Marseille guide 

The city of sun, sea and history will welcome you with its unique atmosphere, where ancient roots mix with modern life. Stroll through the old port of Vieux-Port, taste bouillabaisse in a traditional restaurant or discover the charm of the Le Panier district, full of narrow streets and street art. If you love nature, go to the Calanques National Park - the turquoise waters and white cliffs will get you. In Marseille, you simply feel like you are on vacation every day! :)

Sights and attractions - What should you not miss in Marseille? Cathedrals, the Mucem museum, the old port...

Accommodation - Tips for pleasant and popular accommodation from a hostel to a luxury hotel on the coast with a restaurant with Michelin stars.

Typical food and drink - What you should try in Marseille - bouillabaisse, tapenade, pastis or sweet navettes.

Practical tips - Here you can learn about local transport, customs and the like.

Weather - When is the best time to visit this seaside resort? When it rains the most and when, on the contrary, the sun often shines.

Celebrities - What famous personalities lived and worked in Marseille?

Marseille, the second largest city in France, is located in the south of the country, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The city is known for its rich cultural heritage, cosmopolitan atmosphere and lively port environment.

One of the oldest and largest ports in the Mediterranean operates in Marseille. As an important business and tourist center, it plays a key role in the city's economy.

There are many historical monuments and landmarks to explore here, including the Notre-Dame de la Garde Cathedral, the Old Port (Vieux Port), the Fort Saint-Jean and the Mucem Museum, which specializes in Mediterranean art and culture.

Marseille cuisine is known for its variety and richness of flavors. Traditional dishes include bouillabaisse (fish soup), aioli (garlic sauce), and navettes (Marseille sweets). Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and other specialties.

Thanks to its long history as a major port, Marseille is home to a diverse population. The city is home to various ethnic communities and offers a rich variety of culinary, cultural and social experiences.

Marseille is located in a beautiful natural landscape, surrounded by the sea, mountains and forests. Not far from the city is the Calanques National Park, which offers breathtaking cliffs, coves and hiking trails.

Marseille is home to the Olympique de Marseille football club, one of the most successful in the country. The city also offers various options for sports activities such as swimming, diving and hiking.

The French national anthem Marseillaise is named after the city of Marseille.

Sights and attractions

Notre-Dame de la Garde Cathedral - The imposing Catholic cathedral sits on a hill above the city and offers breathtaking views of Marseille and the Mediterranean Sea. This most visited monument in Marseille was built in the 19th century in the Byzantine style. The cathedral is dominated by a golden statue of the Virgin Mary, over 11 meters high, with the baby Jesus on top. Inside the hollow statue, stairs lead up to the eyes of the Virgin Mary. However, the public cannot reach this point.
Address: Rue Fort du Sanctuaire, Marseille.

Old Port (Vieux Port) - The historical heart of Marseille and the center of city life. The port was founded by Greek sailors 600 years BC. Today you will find picturesque streets, restaurants, cafes and markets here. This great place invites you to walk, sit by the sea and observe the life of the city. On the Quai des Belges waterfront, tourists are attracted by a giant mirrored canopy, which the locals call “miroir ombrière”. It was designed by the famous architect Norman Foster and when you stand under it, you will see not only yourself, but also the entire city and the sea in one large reflection. The ideal place for a selfie. ;)
Address: Vieux-Port de Marseille, Marseille.

Mucem Museum - Musée des Civilizations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée (Museum of Mediterranean Civilizations) - A modern museum dedicated to the culture and history of the Mediterranean. It is located right on the coast. It offers extensive collections of art, archaeology and ethnography. The main building, designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti, looks like a giant concrete lace - and when the sun shines on it, it plays with shadows in a way that even Picasso would envy. If you think the museum changes color according to the weather, you are not hallucinating... Ricciotti, himself half Algerian, half French, has reflected the Mediterranean diversity in the design, so the MuCEM is actually a cultural chameleon
Address: 7 promenade Robert Laffont (esplanade du J4), Marseille.

Le Panier - The historic district and the oldest part of Marseille. It is famous for its narrow streets, colorful houses and art studios. The original fishing village has become a home for artists. You can soak up the authentic Marseille atmosphere on your walks. Le Panier is a place where history meets color, and where even getting lost is an experience!
Address: Le Panier, 2e arrondissement, Marseille.

La Major Cathedral – Another impressive Catholic cathedral serving as the city’s major religious and architectural center. Its monumental facade adorned with sculptures and its richly decorated interior with mosaics and stained glass windows attract thousands of visitors every year. When Marseille flourished as France’s largest port in the mid-19th century, the locals decided that foreigners arriving by ship should see from afar just how rich and important the city was. That’s why La Major has dimensions that would rival any stadium: it’s 142 meters long, the main dome is 70 meters high, and it can hold up to 3,000 people!
Address: Place de la Major, Marseille.

Longchamp Palace - The monumental Longchamp Palace was built in 1869 to commemorate the bringing of drinking water from the Durance River to the city, because before that Marseille was so thirsty that even a camel would envy it. Today it serves as an important cultural center of the city. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens and fountains. It houses the local Museum of Fine Arts and Natural Sciences.
Address: Palais Longchamp, Boulevard Philippon, Marseille.

If Castle - If you want to experience Marseille with a real dose of adventure and a pinch of literary fame, you must visit the If Fortress – a place that would make even Alcatraz pale with envy! The castle was built between 1524 and 1531 by King Francis I, who, looking from the island of If, decided that it would be a good idea to protect Marseille from raids from the sea. The If Fortress became famous mainly as a prison, where not only real criminals but also politically inconvenient individuals served their sentences. And it was here, within these stone walls, that the most famous prisoner of all time “resided” – Edmond Dantès, the hero of Dumas’ novel The Count of Monte Cristo.
Address: Château d’If, Embarcadère Frioul If, 1 Quai de la Fraternité, Marseille.

Accommodations

In Marseille, you can choose from almost 3,000 different accommodation options, from hostels, apartments, guest houses, to 3* and 4* hotels and even the most luxurious ones. The most luxurious hotels can be found in the Vieux Port area. Most have rooftop pools and spas and offer breathtaking views of the bay.

Lovers of luxury might be interested in the hotel Le Petit Nice - Passedat, boasting not only very luxurious facilities, but also a restaurant with three Michelin stars. From the terrace with the seawater pool you can enjoy beautiful views of the sea and the coast.

If you like history, then check out the 3* hotel Hôtel 96 in a building from the 19th century. It is located on the outskirts of Marseille, a 5-minute drive from the beach. You can park here for free in the private parking lot. At the hotel, you can relax in the garden or by the pool, in the sauna or during a massage. The Calanques National Park is located near the hotel.

A pleasant 3* hotel near the center of Maison Dormoy offers accommodation with breakfast. Some rooms also offer a kitchenette.

The popular guest house La Bastide des Culs-Rousset is located in a quiet area, about 7 km from the center inland. Here you can enjoy the pleasant background of a large garden, outdoor pool and terrace, olive trees and a relaxing atmosphere.

An attractive option for accommodation in the center is the guesthouse Vieux Port Panier Jardin, which you will find in the building of a former monastery in the oldest district of Marseille. There is also a terrace and a garden.

Casual travelers might like The People Hostel - Marseille. It offers affordable accommodation in the city center in both shared and private double rooms.

For a complete offer of accommodation in Marseille, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com or Booking.com.

Typical local food and drinks

Tapenade – A spicy spread made from olives, capers, garlic, olive oil and herbs. This favorite appetizer or appetizer is served with crusty bread or toast.

Bouillabaisse – A traditional fish soup, is prepared from different types of seafood, fish and mussels. It is a rich and aromatic soup, often flavored with herbs and spices.

Aioli – A strong garlic sauce, is made from olive oil, garlic, salt and egg yolks. It is a popular accompaniment to fish, seafood and vegetables. It is practically garlic mayonnaise.

Pastis – A traditional Marseille and Provençal alcoholic drink, is made from anise and herbs. This popular and refreshing aperitif is often served with water and ice.

Navettes – Boat-shaped Marseille sweets, can be found in just about any local bakery. This popular local dessert is usually flavored or perfumed with orange water or orange peel.

Practical tips for visiting Marseille

Marseille has a well-functioning public transport system, including the metro, buses and trams. It is better to use public transport to explore the city, as parking spaces are limited and traffic jams are frequent.

As in any big city, be careful in places with a large concentration of people. Avoid deserted parts of the city in the evening. For example, on Canebière Street, which leads from the port to the city center, you may encounter suspicious people in the evening. Also, be careful around Saint-Charles station - you may encounter homeless people and pickpockets here in the evening.

Even if you mostly get by in English in touristy areas, knowing basic French phrases will definitely help you when communicating with the locals.

Marseille has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild rainy winters. Therefore, prepare suitable clothing and sun protection, especially in the summer months.

Marseille is a city full of flavors and aromas, where you can find great restaurants at reasonable prices. In some restaurants you can order a multi-course menu, called the "menu du jour", which is cheaper than the dishes from the permanent menu.
For example, at "Wood la cantine gourmande", a stylish restaurant with a large terrace near the Old Port, you can enjoy a seasonal menu full of traditional dishes. (8 Rue de la Guirlande, Marseille).

Weather

Marseille has a typical Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.

The summer months (June to September) are hot and dry in Marseille. Average daily temperatures range between 25-30°C, with temperatures above 30°C not uncommon. The sun usually shines all day and it hardly rains.

Winters (November to February) are mild and wet in Marseille. Average daily temperatures usually range between 8-14°C. In the winter months, it is mostly cloudy and it often rains.

Spring (March and April) and autumn (October and November) are transitional periods in Marseille between hot summer and cold winter. Temperatures gradually increase or decrease, with pleasant temperatures around 15-20°C.

The Mediterranean Sea significantly influences the climate in Marseille. Ocean currents help keep temperatures moderate and prevent extreme temperature swings.

This climate contributes to the attractiveness of the city as a tourist destination and invites you to explore the city and its surroundings all year round.

Celebrities

Marcel Pagnol (1895 - 1974) - Famous French playwright, director and writer. He became famous for his Provençal films and plays. Born near Marseille, his works often reflect life in Marseille and the surrounding Provençal villages.

Zinédine Zidane (1972) - Former French footballer and one of the greatest football legends in history. Born in Marseille, he rose to fame as a player for Olympique de Marseille and later as captain of the French national football team that won the 1998 World Cup.

Alexandre Dumas (1802 - 1870) - French writer, known for his adventure novels and historical dramas such as "The Count of Monte Cristo" and "The Three Musketeers". His life was full of dramatic events and his literary works still appeal to readers all over the world. Part of his novel The Count of Monte Cristo takes place in the fortress of If near Marseille.

Alphonse Daudet (1840 – 1897) - French writer and playwright. He was born in Nimes near Marseille. His works, such as the novel "Lettres de mon moulin" (Letters from my mill), were inspired by the life and culture of Provence.

Éric Cantona (1966) - Former French footballer and actor. He was born in Marseilles. He became famous as a player for Manchester United and the French national football team. Later, he also started to pursue an acting career.