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 most beautiful thing about this old city is the picturesque neighborhoods and the magnificent ocean views. Although it is a big city, you can easily visit it as a day trip and have a great time enjoying the beautiful vibes of the South of France ! In this article, you will find everything you need to know about your day trip to Marseille.
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Things to know before visiting Marseille
As the second largest city in the country, Marseille is huge with countless amazing places to explore. However, 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. As you can guess, you need to walk quite a while to get from one place to another. Therefore, you should bring comfortable shoes on this trip. If you visit Marseille in the summer, you should expect hot temperatures. So, you will need sunscreen and a hat to avoid uncomfortable situations. Conversely, if you are planning a winter trip to Marseille, prepare for strong winds. So, at least a windproof jacket is essential.
Marseille has a vibrant nightlife, especially in the summer months. But, the train station, Noailles neighborhood and any remote place should be avoided at night ! You should always be careful with your belongings, as there are many pickpockets and scammers in the busy places (port, subway, train station etc). The best areas to spend your free time are definitely the old town and the old port. You will have no trouble getting around and finding places for delicious food and drinks. Lastly, we cannot recommend enough to take a sunset boat tour to admire the fascinating views ! Sunrise and sunset hit different in Marseille.
How to get to Marseille ?
Paris and Marseille are the most easily accessible destinations in France. You can get to Marseille specifically either by flight, train and bus, or by boat. Marseille Provence Airport receives many flights from major European cities. It also connects France to other counties 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, Algiers.
It is easy to travel from Marseille Airport to the city center (about 25 kilometers). The most affordable way is to take the train. But, first you need to take the the free shuttle bus (platform 5) and then you will take the train. However, as you are short on time, we suggest you to book an airport transfer which is the quickest and most comfortable transfer option. Obviously you can take a taxi, but it will be more pricey.
How to get around Marseille ?
Marseille is a big bustling city, but very walkable. So, strolling through its beautiful neighborhoods is the best way to get a full experience of the city’s special beauty. But, to go from one area to another, the distance will be quite long. So, we recommend choosing an e-bike tour to get around. You will discover the most impressive monuments and the stunning coastline of the city ! Obviously if you visit Marseille in winter, it is not advisable to do such activities in the rain or wind. At this time of the year, it is best to use public transport.
The best time to visit Marseille
As you can guess, Marseille is an amazing summer destination with many incredible beaches not far from the city center. So, 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. So, if you want to escape the cold winter temperatures of other European countries, you can definitely consider a quick trip to Marseille.
Best things to do in Marseille (one day)
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 actually the hotspot of the city with countless locals and tourists around. Wandering around while enjoying the boats and the beautiful ambiance is definitely one of the best things to do ! 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 steps from the marina. So, you can first walk along the port and then take the sightseeing bus tour for a relaxing time.
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. So, 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 reward you ! We recommend that you go inside to admire this impressive church and there is no entrance fee.
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 to have a great time. Since this district has a rich history and hidden gems to discover, we really 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, because it has many photogenic spots.
4-Enjoy a coffee or a meal in the Old Town
The Panier district and the surrounding area is known as the Old Town of Marseille. It is perfect to spend your free time. The walk through the streets full of vibes and colors will leave you with the best impressions ! 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. In case you are a coffee lover like us, you will not be disappointed. There are many cute cafés to have a coffee and try some of the famous French pastries.
5-Take a romantic walk in the Vallon des Auffres
Along Marseille’s seaside promenade called “Corniche Kennnedy”, you will find the Vallon des Auffres. It 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 just 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. That is why 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. Plus, the morning light makes it even prettier. Since the Vallon des Auffres is one of the must-see places in Marseille, you can visit it as a part of a guided tour !
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 definitely 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
Since Marseille has one of the longest and most impressive coastlines in the South of France, we would suggest ending your day by the sea. Along Cornich Kennedy, you will find the longest bench in the world (3 kilometers long). So, you can take a walk and then relax watching the magical sunset ! But, if you want a closer contact with the sea, you can go down to one of the beaches (plages in French) and have a picnic or just enjoy the sunset. Apparently the beaches and boulevard are overcrowded during peak season. That is why we recommend walking to find a small spot to watch the sunset. 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 more special experience to end your day in Marseille, you can go on a sunset sailing cruise. Get ready for mesmerizing views and sunset colors.
Other stunning places to visit in the South of France
1-Calanques de Cassis
Just 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 that will take your breath away with their epic views and scenery. Huge rock formations, lush green and turquoise waters are what you should expect from the Calanques ! They are famous hiking spots. So, if you want to hike, the easiest way to visit them is by car or public transport. But, if you just want to enjoy the amazing views and blue waters, we suggest you reach them by boat. There are many boat cruises that 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 ! So, you need to be in good shape, bring comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, food and water.
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 unwind and connect with nature ! The medieval villages, the surrounding valleys and the colorful fields will make you feel like you are stepping on the set of an old French movie. The easiest way to get to and enjoy Provence from Marseille is to take a guided tour with wine experience. You can alternatively hire a car or take the train or bus to get to Provence. But, 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, since it is very picturesque with vibrant colors and an adorable port. It is ideal for romantic strolls to enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean vibes ! We highly recommend a day trip to Sanary.
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. More specifically, along its coastline, you will find 5-star hotels, famous clothing brands, beach bars etc. But, you can enjoy a more picturesque side of it by visiting the Old town with its narrow alleys and cozy eating places. Since Cannes is quite far from Marseille (about 2 hours), 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 gems of this region. It has one of the most beautiful coastlines in France with azure waters. It is called “Promenade des Anglais” where many luxury hotels are located (for example the iconic Le Negresco Hotel). So, sunrise and sunset hit different in Nice ! But, 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, gift shops. If you visit Nice, be sure to go to the Castle Hill (Colline du Château in French) for the best panoramic view (right photo). In case you want to discover other nearby amazing places, we highly recommend taking a 2-hour scenic 3-wheel drive tour to get a good taste of this wonderful area.
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. Monaco is one of the most spectacular places we have ever been ! 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. The most convenient way to explore it properly is either by foot or by bus tour. Keep in mind that Monaco is very walkable, perfect for long walks with iconic views. In case you want to go to the Grand Prix held every May, Monaco 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. Thus, it combines the French and Italian culture and style ! Vibrant colors, a picturesque port, an amazing beach and delicious food is what you should expect from Menton. It is also considered the City of Lemons, as there are lemons and palm trees almost everywhere. We suggest you visit it for at least one day to get the most out of your time.
Final Thoughts
Marseille is one of the 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. Even in one day, you can explore most of Marseille’s gems and admire its stunning coastline. However, if you can spare a little extra time in the South of France, all of the above places are really worth a visit and can easily be visited as day trips from either Marseille or Nice !
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