Marseille Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Vieux Port showing a marina and boating
Marseille featuring general coastal views, a bay or harbour and a coastal town
Vieux Port featuring boating, a marina and a coastal town
Marseille
Marseille
A stunning coastline, thriving café culture and 26 centuries of history makes this port city in the South of France the perfect year-round escape.

Welcome to Marseille, France’s oldest city, beloved for its history, art, architecture and café culture. Be sure to pack a camera, swimming costume and hiking boots as Marseille has beautiful historic attractions, sun-drenched city beaches and superb hiking along its dramatic Mediterranean coastline.

Start your day at the city’s bustling center, the Vieux Port. Sample the coffee and brunches that local café owners have proudly perfected into an art form over the last century.

For some of the best sightseeing, take a stroll through the Panier, the city’s old town just north of the port. Explore the Vieille Charité museum, then visit the Hotêl de Ville to admire its magnificent Baroque-style exterior. Catch the Petit Train from the north side of the port to the magnificent Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica, where you’ll be rewarded with heavenly city views.

Visit the grand Opéra de Marseille and some of the many galleries and theaters around the bustling Canebière thoroughfare. While you are on the Canebière, stop by the tourism office to see what events and festivals are on in Marseille during your visit. In the Noailles district, experience the exotic in the bazaar-like atmosphere of the African markets.

Discover Marseille’s great outdoors by hiking or boating along the southern coastline through the exquisite limestone features of the Calanques National Park. Take a guided boat tour from the Vieux Port to Château d’If, a former prison island made famous in Alexandre Dumas' Count of Monte Cristo.Spend a lazy afternoon in Borély Park. Explore its grand chateau and its botanic garden, then head to nearby Prado Beach or Borély Beach and enjoy a drink by the sea at sunset.

Marseille’s best sights are within walking distance of the Vieux Port, and bus and boat routes run frequently from here to more distant attractions. Rail lines connect Marseille to just about everywhere in France, and to several rail hubs in Central Europe. Regular ferries link the city to Corsica, Sardinia and North Africa. Marseille Provence Airport is one of France’s busiest, and connects with most major European airports.

Where to stay in Marseille

Vieux Port featuring street scenes, a city and central business district

Old Port of Marseille

Old Port of Marseille is highly notable for its captivating waterfront views, and you might want to visit top sights like Hotel de Ville and Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations. See more of Marseille by jumping on the metro at Vieux-Port Station or Joliette Station.

Old Port of Marseille
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8th Arrondissement

Beaches, shopping and waterfront views highlight some notable features of 8th Arrondissement. Make a stop by Borely Beach or Prado Beach while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Rond-Point du Prado Station or Perier Metro Station to get around town.

8th Arrondissement
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9th Arrondissement

Well liked for its beaches and parks, 9th Arrondissement is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like Calanque Sormiou and Calanque d'En-Vau, and jump on the metro at Sainte-Marguerite Dromel Station to get around the city.

9th Arrondissement
Prado Beach showing general coastal views and a sandy beach as well as a small group of people

Prado-Perier

Noted for its seaside views and waterfront views, there's plenty to explore in Prado-Perier. Top attractions like International Fair and Exhibition Center Marseille and Le Prado are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Rond-Point du Prado Station or Perier Metro Station to see more of the city.

Prado-Perier
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Les Goudes

Travellers like the parks in Les Goudes, and Calanques National Park is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Les Goudes
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Opéra

The ample dining options and captivating waterfront views are top of the list for many visitors to Opéra. A stop by La Canebiere or Marseille Opera House might round out your trip.

Opéra
Golden Tulip Marseille Euromed

Golden Tulip Marseille Euromed

4 out of 5
6 Place Henri Verneuil, Marseille
The price is ₹9,527 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
₹9,527
per night
19 Oct - 20 Oct
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Marseille. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
"Excellent location for walking to and from the central areas with shopping. Mall is about 15 mins walk. Staff was very helpful and accommodating. Elizabeth was excellent! Would stay here again!"

Reviewed on 30 Aug 2025

Golden Tulip Marseille Euromed
Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - Marseille Vieux Port

Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - Marseille Vieux Port

4 out of 5
43 Quai des Belges, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhone
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Marseille. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a marina and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,011 reviews)
"This is a very nice property , spacious , quiet with comfortable beds. It’s very nice inside and well kept. Good location to dining and sight seeing. Staff is very friendly and helpful"

Reviewed on 15 Sept 2025

Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - Marseille Vieux Port
Staycity Aparthotels, Marseille, Centre Vieux Port

Staycity Aparthotels, Marseille, Centre Vieux Port

3 out of 5
4 place Pierre Bertas, Marseille
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹8,738 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
₹8,738
per night
28 Sept - 29 Sept
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Marseille. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,271 reviews)
"Staff were excellent and went out of their way to be helpful"

Reviewed on 11 Sept 2025

Staycity Aparthotels, Marseille, Centre Vieux Port
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Staycity Aparthotels, Marseille, Centre Vieux Port

Staycity Aparthotels, Marseille, Centre Vieux Port

3 out of 5
4 place Pierre Bertas, Marseille
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Marseille. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,271 reviews)
"Staff were excellent and went out of their way to be helpful"

Reviewed on 11 Sept 2025

Staycity Aparthotels, Marseille, Centre Vieux Port
Residhotel Grand Prado

Residhotel Grand Prado

3 out of 5
Allée Turcat Méry, 7 square des frères Ambrogiani, Marseille
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Marseille. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (2,299 reviews)
"Une accueille au top une chambre au top rien à redire"

Reviewed on 30 Aug 2025

Residhotel Grand Prado
Appart Hotel Odalys City Marseille Le Dôme

Appart Hotel Odalys City Marseille Le Dôme

3 out of 5
27 Boulevard du Maréchal Juin, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhone
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Marseille. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (610 reviews)
"It was excellent having washing and drying facilities Being close to Metro"

Reviewed on 10 Sept 2025

Appart Hotel Odalys City Marseille Le Dôme
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Marseille

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
60
5 - Excellent 38%
4 - Good
72
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
22
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
3
1 - Terrible 2%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

It’s lovely city but the people are bit roud not good manners not polite.,tube station is horrible they never want to help at least to open gate for my bay puch chair many times I have to lift a puch chair to go true

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

It’s very nice city love to come back again in the future

3/5 - Okay

Millie

Marseille disappoints at first but grows in appeal. Old town best place to visit but some areas are in disrepair and feel intimidating. Docks village overrated. Marseille doesnt feel like a whole.. more like disjointed parts.. Aix en Provence lovely

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I think Marseille is a beautiful and very interesting city. To me, it felt safe and I found the inhabitants very friendly. To explore properly, you need several days.

3/5 - Okay

Bob

Central Marseille busy with locals and tourists. However widespread warnings about pickpockets made the City feel slightly unsafe Some nice backstreet cafes and bars around the old Port area. Stunning Cathedrals.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely city to visit. Trips, public transport, general atmosphere of the place all good. Disappointed with the food! Need more unique, authentic and one off restaurants. Lots of chains, could really do with a lovely French or Italian place.

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