Marseille Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Marseille, France's second-largest city, offers a blend of historical sites, such as the iconic Notre-Dame de la Garde, and vibrant markets like Le Panier. Visitors can enjoy stunning Mediterranean views, explore the colorful Vieux-Port, and taste Provençal cuisine.
With 288+ hand-picked places to explore, Marseille rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in Marseille
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Colline Puget — a tranquil hilltop park with sweeping views of Marseille and the Mediterranean Sea. Just as worthwhile is Monument de la Porte d'Aix: ideal for history enthusiasts and those interested in French architecture. Église Saint-Ferréol les Augustins completes the picture: ideal for history enthusiasts and architecture lovers looking to explore unique design elements.
Colline Puget
Marseille • Scenic Viewpoints & Lookouts
A tranquil hilltop park with sweeping views of Marseille and the Mediterranean Sea.
Monument de la Porte d'Aix
Marseille • Monuments & Statues
Ideal for history enthusiasts and those interested in French architecture.
Église Saint-Ferréol les Augustins
Marseille • Historic Architecture
Ideal for history enthusiasts and architecture lovers looking to explore unique design elements.
Monument aux Héros et Victimes de la Mer
Marseille • Monuments & Statues
A significant stop on a day exploring Marseille's maritime history and waterfront.
Museums & Culture in Marseille
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Fort Saint-Jean: ideal for history enthusiasts and families, this fort offers a glimpse into Marseille's past. Locals will also point you to Cathédrale La Major — an architectural highlight that fits well into a day exploring Marseille's rich history and coastal views. And for something different, there's Abbaye Saint-Victor: ideal for history enthusiasts and cultural explorers seeking a glimpse into early Christian traditions.
Fort Saint-Jean
Marseille • Historical Sites
Ideal for history enthusiasts and families, this fort offers a glimpse into Marseille's past.
Cathédrale La Major
Marseille • Historical Sites
An architectural highlight that fits well into a day exploring Marseille's rich history and coastal views.
Abbaye Saint-Victor
Marseille • Historical Sites
Ideal for history enthusiasts and cultural explorers seeking a glimpse into early Christian traditions.
Galerie Territoires Partagés
Marseille • Art Galleries
Located on Rue du Chevalier Roze, this gallery highlights emerging and experimental artists in Marseille.
Best Things to Do in Marseille
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Calanque de Sormiou — ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers seeking tranquility and stunning coastal views. Calanque de Morgiou earns its reputation too — explore the natural beauty of Calanque de Morgiou during your outdoor adventures in Marseille. Round out the shortlist with Cap Croisette — a captivating peninsula offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and rugged landscapes for outdoor activities.
Calanque de Sormiou
Marseille • Outdoor
Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers seeking tranquility and stunning coastal views.
Calanque de Morgiou
Marseille • Outdoor
Explore the natural beauty of Calanque de Morgiou during your outdoor adventures in Marseille.
Cap Croisette
Marseille • Outdoor
A captivating peninsula offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and rugged landscapes for outdoor activities.
Palais Longchamp
Marseille • Family-Friendly
Ideal for families seeking art, history, and outdoor space in Marseille.
Where to Eat in Marseille
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Chez Sauveur — ideal for budget-conscious travelers seeking authentic street food in Marseille's lively atmosphere. Just as worthwhile is Le Miramar: on Quai du Port, this restaurant emphasizes local cuisine with a focus on traditional seafood dishes. Le Petit Pastoret completes the picture: a fine dining restaurant in Marseille, perfect for a meal after exploring the city's sights.
Chez Sauveur
Marseille • Street Food
Ideal for budget-conscious travelers seeking authentic street food in Marseille's lively atmosphere.
Le Miramar
Marseille • Local Cuisine
On Quai du Port, this restaurant emphasizes local cuisine with a focus on traditional seafood dishes.
Le Petit Pastoret
Marseille • Fine Dining
A fine dining restaurant in Marseille, perfect for a meal after exploring the city's sights.
Chez Fonfon
Marseille • Local Cuisine
Start your culinary journey at this fishing port enclave, where Marseille's seafood tradition comes alive.
Marseille After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Le Cri du Port: a classic stop for a night of jazz in Marseille, perfect after a day of exploring the city. Locals will also point you to Espace Julien — ideal for music enthusiasts looking for live performances in an intimate setting. And for something different, there's L'Alchimiste: an ever-changing selection of craft beers sets this lively bar apart in Marseille's nightlife scene.
Le Cri du Port
Marseille • Live Jazz Venues
A classic stop for a night of jazz in Marseille, perfect after a day of exploring the city.
Espace Julien
Marseille • Live Music Venues
Ideal for music enthusiasts looking for live performances in an intimate setting.
L'Alchimiste
Marseille • Craft Beer Bars
An ever-changing selection of craft beers sets this lively bar apart in Marseille's nightlife scene.
La Ruche
Marseille • Craft Beer Bars
Ideal for groups seeking a lively atmosphere and a wide selection of local craft beers.
Where to Stay in Marseille
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Casa Ortega — this artistic bed-and-breakfast on Rue des Petites Maries offers a unique local experience in Marseille. Château de la Buzine earns its reputation too — a historic château that doubles as a bed and breakfast, offering a unique experience in Marseille. Round out the shortlist with Le Clos du Jas — ideal for couples and families seeking a tranquil retreat with city views and rural charm.
Casa Ortega
Marseille • Bed & Breakfast
This artistic bed-and-breakfast on Rue des Petites Maries offers a unique local experience in Marseille.
Château de la Buzine
Marseille • Bed & Breakfast
A historic château that doubles as a bed and breakfast, offering a unique experience in Marseille.
Le Clos du Jas
Marseille • Bed & Breakfast
Ideal for couples and families seeking a tranquil retreat with city views and rural charm.
Les Bords de Mer
Marseille • Spa Hotels
Located along Corniche Kennedy, this seaside hotel emphasizes wellness with modern design and beach access.
Shopping in Marseille
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Le Dressing de Mlle — a curated selection of vintage clothing reflecting Marseille's fashion history awaits at this thrift shop. Just as worthwhile is Les Docks Village: located in the revitalized area of Joliette, this shopping center merges historic architecture with contemporary retail. McArthurGlen Provence completes the picture: located in Miramas, this outlet shopping destination features luxury brands in an inviting open-air environment.
Le Dressing de Mlle
Marseille • Vintage & Thrift Shops
A curated selection of vintage clothing reflecting Marseille's fashion history awaits at this thrift shop.
Les Docks Village
Marseille • Malls
Located in the revitalized area of Joliette, this shopping center merges historic architecture with contemporary retail.
McArthurGlen Provence
Marseille • Outlet Shopping
Located in Miramas, this outlet shopping destination features luxury brands in an inviting open-air environment.
Grand Littoral
Marseille • Outlet Shopping
Ideal for families and shopping enthusiasts seeking outlet deals and scenic views.
Parks & Green Spaces in Marseille
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Île de Riou: an uninhabited island renowned for its stunning underwater ecosystems and rich wildlife diversity. Locals will also point you to Sentier du Littoral — a scenic coastal trail along rugged cliffs with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. And for something different, there's Jardin de la Villa Valmer: a botanical garden on the Corniche with sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Île de Riou
Marseille • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
An uninhabited island renowned for its stunning underwater ecosystems and rich wildlife diversity.
Sentier du Littoral
Marseille • Hiking Trails
A scenic coastal trail along rugged cliffs with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Jardin de la Villa Valmer
Marseille • Botanical Gardens
A botanical garden on the Corniche with sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Parc Borély
Marseille • Parks
A peaceful escape in Marseille, perfect for leisurely strolls and family outings amid natural beauty.
68 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Marseille that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Marseille list:
- Calanque d'En-Vau· Outdoor
- La Passarelle· Secret Foodie Spots
- Le Lauracée· Secret Foodie Spots
- Le Fantôme de l'Opéra· Secret Bars & Speakeasies
- Le Petit Nice Passedat· Secret Foodie Spots
Planning where to stay in Marseille?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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