and new faces of the seaside city.

Although it could be a bit better organized within, all its paintings, photos and installations still cover a lot of topics. Its incredible architecture, setting and views also make the Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe well worth visiting.

7. Cathedrale de la Major

Just a short walk north of the museum is yet another of Marseille’s many architectural masterpieces: the colossal Cathedrale de la Major. Also overlooking the harbor, it is famous for its ornate interior, clad in marble, mosaics and murals.

Since the fifth century, a cathedral has stood here with the current Neo-Byzantine one only dating to the nineteenth century. Made out of red-and-white, striped stone, its long nave is fronted by two tall bell towers with a humongous dome lying behind them.

Inside is arguably even more eye-catching as colourful mosaics and murals decorate its floors, walls and ceilings. After marveling at its sheer size, scale and stunning artwork, you can always stop for a quick break in the lively plaza at its foot before continuing on with your sightseeing.

6. Le Panier

Right by the cathedral is the oldest and most atmospheric part of Marseille to explore. Known as Le Panier, its narrow, hilly streets are lots of fun to get lost in with its pastel-painted buildings now home to cool art galleries and cafes, restaurants, boutiques and bars.

First settled by the ancient Greeks around 600 BC, its warren of houses have long been home to the city’s working class. Although now quite gentrified, the vibrant neighborhood still somehow retains some of its traditional character and multicultural flair.

Aside from La Major and MuCEM, the trendy area has the Hotel de Ville and Vieille Charite to check out. Also bordering its steep staircases and streets are tons of little local restaurants and bars to try serving up tasty dishes from all around the Mediterranean.

5. Fort Saint-Jean

Another of its main attractions is the formidable Fort Saint-Jean which watches over the entrance to the Old Port. Connected to both the historic center and MuCEM by lofty footbridges, its sturdy walls and tower boast some of the town’s best views over the city and sea.

Originally occupied by the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John (from which it derives its name), the fort and Saint-Nicholas on the other side were built in 1660 upon the orders of Louis XIV. It later housed political prisoners during the French Revolution and was a barracks for the French Foreign Legion. In WWII it was occupied by the German military with much of it sadly destroyed after a munitions depot exploded

Now part of MuCEM, its old fortifications, vaulted rooms and verdant gardens are all lovely to amble around. After taking in its astonishing panoramas, carry on to the Old Port to see its sleek yachts and fishing boats from up close.

4. Old Port of Marseille

Humming with energy at any time of day, the Old Port is where life in the city started out, over 2,500 years ago. Long an important center for maritime trade in the Mediterranean, it now mostly attracts tourists, who come to walk by the water, see the boats and try its sumptuous seafood.

In its heyday, over 18,000 ships passed through the port each year, dropping off freight and taking on passengers. Much of it was unfortunately destroyed though during WWII when the Nazis dynamited its quays, bridges, cranes and sheds. You can however still see its two forts, Abbaye Saint Victor and Palais du Pharo overlooking its mast-filled marinas.

As well as strolling along enjoying its views and atmosphere, there are loads of excellent restaurants and bars to try out. You can also peruse the bustling Quai des Belges fish market or hop on ferries to both the Calanques and Château d’If.

3. Chateau d'If

Impossible to miss out, the Château d’If is famously one of the settings in Alexandre Dumas’ exciting novel The Count of Monte Cristo. Occupying almost all the small isle of the same name, the imposing fortress is one of the most popular places to visit in Marseille.

Due to its strategic setting at the entrance to the Old Port, the island was heavily fortified to protect the city from invaders. In 1524, the stocky, square castle was erected with its bleak prison cells later housing political and religious prisoners. The chateau’s isolated location and the dangerous currents around it made it one of the most feared jails in France.

As you approach on the ferry, you can snap some great photos of the bright white fort and brilliantly blue waters surrounding it. Dotted about are informative plaques that teach you more about its past.

2. Notre Dame de la Garde

Already visible from the isle is the ginormous basilica and glinting golden statue of Notre Dame de la Garde, far off in the distance. Perched atop the city’s highest hill, the lavish church is a must-visit for its exquisite architecture, artworks and astounding views over Marseille.

Known to locals as la Bonne Mere or ‘the Good Mother’, the beautiful Byzantine Revival-style basilica has benevolently watched over the port city’s sailors, fishermen and citizens since 1853. Up until that point, the church’s rocky outcrop had instead served as a fort and lookout point.

Atop its 41 meter-high bell tower is a monumental gold statue of the Madonna and Child. After ogling up at it, head inside to admire all the magnificent mosaics that decorate its chapels and cupolas. The city’s standout symbol and sight, Notre Dame’s glittering religious treasures and gorgeous views are the highlight of many people’s time in town.

1. Les Calanques

Just outside of Marseille though is an even more awe-inspiring place that you just have to visit if you can. Known as Les Calanques, the spectacular series of miniature fjords are absolutely incredible to kayak or cruise about thanks to their startling colors and spellbinding scenery.

Now protected as a national park, the steep-walled, white cliffs rear up dramatically above the bright blue waters below. Besides boating about and taking kayak trips, you can also hike and climb around its craggy rock formations. Some areas also have small beaches where you can swim in the alluring turquoise waters of the inlets.

One of the most picturesque parts of the French Riviera, their large, limestone valleys lie just south of town on the way to Cassis. With so many fun outdoor activities to try here, Les Calanques are by far the most memorable and magical day trip you can take from Marseille.

Where to Stay in Marseille

Many of Marseille’s accommodation options are clustered around the Old Port and Le Panier districts alongside. Both are close to most of the main tourist attractions in Marseille with the train station also lying nearby for trips along the coast or inland to Aix-en-Provence.

Actually overlooking the port is the outstanding New Hotel Le Quai . Besides its unbeatable location, the boutique hotel has tastefully decorated rooms and public spaces for guests to enjoy. Some of its suites come with private terraces that have delightful views over the boat-filled marinas below. The four-star stay also serves continental-style breakfast buffets in its elegant dining room.

Just a block away is the Hôtel Carré Vieux Port – another excellent option if you want to be near all of the action. Very laidback, the three-star family-run hotel has stylish, modern rooms for guests to stay in. While they don’t have views of the port, its friendly, welcoming staff more than makeup for it.

How to get There

Very well connected to the rest of the country, the city is served by Marseille-Provence International Airport. Daily flights arrive here from all around Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. From all its terminals, trains, buses and taxis can whisk you to the center in no time at all.

High-speed trains also take just three hours to reach Marseille from Paris with Lyon , Montpellier and Nice located even closer by. Its train network can also transport you as far as Brussels, Frankfurt and Geneva if need be. Long-distance buses and ferries from Sardinia and Corsica also arrive at the busy port city.

Approximate travel times:

• Aix-en-Provence – 30 minutes by car, 20 minutes by train
• Avignon – 1.5 hours by car, 1 hour 30 minutes by train
• Nice – 2 hours by car, 2 hours 30 minutes by train
• Arles – 1 hour by car, 1 hour by train
• Montpellier – 1.5 hours by car, 1 hour 30 minutes by train
• Toulouse – 3.5 hours by car, 3 hours by train
• Paris – 8 hours by car, 3 hours by train

Best Time to Visit Marseille

As Marseille acts as a gateway to the south of France, it sees vast numbers of tourists visit each summer. This means the city gets very packed and expensive in June, July and August. At this time, temperatures reach 25 to 28°C (77-82°F), perfect for lounging on the beach or swimming in the sea and enjoying some watersports.

While this does sound hot, its winds known as le mistral help cool things down a bit. During July, the hugely important Bastille Day is also held with countless other fun cultural events and festivals taking place in summer.

If you want to avoid the crowds and high prices, either April and May or September and October are your best bet. Average temperatures of 17 to 24°C (62 to 75°F) are ideal for sightseeing, and swimming is also possible in autumn if you don’t mind the cooler water.

Although Marseille receives the most sunlight of any French city, winter still sees a big drop in tourist numbers due to the colder weather. While you can find some tempting deals, you won’t really be able to make the most of southern France or enjoy all the vivid colours of Les Calanques. Its colourful Christmas market is good fun though with life starting up again in town around spring.

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23 Best Things To Do In Marseille, France

By: Author Christine Rogador

Posted on Published: January 19, 2020  - Last updated: December 28, 2023

Marseille is the oldest city in France, founded in 600 B.C. It is also the second-largest city after Paris and was named the European City of Culture . Over the years, this old port city has become a great city break destination. Its sunny weather and laid back vibe mix well with its diverse cultures.

Check out unique neighborhoods, admire the eclectic architecture, or sample some interesting local food . It is bound to be a memorable getaway, and here are some of the best things to do in Marseille, France.

Things you'll find in this article

1. Vieux Port

2. palais longchamp, opening hours:, admission fee:, contact information:, 5. le panier neighborhood, 6. les calanques, 8. visit le corbusier, 10. see how the savon de marseille is made, 11. try marseille’s fish soup, 12. visit a pastis factory in marseille, 13. enjoy the sunset with a local aperitif, 14. discover saint victor abbey, 15. go to le vallon des auffes, 16. watch a football game at the orange velodrome stadium, 17. calanque de sugiton, 18. learn the past at the history museum of marseille, 19. visit the old charity (vieille charité), 20. make your way to la friche la belle de mai, 21. go on a shopping spree at the capuchin market, noailles, 22. pay respect at saint vincent de paul church, 23. explore the motorcycle museum, hostel vertigo vieux-port, intercontinental marseille – hotel dieu, pack appropriately, think about buying the marseille city pass, keep a close eye on your money, beware of tourist traps, travel tips and resources.

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Hanging out at the Vieux Port (Old Harbor) is easily the best way to start your visit. Vibrant and eclectic, this is among the top points of interest in Marseille. Vieux Port is the ideal starting point when going to the city’s other attractions.

There’s plenty of things to see and do here as well. It’s a lovely place for taking photos, offers a variety of choices if you want to try fresh seafood or simply watch the boats. You can also ride the Ferris wheel here for amazing views of the city.

This is also one of the best places in Marseille to watch the sunset, so stick around until the evening.

The area surrounding Palais Longchamp is among the few green spaces in Marseille. That alone is a reason to visit if you fancy a leisurely stroll.

The stunning palace, meanwhile, is home to the oldest museum in the city – the ‪Musée des Beaux-Arts‬.

Here, you’ll find an impressive collection of Italian and Provençal artists. These works of art from the 17th century to the present day. The Palais Longchamp is the best place to visit in Marseille for a glimpse of its history through its art.

3. Notre Dame de la Garde

The Notre Dame de la Garde is one of the most famous landmarks and one of Marseille’s attractions. Being here offers some of the best views of the city, with its location on top of a hill.

A definite must-visit, Notre Dame de la Garde is known for its intricate mosaic interiors.

This church is free and open to the public for visits, but going up here on foot can be quite strenuous. Take the bus instead, which will take you right to the church door.

Daily 7 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Address: Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica Rue Fort du Sanctuaire 13006 Marseille

Phone:+33 (0) 4 91 13 40 80

Email: [email protected]

4. Musee des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Mediterranee

This is one of the best places to see in Marseille if you want to know more about Mediterranean civilizations and history.

The museum is also called MuCEM and features an eclectic collection and exhibitions. The displays showcase a variety of topics such as gardens , gods, spices and travel.

Spanning three buildings, MuCEM also conducts film screenings and lectures for visitors to better understand the Mediterranean culture.

The Mucem is open every day except Tuesday. Exceptional closing on May 1 and December 25

August – November 3, 2019 From 11: am – 7:00 pm

November 4- April 27, 2020 From 11 am- 6 pm

April 28- July 3, 2020 From – 11 am- 7pm

July 4- August 31, 2020 8 am- 8 pm

Permanent and temporary exhibitions A single ticket to access all the exhibitions.

Full price 9.5 € Reduced price of 5 € Family ticket € 14 (valid for a maximum of 5 children accompanied by 2 adults) Adults who are not accompanied by minors will not be able to access the rooms with a family ticket.

Address: Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations 7 promenade Robert Laffont esplanade du J4) 13002 Marseille

Phone: 04 84 35 13 13

Email:[email protected]

Easily reached from Vieux Port, the Le Panier neighborhood is still part of Marseille’s old town.

This area’s history dates back to 600 B.C., with Greeks as its first settlers. It is located on the side of a hill, Le Panier is a colorful and diverse neighborhood.

An early morning or evening walk here is one of the best activities to do in Marseille if you want to experience a bit of the local life.

If you want to get away from Marseille’s touristy center, hop on a boat and visit the Calanques.

This is a lovely and peaceful stretch of coast that’s a must when in Marseille. Here, you can take in the cool sea breeze, enjoy the beach views , or walk along the shore.

You may also bike around to explore the landscape. You may also rent a canoe or kayak and visit the cliffs. Calanques is one of the best day trips from Marseille.

7. Cathédrale de la Major

The Cathédrale de la Major is one of the most important buildings in Marseille. Looking at the church with its domed towers and the use of limestone, one will be reminded of the Duomo in Florence.

The Cathédrale de la Major has completely different interiors though, and definitely worth a visit.

Easily one of the best attractions in Marseille, you cannot miss this green and white structure with imposing towers.

Daily 10:00 am

Closure of the Cathedral:

from October 1 to March 31 at 5:30 p.m.

from April 1 to September 30 at 6.30 p.m.

Address: Place de la major 13002 Marseille

Phone: 04 91 90 52 87

A unique thing to do in Marseille is a visit to the impressive Le Corbusier. This is a residential complex that was built in 1952 and said to have redefined urban living.

This UNESCO World Heritage site can only be visited via guided tour. Make sure to check out the details of Le Corbusier’s hall, internal street, roof terrace and one of the apartments.

Other places that you must visit in Le Corbusier are the restaurant and hotel.

9. See the Château d’If

Another of the most interesting places to visit in Marseille is Chateau d’If. This fortress was intended as a strategic guarding post, then served as a state prison for almost 300 years.

The chateau became popular because it was referenced in Alexandre Dumas’ novel, “The Count of Monte Cristo.”

From the chateau, you also get to enjoy scenic views of Marseille. The interiors of the palace are also quite fascinating so be sure to sign up for a guided tour.

From January 2 to April 1 Open every day except Monday 10.00-5.00 pm

From April  2 to September 30 Open daily 10.00-6.00 pm

From October 2 to December 31 Open every day except Monday 10.00-5.00pm

Individual € 6 Group Rates from 20 people

€ 5 School Group Rates Important! Change of rates from September 1, 2020 – inquire at the site

Free- Under 18 (with family and outside school groups), 18-25 years old (nationals of European Union countries and regular non-European residents on French territory)  Disabled person and their companion, Jobseeker, Education Pass

Address:8, rue Glandeves 13001 Marseille

Phone:+ 33 06 03 06 25 26

Learning more about an age-old industry is one of the best things to do in Marseille. Visit factories and see how the famous Savon de Marseille is made, through an ancient Syrian technique using laurel and olive oil.

This soap is perhaps the most famous product of Marseille, and a great souvenir to bring home, too. There are various shops and factories to visit, such as Marseille are Fer à Cheval, SavvonnerieMarseillaise De La Licorne, and Savvonnerie Le Serail.

You may also check out the museum at Savonnerie Marius Fabres.

Being a port city and a part of the Provençal region, a must-try when in Marseille is the bouillabaisse. Essentially a signature dish in the region, you simply must sample this while in Marseille.

Bouillabaisse is basically fish soup using at least four types of fresh fish. The broth is served separately, along with rouille sauce and croutons. Try this interesting dish in places like Miramar’s and Chez Fonfon’s, said to serve the best bouillabaisse in Marseille.

For a unique twist, check out the original bouillabaisse burger at L’Aromat.

How about a drink that’s uniquely Marseille, while watching how that drink is made?

A visit to a pastis factory is easily one of the best things to do in Marseille on weekends.

You get to relax while sampling the aniseed drink which is one of the popular French drinks , while leisurely touring its factory and bottling plant. Sipping pastis is one of the most popular activities in Marseille, so this activity is quite an experience.

Apart from the tour and pastis samples,  visit one of the few remaining factories like Cristal Limiñana also comes with a bit of local history.

When in Marseille, you simply just don’t end a day until it’s well past the sunset. With views of the Mediterranean and its varied landscape, this old port city is also known for its idyllic sunsets.

Definitely one of the best things to do in Marseille in the evening is to literally watch the sun go down, with an aperitif. This happens to be a popular activity here, and for visitors, a great way to experience local life.

Check out bars and pubs at the old port, most of them with great views of the city and a diverse selection of drinks.

Saint-Victor Abbey remains one of those must-see attractions that should not be overlooked when visiting the city. St Victor Abbey is a religious, cultural, and symbolic structure that is a remnant of Marseille’s past.

It is a gem of the early Christian era as well as Romanesque architecture, and it is listed in the registry of historical monuments. It is considered to be one of the most magnificent cathedrals in Marseille and a special location to pray.

From an architectural standpoint, two types of art are utilized. The center nave has Romanesque art, while the corridors, transept, and choir include Gothic art. The sight of the port from the location is spectacular and alone is worth the journey.

The Vallon des Auffes gets its name from auffe, a plant used to make ship ropes and fishing nets. The little harbor features dozens of modest traditional and colorful fishermen’s huts, as well as their boats, some of which are pointed, traditional Provençal boats that add appeal to the area.

There is no beachfront at the Vallon des Auffes, yet there is an unforgettable environment. To swim, proceed under the arches and head toward the Vallon swimming pool, a favorite area for families.

I recommend going early in the morning to appreciate the peace. Climb the rocks for a tranquil spot where the water is deeper if you’re feeling brave.

The Orange Velodrome serves as one of Marseille’s icons. During football matches at the stadium, the city frequently gets carried away.

If you’d like to discover the local stories that helped shape this city, I recommend visiting the stadium where many football legends have played. However, this fabled location is also rich in history, having been in the core of the Phocaean metropolis for almost 70 years.

The Stadium is available to the public throughout the year. You may take a self-guided tour of the changing rooms, pitch sides, and many other private locations.

Testimonies and images will enchant you as they depict the glory years of the Orange Velodrome Stadium and the Olympique de Marseille.

There are two streams in the Calanque de Sugiton, each having a little shingle beach. There is an island located in front of the Calanque named Le Torpilleur because it resembles a torpedo boat.

There are also flat rocks and a beach below the cliffs. Naturists used to visit there, but it has since been banned due to a tragedy in 2005. Sugiton has a stunning environment, with cliffs.

It is reachable by a walkway that begins on the Marseille University campus. Except for the summer, the path is open all year.

Remember to bring bottles of water that may be loaded at the parking lot station before beginning your journey in the Calanques National Park. Because the road might be a little rough at times, it is best to wear decent shoes rather than flip-flops.

When you get to Sugiton, you may marvel at the turquoise ocean and untamed environment provided by the two little coves. You may relax on their pebble beaches, which offer an excellent view of the Ilot du Torpilleur, an island approximately ten meters from the coast.

The History Museum of Marseille exhibits unusual and previously unknown collections, recounting 26 centuries of the city’s history via various ordinary artifacts, ‘beaux-arts’ sculptures, and archeological remnants.

The history museum, positioned just a few steps away from the ancient port, where Marseille was established by the Phoceans, includes not only the site of the antique port but additionally a place for temporary expositions, which is a research center, as well as an auditorium.

The museum included several multimedia instruments to allow visitors to descend into the depths of the seafront city’s past to explore these 26 centuries of history.

The Vieille Charite, a famous site in ancient Marseille, is conveniently located in the heart of the ancient city center, Le Panier. The museum lies on rue de la Charite, near the Cathedral of the Major.

The complex also includes four museums, which are essential for a town as rich in history as this one. However, at the time, it was utilized to house the Phocaean city’s beggars.

This Marseille landmark is now a multi-purpose hub hosting several cultural buildings. The tranquility and brilliant beauty of the location make it a distinctive destination in Marseille in many respects.

La Friche sprang from the ashes of the Seita tobacco plant in Marseille and is now a center for creativity and innovation.

La Friche la Belle de Mai is a complex public place with about 400,000 visitors each year that includes a sports area, café, performance venues, gardens, a bookshop, and a training facility.

Every type of artistic expression, every trend, and individuals of all ages may be found here. Exploration, debate, and the unexpected may be found on every street corner in this section of town.

The most affordable food market in the town’s center, inaugurated in 1956, symbolizes the crossbreeding that developed Marseille.

The Queen Mother personally came to Marseilles to lay the foundation stone of the Capuchin a monastery, although the construction of the structures would take a long period due to a lack of funding.

It is home to traditional businesses like fishmongers, bakers, and the neighborhood’s wood-fired pizzas. There also exist flavors and other desserts and other beverages at discounted prices, as well as unsold products from major merchants or local businesses.

Saint Vincent de Paul Church, commonly known as L’Eglise des Reformes in Marseille, France. It is situated at the northern end of Marseille’s most renowned street, La Canebière.

The Chapel of the Augustinians Reformed used to exist on this place in the Phocaean city’s 1st district.

Each year, the Santonniers’ Mass is held there on Christ the King’s Sunday before the start of the Santons’ Fair. If you happen to be in Marseille at the time, I strongly recommend that you attend this characteristically Provencal celebration.

The Church is now one of Marseille’s most visited parishes, with approximately 1000 faithful attending important Catholic events. It is an ideal location for prayer in Marseille.

This instructive and entertaining museum dedicated to the art of speed has over 240 motorcycles ranging from 19th-century models to modern racing machines. The museum is housed in a rebuilt flour mill and contains four stories, each dedicated to a distinct period.

The Motorcycle Museum’s mission is to sustain social connections and to be a component of integration in a heavily urbanized setting. With this goal in mind, the admission price is voluntarily encouraging universal access.

Qualified individuals monitor pedagogical games and instructional activities supplied to organizations, social structures, and schools. A scooter or motorcycle driving simulator is offered for youth 14 and above, as well as adults.

Where to Stay in Marseille, France

Location: 38 Rue Fort Notre Dame, 13007 Marseille, France

Hostel Vertigo Vieux-Port is situated in the heart of Marseille, approximately 210 meters away from Vieux Port. A stairway leads to a quadruple bedroom or a bed in a hostel for guests. There is air conditioning. In public places, there is a free internet connection.

Breakfast is served daily at Hostel Vertigo Vieux-Port, and there is a common kitchen including a microwave and kettle. Guests may unwind on the outside terrace or in the lounge room, which is decorated in a Mediterranean style.

With a 24-hour reception, multilingual personnel of Hostel Vertigo Vieux-Port can provide tourist information. Local eateries and the Cantini Museum are also nearby.

Price per Night:

• $22 – $25
• Family rooms

Single Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room For 1 (1 night): $22 Price + $1 taxes and charges

Notable Inclusions:

• Inner courtyard view
• Air conditioning
• Private bathroom

Location: 1 Place Daviel, 13002 Marseille, France

The InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu is located in the historic neighborhood of Marseille, 360 meters from the Old Port. There is WiFi access available.

The hotel has approximately 190 rooms and suites, several with landmark vistas and private patios, and a contemporary, stylish design that complements its historical elements.

On-site, there are two gourmet restaurants. Le Capain Bar has a variety of drinks crafted by experts. A spa including saunas, sunbeds, a fitness center, and an indoor pool is available in the hotel’s relaxation zone. Hotel guests can use the spa for an additional fee.

• $280- $1,508
• Pets allowed
• 24-hour front desk

Prestige King Suite with Harbour View For 2 (1 night): $1,292 Price + $5 taxes and charges

• Private suite
• 115 m²
• Landmark view

Marseille Travel Tips

Needless to say, every time I travel, I am at an advantage of the weather. The spring weather made all of the walking more delightful. However, one thing to keep in mind with Marseille is that the weather may be unpredictable.

If you intend to visit the majority of the major attractions, get a Marseille City Pass via the Internet or at the tourist center.

The pass can be used for up to three days and includes a museum entrance, unrestricted public transportation, public bike sharing, and a guided city excursion.

It saves you time by allowing you to bypass ticket queues at famous destinations, especially during busy tourist seasons. In addition to free admission to attractions, city passes may provide discounts on activities, restaurants, and stores, allowing you to save even more money during your stay.

You’ll be shelling out euros in Marseille. Keep a watch on them since the city is still a vast brawling port where some individuals, at the very least, may have intentions for your money that don’t involve you.

Marseille is a well-known tourist destination. Pickpockets and fraudsters may target travelers, as in any tourist-heavy location. Being cautious with your money will help protect you against theft or fraudulent activity.

While Marseille, France, is a lovely and bustling city with a rich cultural past, it does have several tourist traps, as does every famous tourist destination.

Don’t fall for tourist traps that promise inexpensive bouillabaisse. Marseille’s trademark meal should cost at least 64.64 USD and no less than 107.74 USD per person.

Travel Insurance: I never leave home without travel insurance. My personal opinion is if you can afford to travel, you can afford to buy a travel insurance. All things can happen while on the road and you can never be too sure. And it's something that you'll be glad to have when you need it. For my preferred travel insurance, I use Safety Wing .

What To Wear: If you want some ideas on what to pack for France, check out this packing list guide for France .

Where To Stay: I personally use Booking.com for all my accommodations. Check out for their latest deals here .

Reading Resources: Check out our best reading resources here .

Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.

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14 Best Things to do in Marseille, France

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: February 9, 2024

Marseille is the second-largest city in France after Paris, the capital of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and the oldest city in the country.

Located on the Gulf de Lyon, which is part of the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille is the perfect blend of African and French culture. Known as the bridge between North Africa and Europe, Marseille is a city that will charm you with its beautiful blue waters and historic old town. There are so many things to do in Marseille that you can easily spend a few days in this seaside city.

Table of Contents

Top Things to do in Marseille

From its dazzling Old Port to the legendary Chateau d’If, Marseille this Mediterranean City should not be missed when visiting Southern France .

The majority of the cool things to do in Marseille are located in the Vieux port/Le Panier part of town. This natural harbor has been used for the last 2400 years and is the perfect place to start off your exploration of the city.

1. Old Harbour – Le Vieux Port 

Marseilles is one of our favorite cities in France.  Le Vieux Port of Marseilles is stunning and filled with the raw energy that you would expect from any lively port city. Surrounded by historic buildings and filled with fishing boats and leisure crafts, the port feels as if it has stood still in time. And it should, the Old Port of Marseille dates back to 600 BC!

The old fort stands proudly at the water’s edge and the cathedrals look down over the main square. Other than the slick bistros and cafes lining the boulevards, it looks as if it could be the setting for an old pirate movie . We could imagine what it was like back in the 17th Century when schooners would come into the Vieux port filled with sailors. And it feels like it hasn’t changed a bit.

When visiting the Old Port, we suggest grabbing a spot at an outdoor patio with a glass of sparkling wine accompanied by fresh mussels to take in the energy and atmosphere.

When visiting Marseille, we suggest getting a Marseille City Pass – The city pass is valid for 1-3 days and lets you hop on hop off to see all the top tourist attractions. With unlimited access to public transportation plus a tour on the Tourist train to Notre-Dame de la Garde or through the Old Marseille. You’ll have entry to MUCEM, and Regards de Provence Museum, plus crossing Frioul Island, or If Island with entrance to Chateau D’If. There are plenty of discounts, entry to municipal museums, and a guided city tour. See details here.

2. Le Panier

When visiting Europe, we always love getting lost in the old towns of its historic cities. And Marseille is no different. Le Panier, The Old Quarter dates back to 600 BC when the ancient Greeks settled in these parts. It is the oldest district in Marseille and was originally called Massala when it was founded and eventually morphed into its French name today. It has been the center of immigration to the city creating a multicultural flare filled with excitement.

The narrow cobblestone streets lined with colorful shuddered windows make for a lovely walk through the daily lives of the locals and the area is filled with restaurants and cafes.

This guided audio tour lets you experience Le Panier, the historic district of Marseille where you’ll visit Vieux Port, City Hall, Saint Nicolas, and Saint-Jean forts, and the Notre Dame “Bonne Mère” Basilica.

3. Fort Saint-Jean

Standing front and center of the Old Town is one of the most visited monuments in Marseille. Fort Saint-Jean is connected by a footbridge to MuCEM (Museum of the Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean). Fort Saint-Jean can’t be missed with its tall watchtower. Built by shipowners in the Middle Ages to fortify the area and defend Marseille from invaders.

3. MuCEM – Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean

It is fitting that this museum stands in one of Europe’s oldest cities. In 2013, Marseille was named a European Capital of Culture and The MuCEM – Musée des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée was opened as part of its inauguration. The modern structure is a sharp contrast to the historic architecture lining the waterfront. Built between land and sea, MuCEM, is located beside Fort Saint-Jean bringing life to the area.

While the museum is dedicated to the history of European civilization and Mediterranean Culture , it is the building itself that has caught the attention of tourists. It is the newest of Marseille’s tourist attractions and is quickly becoming the most popular thing to do in Marseille.

4. Chateau d’If

Marseille is the setting for this famous novel, The Count of Monte Cristo written by Alexander Dumas, but Chateau d’If is not a fictional location. It is very real and this island prison stands just off the coast of Marseille in the Mediterranean Sea. 

Originally built as a fortress, Chateau d’if was later used as a prison for political prisoners. Take the boat over to If Island (included in our CityPass) and then explore the cells of the famous political prisoners who suffered a dreary fate with no chance of escape.  

Surprisingly, the cells of Chateau d’If were quite large. The higher-ranking prisoners paid for better cells that were spacious and even had fireplaces. The poorer prisoners were condemned to the lower dungeons which were intolerable and we were not able to see.

If you have read The Count of Monte Cristo or are familiar with any of the movies, Chateau d’If must be added to your list. Poor Edmond Dantes was sent to the prison island of Chateau d’If where he spent 14 years suffering at the hands of his tormentors before escaping and taking his revenge. Get your copy on Kindle or Paperback here.

• €10 will get you a seat on the 20-minute ferry ride out to the island. You will have to pay another €5 once you arrive at Chateau d’If to see the sites. 
• Or if you have a City Pass, the entry and crossing are included.

4. Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde

Paris isn’t the only city with Notre Dame. Marseille city has its own Notre Dame, the Notre Dame de la Garde standing high on a hilltop keeping watch on its ships. This is a great place to head up for views of the city of Marseille and its port. Make sure to look up, a large Virgin Mary sits atop the bell tower keeping watch over the sailors.

Also known as La Bonne Mère, this viewpoint is not to be missed. The steep walk up 150 meters is worth it but if you don’t want to walk, you can catch the tourist train up to see the views and the giant gilded statue of the Virgin Mary. Arrive early to beat the rush of tourists as it is Marseille’s most famous attraction.

• This full-day sightseeing tour includes a visit to the basilica Notre Dame de la Garde plus many more attractions including, MuCEM and the Villa Méditerranée, Saint-Victor Abbey, and its 4th-century crypt, and much more.

5. Marseille Cathedral – Cathédrale de la Major

When visiting Europe, we always “find our religion” (well, at least we find an interest in seeing its monuments) Cathédrale de la Major is a beautiful monument on the waterfront dating back to the 19th century.

Like many of the buildings in Marseille, The Cathedral blends Romanesque and Byzantine styles. It is a massive cathedral spanning 141 meters (462 feet). Its dome towers reach a height of 16 meters (52 feet) This cathedral reminded us of the Duomo in Florence , but with a far more beautiful setting.

6. Parc National des Calanques

A good day trip from Marseille is Calanques National Park. It is the only national park in Europe that is located near urban areas and is both on land and sea. It is located directly beside Marseilles en route to Cassis.

Calanques National Park is a large park at 520 square km (201 square miles) and it most certainly looks like something from the Greek Islands . It was designated a national park in 2012 and has great hiking trails and areas for kayaking and exploring the limestone cliffs and quiet coves.

Take a boat ride to see the stunning coast and hidden fishing villages that line the shore. This Catamaran tour to Calanques National Park. This 5-hour tour goes along the Mediterranean Sea between La Madrague and the town of Cassis, via Les Goudes and Callelongue. It is a wonderful way to explore the coast.

9. History Museum – Musée d’Histoire de Marseille

With Marseille being the oldest city in France, it is only fitting to visit the History Museum. The Musée d’Histoire de Marseille houses 4000 exhibits and interactive attractions showcasing the 26-century history of the city. Entrance to the History Museum is included in your City Pass.

10. Palais Longchamp

Palais Longchamp is a monument that was built to celebrate the completion of a long canal, The Canal de Marseille that supplies the city with water from the Durance River. It is a large green space with interconnected parks. It houses the Museum of Fine Arts dating back to 1801 and it is also home to the Natural History Museum. Its two wings are connected by a beautiful large water fountain and waterfall.

11. Abbaye Saint-Victor

If you haven’t gotten enough of the history in Marseille, pay a visit to Abbaye Saint-Victor. Not only will you learn about the city’s religious history, but it is also an Abbey with a view. The Basilica and the crypts have beautiful views of the Old City. \

A great way to get around Marseille is to take a cycling tour . This 3.5-hour tour covers all the highlights of Marseille while taking in the fresh sea air. You’ll go through:

• The Panier Neighborhood (the oldest district of Marseille)
• The Major Cathedral
• The new MuCem Museum area
• The Old Port (the main place in Marseille)
• The Pharo (where you have a beautiful view of the Old Port)
• Malmousque Little Port
• The Vallon des Auffes
• The Kennedy Corniche
• Notre Dame de la Garde (the “bonne mère”)
• The Abbaye of Saint-Victor

12. Vieille Charité

Vieille Charité was once an old almshouse (a building to help the poor) and is now a museum and cultural center. It is a hip area with a Bohemian vibe containing three tiers of art galleries, street art, and boutiques. This is a great place to get a feel for the local culture, and to do some shopping a the art market. There are many bars and cafes and it’s perfect for people watching. Plus there are two important museums in the complex, the Museum of Art of Africa and the Museum of Archaeology.

13. Parc Borély

Marseilles was lovely and anyone going to the south of France should make it a stop on their list. It is filled with history, beautiful architecture, and parks. Parc Borély is considered one of the most remarkable gardens in France . It was constructed in the 17th century and is composed of three different gardens. An English Garden, a French garden, a horse racing track connected by a botanical garden.

How to get to Marseille

Marseille is located in the south of France and you can fly to the Marseille Provence Airport which is just 27 km away. There are flights daily from all cities in Europe. International flights to Marseille connect via London , Paris, and Dublin.

The train is one of the easiest ways to get to Marseille and there are daily trains from Paris . Marseille’s main station is the Gare de Marseille St Charles.

The main bus station in Marseille is Gare St Charle (St. Charles bus station) and arrives from all over Europe.

Where to Stay in Marseille

When traveling through Europe, we often stay at Ibis or Etap hotels when traveling on a Budget. Now that we are a bit older, we prefer to splurge on higher-end accommodation, but we still think these are two great hotel chains.

Vieux Port – The best area to stay in Marseille is the Old Port. It is centrally located and easy to see most of the top Marseille attractions. It can be quite noisy and busy though.

• Recommended Luxury Hotel – Intercontinental
• Recommended Budget – The Ibis Budget Hotel

Le Panier – The Old Town is another great option in the second arrondissement. Not far from the Old Port, there are several choices of accommodation. made up of three areas in Marseille and this is a good option for a quieter stay than the old port. Les Grands Carmes, Town Hall, and La Joliette.

• Recommended Luxury – Intercontinental Centre Vieux
• Recommended Budget – Ibis Centre Vieux

Train Station – This is a good option that is a more affordable area, but it is still easy to get around. We stayed at the Ibis Hotel and found it to be quite pleasant.

• Check out prices and availability on TripAdvisor

Getting Around Marseille

We had a car while visiting Marseille, but traffic was busy, so we parked it and mostly walked. But because we had a car rental so we were very mobile in Marseille and had the freedom to stay outside the city while traveling on a Budget.

If you don’t want to walk, a Marseille City Pass is a great option. It lets you Ride Marseille’s public transport for free. Passes can be bought for 24, 48 or 72 hour and cover:

• Free access to Marseille’s museums including – the Marine Museum, Natual History Museum, Fine Arts Museum, Palais Longchamp, and more.
• A Ride on the train to Notre-Dame de la Garde or le Panier old town
• Get tastings and discounts in certified boutiques.

Plan your Trip to France With These Resources

• French Food: 24 Traditional Dishes To Try in France or At Home
• 22 Beautiful Cities in France To Visit
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• Where To Stay In Paris – Best Neighborhoods and Hotels Updated
• 3 Days in Paris: The Best Paris Itinerary for Your First Visit

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20 thoughts on “14 Best Things to do in Marseille, France”

We just returned from a two week stay in Marseille, absolutely loved it. We rented an AirBNB near La Pointe Rouge right across the road from the beach, just south of Parc Borely (a great spot!). We had a wonderful experience, and it’s interesting how many people have expressed surprise at us choosing Marseille for two weeks. We did not once encounter a local who was not kind, gracious, helpful, courteous and friendly. We hired a wonderful driver and professional tour guide and explored Aix-en-Provence and Chateauneuf-des-Papes, with several private winery visits and tastings. We spent the whole day on a Catamaran in Calanques National Park. We attended an entire day market visit and cooking (and then eat what you cook!) class. We bused (line 19 took us everywhere we needed to go) up to the City Center, seeing Le Panier, Notre Dame, Old Port, Boulevard Longchamps, and our favorite but not mentioned in your article: Le Cours Julien (loads of street art, fun vibe, wonderful cafes, outdoor farmer’s market, indie shops). We had some great food, the seafood is second to none. Being on the beach was wonderful and was very enjoyable when we had some down time. This trip occurred during the sad aftermath of the 2023 police shooting in Nanterre, and we did not personally encounter any problems as a result of the nightly riots. Like anywhere, Marseille requires being smart about one’s surroundings, but being from Detroit this is normal way of life for us. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Marseille to anyone. The City itself has much to offer and the City was a great jumping off point for a southern France vacation.

Thank you D&D for your inspiring post! I am planning to spend 6 to 7 days in Marseille and Provence in the spring and would like to know are there any multi-day tours to book, offering sightseeing of several places in one trip. I don’t want to rent a car, but want to move around the area. Thanks for your answer.

I’m surprised nobody here mentionned the Calanques of Marseille. They are probably the beautiful part of the city, at only 10-15 minutes of downtown. They are a sort of mediterranean fjords completely wild, still very well preservered despite of tourism.

Look at theses http://www.google.com/images?q=calanques+marseille ! All visits in Marseille should include a day in the calanques !

Marseille is a very unique City in France… Glad to hear you liked it 😉

Hi! I am going on holiday to Marseille in 2 days, looking forward to it, even more after reading this blog! Henriette

These photos are very impressive. Thanks for sharing experiences from your Marseilles trip. .-= PA Injury Attorney´s last blog ..Congressional candidate in car accident =-.

Thanks! It is easy to be inspired with beautiful scenery.

We only made it as far south as Lyon… we heard the same rumors about Marseille and decided to skip it. I’m glad it was a positive experience for you guys, now I’m kinda kicking myself! Maybe next time 😉 .-= Cam´s last blog ..Photo of the Week: Sydney Harbour, Australia =-.

Don’t worry Cam. We skipped a tonne of things. We would be black and blue if we kicked ourselves for all the things we missed:-) Besides, I bet you saw amazing places that we didn’t get a chance to see.

The port was a real surprise for me as well. I never made it out to the island but I took a walk up the hill to the Notre-Dame de la Garde, which has great views over the whole city.

Looks awesome! I may have to throw France into our European adventure! .-= Bethany´s last blog .. Interview with Bernard & Danielle from BorderJumpers.org =-.

I know how you feel. We kept adding countries and cities into our itinerary. There is so much to see in Europe. We need a couple of years to explore!

I love those grass chaise lounge chairs. I want to test that out! .-= Laura´s last blog .. Rwanda Gorilla Tracking: Taking the Plunge =-.

Those chaise lounge chairs looked awesome eh! I just loved how beautiful everything was in Marseille, they have really thought about making people comfortable. Park benches were everywhere, a park was in the middle of the city and people were having picnics on the dock. Fabulous.

Well that will teach me to not listen to the naysayers! We clearly made a mistake by choosing to bypass Marseille a few years ago when we were in France – after spending 2 weeks working our way from Monte Carlo down to St. Tropez, we headed inland up through Avignon to Paris – all that we had heard of Marseille at the time was that it was crowded and dirty – now I’m bummed that we missed out on such a jewel along the coast! I will definitely have to visit Marseille next time I get to the Mediterranean.

As usual, gorgeous photos! .-= Trisha Miller´s last blog .. The Power Of Print =-.

I had read some things that Marseille was a rough place but apparently they have cleaned it up. At least the waterfront anyway. We loved it! But there are many other amazing places in on the Mediterranean and we just can’t see them all.

Thank first picture of the port is freaking amazing. I was only ever in Brittany, which had mostly the same climate as Newfoundland. How cool to be next to the Mediterranean just on the other side of the country… .-= Candice´s last blog ..Sometimes Growing Up in a Bilingual Country Sucks =-.

It is pretty amazing. You never would think that France would have such a diverse landscape and climate. But we witnessed that during our short time there. It is an amazing country that we want to go back to and really spend some time in. Maybe I will learn french there for a year!

That panoramic shot is just stunning and exploring all of the history around the town and in the old prison sounds like amazing fun 🙂

The prison was pretty cool. I didn’t know Chateaux d’If was real. I always thought that it was fictional!

Home » Travel Guides » France » 15 Best Things to Do in Marseille (France)

15 Best Things to Do in Marseille (France)

Like many port around the world, Marseille long had a reputation for seediness and crime. And there’s still a scruffiness about the city today, which is no bad thing. It lends Marseille a rakish character and gives it an intoxicating dynamism and colour.

You can see it all in neighbourhoods like Le Panier, Noailles and La Paine and their shops, markets and cafes. The Old Port has been in use since 600BC, and if you’re inspired by the great age of France’s oldest city there’s a wonderful choice of museums that will send you back in time.

Lets explore the best things to do in Marseille :

1. Old Port

Marseille’s massive rectangular port has been trading for 2,600 years, and is more of a whole district than a single sight.

On three sides are quays with broad promenades enclosed mostly 18th-century former warehouses.

It seems like almost every one of these has a cafe, fish restaurant or bar on its ground floor, with outdoor seating so you can see life in this enchanting city unfold as you nurse a pastis.

Industry has long moved to the modern docks to the docks to the north, and most of the boats in the old port are for pleasure.

But at the innermost Quai des Belges the latest catch is still brought ashore to be sold at the fish market by the water every morning.

2. Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde

It’s hard to miss this monument rising above the skyline to the south of the Old Port.

It’s a 19th-century neo-Byzantine church 150 metres above the water, with a large golden statue of the Virgin and Child at the top of its tower to watch over Marseille’s maritime communities.

There had been religious sanctuaries and watch towers on La Garde for many centuries, and the basilica incorporates the lower levels of a renaissance fort that also included a chapel.

The climb isn’t to be taken lightly in the summer, but there’s a tourist train departing regularly from the Old Port.

Needless to say the scenery from up here is jaw-dropping.

3. Calanques National Park

Marseille’s southern and eastern suburbs brush up against an area of exceptional natural beauty.

The Calanques are craggy white limestone cliffs and creeks reaching gargantuan heights and descending sharply to the sea.

You can experience these rocky wonders by land or sea.

If you’re going to hike it then you’ll need an intrepid spirit, as the GR 98 from Marseille to Cassis takes around 11 hours and leads you into some tough country.

Of course, the scenery makes up for the exertion.

There are also mini-cruises departing from the Old Port, as well as guided kayaking adventures.

If you can, try to reach the indescribably beautiful cove at Calanque d’En Vau.

Available tour : Catamaran Cruise & Lunch in the Calanques National Park

4. Musée d’Histoire de Marseille

It can be difficult to get your head around Marseille’s 26 centuries of history, but this first-rate museum near the Old Port will help.

Because of the huge time-span that the attraction deals with it’s the largest urban history museum in France.

For history geeks it means half a day spent inspecting amphorae, ceramics, architectural fragments, the remains of ancient ships, mosaics, sarcophagi and much more.

As well as this heap of artefacts from the Ancient Greeks up to the 20th century there are maps and models illustrating Marseille in all phases of its history, and the building joins onto a set of archaeological site containing ramparts, port buildings and a necropolis.

5. La Corniche

Weaving down the coast for several kilometres from the Old Port, La Corniche is one long balcony next to the Mediterranean, going past beaches and quirky little neighbourhoods.

You can drive it, but it’s just as rewarding to walk for the sea air and outstanding vistas of the Frioul Archipelago and the towers of the Château d’If in the bay.

One of the most striking sights is the Vallon des Auffes, a traditional fishing harbour on a steep inlet, ringed with ramshackle old huts and accessed from the sea beneath the arches that support the road.

6. Le Panier

This part of Marseille, just north of the Old Port, has been inhabited since 600 BC and was the site of the Greek colony of Massalia.

A the city evolved it became the place where Marseille’s waves of immigrants settled, and even today there’s a large Maghreb and Corsican population.

It’s a district with ochre-coloured walls, stone stairways and long, corridor-like streets emerging on sun-drenched squares.

Until recently it had always been one of the poorest parts of Marseille, as demonstrated by the La Vieille Charité, a 17th-centruy baroque almshouse with three tiers of arcaded galleries around a chapel.

Now it’s an increasingly trendy district with independent boutiques and craft shops, cafes and plenty of imaginative street art.

Inaugurated in 2013, MuCEM is a cutting edge museum that regenerated a portion of Marseille’s waterfront next to the 17th-century Fort de Saint-Jean.

The architecture is breathtaking, but what’s inside is actually quite difficult to sum up: It’s a kind of overview of Mediterranean culture an civilisation, incorporating art, photography exhibitions and historic artefacts.

Most people who visit agree that the exhibitions aren’t the most consistent, capriciously jumping from period to period and theme to theme, but they’re so diverse that there are galleries to capture everyone’s attention.

Entry to the fort, built by Louis XIV,  is included in the ticket, and this structure is connected to the museum by two bridges.

8. La Plaine and Noailles

Directly east of the Old Port are two neighbourhoods that will give you a sense of day-to-day life in Marseille.

Noailles is another area in which generations of Africans settled, particularly after Algeria became a French territory in 1830. The scruffy and chaotic market here runs from Monday to Saturday, with sights and scents that could be from a souk in North Africa or the Middle East, with flatbreads baking and kebabs sizzling.

La Plaine, around Place Jean Jaurès, a few streets further east is one of the trendier parts of the city.

Here there are stylish boutiques and bars, as well as a market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday mornings with a jumble of stalls selling everything from fresh produce to perfumes.

9. Stade Vélodrome

Even before a marvellous refurbishment in the build up to Euro 2016, Olympique de Marseille’s home stadium was one of the world’s football cathedrals.

Now it’s the largest club football stadium in the country, with a capacity of 67,000, and is finally protected from the merciless Mistral wind by a spectacular undulating roof.

Despite being an icon, the Stade Vélodrome hasn’t always been appreciated by the city or OM’s fans, and you’ll learn all you need to know about this history on an hour-long tour, while visiting the dressing rooms, the highest point of the terraces and going pitch-side.

10. Boulevard Longchamp

One of Marseille’s most edifying walks can be taken along the handsome Boulevard Longchamp with its upmarket 19th-century houses and twin row of plane trees.

The best way to do it is to head from Canebière station up towards Palais Longchamp, and the crescent-shaped colonnade and fountain of this imposing 19th-century complex will slowly come in to view.

Palais Longchamp and the park and attractions around it were built to celebrate the completion of the Canal de Marseille, which linked with the Durance River and ended centuries of water supply problems for the city.

The city’s Natural Museum and Museum of Fine Arts are set here too.

11. Cité Radieuse

Built between 1947 and 1952 this apartment building made from concrete was the Swiss architect Le Corbusier’s first Unité d’Habitation, a design that would be repeated across Europe in the post-war period.

The idea was to transfer the homes, streets and amenities of a city into an 18-floor concrete block.

More than a thousand people still live here, but there’s a tour taking you into one of the restored original apartments, and up to the rooftop terrace where you can gaze out over the city.

Like all of Le Corbusier’s buildings it’s now protected as a UNESCO site.

12. L’Estaque

Now a north-western suburb of Marseille, L’Estaque is a fishing village that inspired Cézanne, Braque and an array of other late-19th-century painters.

Cézanne in particular spent a lot of time in L’Estaque, painting scenes of the village and sea in different seasons.

If you’re familiar with his work you may get thrills when you survey these seascapes with your own eyes.

The Marseille artist Adolphe Monticelli was another painter linked to the village in this period, and there’s a museum in L’Estaque with the largest single collection of his work in the world.

On a wander, go by the old port where stalls sell panisses (chips made with chickpea flour) and chichis fregis (donuts).

13. Musée des Docks Romains

Marseille’s ancient history is so rich that one museum isn’t enough to show you all there is to see.

The Musée des Docks Romains is a couple of streets in from the north side of the Old Port and covers the site of one of the world’s few known Roman commercial warehouses.

They were uncovered after the war, during the which a number of streets had been dynamited by the Germans.

What will blow you away here are the dolia, massive ceramic jugs as tall as full-grown adults and able to store 2,000 litres of wine or olive oil.

14. Beaches

Despite being on the Mediterranean and having 42 kilometres of coast, Marseille has never been thought of as a beach destination.

In the mid-70s though the Prado seaside park was created, reclaiming 40 hectares of sea and laying it with shingle and sand.

What really makes it is the view of the gnarled white rocks at the start of the Calanques to the southeast.

Your other option for seaside relaxation are the beaches of Corbière in the north, just past L’Estaque.

These are also man-made, and like Prado are protected from erosion by breakwaters.

15. Cuisine

Bouillabaisse is a Marseille dish that is cooked all over the world.

It’s a fish and seafood stew normally made with lean fish that have little market value and are better when cooked down, like scorpionfish, conger and sea robins.

These are stewed with wine, olive oil and saffron, although the remainder of the recipe varies from restaurant to restaurant.

Part of the ritual is rustic bread smothered with rouille, a kind of piquant mayonnaise, and dropped into the soup.

It all goes best with white wines from the Rhône Valley or Languedoc-Roussillon.

On the sweet side you can pick up navettes, cute boat-shaped biscuits in a variety of flavours, from anis to chocolate.

15 Best Things to Do in Marseille (France):

• Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
• Calanques National Park
• Musée d'Histoire de Marseille
• La Corniche
• La Plaine and Noailles
• Stade Vélodrome
• Boulevard Longchamp
• Cité Radieuse
• Musée des Docks Romains

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