Things to do in Marseille: top sights and where to go
Marseille's headline sights are the Old Port with its fish market and boats, the basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde above the city, the Château d'If of The Count of Monte Cristo and the Frioul islands, La Major cathedral and the Cosquer Cave replica by the sea, and the coves of Calanques National Park. Nearby lie the fishing town of Cassis, La Ciotat, Marcel Pagnol's Aubagne, Aix-en-Provence and canal-side Martigues. From Marseille Provence Airport, the shuttle bus reaches Saint-Charles station in about 25 minutes.
Sights
Marseille itineraries
Marseille travel guide
What to know before you go: neighbourhoods and where to stay, the airport and transport, weather by month, beaches and coves, food, costs and Provence day trips.
Marseille on your own: the essentials
- Entry
- Schengen rules; ETIAS for visa-free visitors when it starts
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - How long
- 2–3 days, +1–2 days for the Calanques and Cassis
- Best time
- May–June and September–October
- Money
- Euro; contactless almost everywhere
- Airport
- Marseille Provence (MRS), 25 km from the centre
- Transport
- Metro, tram, buses, boats
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Wind
- The mistral cancels boats and closes the Calanques
- City tax
- Charged per person per night by your hotel
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - In summer
- The Calanques may close for fire risk
- Time zone
- CET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2) in summer
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
Wikipedia, MarseilleSourcei
Wikipedia, Calanques National ParkSourcei
Wikipedia, Notre-Dame de la GardeSourcei
Wikipedia, Old Port of MarseilleThings to do in Marseille
Marseille's top things to do are the Old Port and its fish market, the hilltop basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, the island Château d'If, La Major cathedral and the Cosquer Cave replica by the sea, and beyond the city the coves of the Calanques. Every place rated by YesGo is in the list above.
| Old Port | Old Port, fish market, Le Panier | 2 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Basilica hill | Notre-Dame de la Garde | 1–1.5 hours |
| La Joliette | La Major, Cosquer Cave | ½ day |
| The islands | Château d'If, Frioul islands | ½ day |
| Calanques | Calanques, Sugiton and Sormiou coves | ½–1 day |
| East | Cassis, La Ciotat, Aubagne | 1 day |
| Provence | Aix-en-Provence, Martigues | ½–1 day each |
Rather not plan it yourself? The list above has ready-made 1–3 day and family itineraries.
Marseille itinerary: 1, 2 or 3 days
With one day in Marseille, do the morning fish market at the Old Port, a boat to the Château d'If, La Major cathedral by the sea and sunset on the terrace of Notre-Dame de la Garde. With two days, add Cassis and a boat to the Calanques; with three, Aix-en-Provence with the Cours Mirabeau and Cézanne's studio.
- Day 1 — Old Port, Château d'If, Notre-Dame de la Garde.
- Day 2 — Cassis and a boat to the Calanques.
- Day 3 — Aix-en-Provence.
- Day 4 — La Ciotat, Aubagne or the Frioul islands.
Where to stay in Marseille
The handiest base is around the Old Port: the market, Le Panier and the boat quay are a walk away, and the metro runs to the station. Le Panier is atmospheric but steep; the Corniche and Prado beach area is quieter and close to the sea; the area by Saint-Charles station is cheaper but less pleasant at night.
| Old Port | First visit, central | Noisy at night |
|---|---|---|
| Le Panier | Atmosphere, workshops | Hills and stairs |
| La Joliette | Museums, tram, new hotels | Business district |
| Corniche, Prado | Sea, beaches, quiet | Needs the bus |
| Cours Julien | Cafés, bars, street art | Loud at night |
| Station area | Trains to Cassis and Aix | Less pleasant at night |
Marseille airport to the city centre
Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) is 25 km north-west of the city, at Marignane. From Marseille airport to the city centre, the shuttle bus to Saint-Charles station is easiest, about 25 minutes, then the metro to the Old Port. You can also take a train from Vitrolles-Aéroport station or a taxi in 30–40 minutes.
| Shuttle | Airport — Saint-Charles station | ≈ 25 min |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Airport — centre | ≈ 30–40 min |
| Metro M1 | Saint-Charles — Old Port | ≈ 5 min |
| TER train | Marseille — Cassis | ≈ 20–25 min |
| Bus | Marseille — Aix-en-Provence | ≈ 30–40 min |
| TGV train | Marseille — Paris | ≈ 3 h 15 min |
Marseille weather by month
Marseille's weather is sunny and warm: winter days are around 12 °C and summer around 30 °C. Rain is scarce, mostly in autumn, but the cold, strong mistral wind blows often. The sea is warm enough to swim from June to September. The best time to visit Marseille is May–June and September–October, without the heat and with the Calanques open for hiking.
°CiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 12° | 13° | 16° | 19° | 23° | 28° | 31° | 30° | 26° | 21° | 15° | 12° |
| Night | 3° | 3° | 6° | 9° | 13° | 16° | 19° | 19° | 15° | 12° | 7° | 4° |
| Rain | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: June–July and October–November
- day ≈ 12°
- night ≈ 3°
- rain 6 days
Sunny, but the mistral blows.
- day ≈ 13°
- night ≈ 3°
- rain 5 days
Cool, few tourists.
- day ≈ 16°
- night ≈ 6°
- rain 5 days
Spring, almond blossom.
- day ≈ 19°
- night ≈ 9°
- rain 6 days
Warm, good for hiking.
- day ≈ 23°
- night ≈ 13°
- rain 5 days
A great month for the Calanques.
- day ≈ 28°
- night ≈ 16°
- rain 3 days
Swimming season.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 19°
- rain 2 days
Hot; the Calanques may close.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 19°
- rain 3 days
The warmest sea.
- day ≈ 26°
- night ≈ 15°
- rain 4 days
Late-summer sweet spot.
- day ≈ 21°
- night ≈ 12°
- rain 6 days
Warm, more rain.
- day ≈ 15°
- night ≈ 7°
- rain 7 days
Wet and windy.
- day ≈ 12°
- night ≈ 4°
- rain 6 days
Santon fair, mild winter.
The mistral can blow for several days: boats to the islands and Calanques are often cancelled, and the sea turns colder.
Day trips from Marseille
Day trips from Marseille around Provence and the coast are easy, with frequent trains and buses. Cassis is 20 minutes by train, Aix-en-Provence 30–40 minutes by bus, La Ciotat and Aubagne 15–35 minutes by train, and Martigues about an hour.
- Calanques — white cliffs and turquoise coves.
- Cassis — a fishing port, boats and wine.
- Aix-en-Provence — fountains and Cézanne's studio.
- La Ciotat — birthplace of cinema, with a sandy beach.
- Aubagne — Pagnol's town of santons.
- Martigues — the Venice of Provence.
What to eat in Marseille
Food in Marseille is all about fish: the famous bouillabaisse, fish soup with garlicky rouille, grilled sardines and sea urchins in winter. Start with panisse made from chickpea flour and olive tapenade, finish with orange-flower navette biscuits, and wash it down with anise pastis.
- Bouillabaisse — fish stew served in two courses.
- Fish soup with rouille — with croutons and garlic sauce.
- Panisse — fried chickpea-flour fingers.
- Tapenade — olive and caper paste.
- Navettes — boat-shaped biscuits.
- Pastis — anise aperitif with water.
Marseille attraction prices
Free in Marseille: the Old Port and fish market, Notre-Dame de la Garde, La Major cathedral, Le Panier and the Calanques coves. You pay for boats to the islands and Calanques, entry to the Château d'If and the Cosquer Cave replica; buy boat tickets early in the morning or online.
| Château d'If | 48 | 2 h 30 min | Castle ticket + boat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosquer Cave | 37 | 1 h 45 min | Timed ticket |
| Frioul islands | 29 | 4 h | Free; boat by ticket |
| Calanques | 23 | 4 h | Free; Sugiton by booking in summer |
Free — 8 places: Notre-Dame de la Garde, Marseille Cathedral, Old Port, Aix-en-Provence, Cassis, Aubagne, Martigues, La Ciotat.
Tips
- On mistral days, plan the city, not boats.
- In summer, check Calanques access the day before.
- Watch your bag on the metro and by the station.
FAQ
What are the top things to do in Marseille?
The Old Port, Notre-Dame de la Garde, the Château d'If, La Major cathedral and the Calanques.
How many days do you need in Marseille?
2–3 days, plus 1–2 days for the Calanques, Cassis and Aix.
How do I get from Marseille airport to the city centre?
By shuttle bus to Saint-Charles station in 25 minutes, then the metro.
What is the weather like in Marseille in May?
About 23 °C by day and 13 °C at night; the sea is still cool.
Where can you swim in Marseille?
At the Prado beaches, on the Frioul islands and in the Calanques.
Where is the best area to stay in Marseille?
Around the Old Port, in Le Panier or by the sea on the Corniche.
What food is Marseille known for?
Bouillabaisse, fish soup with rouille, panisse and navette biscuits.
What are the best day trips from Marseille?
The Calanques, Cassis, Aix-en-Provence, La Ciotat and Martigues.
Do I need a visa for Marseille?
It depends on your passport; France follows Schengen rules.
Is Marseille safe?
The centre is, but watch your belongings in crowds, on the metro and by the station.
Sources and fact-check
- Wikipedia: Marseille, Old Port of Marseille, Calanques National Park
- Marseille Provence airport climate normals 1991–2020
- Marseille Provence airport, RTM and SNCF websites