We accept
We accept
Top Marseille Holiday Deals
Top Marseille Holiday Deals
Top Marseille Holiday Deals
Pick Your Marseille Package at the Best Price Now
Popular Marseille Hotel Deals
Popular Marseille Hotel Deals
Popular Marseille Hotel Deals
From the cheapest to luxury, find your preferred Marseille Hotel Package
TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
Why travel to Marseille: Find out the top 10 reasons to visit
Click to navigate through sections.
01
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A Sneak Peek into Marseille
- A holiday in Marseille is the best combination of a city break and a beach holiday.
- Marseille is packed with hidden jewels, from the bustling city centre to the quaint ancient districts, the clamour of the Velodrome Stadium, to the sandy beaches.
- Marseille, France's oldest and second-largest city, has a long and rich history, a fascinating culture, and a lot of personalities.
- Unlike Paris, this French city has almost continuous sunlight, many lovely sandy beaches, and a distinct and exciting flavour.
- On holiday in Marseille, you will not be disappointed by the colourful harbour, attractive architecture, and world-class galleries.
- But its magnificent coastline, cliffs, and secret rivers will take your breath away.
- A holiday to Marseille is much more than a city holiday, with sandy beaches to explore, coastal routes to ride, and secluded coves to find.
- Capital- Marseille (capital of Bouches-du-Rhône département, southern France)
- International Airport: Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)
- Population- 1,613,797 (2021)
- Currency- Euro
- Time: Marseille, France (GMT+2)
- Driving side- Right side
- Main Electricity- 400V
- Official Language- French
- Religion- Muslim
02
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Top Tourist Attractions in Marseille
- Marseille's bustling Vieux Harbor (old port) is packed with yachts and leisure boats.
- The city's oldest portion lies only uphill in the old Le Panier neighbourhood.
- The République neighbourhood, with its fashionable stores and Haussmannian architecture, and the Joliette sector centred around Marseille's totemic Cathédrale de Marseille Notre Dame de la Major, are also worth seeing.
03
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
Best Months to Visit Marseille
- Marseille is best visited between September and November, when tourists who visited during the peak season of May to August have returned home, freeing up the beaches, sights, and lodgings.
- December through March are low season, with average temperatures in the 40s and a deserted city.
- April is another beautiful time of year, with cheap rates on flights and all inclusive hotel accommodations and good weather and fewer crowds.
04
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
The Best Places to Visit in Marseille
Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
- Since the 15th century, an observation station has been atop Garde Hill.
- It was followed by a fort, which later served as the basis for Notre Dame de la Garde basilica.
- Today, a massive statue of the Virgin Mary rests atop the bell tower, gazing over sailors, fishers, and the port city; it is a landmark in Marseille.
- A sanctuary within the cathedral is also dedicated to the Virgin Mary, whose feast day is August 5.
- Pilgrims visit the basilica regularly.
Les Calanques
- Les Calanques are a collection of small fjords located near Cassis, south of Marseille.
- The small inlets are surrounded by sheer cliffs of limestone or dolomite and are quite beautiful.
- Hiking even a fraction of the cliffs above the Mediterranean Sea and its fjords may take a day, with foot access prohibited in summer owing to high heat, whereas boating through the inlets takes only a few hours.
- Samna, located south of Marseille, is a must-see calanque with a stony beach popular with scuba divers.
Chateau d'If
- Château d'If is an island stronghold in the Mediterranean Sea, roughly two miles from Marseille's Old Port.
- The fortifications encircle the whole island of If.
- It was erected in 1524 to protect Marseille from invading armies arriving from the Mediterranean.
- It was successful in this endeavour.
- This is a fortunate thing because the stronghold was shoddily constructed with its numerous gun positions.
- The château later held political prisoners; it is most known as the setting for Alexander Dumas's 19th-century book "The Count of Monte Cristo."
- It is accessible by boat from Marseille.
Old Port of Marseille
- The Old Port, or Vieux Port, has been a natural harbour since the ancient Greeks established Marseille 2,400 years ago; however, it is currently mainly exploited as a tourist attraction.
- The Old Port used to accommodate 18,000 ships every year.
- The Old Port is designed for strolls and unwinding with a glass of wine at a sidewalk café.
- The lighthouse, the Phare de Sainte Marie, and the Roman Dock Museum are all located here, as is St. Victor's Abbey, one of France's earliest Christian churches.
Fort Saint-Jean
- Fort Saint-Jean is a vast waterfront stronghold that serves as the gateway to the Old Port.
- King Louis XIV authorized the construction of the defence, as he did Fort Saint Nicholas on the other side of the port.
- It was utilized for political prisoners during the French Revolution and afterwards as a staging place for fresh French Foreign Legion soldiers.
- During World War II, the German forces occupied the fort, and part of it was destroyed when a munitions stockpile burst.
- After 30 years, the fort was renovated and is now part of the MuCEM.
Palais Longchamp
- The Palais Longchamp monument was built to commemorate the completion of the Canal de Marseille, which transports water from the Durance River to Marseille.
- The magnificent structure was completed in 1869 following a 30-year construction period.
- When the building is lit up at night, it creates a stunning scene.
- It now houses the natural history and fine arts museums of the city.
- France's most famous garden, the Parc Longchamp, is part of the complex.
- The park previously held a zoo, and you can still see the structures from that time.
- There is also an impressive sculpture, an artificial cave, and a traditional French garden.
05
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
Marseille Off the Beaten Track
Old Port (Vieux Port)
- Marseille's Vieux Port (Vieux Port) is the old Mediterranean city's vibrant core.
- A trip along the marina provides breathtaking views of the sea and fortifications.
- A striking mirror project on the semi-pedestrian Quai des Belges is an excellent location for selfies.
- In the morning, visit the Marché de la Peche to glimpse local culture.
Le Panier
- Le Panier, located north of the Vieux Port, is a popular neighbourhood steeped in history-century.
- May find some of the oldest streets, squares, and structures in the twisting, hilly region known as "the basket."
- The ancient Greeks colonized the region, as indicated by places like the Place de Lenche, which housed an agora initially.
La Canebière
- "La Canebière" is one of Marseille's liveliest neighbourhoods, attracting locals and visitors.
- Many old hotels and specimens of neoclassical, Haussmannian and contemporary design can be seen along the Avenue.
- While the main Avenue has a lot to offer in shopping and people-watching, don't forget to check out the other retail streets, including Rue de Paradis, Rue St Ferréol, and Rue de Rome.
Cours Julien
- Marseille's trendiest neighbourhoods are popular among locals for their nightlife, boutiques, restaurants, edge galleries, and walls covered in street art.
- Cours Julien, located east of the Noailles market area, is worth exploring for a true sense of current culture (especially on the younger side).
- Please begin your exploration of the smaller bordering streets at the Cours Julien square itself, an enormous plaza surrounded by palm palms and crowded with bars, boutiques, and restaurants.
06
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
Marseille Culture and Traditions
- Marseille has a rich history: it is France's oldest city.
- A stroll through its streets and a glance at many structures from various centuries are required to immerse yourself in this important historical site.
- This French city allows you to learn all of its historical mysteries by walking around its neighbourhoods.
- There are also various attractions to assist you to discover or rediscovering Marseille's traditions. Such as the game of pétanque, Marseille soap, and local perfumeries are delightful sites where you can learn more about all of the tales of this historic Mediterranean city.
- And if you're still not content with your discoveries, head to the islands around Marseille.
- Friuli or Château d'If will have many relics of Marseille's history and immerse you even more in the exciting lifestyle of the Southern Capital.
07
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
Marseille: Food, Fun & Fashion Guide
BOUILLABAISE
#Food
- It is the main dish of Marseille culture.
- It is a fresh fish stew served with garlic bread emblematic of Mediterranean cuisine.
- Each Marseille native claims to have inherited his grandmother's authentic bouillabaisse recipe and refuses to share this family secret.
AÏOLI
#Food
- It is commonly known that true Provençals use a generous amount of aioli on all of their dishes.
- Purists argue that this sauce should have a few cloves of garlic and a dash of olive oil.
- According to the French poet Frederic Mistral, in addition to its flavour, which conveys "all the delight of the sun of Provence," the intense fragrance of aioli may also keep flies away.
PISTOU SOUP
#Food
- This classic soup incorporates all of the summer veggies from our wonderful area.
- However, this sunny delicacy is as unique as the pistou, a blend of basil, olive oil, and garlic that adds an unmistakable flavour to the preparation.
- A healthier and more dietetic alternative to our Italian friends' pesto spaghetti!
RATATOUILLE
#Food
- There is a reason why Disney's famous film chose to include this (much more) famous cuisine from our region in its plot!
- Nothing is more straightforward than veggies produced on our sunny fields and a drizzle of olive oil.
- On the other hand, the flavour will remind everyone of the sweetness of childhood and family feasts in the South of France.
- In a nutshell, it's an essential cuisine that many other areas covet.
Old Port of Marseille
#Fashion
- Marseille's Old Port has been the city's throbbing heart for generations.
- Temporary markets and souvenir stores are excellent places to find authentic Marseille souvenirs.
- The tourist office shop deserves special recognition for its vast selection of one-of-a-kind goods featuring the city's colours.
Rue Saint-Férréol
#Fashion
- Rue Saint-Férréol is a pedestrian street in Marseille, France.
- It runs between Marseille's first and sixth districts, forming the well-known golden shopping triangle.
- The most renowned fashion labels and jewellers, fashionable boutiques, and recreational businesses are here.
Rue de Rome
#Fashion
- Rue de Rome is a major thoroughfare in Marseille's first and sixth districts, stretching about 1.2 kilometres.
- The street's boutiques are crammed with stylish things at reasonable costs.
- Don't forget to visit Le Père Blaize, a famous herb pharmacy founded in 1815 and located down a side street.
Explore the vibrant streets of Le Panier (Old Town)
#Fun
- Le Panier, Marseilles' oldest area, has been inhabited since antiquity, when the ancient Greeks arrived around 600 BC.
- May find numerous noteworthy landmarks in the area, notably the 17th-century Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall).
- The Cathédrale de la Major and the Vieille Charité, a museum with remarkable modern art exhibitions, are important landmarks.
Calanques National Park offers nature walks and scenic boat tours.
#Fun
- The Calanques fjords provide breathtaking views on an exquisite journey through the quiet coastal environment for those who prefer sailing and boat tours.
- With fjord-like bays filled with seawater pools in hypnotic turquoise colours, majestic limestone rock cliffs differentiate the terrain.
- Visitors may admire the pure nature and stunning ocean views thanks to an excellent path system.
- A guided boat tour or a private boat ride are also options.
Explore the Vieux Port (Old Harbor)
#Fun
- Marseilles developed as a Greek harbour in the Vieux Port in approximately 600 BC.
- A walk around the bustling waterfront immerses tourists in the sights and sounds of a flourishing Mediterranean port.
- The waterfront is a popular destination, and many consider it to be one of the best places to eat authentic local cuisine in Marseilles.
08
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
Marseille: Natural Beauty & Safari Adventures
- The Calanques cliffs are a natural beauty located between Marseille and Cassis.
- This one-of-a-kind and stunning panorama is a must-see in Marseille!
- This biodiverse beauty appears like a postcard with pebbles and fine sandy beaches.
- Miniature fjords with blue water; this biodiverse beauty appears to be a postcard!
- It's the ideal spot for sunbathing, exploring the seafloor, or trying out some water activities like kayaking.
- Whether you're planning a trek or simply enjoying the water and nature surrounding you, this gorgeous location will satisfy all of your desires.
- Some Calanques are more accessible and better suitable for families than others.
- Other, more difficult-to-reach Calanques will be ideal for hikers, and their efforts will be amply rewarded.
- When visiting Marseille, don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind spot!
09
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
Marseille Must-Attend Festivals and Events
- Year-round, Marseille events fill the calendar of things to do in this port city in the southeast of France.
- Although visitor activity is highest in the spring and summer, we can find several Marseille festivals throughout the non-peak season tourism months.
- Carnaval, the SNIM (International Mediterranean Nautical Week), the Festival de Marseille, and the 5 Continents Jazz Festival are among the significant festivals in Marseille.
- As you finalize your plans to visit Marseille, you can begin to take a closer look at everything that this dynamic city of art and culture has to offer its visitors.
- Several restaurants provide delicious local cuisine and art galleries and museums.
- There are also many historical sites, churches, and buildings to see, not to mention the beautiful beaches, so you won't be bored if one of the significant events isn't taking place.
- In a country with a sizable Roman Catholic population, Carnaval is one of the most popular Marseille celebrations.
- The traditional processions and parades pass through the city centre and conclude in the Vieux Port.
- The Japan Expo and the Russian Festival are important festivals during this time of year.
- These two Marseille festivals honour the cultures of Russia and Japan, respectively.
FAQs to Plan Your Best Marseille Holiday
Places similar to Marseille to visit
Places similar to Marseille to visit
Places similar to Marseille to visit