How to have fun in Marseille and what activities to do in the largest city in Provence?
Sights, museums and history
Marseille has been inhabited since long before AD. The city has always benefited from its favourable location by the sea with a well-defended harbour.
As the city grew, monuments were demolished and rebuilt, and most of today's surviving buildings are mainly from the 15th to 19th centuries.
The greatest concentration of monuments and museums is around Vieux-Port, the old port in the heart of Marseille. Visit these attractions.
- Fort Saint-Jean
- Fort Sain-Nicolas
- Le Pharo Lookout
- Replica of the Cosquer Cave
- Museum of Mediterranean Civilizations
- Le Panier Quarter
One of the city's most famous symbols, however, stands on a hill and quite far from the harbour. However, it too is intrinsically linked to the sea.
Read about the basilica, why there are model ships hanging on ropes inside, and the Notre-Dame de la Garde.
Discover the beautiful coastline and national park
Marseille may be a lively, densely built-up city, but less than 40 minutes south and north of the centre you'll discover breathtaking coastline, beautiful countryside and dozens of kilometres of hiking trails.
To the south of Marseille is the Calanques National Park, almost completely devoid of human habitation, but perfectly accessible by public buses (normal city tickets apply) and criss-crossed with many, many walking trails.
North of Marseille, on the other hand, you'll enjoy the peace and quiet of the small resorts of the picturesque Cote Bleue coast. You can only get there by train, for which city tickets are not valid, but fares are not expensive and cost around 5 eur to 7 eur one way.
Enjoy the boat trip
Marseille's location by the sea and the many attractions on the adjacent islands or along the coastline make boat trips tempting.
Three shipping companies leave from the old port of Vieux-Port, all of which have a base near the metro station.
As the boats also serve as a mode of transport, detailed information on ticket prices, links and timetables is given in the Transport chapter. You will also find a map of the boat lines in Marseille.
Beaches and swimming
Despite the jagged coastline and lack of long beaches, swimming in the sea is one of the very pleasant activities in Marseille.
The closest to the centre is the beautiful sandy beach of Catalans.
Further south along the coast, you'll find lots of small sandy and rocky beaches. All beaches are free to access 24/7.
Facilities such as changing rooms or showers can only be found on Catalans beach.
Excursions in the surroundings
Marseille is also perfectly situated for trips to other historic cities and natural wonders.
Where to go for day trips from Marseille?
- Aix-en-Provence - a town with a beautiful historic district and a cathedral is the nearest point of interest from Marseille
- Bus 50 - every 5-10 minutes, the journey takes 35 minutes and the ticket costs 7 eur, detailed info: lecaraixmarseille.com/line-50
- Train - 1-3 times per hour, journey takes 45 minutes and ticket costs 9,50 eur, detailed info: sncf-connect.com
- Arles - a historic town with a very well preserved Roman amphitheatre
- Train - 1-2 times per hour, the journey takes 60 minutes and the ticket costs 18,20 eur, detailed info: sncf-connect.com
- Avignon - another historic town with a famous half-ruined bridge and the Papal Palace
- Train - 1-2 times per hour, the journey takes 110 minutes and the ticket costs 24,50 eur, detailed info: sncf-connect.com