Marseille

Travel Guide

Vieux Port featuring boating and a marina
Marseille showing rocky coastline, a coastal town and cbd
Vieux Port featuring boating, a coastal town and a marina
Notre-Dame de la Garde showing a coastal town, landscape views and a sunset
Marseille featuring night scenes and modern architecture
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 square or plaza and a church or cathedral

Old Port of Marseille

Enjoy the captivating waterfront views in Old Port of Marseille. Hotel de Ville is a worthwhile stop, and you can jump on the metro at Vieux-Port Station or Joliette Station to see more of Marseille.

Old Port of Marseille
8th Arrondissement featuring a fountain, a pool and a park

8th Arrondissement

4.5/5(19 area reviews)

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
Default Image

9th Arrondissement

5/5(1 area review)

Marseille's 9th arrondissement, the largest district, boasts the historic Mazargues Obelisk and War Cemetery, with convenient access to Rond-Point du Prado and Sainte-Marguerite Dromel metro stations.

9th Arrondissement
Prado Beach showing a beach and general coastal views 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
Notre-Dame de la Garde showing heritage elements, landscape views and views

6th Arrondissement

4/5(39 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Place Castellane while getting to know 6th Arrondissement, and be sure to check out the waterfront views. You can hop aboard the metro at Castellane Station or Estrangin Station to see more of the area.

6th Arrondissement
Le pas de la demie lune, Marseille. A nice hiking with a beautiful view. You can see the archipelago of Riou, natural reserve, the island of Jarron and Calseraigne, and, you have a view until La Seyne sur Mer.

Les Goudes

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

Les Goudes
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
The price is ₩201,061 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
₩201,061
₩231,676 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Marseille. Enjoy free WiFi, a marina, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,011 reviews)
"Staff was super sweet and uograded me to a room overlooking the port of Marseille. Also made me an itinerary for places to visit. The room was spacious, clean and with a great view. The location is also ideal to walk around to all the major landmarks, lounges and restaurant. When back in Marseille, ..."

Reviewed on Jul 16, 2025

Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - Marseille Vieux Port
InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu by IHG

InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu by IHG

5 out of 5
1 Place Daviel, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhone
The price is ₩357,147 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
₩357,147
₩406,830 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Marseille. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9/10 Wonderful! (987 reviews)
"All ok"

Reviewed on Jun 27, 2025

InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu by IHG
Residhotel Grand Prado

Residhotel Grand Prado

3 out of 5
Allée Turcat Méry, 7 square des frères Ambrogiani, Marseille
The price is ₩92,447 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
₩92,447
₩108,676 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Marseille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (2,243 reviews)
"Séjour agréable mais manque de communication pour le parking"

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2025

Residhotel Grand Prado
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.
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 WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (2,243 reviews)
"Séjour agréable mais manque de communication pour le parking"

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2025

Residhotel Grand Prado
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 WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,226 reviews)
"Staffs are very nice"

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

Staycity Aparthotels, Marseille, Centre Vieux Port
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 WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (587 reviews)
"Clean, convenience,safe parking available."

Reviewed on May 9, 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
89
5 - Excellent 37%
4 - Good
109
4 - Good 46%
3 - Okay
33
3 - Okay 14%
2 - Disappointing
6
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

A.Lawrence

loved it. people said it was dangerous, i beg to differ.. the port and the surrounding areas are just lovely. i will return to see more of Marseille

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

We stayed a week at this property because they were honest. We had issues with other places who were not very trustworthy. Marseille is not a very straightforward experience, you have to be careful where you stay.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

This city is not sightseeing city. Some local trains are dirty on the outside. Rail roads in the station were filled with garbage.

4/5 - Good

Ozzy

During the day and up u til 8pm, it is nice. But when the sun goes down, it gets empty and shady. I was alone and am a female and felt a bit scared. There seems to be many transients that prey on tourists. I felt like I was being followed a few times

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Unfortunately strikes & protesting is happening during my visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful weather, kind people, great graffiti, lots to do, great food

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