Marseille is one of the most popular destinations in France. If you are looking for authentic places to visit with a lively ambiance and lots of things to do, it should be at the top of your list. Since it has the oldest port in Europe, it is busy all year round. The old city is the most picturesque neighborhood. It also offers magnificent ocean views. Although it is a big city, you can easily visit it as a day trip. You will have an amazing time enjoying the Mediterranean vibes of the South of France! In this article, you will find the ultimate travel guide to your day trip to Marseille in France.
Travel Together Gr contains affiliate links. By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost. Thank you for your support ❤︎ Read our full disclosure policy here.
Things to know before visiting Marseille
As the second largest city in the country, Marseille is huge with countless awesome places to explore. For your day trip, we suggest focusing on the main tourist attractions, such as the old port, the old town, and the beautiful coastline. The most convenient way to discover all its gems without spending a lot of money and time is to buy a CityPass. You will also need to walk quite a while to get from one place to another. So, you should bring comfortable shoes on this trip. If you visit Marseille in the summer, you should expect hot temperatures. Conversely, if you are planning a winter trip to Marseille, prepare for strong winds.
Marseille has a vibrant nightlife, especially in the summer months. However, the train station, the “Noailles” neighborhood, and any outlying area should be avoided at night! You should always be careful with your belongings, as there are many pickpockets and scammers in busy places. The best areas to spend your free time are the old town and the old port. You will have no trouble getting around and finding places for delicious food and drinks. Lastly, we highly recommend taking a sunset boat tour to admire the fascinating views. Sunrise and sunset are magical in Marseille.
How to get to Marseille?
Paris and Marseille are the most easily accessible destinations in France. You can get to Marseille either by plane, train, bus, or boat. Marseille Provence Airport receives many flights from major European cities. It also connects France to other countries of the world. Trains and buses are the most convenient ways to get around France. However, you can alternatively take the ferry and reach Marseille from nearby places and countries, such as Corsica, Tunis, and Algeria. If you are visiting Marseille by plane, it is easy to travel from Marseille Airport to the city center (about 25 kilometers). The most affordable way is to take the train. However, you need to take the free shuttle bus (platform 5), and then you will take the train. Otherwise, you can take a taxi, but it will be more expensive.
The best time to visit Marseille
Marseille is an amazing summer destination with many incredible beaches not far from the city center. You can easily find great swimming spots within minutes of the busy center. However, due to its geographical location, it has a mild climate with many sunny days throughout the year. If you want to escape the cold winter temperatures of other European countries, you can consider a quick trip to Marseille.
Best things to do in one day in Marseille – France
1-Visit the Old Port
The old port of Marseille (“Vieux Port” in French) is located in the heart of the city center and is a must-see. It consists of a marina with luxury yachts, 5-star hotels, and many waterfront cafés and restaurants. It is the hotspot of the city with countless locals and tourists around. If you want to get a first impression of Marseille, you can take a quick tour on a hop-on-hop-off bus. The starting point of this bus is just a few meters from the marina.
2-Head to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde
Notre Dame de la Garde is a Catholic church that is the landmark of Marseille. Since it is located uphill, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. It is about 3 kilometers from the old port. You can either walk to the basilica (around 45 minutes) or take the number 60 bus. Once there, you have to climb the 200 steps to get to Notre Dame. The views along the way will leave you in awe.
3-Walk around the Panier district
You cannot have a full Marseille experience without visiting the Panier district (“the basket” in English). It is the oldest neighborhood of the city with cobbled alleys, colorful old houses, beautiful flowers, and artwork. You can easily find it right behind the old port. So, we suggest you go on foot. It is a real pleasure to get lost in its narrow streets and enjoy all the vivid colors. There are lots of nice shops, cafés, and restaurants. Since this district has a rich history and many hidden gems, we recommend a walking tour. For us, it is the most interesting and picturesque place in Marseille. Plus, it is the perfect place for beautiful photos, since it has many photogenic spots.
4-Enjoy a coffee or a meal in the Old Town
The Panier district and the surrounding area are known as the old town of Marseille. It is a great treat to walk through the colorful streets. If you are a foodie, the old town is the right place to enjoy delicious meals. You can try local specialties or any other cuisine. There are also many adorable cafés to have a coffee and try some of the famous French pastries.
5-Take a romantic walk in the Vallon des Auffes
Along Marseille’s seaside promenade called “Corniche Kennnedy”, you will find the Vallon des Auffres. The latter is a traditional fishing village and one of the most authentic parts of the city. It is located between the Catalan beach and Malmousque Bay. You have to go down some stairs and you will find it easily. We could describe it as the island part of Marseille with old houses, boats, and narrow alleyways. It is the perfect place to unwind and admire the stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. However, if you want to enjoy a romantic walk without too many people, we suggest you get there as early as possible.
6-Take a boat tour of the Frioul Islands
Off the Mediterranean Coast of France, there is a group of four islands (If, Promègues, Tiboulen, and Ratonneau). You can reach them within a few minutes from Marseille Old Port! For your day trip, we recommend taking a quick boat tour of these incredible islands. They have dreamy beaches and beautiful places to walk. It is one of the bucket list experiences in Marseille. If you visit them in the summer months, you will have the opportunity to swim or snorkel.
7-Finish your day in Marseille enjoying its beaches
Marseille has one of the longest and most impressive coastlines in the South of France. So, we would suggest ending your day by the sea. Along the Cornich Kennedy, you will find the longest bench in the world (3 kilometers long). You should know that the beaches and the boulevard are usually overcrowded during the peak summer season. The best and closest beaches to the city center are Plage du Prophète and any part of the Plages du Prado. If you want a special experience to end your day in Marseille, you can go on a sunset sailing cruise. Get ready for mesmerizing views and beautiful sunset colors.
Other places to visit in the South of France
1-Calanques de Cassis
A few kilometers from Marseille, you will find one of the most dreamy places in France, the famous Calanques National Park. It is usually called “Calanques de Cassis” or “Calanques de Marseille”. There are about a dozen different calanques. Huge rock formations, greenery, and turquoise waters are what you should expect from the Calanques. They are also famous hiking spots. If you just want to enjoy the amazing views and blue waters of the Calanques, we suggest you reach them by boat. Many boat cruises take you from the Old Port of Marseille to the Calanques. Be aware that you have to do a lot of hiking in some Calanques.
2-Provence
If you are looking for fairytale villages in the South of France, Provence should be at the top of your list. About 100 kilometers from Marseille, you will find yourself in the most picturesque region in France. Provence is the perfect place to connect with nature. The medieval villages, the surrounding valleys, and the colorful fields create a unique setting. The easiest way to get to Provence from Marseille is to take a guided wine tour. You can alternatively hire a car or take the train or bus to get to Provence. However, you will need more than a day to explore this incredible region.
3-Sanary-sur-Mer
About 55 kilometers from Marseille, you will find the hidden gem of Sanary-sur-Mer. You can get there either by car, train, or bus. It is one of our favorite places in the South of France with an adorable port. It is ideal for romantic strolls to enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean vibes.
4-Cannes
In the heart of the French Riviera, you will find Cannes, which is one of the most luxurious and world-famous places. It owes its fame to the International Film Festival that takes place every May. Cannes perfectly combines the glamorous life with authenticity. Along its coastline, you will find 5-star hotels, famous clothing brands, beach bars, etc. However, you can enjoy a more picturesque side of the city by visiting the Old Town. Since Cannes is quite far from Marseille by car or train (about 173 kilometers), we suggest taking a catamaran cruise with lunch to enjoy this French gem to the fullest.
5-Nice
Nice is a unique French city that should be on everyone’s bucket list. As the capital of the French Riviera, it is the best place to base yourself and take day trips to the other parts of this region. It has one of the most beautiful coastlines in France, called “Promenade des Anglais”. The sunrise and sunset are magical in Nice! It also has an adorable Old Town full of life and colors. You will find almost everything there, from cute shops, cafés, patisseries, restaurants, to Galleries, and gift shops. If you visit Nice, be sure to go to Castle Hill for the best panoramic view (photo on the right).
6-Monaco
Monaco is the second smallest country in the world. Since it is geographically located on the French Riviera, we wanted to add it to this list. It has amazing Mediterranean vibes and epic ocean views. As you may know, it is also one of the most luxurious places in the world. That is why we suggest visiting as a day trip if you are on a budget. Even though it is a tiny place, it has a lot of things to do, especially in the summer. It is perfect for long walks with iconic views. In case you want to go to the Grand Prix held every May, be aware that it gets hectic and more expensive.
7-Menton
Menton is the dreamiest town on the French Riviera. It is the last French town before the Italian border. So, it combines French and Italian culture and style. Vibrant colors, a picturesque port, an amazing beach, and delicious food are what you should expect from Menton. It is also considered the City of Lemons, as there are lemons and palm trees almost everywhere.
Final Thoughts
Marseille is one of our favorite places in France that we visit whenever we feel that urge to be near the ocean. It is one of the best places for quick getaways. You can explore most of its gems in one day. However, if you can spare extra time in the South of France, all of the above places are worth a visit. They can easily be visited as day trips from Marseille or Nice.
Don’t have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!
