Top things to do in Marseille
Attractions, tours and activities in Marseille
Marseille: the city's best neighbourhoods
Find a great area to stay in Marseille
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Vieux Port - La Canebière
In the city centre
La Canebière is Marseille’s most famous street. Though no longer the luxury haven it was in the 19th century, it's still the residents’ go-to strip for chain shops, trinkets and everyday bits and pieces. Bargains can be found near Belsunce Cours, and there's no shortage of pâtisseries, boulangeries, bars and restaurants.
Places to stay from £19 per night
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Le Panier
0.5 miles from city centre
Some sources say this is Europe's oldest district. Either way, Le Panier is all charm – paved streets, quaint alleys and colourful façades. It's also riddled with artist studios and boutiques. Take your time to explore them all! Check out the resilient Hôtel de Cabre. Marseille’s oldest building that managed to withstand a 1943 bombing raid..
Places to stay from £31 per night
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Castellane et Préfecture
0.7 miles from city centre
A little bit old, a little bit new. This student-filled area is jam-packed with nifty boutiques, after-Uni hangouts and its fair share of art shops. Walk around Edmond Rostand Street to find the best antique dealers, galleries and musty old bookshops, or Paradis, Grignan and Breteuil Streets to shop for luxury brands.
Places to stay from £17 per night
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Euromed - La Joliette
0.7 miles from city centre
Up-and-coming and über-trendy. The former docklands once teemed with busy navvies and sturdy sailors, but today they’ve been transformed into a hive of commercialism. They're home to Les Terrasses du Port Shopping Centre and the Zaha Hadid-designed Tower Building, which is fast becoming an icon of Marseille's cityscape.
Places to stay from £37 per night
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Prado-Perier
1.8 miles from city centre
Residential bliss. Families love this area for its preponderance of parks and schools. It's also famed for its fabulous Friday market, which takes place from Rond-Point Castellane to Prado Avenue. This weekly event is great stock up on clothes, food and vintage objects. With so many locals milling about, it’s also perfect for people watching.
Places to stay from £34 per night
About Marseille
Including tips for the best time to visit Marseille
France's second-largest city is a melting pot of maritime history and culture. Famed for its ancient harbour and enthralling museums, Marseille offers a wide variety of things to do. The city's focal point is its iconic Vieux Port (old harbour) – the place to enjoy some fresh seafood dishes like local favourite bouillabaisse, watch the boats come in or ride the famous Ferris wheel. Next to Vieux Port is the area of Le Panier (The Basket) – Marseille's oldest quarter and the site of the original Greek settlement. Its snug, village-like vibe makes it perfect for a scenic stroll through lanes that house craft shops and museums like Musée d’Archéologie Méditerranéenne and Musée d’Arts Africains, Océaniens et Améridiens. The modern Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations is also worth a visit, and is just as striking on the outside as it is inside.
Further highlights include the stunning cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Garde and the Stade Vélodrome – Olympique de Marseille FC's eye-catching stadium. Weather permitting, a boat ride to the majestic Calanques is a must for anyone visiting the city. This stretch of coast between Marseille and Cassis offers breathtaking views, sandy beaches and plenty of hiking trails.
Marseille-Provence International Airport is located around 30 kilometres from the city and connections by bus, trains or taxi take less than 30 minutes.
Tonight
From £108 per night
Next weekend
From £171 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | € 10 = £8.56 |
| Language | French |
| Average weekend price | £77 per night |
| Average weekday price | £81 per night |
| Typical stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Marseille
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Marseille
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Orange Velodrome Stadium
2.1 miles from city centre
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Place Castellane
0.9 miles from city centre
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Plages du Prado
2.5 miles from city centre
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La Corniche
1.7 miles from city centre
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Chateau d'If
3 miles from city centre
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Centre Bourse Shopping Centre
0.1 miles from city centre
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Palais Longchamp
0.9 miles from city centre
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Cite Radieuse Le Corbusier
2.7 miles from city centre
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Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations
0.9 miles from city centre
Marseille reviews
What other travellers say about Marseille
We weren't impressed with the city;
2 May 2024
We weren't impressed with the city; unfortunately, many places are neglected and dirty, with a significant number of people sleeping on the streets. We felt rather unsafe. The landmarks are impressive; however, the overall surroundings are not as charming.
Marseille is a beautiful city, if a little scruffy and...
1 May 2024
Marseille is a beautiful city, if a little scruffy and rundown. It is fairly easy to get around although the main station is difficult to access. Most places are walkable but I would recommend using the Tourist train to access the Notre Dame de la Garde. There are some stunning modern museums but several were partially closed whilst I was there. I would particularly recommend the Cosquer museum with its stunning recreation of the Cosquer cave and its 30,000 year old art. (Tip - buy an advance ticket or turn up early to avoid queuing). There are plenty of restaurants and bars lining the Old Port, with seafood an obvious mainstay - the bouillabaisse is excellent!
Marseille is a wonderful French city with many sights and...
25 April 2024
Marseille is a wonderful French city with many sights and history. It is good to visit the main churches, the palace and the museums in it - Notre Dame de la Garde, Marseille Cathedral, Palais Longchamp, . There are many well-preserved architectural monuments, the old town, the natural history museum, the port, etc. Around the harbor there are many restaurants, some of which you can come across wonderful fish delicacies, such as Bouillabaisse and others. The city cannot boast of enviable cleanliness, as well as the discipline of motor vehicle drivers and pedestrians.
Very interesting place.
23 April 2024
Very interesting place. Centre of the city beatiful. Prices very high in Vieux Port but in other places reasonable. Good communication with metro and trams. You have to be aware of going to some quarters of city.
Great city with lots of interesting areas.
19 April 2024
Great city with lots of interesting areas. Although it felt 'edgy' with a lot of (often attractive) graffiti etc, it felt safe. People were kind and polite. It certainly did not live up to its dangerous, seedy, rough reputation. It is cultured, artistic and friendly. Great food and a large variety of unique quarters. We will be back.
Good and interesting place.
16 April 2024
Good and interesting place. Went down-hill over the decades. Visited with kids, good and friendly Arab community in the streets, keeping up the small business and the city alive. Teargas shot every 10 min while we were cris crossing the downtown area. Business goes on and continues, while street battles are fought. Train station full of junkies. Good place for kids to learn about the real world. Maybe too real. Restaurants are no longer affordable if you don't drive a Lamborghini. Forget getting any good food if you have no reservation. La Boheme is gone.
Popular places to stay in Marseille
Stay in some of the best accommodation Marseille has to offer
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Studio calme et très lumineux, au pied de notre Dame de la Garde Castellane et Préfecture, Marseille
From £73 per night
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Appart design, plein centre Marseille Castellane et Préfecture, Marseille
From £145 per night
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MARSEILLE CALANQUES Marseille, France
From £86 per night
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Les Appartements du Vieux Port Vieux Port - La Canebière, Marseille
From £91 per night
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Le Pytheas Vieux Port Marseille Vieux Port - La Canebière, Marseille
From £210 per night
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Other accommodation in Marseille
Choose from a wide variety of places to stay in Marseille
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Apartments
From £30 per night
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Villas
From £57 per night
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Cottages
From £50 per night
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Serviced Apartments
From £34 per night
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Holiday Homes
From £50 per night
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Guest Houses
From £13 per night
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Hostels
From £19 per night
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B&Bs
From £42 per night
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Homestays
From £56 per night
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Boats
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Self Catering Accommodation
From £13 per night
