Marseille Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Marseille tours, Old Port walks, Notre-Dame de la Garde, Calanques boat trips, Provençal food tours and day trips to Aix-en-Provence, Cassis and Avignon. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Marseille itinerary.
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Explore Marseille by interest
Whatever brings you to Marseille — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Old Port & Le Panier
The harbour and old quarter.
ExploreNotre-Dame de la Garde
The hilltop basilica and views.
ExploreCalanques boat trips
Cliffs and turquoise coves.
ExploreFood & bouillabaisse
Seafood and Provençal flavours.
ExploreAix-en-Provence
Fountains and Cézanne’s city.
ExploreCassis & Calanques
A pretty port and turquoise coves.
ExploreAvignon & Provence
The papal city and lavender.
ExploreDay trips
The best of Provence.
ExploreTop attractions in Marseille
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Old Port
The lively heart of Marseille.
Notre-Dame de la Garde
The hilltop basilica and views.
The Calanques
Cliffs and turquoise coves.
Bouillabaisse & food
Seafood and Provençal flavours.
Aix-en-Provence
Fountains and Cézanne’s city.
Cassis
A pretty port and turquoise coves.
Avignon
The medieval papal city.
Le Panier
The colourful old quarter.
Marseille in 1 day
- 1Old Port & Le Panier
- 2Notre-Dame de la Garde
- 3Calanques boat trip
- 4Bouillabaisse dinner
Marseille in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Old Port & basilica
- 2Calanques boat trip
- 3Day 2: Aix or Cassis
- 4Provençal food
Marseille in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Old Port & basilica
- 2Day 2: Cassis & Calanques
- 3Day 3: Aix or Avignon
- 4Provençal evenings
Marseille with kids
- 1Old Port & boats
- 2Calanques swim trip
- 3MuCEM & forts
- 4Beach time
45 min awayCassis & Calanques
A pretty port and turquoise coves.
40 min awayAix-en-Provence
Fountains and Cézanne’s elegant city.
1.25 hrs awayAvignon
The medieval papal city and bridge.
1.25 hrs awayLuberon villages
Hilltop villages and lavender in summer.
1.5 hrs awayPont du Gard
A spectacular Roman aqueduct.
40 min awayCôte Bleue
Coastal coves and fishing villages.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Marseille visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) bring warm, sunny weather and swimmable seas with thinner crowds — the best times to visit.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Warm, blooming days ideal for the city and Calanques, with the sea warming by June.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Hot, sunny and busy, perfect for the Calanques and beaches; book boat trips ahead and seek shade midday.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Warm sea, golden light and fewer crowds — a wonderful time for the coast and Provence.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Mild but quieter, with some boat trips reduced; sunny days still make city sightseeing pleasant.
The Mistral
The cold, strong Mistral wind can blow at any time, clearing the skies but sometimes pausing boat trips — check forecasts.
One day
Enough for the Old Port, the basilica and a Calanques trip.
Two days
Add a day trip to Aix-en-Provence or Cassis.
Three days
The sweet spot: the city, the Calanques, and deeper Provence.
Four to five days
Add Avignon, the Luberon, the lavender and more coast.
A week or more
Use Marseille as a base to explore all of Provence.
Travelling with kids
Mix the Old Port, a Calanques swim and the beaches at a gentle pace.
On foot
The Old Port, Le Panier and the central sights are compact and best explored on foot.
Metro & tram
Two metro lines and trams link the centre, the basilica area and the stations — quick and cheap.
Boats & ferries
Boat trips to the Calanques and the Frioul islands leave from the Old Port, with a little ferry crossing it.
Buses
City buses reach Notre-Dame de la Garde and the beaches; bus 60 and the tourist train climb to the basilica.
Day-trip transport
Frequent trains and buses reach Aix, Cassis and Avignon; tours bundle the Provence highlights.
From the airport
Marseille Airport links to the centre by shuttle bus to Saint-Charles station in about 25 minutes.
Book Calanques trips ahead
Popular Calanques boat trips fill up in summer and depend on the weather — book ahead and check the Mistral forecast.
Most sights are free
The Old Port, Le Panier and Notre-Dame de la Garde are free to explore; budget mainly for boat trips and museums.
Currency & tipping
France uses the euro; service is included, though rounding up for good service is appreciated.
Marseille City Pass
The City Pass covers transport, museums and a boat trip — good value for a busy itinerary.
Try bouillabaisse
For real bouillabaisse, choose a reputable port restaurant; it’s a celebratory dish, so expect to pay for quality.
Stay street-aware
Marseille is vibrant and generally safe for visitors, but as in any big city, watch your belongings around the stations and crowds.
Calanques boat trips
Popular cruises fill up and depend on weather — book ahead.
Provence day trips
Aix, Cassis and Avignon tours fill up in summer — reserve early.
Food tours
Small-group food tours have limited places — book ahead.
Walking tours
Guided Old Port and Le Panier tours fill up — reserve ahead.
Lavender tours
Summer lavender day trips sell out fast — book well ahead.
Summer peak
July and August fill hotels, boats and tours — plan early.
Old Port & city walks
Around €20–40 for a guided Old Port and Le Panier walking tour.
Calanques boat trips
Roughly €25–55 for a Calanques cruise from the Old Port or Cassis.
Food tours
About €60–95 for a guided food tour with several tastings.
Provence day trips
Around €60–90 for an Aix, Cassis or Avignon day trip.
Lavender tours
About €90–130 for a summer lavender and villages day trip.
How to save
Walk the free Old Port and Le Panier, use the City Pass, and take trains to Aix and Cassis.
Marseille through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Warm, blooming days before the crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- The sea warms by June.
- Best for
- Hot, sunny days for the Calanques and beaches.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Book boat trips ahead; seek shade midday.
- Best for
- Warm sea, golden light and thinner crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- A wonderful time for the coast and Provence.
- Best for
- Mild, quiet days with sunny skies.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Some boat trips reduced; pack for the Mistral.