Marseille, France, is beautiful, featuring rolling hills that overlook one of the seventh largest ports in France, where yachts and fishing boats are lined up in the Mediterranean Sea.
Today, Marseille is France’s second most populous city, with the Vieux-Port serving as its heart, where fishermen line up along the quay to sell their fresh catch of the day. Flower growers also line up to sell a variety of fresh flowers from their gardens.
The weather year-round, from January through April, as well as November and December, ranges from 54 to 65 degrees. From May through October, it’s between 73 and 80 degrees.
Notre-Dame de la Garde is the Bonne Mère Catholic Basilica that sits on a mountain overlooking Marseille, France, and symbolizes the city.
In addition, the city boasts modern landmarks, including the Romanesque-Byzantine church, Le Corbusier’s influential Cité Radieuse complex, and Zaha Hadid’s CMA CGM Tower.
Marseille is a walkable city featuring neighborhoods such as Vieux-Port and Le Panier. Two to three days are sufficient to explore the city, its vibrant nightlife, street musicians, and various delicious restaurants.
If you stay longer, you can take day trips to explore ancient sites, visit modern museums, and enjoy the Provençal countryside or the Mediterranean coast.
The Grand Hotel Beauvau Marseille Vieux-Port is a beautiful place to stay. It overlooks the Vieux-Port, offering lovely sunrises and sunsets. The port is surrounded by restaurants and hotels. You can take several boat tours to see the surrounding islands of Marseille.
The top things to do in Marseille
1. Vieux-Port is surrounded by historic buildings and the lively energy of people, entertainment, and street musicians.
2. Le Panier is the oldest district in Marseille, characterized by its colorful shops and restaurants.
3. Fort Saint-Jean, located at the heart of the old town, is among the most visited monuments in Marseille. Built by shipowners in the Middle Ages, Fort Saint-Jean served as a watchtower to protect Marseille from foreign invaders.
4. MuCEM – Museum Of Civilizations Of Europe and The Mediterranean was built in one of Europe’s oldest cities. In 2013, Marseille was named a European Capital of Culture. The MuCEM – Musée des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée was opened as part of its inauguration.
Its modern architectural design contrasts beautifully with the historic buildings along the waterfront between land and sea.
5. Parc National des Calanques is a great day tour from Marseille’s Calanques National Park. It is the only national park in Europe that encompasses both land and sea in urban areas. It is located near Marseille, along the route to Cassis.
6. Calanques National Park is a vast area of 520 square km (201 square miles) that resembles the Greek Islands. It was designated as a national park in 2012 and offers excellent hiking trails, kayaking, and opportunities for exploring the limestone cliffs and tranquil coves.
7. Enjoy a boat ride to the stunning coast, featuring hidden fishing villages nestled in the hills, or relax along the shore. The Catamaran tour to Calanques National Park lasts five hours and traverses the Mediterranean Sea between La Madrague and the town of Cassis, passing through Les Goudes and Callelongue. This tour offers a beautiful way to explore the coast.
8. Palais Longchamp is a monument built to celebrate the completion of the long Canal de Marseille, which supplies the city with water from the Durance River.
It is a vast green space with interconnected parks. It features a Museum of Fine Arts dating back to 1801 and the Natural History Museum. It includes two wings, a beautiful large water fountain, and a connected waterfall.
9. History Museum – Musée D’Histoire De Marseille
The Musée d’Histoire de Marseille features 4000 exhibits and interactive attractions showcasing the 2,600 years of history of the city.
10. Marseille Cathedral – Cathédrale De La Major
Cathédrale de la Major is a stunning monument on the waterfront, dating back to the 19th century.
Getting around
The train is one of the easiest ways to travel to Marseille daily from Paris. Marseille’s central station is the Gare de Marseille Saint-Charles. The central bus station in Marseille is Gare Saint-Charles bus station.
A Marseille City Pass is an excellent way to avoid walking. You can use Marseille’s public transport for free. Passes for getting around town can be purchased for 24, 48, or 72 hours, granting you free access to Marseille’s museums, including the Marine Museum, Natural History Museum, Fine Arts Museum, Palais Longchamp, and more.
Ride the train to Notre-Dame de la Garde or Le Panier, where you can catch a ride from the old town by Vieux-Port. Also, consider sampling food and wine with discounts at participating boutiques.