Vieux-Port
Central location beside the harbour, metro, boats, restaurants and many of the city’s essential sights.
Ideal for short stays and straightforward logistics.
Provence · Harbour life, culture and the Calanques
A historic harbour, striking cultural contrasts, Mediterranean food and wild coastal scenery – all in France’s oldest and most distinctive major city.
Marseille was founded by Greek seafarers around 2,600 years ago. Vieux-Port remains the city’s natural centre, surrounded by markets, ferries, restaurants and streets that tell the story of an outward-looking port.
Behind the harbour, Le Panier rises through stairways, small squares, artists’ studios and street art. Modern Marseille comes into view at Mucem and along the waterfront, while Notre-Dame de la Garde watches over the city from above.
To the south, Calanques National Park begins with white limestone cliffs and turquoise coves. Marseille therefore offers a rare combination of city life, beaches, islands and dramatic nature.
Open the mini guides for editorially adapted information from Marseille Tourisme and official cultural and nature sources.
Narrow streets, art, crafts and historic landmarks in the city’s oldest quarter.
Mediterranean culture, contemporary architecture and historic fortifications at the harbour entrance.
Take the boat to the island fortress for prison history and views back towards Marseille.
Discover white cliffs, hiking trails and turquoise coves between Marseille and Cassis.
Choose the length of your stay and follow a realistic itinerary combining harbour life, views, neighbourhoods, the coast and memorable meals.
Stay close to the centre and choose a few standout experiences. Marseille is at its best when there is also time to watch harbour life and absorb the city’s contrasts.
A long weekend allows time for the city’s essential sights and a full day on the water or in the national park.
With five days, you can balance city life, coastal nature and beaches with one or two excursions in Provence.
Marseille is large and varied. Choose an area according to whether you value harbour sights, local city life, the coast or convenient transport.
Central location beside the harbour, metro, boats, restaurants and many of the city’s essential sights.
Ideal for short stays and straightforward logistics.Historic streets, Mucem, La Major and the modern waterfront all in one area.
Best for culture, architecture and exploring on foot.Street art, small venues, bars, restaurants and a younger, more urban atmosphere.
Ideal for friends and nightlife.Rocky coastline, swimming spots and a fishing harbour beside the sea south of the centre.
A good choice for couples and coastal atmosphere.More space, parks and beaches, with easier access to the southern gateways into the Calanques.
Ideal for families and longer stays.Here are all the hotels we have selected in Marseille, across categories and price levels. Use the map to compare locations.
★★★★★5-star hotel in Marseille with terrace, pool and rooms and suites and a comfortable, well-located feel.
★★★★★5-star hotel in Marseille with spa, pool and rooms and suites and a comfortable, well-located feel.
★★★★★5-star hotel in Marseille with spa, terrace and pool and a comfortable, well-located feel.
★★★★4-star hotel in Marseille with spa, restaurant options and terrace and a comfortable, well-located feel.
★★★★4-star hotel in Marseille with rooms and suites, breakfast service and good views and a comfortable, well-located feel.
★★★★4-star hotel in Marseille with spa, restaurant options and pool and a comfortable, well-located feel.
★★★3-star hotel in Marseille with breakfast service and boutique feel and a comfortable, well-located feel.
★★★3-star hotel in Marseille with harbour access, family-friendly room options and breakfast service and a comfortable, well-located feel.
★★2-star hotel in Marseille with parking, breakfast service and good views and a comfortable, well-located feel.
The map finds campsites around Marseille, Cassis, La Ciotat, Aix-en-Provence and the Provençal coast, ordered by distance from central Marseille. Select a marker for a photo, practical information and the campsite’s official website.
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Camping guideFind excellent camping areas, practical advice and inspiration for camping holidays throughout France. The guide covers seasons, equipment and choosing the right region.
Read the camping guide →
Motorhome guidePlan your motorhome holiday with advice on stopovers, driving routes, regulations and worthwhile places to pause along the way. Find inspiration for a flexible journey through France.
Read the motorhome guide →Large open beaches and green spaces south of the centre, with room for swimming, activities and family breaks.
Easy swimming stops, coastal streets and small harbour settings near Corniche Kennedy.
Hiking, boat trips and turquoise coves in a fragile landscape where access is regulated during high-risk periods.
Marseille combines seafood, Provençal produce, North African influences and contemporary gastronomy. The listings below link to the restaurants’ official websites.
A creative signature restaurant with intense flavours, spices, smoke and ingredients inspired by both the Mediterranean and the chef’s travels.
Une Table au SudAn elegant restaurant beside Vieux-Port, with modern cooking shaped by Marseille’s terroir, local produce and the seasons.
Belle de MarsA personal neighbourhood restaurant near Rue du Rouet, with a seafood-led menu following the Mediterranean catch and seasonal produce.
Le Bouchon ProvençalA Provençal bistro on Place aux Huiles, serving homemade dishes and fresh produce with a terrace near Vieux-Port.
L’Avant CourA seafood restaurant in Vallon des Auffes, serving fish, shellfish and Mediterranean dishes in an intimate setting beside the small harbour.
Chez NousAn informal restaurant near Notre-Dame-du-Mont, serving simple, flavourful Provençal cooking based on fresh ingredients.
Le Petit Nice PassedatAn exclusive waterfront seafood restaurant where Mediterranean fish, shellfish and the seasons shape the entire experience.
La MercerieA modern, sociable restaurant in Noailles with a concise menu, seasonal produce and an urban, international character.
Trains and buses work well for several cities, while an organised tour or car offers greater freedom for the coast, villages and wine areas.
Combine a small harbour town with a boat trip, coastal walk or views of the white cliffs.
Best for: harbour life, nature and boats Direct bus or trainFountains, Cours Mirabeau, markets and Cézanne offer an elegant contrast to Marseille.
Best for: art, the old town and café life Longer train journeyVisit the Palais des Papes, city walls and the Rhône in one of Provence’s most historic cities.
Best for: history and monuments Car or organised excursionDiscover markets, small towns and wine areas such as Cassis, Bandol and Coteaux d’Aix.
Best for: wine, scenery and village lifeRead the full city guide, plan a nature day in the Calanques or combine Marseille with wine country and a ferry onwards to Corsica.
Read more about the city’s history, a four-day itinerary, hotels, food, the harbour, islands and coast.
Read the Marseille guide →
Plan a hike, kayak outing or boat trip between Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat.
Read the Calanques guide →
Combine Marseille and Provence with a crossing to several Corsican ports, with or without a car.
View ferry routes →Find inspiration in Mediterranean cities, Provence, beaches, nature and new destinations across France.