Marseille with kids: a day plan
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 2 of 3 free; paid: Frioul islands
- Duration
- 8 h 20 min · 09:30–17:52
- Start and finish
- Old Port → Frioul islands
- On foot
- ≈ 21 min in total
- Transport
- 1 ride, ≈ 31 min
- Lunch
- around 12:21
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- June to September for swimming; spring for walking.
The plan, stop by stop
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Marseille09:30–17:52 · 3 places · 8 h 20 min
Old Port
· 1 h 30 min · Free
- 21 min on foot
Notre-Dame de la Garde
· 1 h · Free
- Lunch · 1 h
- 31 min · transport or taxi
Frioul islands
· 4 h · Free; boat by ticket
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
2 of 3 are free; 1 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Old Port | 42 | 1 h 30 min | Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Notre-Dame de la Garde | 50 | 1 h | Free |
| 3 | Frioul islands | 29 | 4 h | Free; boat by ticket |
| Total | 6 h 30 min | 2 of 3 free |
Tips for each stop
- 1
Old Port. The harbour where Greeks landed 2,600 years ago: a morning fish market, a ferry across and the boat quay. Free.
- 2
Notre-Dame de la Garde. The 'Good Mother' basilica on the city's highest point: a golden Madonna, mosaics, model ships and the best view. Free.
- 3
Frioul islands. Islands with coves and beaches 20–30 minutes by boat from the Old Port; bring your own water and food.
Who this route is for
- Children aged 3 and up
- A family seaside holiday
- Wanting both beach and sightseeing
- Calanques trails suit older children
- Museums: keep it short
June to September for swimming; spring for walking.
Marseille with kids: how the day works
Start at the Old Port: children love looking at the fish and octopus at the market and riding the ferry, a crossing of a couple of minutes. Then take the boat to the Frioul islands, about 20–30 minutes.
On the islands, choose a cove near the harbour: the water is clear enough to see the fish, and you can slip in from flat rocks. Back in town, ride bus no. 60 up to the basilica, where children enjoy hunting for model ships in the vaults.
Remove any stop with ✕ or reorder it with ≡, and add another nearby: the timings update.
Where to eat with kids
There are almost no shops on the islands, so bring water, sandwiches and fruit. Frioul harbour has a few cafés.
In the evening the Old Port has plenty of pizzerias and bistros with children's menus. For a treat, try boat-shaped navette biscuits.
Tips for travelling with kids
The island beaches are rocky, so pack water shoes, a mask and sunscreen, as there's little shade. On windy days boats are cancelled, so swap the islands for the Cosquer Cave replica by the sea.
The Old Port quays and the basilica are fine with a pushchair, but a baby carrier is better on the islands. Hold hands on the metro and boats, which are crowded in season.
More to do with kids
Children will enjoy the Cosquer Cave with its paintings and Ice Age animal models, the sandy beach at La Ciotat and a boat to the Château d'If.
How to do it right
- Water shoes are a must.
- Bring water and food.
- Windy? Try the Cosquer Cave.
- France uses the euro. Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere. Buy boat tickets at the Old Port kiosks or online, and metro and tram tickets from machines or the app.
Questions
What is there to do in Marseille with kids?
The Old Port and its ferry, the Frioul islands and Notre-Dame de la Garde.
Where can kids swim in Marseille?
In the Frioul islands' coves or on La Ciotat's beach.
Is Marseille pushchair-friendly?
The quays and basilica are; on the islands and trails a carrier is better.
What to do with kids on a windy day?
Visit the Cosquer Cave replica by the sea.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Marseille tourist office, marseille-tourisme.com
