ULTIMATE GUIDE ON HOW TO SPEND ONE DAY IN MARSEILLE, FRANCE

Last Updated on 4th September 2024 by Bejal

Marseille is France’s second largest populated city and the capital of the Southern region of Provence. With a bustling port, historical districts, a fantastic food scene as well as stunning coastline with islands along its Southern tip, this guide on how to spend one day in Marseille is full of inspiration. Read more on the best things to see and do in Marseille, what local foods to try and what day experiences to book in this comprehensive Marseille feature. 

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With around 300 days of sunshine a year and almost 2,600 years of history encompassing Europe’s first peri urban park, Marseille is most definitely a destination you will not want to leave off your Provence travel list, even if you only have a day to spare, it’s worth visiting and getting a feel for the city! We promise though, you will want to return! 

The city of Marseille still has many people living within it’s central neighbourhoods especially Le Panier and the Vieux Port (Old Port) amongst these are lovely residential areas. It’s apparent that Marseille over the years and even now is undergoing a lot of regeneration of old port buildings as well as the creation of modern structures which blend seamlessly with the old. 

Related Article: The Ultimate Guide to Driving Through Provence In A Week

Where is Marseille?

Marseille is located in the Provence region of Southern France with a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea close to the mouth of the Rhône River. 

How to use the map: Click on interactive Google map. There is a legend on the left with all the featured locations in this article.

Why is Marseille so Well Known?

Back in the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans, Marseille was known as the most prominent port involved with trading in the South of France as well as being the main commercial port of the French Republic. 

Today Marseille is known to be the largest city of France on the Mediterranean Coast as well as being known to be the largest freight and commerce port, The port is also one that sees a regular influx of some of the world’s most popular cruise ships carrying thousands of passengers daily.

Why Do People Visit Marseille?

There are two reasons why most people visit Marseille

• Day Cruise – Marseille is a popular port which is on many Mediterranean cruise itineraries. Cruisers are dropped off in the centre of the city from early morning right throughout the day and will generally spend a day exploring the city. The city does feel a lot quieter after 5 pm after most have headed back to the port to board their ships for disembarkation to their next destination.
• City Breaks – Other visitors tend to either stay in Marseille for two or three nights as a city break or fly into Marseille airport and stay a night at the beginning or end of a much wider road trip itinerary driving through the small villages and cities of greater Provence. 

What’s the Best Time to Visit Marseille?

Marseille has around 300 days of sunshine so it’s safe to say it’s never going to be too gloomy. July and August are the hottest months and also pretty busy with local and global summer holidays, cruises at their peak and outdoor events in the city. We recommend June and September as being a great shoulder season for Marseillie where the temperatures are bearable and beaches can still be enjoyed around the city as well as day trips to swim and hike  around the Calanques National Park.

How to Get to Marseille

Flight 

Most people arriving internationally will do so via Marseille Provence Airport

The airport is situated around 27 Kilometres from the centre of Marseille, so here are some options to consider. 

• Shuttle Bus – The airport shuttle (Stops at Marseille St. Charles Station).  It runs daily (from 04:10-01:30) with an increased frequency during rush hours. Travel time is between 30 mins and 50 minutes. The shuttle bus stop is located between Terminals T1 and T2. Tickets cost €10 / €10.90 (combined with RTM (metro)ticket) and can be purchased from vending machines, online or the driver.

• Taxi – Taxis are available to take 24 hours a day, no matter when your flight arrives or leaves. Get your taxi from the terminals MRS and the MP2. Taxi points are signposted pretty well. Day rates into Marseille should be 70€-80€ with night fares being a little more at  90€-100€. Note that weekend fares may be a little higher! It’s also possible to prebook a taxi.

• Train – Locate Bus +13 at Bus stop five from the bus station at the airport heading to Vitrolles train station is a great option. It operates daily and takes around five minutes. From Vitrolles train station, take a TER train to Marseille St. Charles Station. This should take a further 20 minutes.

Cruise Ship/Boat

If you’re arriving by cruise ship, the port where boats dock is around eight kilometres from the centre of Marseille. It’s possible to get a taxi from the port or most cruise ships will have their own designated shuttles that will take you into the city for a small fee.

Train & Buses From Other Parts of France 

Head to the Marseille Tourist boards website for all the latest transport information.

How to Get Around  Marseille

Marseille is a walkable city and is best explored on foot. This way you can explore and stumble upon hidden alleys and streets as well as discover cute little cafes, beautiful views and traditional village like neighbourhoods. The beauty of Marseille is walking the winding streets and up and down the hills to see the cute small corners of the city 

Le Petit Train 

If you prefer not to walk or find the hills challenging due to mobility issues, there is the famous Little Tourist Train of Marseille or locally known as the ‘Le Petit Train Touristique de Marseille’. The train departs from the Old Port and takes visitors around Marseille’s main tourist sites such as the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, the famous Le Panier district,  and the MuCEM.

• Details: Fares & Route Maps.
• Find it Here: Map Location of departure point.

Uber

If you’re travelling after dark, we’d recommend taking an Uber for peace of mind and safety. Although Marseille is pretty safe, we were advised that walking alone, as with any major city, is not a good idea. We often tool Ubers at night on our way back to our hotel following dinner reservations. 

How to Best Spend One Day in Marseille

One day in Marseille is definitely enough to get a taste for the city as well as see quite a few of the main points of interest. Of course having more days means you can do things a little more leisurely and incorporate some days trips. Here is how we;d recommend you spend one day in Marseille.

Educate Yourself at the Museum of Civilisations of Europe and the Mediterranean (MuCEM)

Located along the waterside and one of Marseille’s original redevelopment areas, the MuCEM should be on your list. In fact if you are being dropped off by Cruise shuttles, they will stop pretty close to it so you could have access to it before other tourists arrive into the city. 

As the name suggests this museum is dedicated to the Mediterranean and offers exhibitions as well as cultural programmes. Inside you’ll see various topics covered ranging from history, archaeology, anthropology, and art history right up to contemporary art to showcase the different sides of the Mediterranean and its dialogue to Europe. These subjects are communicated and delivered via a range of temporary and permanent art exhibitions. 

The MuCEM also offers two places to eat if you’re feeling a little peckish by a local chef, Gérald Passedat.

Choose to dine either at Le Môle Passedat, which offers modern, mid range priced cuisine or head to Le Môle, La Table, where you are seated on a communal table and can enjoy a buffet lunch. For something a little more casual, enjoy a drink or a snack or even a meal on the outside or inside terrace at Le Môle, Le Café

Finally, for those who prefer a quick grab and go, Le Môle, Le Kiosque is perfect on the ground floor.

Be-lavie Tip: Le Môle also has a cooking school where students can learn the secrets of Chef Gérald Passedat. There i sspace for 10 participants and can be booked via the MuCEM website below.

During the summer when we were visiting in the evenings we saw DJ’s in the basement whilst visitors were walking around the museum. Almost like a club like atmosphere below you but with all the exhibits available to view as usual. 

• Street Location: 1 Esp. J4, 13002 Marseille I Tel. +33 4 84 51 31 3 I Details, Fares & Hours.
• Find it Here: Map Location.
• Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: 10:00-20:00, Closed Tuesdays.

Be-lavie Tip: We’d recommend spending  at least 2.5-3 hours to make the most MuCEM so consider your itinerary of things to do in priority order.

Discover Fort Saint Jean 

Only a few minutes away across the water basin is Fort Saint Jean built by Louis XIV in 1660 because he thought the people of Marseille were ‘extremely fond of old fortresses’.

The Fort has undergone a complete renovation after being bombed towards the end of World War II and having been under German occupations prior to this. The Fort Saint Jean has a open walkway that connects it to the Marseille’s oldest neighbourhood, Le Panier

Walking through the fort takes around an hour but there are some steep elevations so for those who have issues moving or have mobility impairments this may not be accessible. Take in the views or just wander around, the choice is yours.

• Street Location: Prom. Robert Laffont, 13002 Marseille I Tel. +33 4 843 51 31 3 I Details: Fares & Hours.
• Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: 10:00-20:00, Closed Tuesdays.

Admire the architecture of La Cathédrale de la Major’ 

Sat in between Le Panier and the Joliette area of Marseille, the Roman Byzantine is the perfect contrast of the modernity that surrounds it.

Built between the 12th and 19th centuries, the first stone of ‘La Major’, as the locals, call it, was laid September 26, 1852 by Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte. It was a little over forty years later, on November 30, 1893, that the Cathedral was finally completed. It was eventually classified as a historical monument in 1906.

The cathedral’s architecture was designed to align with Marseille’s multicultural influence. It blends Roman and Far Eastern styles with construction materials such as whitemarble from Cararre, green stone from Florence, other stone from Calissane and from the Gard. It also has onyx from Italy and Tunisia. The mosaics are from Venice. 

It’s worth just standing outside it and noting all the different facets of the building. It’s definitely worth going inside to have a look around and get a different perspective. It’s free entry and all donations are welcome.

• Street Location: Place. de la Major, 13002 Marseille I Tel. +33 77 25 60 10 I Details & Hours. 
• Find it Here: Map Location.
• Hours: Mon-Sun 10:00-19:00.

Be-lavie Tip: Underneath the walkway beneath the Cathedral, there’s a lovely string of restaurants, cafes, and bars housed in beautiful historical buildings, collectively called, Les Halles de La Major. They face the coastal side. A great pit stop for a coffee, light snack or even a glace (ice-cream). Les Halles de la Major: Map Location

Stroll Along the Vieux Port

The Vieux Port or Old Port of Marseille is situated right at the bottom of the  ‘Canebière’ and is a very popular location to hangout. From the waters edge, where you can board ferries and private boats for day trips to places like the Calanques, Frioul Islands, or just a cruise around the coastline, you get a wonderful view of the magnificent Notre-Dame de la Garde.

The area is full of history, right from when the ancient Greek colony arrived and were preceded by the Romans. The main existence of the Vieux Port was to serve as a hub for trade and is guarded by two forts, Saint-Nicolas and Saint-Jean fort.

Vieux Port underwent a renovation in 2013 when Marseille was titled, European Capital of Culture and this area is a great place to promenade and take in the views of yachts, the Town Hall as well as having uphill access to Le Panier. The vibrant area is home to a number of landmarks such as Saint-Ferréol church, hotels as well as bars and cafes to sit and watch the world go by.

Find it Here: Map Location.

Meander the Narrow Lanes of Le Panier

Le Panier is a must visit, and our favourite area, in Marseille to wander around. If you’re visiting the Cathédrale de la Major, you’ll notice a steep staircase to the right of it, on the other side of the street, just walk up the slope or stairs and thats Le panier!

Le Panier translates to basket in French and of course it’s winding streets, alleyways and uphill slopes are best explored by foot. At each turn of the corner you’re sure to discover plant lined alleys, narrow cobble stoned streets, cultural highlights, cute cafes and squares and some of the best murals in the whole of Marseille. Keep an eye out for walls that have been transformed into a colourful street art open air museum. Being Marseille’s oldest neighbourhood, it gives a taste of what Marseille was like once upon a time with it’s three hills that narrate a story filled with mystery and beauty. 

Find it Here: Map Location.

Spend a Leisurely Afternoon at the Palais Longchamp

If you prefer to spend the day a little more slowly minus crowds and away from the hustle and bustle of the city environment, the Palais Longchamp is perfectly located in the city centre, very close to the Canebière, this eight hectare park most definitely delivers on the wow factor!

The history of this beautiful space dates back to a Cholera epidemic in the 1800s when clean water was required for the city’s residents to survive. This resulted In having to build a 93 kilometres long  canal, and open underground passages and the building of 18 bridges and aqueducts. All this took around 15 years to complete. The Palais Longchamp was built as a celebration to mark the arrival of water being delivered to the city of Marseille.

The incredible Palais structure and fountain, built in 1869, was created by architect Henry Espérandieu who also worked on the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica.

Today it’s a family friendly landmark housing The Natural History Museum, Botanical Gardens, The Marseille Observatory, The Zoological Gardens and many playground areas for children to run around in. 

Be-lavie Tip: Climb the steps to the top of the fountains and take in the views over the city!

• Street Location: Boulevard Jardin. Zoologique, 13004 Marseille I Tel. +33 4 91 55 25 51.
• Find it Here: Map Location.
• Hours: Monday-Sunday: 08:00-18:45.

Take the Steep Road up to Notre-Dame de la Garde

Being the highest building in Marseille and being able to see the Byzantine church towering over the city from many places like the Vieux Port, a visit has to be on the cards. 

It’s intention was that being 150 metres above sea level, it could serve as a lookout to protect the city from any oncoming invaders by sea. The design features the Virgin Mary, who locals refer to as ‘watching over the entire city’.

We would suggest seeing the church by climbing the hill including taking the steps right to top courtyard area. The views are totally worth the effort and you can rest at the top. 

If mobility is a problem, then the Petit train from the Vieux Port makes a stop here.

If it’s a hot day do take water and snacks up with you as there are no shops close by that we could see. It’s more of a residential neighbourhood.

Be-lavie Tip: This is a great spot to take in city views as well as coastal views of the surrounding coastline and its location. It can get very busy up here. Peak season is crowded and as it’s on the Le Petit Train’s route, there can be an influx of visitors when it makes a drop off stop here. The best thing to do is wait and once they visitors have tapered off, you can explore at leisure. The visitors mainly come and have a snap of themselves in front of the Notre-Dame de la Garde so if you do want to go in, do so as it won’t be quite as busy. To get a great shot, we’d recommend taking the photo at the bottom of the stairs on the way up to get the whole structure in.

• Street Location: Rue Fort du Sanctuaire, 13006 Marseille I Tel. +33 4 91 13 40 80 I Details.
• Find it Here: Map Location.
• Hours: Monday-Sunday 07L00-18:00.
• Admission: Free.

Take a Downhill Walk through Tourist Free Neighbourhoods

To get back down to the beaches and coast from the Notre Dame de la Garde, we’d suggest walking down via the stairs and park area behind the church. It’s quite picturesque plus you get to see a few of the high end villages and a more local way of every day life in residential areas. Start walking down and note the views of Bompard, the Roucas blanc, Valon de la Fousse Monnaie and then you should reach the road at the bottom parallel to the coast. This area is called La Corniche Kennedy. Walk along the road taking in the views of Phae du Prophete, Plage du Malmorne, walk past Parc Valmer  until you reach La Corniche Kennedy Monument.

See the Panoramic Views Along La Corniche Kennedy

The three kilometres long Corniche has been around since 1863, but was later turned into a stunning boulevard spot that offers some fantastic panoramic views of the coast. In 1963, when John F Kennedy was murdered in Dallas, the Corniche was renamed as the Corniche President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. 

Walking along the Corniche, you’ll immediately notice the stunning views as well as historical monuments, fishermen’s houses, 19th century mansions, luxury coastal hotels, beaches, and incredible restaurants like the three Michelin star seafood speciality restaurant, Le Petit Nice, owned by the Passedat family since 1917. There’s also L’Épuisette, an 80 year old house which fuses modern and old world charm with sea views. Chez Michel is another restaurant that specialises in Bouillabaisse which has been around since 1947 and owned by the Visciano family for the last  three generations. They also hold a Michelin Star.

The Corniche area passes through the three arched bridge of Vallon des Auffes as well as the Vallon de la Fausse Monnaie.

• Street Location: 163 Cor Président John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 13007 Marseille.
• Find it Here: Map Location.

Toast Golden Hour at Les Vallon des Auffes 

The perfect way to end one day in Marseille is to watch the sun set overt the 17 metre high three arches of Les Vallon des Auffes with a glass of the local tipple, Pastis and a sharing board of fresh cheese, bread and other local delights. 

‘Auffe’ or Auffo in  Provençal is a plant used in the manufacture of ship ropes or fishing nets.

Thi small port which doesn’t have a beach is definitely worth taking the stairs down to from the main Corniche. It’s packed full of colourful typical fishermen’s houses as well as their boats decked along the pebble water’s edge. Many of these boats are pointed typical Provençal boats which are utterly charming. You’ll get to see the fishermen helping each other our with fixing up their boats.

Look up at the Heroes of the Army of Orient monument, Monument aux morts de l’Armée d’Orient, just at the entrance of the Vallon on the Corniche. The sculpture is fivr metres high and represents victory and has been a classified historical monument since 2009. Unfortunately on our visit the monument was undergoing cleaning on the front side, so the photo below is of the back.

Chez Fonfon is the perfect place to grab a seat inside or outside and watch the sun set. We opted to sit outside pre dinner on the tables facing the arches, a perfect spot for drinks. Opening in 1952, owner Alphonso Mounier has still kept the restaurant in the family, despite moving on. It’s a bit of a local institution and is known worldwide for its seafood and of course, bouillabaisse. 

Find it Here: Map Location.

Suggested One Day Itinerary For Marseille

Feel free to chop and change the order or make excursions and inclusions as per your interests.

• Start the day by visiting the MuCEM and/or Fort Saint Jean. 
• Next head up to Le Panier and spend some time wandering the neighbourhood.
• Grab some typical Marseille Navettes at family owned Les Navettes des Accoules, to nibble on through the day. Pop into Maison Geney for a coffee and sweet and savoury pastries to refuel.

• Le Panier has a bunch of great cafes to choose from. 
• On the way back to the Canebière, marvel the Cathédrale de la Major form outside and inside. Check out the beauty of the Byzantine domes and architecture.
• Promenade along the Vieux Port, grab a chilled glass of wine or some lunch at one of the many restaurants that you can find along the side streets near the Vieux Port. The ones directly on the main stretch can be quite touristy and pricey!
• After lunch, spend a relaxed afternoon at the Palais Longchanp relaxing, taking in the Natural History Museum, views as well as the Zoological Gardens or walk up that steep hill to the Notre-Dame de la Garde., we think the latter is better if you want to see as much as possible of the city.
• Spend your time at the Notre-Dame de la Garde, taking in the views before making your downhill decdent.
• Wander long the Corniche and end up at the Vallon des Auffes. 
• Enjoy a drink whilst watching the sunset and ending a beautiful day discovering in Marseille.

Related Article: Discovering Hidden Gems in Marseille

Tours & Activities in Marseille

Here are some tour suggestions that we researched for our own trip to Marseille, that we think are great value for money and perfect for a deeper look into the local culture.

Alternative Things to Do in Marseille

If you want to tailor a day in Marseille a little differently, here is a list of things you can switch up to tailor the day to your interests.

• Quartier de Noailles district – a bustling neighbourhood with the Marché de Capucins.
• Le Cours Julien Graffiti Staircase (Notre Dame du Mont Subway)- leading up to the eclectic area of creatives.
• La Joliette – new chic and designer district of Marseille. 
• Head to Les Docks Village in La Joliette for cool shops and eateries.
• Check out the Hôtel Dieu Intercontinental Marseille’ stunning location.
• Discover Culture at  at La Friche – a creative community in former tobacco factory, plus performing art shows, concerts & exhibitions.
• Take a boat to the Count of Monte Cristo – This chateau is a former prison in the Mediterranean sea and now open to the public. It was the setting for the Dumas’ novel The Count of Monte Cristo has made the prison a popular tourist destination.
• Cite Radius – known as Corbusier’s City Within a City. Easy to reach by local train.
• Parc Borely – Take the train to the park for a day in nature and to discover the chateau there..

The Best Day Trips From Marseille

If you would rather not spend time in the main part of city during your one day in Marseille, there are plenty of options to head to the quieter outskirts or take a day trip from the Vieux Port.

Take a boat trip to Frioul Archipelago 

Known by locals as the Iles du Frioul, these are a group of four islands just off the coast of Marseille. Boats leave from Le Vieux Port and  take around 20 minutes to reach the largest island. Once there, spend time in nature, sit in the bays, take a walk around the nature trails or visit the historic buildings and chateaus.

Find it Here: Map Location.

Head out to the Calanques National Park

Spanning 16 Km, along the coastline between Marseille and Cassis, you can easily spend a day here exploring the panoramic view points with hikes, relax on the beach, swimming, see the old harbour, hire kayaks and enjoy the beautiful azure blue waters of that surround the Calanques national Park. Boats can be found at the Old harbour front and summer is a great time to visit to make use of the activities. 

Find it Here: Map Location.

Aix-en-Provence

If you prefer small town vibes, take the train to Aix-en Provence which take surround 45 minutes to reach. Discover the museums, the daily markets, galleries and don’t forget to stop at a curb side cafe with a coffee and people watch. A perfect Provence scene. For more information on Aix-en-Provence, head to our guide on beautiful cities and towns to visit in Provence.

Find it Here: Map Location

Related Article: The Best Cities & Towns To Visit In Provence

Some day trips from Marseille that we’d recommend booking to save time 

Where to Stay in Marseille

Marseille has an extensive range of hotels to suit all tastes and budgets. Here are a few we researched for our own stay.

Inter Continental Marseille – Hotel Dieu

Style: Luxury

Located on a hill overlooking the Vieux Port and on the edge of Le Panier, this 18th century palatial former hospital is one of the most exquisite historical landmark hotels in France. Around a third of the hotels 194 rooms and suites have views of the Old Port, the others face the inner courtyard or Le Panier streets. 

For a historical listed building there;s no pool but the hotel does have access to members establishments located around the city. There’s a hammam, Clarins Spa and many other luxurious amenities.

Hotel Dieu is home to a Micgelin Star restaurant Alcyone, run under the watchful eye of head chef, Lionel Lévy. The other less formal dining options are also very good.

This hotel is one for special occasions!

• Street Location: 1 Place Daviel, 13002 Marseille I Tel. +33 4 13 42 42 42.
• Find it Here: Map Location.
• Details: Check in: 16:00, Check-out: 11:00. 
• Price Range: €€€€.

C2 Hotel

Style: Mid range luxury 

A small 20 room boutique hotel, is located on an island in the Bay of Marseille. It’s 200 metres above the port of Marseille and housed in a 19th century mansions houe that’s been renovated to preserve the heritage but bring subtle well thought out contemporary design. It’s a little further out from the hustle of the city and even features a swimming pool that’s been dug between the walls in the beautiful spa area. C2 Hotel puts a large emphasis on wellbeing.

On the ground floor there is a lovely lounge bar that opens up onto the view of the coast, named Tchin & Miam. Yum is a living room style setting where you can sit and have tea and patisserie items as well as wine, sharing charcuterie boards or a few beers to relax after a day of exploring.

This is the perfect place for those who don’t mind walking a little further for the sites and desire a more quieter ‘more exclusive’ location.

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• Street Location: 48 Rue Roux de Brignoles, 13006 Marseille I Tel. +33 4 95 05 13 13.
• Find it Here: Map Location.
• Details: Check in: 15:00, Check-out: 12:00. 
• Price Range: €€.

Alex Hotel & Spa

Style: Affordable luxury (good value).

Literally a stones throw from the train station, Alex Hotel & Spa is a boutique hotel that;s easy on the wallet but high on quality and customer service.

A wonderful hotel located within walking distance of many of Marseille’s points of interest, the decor is contemporary, modern and bright. The spa offers a range of treatments for relaxation during your stay. 

Rooms are comfortable with city views out over the city or face the hotel’s courtyard area/ side streets in this busy neighbourhood. Suites feature juliet balconies whilst the Good Mother Suite has a small terrace. Furnishings are contemporary clean lines in neutral earth tones with a pop of orange or teal. 

Breakfast is served in the courtyard outside or can be taken in the dining area and there is a fantastic drinks lounge near the reception area for guests to enjoy drinks and downtime. 

This hotel is perfect for those who wish to spend their travel budget on experiences yet would like to stay in a great location with minimal use of transport. 

Be-lavie Tip: At the time of booking, request a room with a view if you prefer as Alex Hotel & Spa is great at fulfilling requests where and when possible. 

• Street Location: 13-15 Place. des Marseillaises, 13001 Marseille I Tel. +33 4 13 24 13 24.
• Find it Here: Map Location.
• Details: Check in: 12:00, Check-out: 12:00. 
• Price Range: €/€€.

Where to Eat & Drink in Marseille

Marseille has an infinite number of establishments from beautiful cafes in historical buildings to family owned Michelin Starred restaurants along the coast. There are also an extensive range in between, including markets, mid range restaurants and eateries in the new, trendy upcoming areas of the city. 

Related Article: Where To eat Vegetarian-Friendly Food in Marseille

Here are a range of mid range restaurants, cafes and bars we enjoyed.

Cafes

• La Pepite Patisserie: Excellent for breakfast, specialising in gluten-free foods.
• La Pâtisserie des Marseillais: A small artisanal bakery and patisserie with outdoor seating. Perfect for breakfast or a treat throughout the day.
• Maison Geney: A small tea room offering sweet and savoury homemade local specialities. The coffee is pretty good too.

Lunch/ Dinner

• Chez Jeannot: The most delicious pizza overlooking the Vallon des Auffes.
• Flower Burger: plant based colourful burgers in a fun setting.
• Imprévu Marseille, a small locally run bistro by lovely chef, who serves up great Panisse and daily specials made fresh.

Bars/ Drinks

• Viaghiji Di Fonfon: Grab a table outside for informal pastis and a sharing board or inside at Chez Fofnfon’s fine dining seafood restaurant for a fancy meal at the Vallon des Auffes.
• Le Populo Marseille: A small collection of food outlets under one roof, playing sweet cool music, serving world cuisine as well as traditional plus a great bar. Wonderful evening atmosphere. 
• MX Maison Yellow Tapas: the best palace to drink Pastis accompanied with a variety of tapas, 

Glace / Ice Cream

• Vanille Noir: Ice cream or Glace, on the edge of Le Panier with a twist1 Try the black (noir) flavour.

A Guide to How to Spend One Day in Marseille FAQ’s 

If you still have a few more unanswered questions about Marseille, this list may give you the answers you’re looking for.

Is one day enough in Marseille?

We say, one day is much better than no days in Marseille. In one day it is possible to do quite a few things and get a real taste for the city in terms of architecture, history as well as visit some great restaurants. Many people actually do only visit Marseille for the day if they are taking a Mediterranean Cruise. Also many visitors tend to start their Provence road trip after flying into Marseille so add a day at one of either end of their itinerary to discover the city.

Is Marseille a Safe city for Tourists?

The answer is yes! in the past Marseille has had an unsavoury reputation but since the regeneration and development, a lot of investment has gone into the city and its infrastructure. As with all cities, take the usual precautions of leaving valuables in a safe or at home, don’t flash the cash, be sensible. Public transport is safe but we would recommend not walking in remote areas after dark. Take an Uber instead for peace of mind.

Is Marseille Walkable? 

Yes Marseille is a very walkable city. It is quite hilly but many of the most beautiful areas like, Le Panier are located here. Just take your time and tailor the day to suit your level of fitness. If you do need to, you can always board a bus or order an Uber.

Is Marseille Expensive?

Marseille is much like any other city along the Mediterranean. If you intend on visiting many attractions, the cost can build up but the key is to tailor things to suit your travel budget. Many things are free to visit and buying fresh food from markets and eating at more local cafes will certainly be kinder on your bank balance. Unless you’re going to high end restaurants, we found the food to be pretty reasonably-priced.

Why is Marseille Called The Phocaean City?

This is because Marseille port was created around 600 BC by Greek sailors from the city of Phocée. They were trying to escape from the Persian invasion of their homeland at the time. It was the Romans who actually gave Marseille its current name, many centuries after.

Where is the best neighbourhood to stay in Marseille?

If visiting Marseille for just one day, we’d advise on staying somewhere central and walkable to most of the points of interest. The Vieux Port, La Canebière, Le Panier and La Corniche and La Corniche.

A Guide To How to Spend One Day in Marseille Round up 

This how to spend one day in Marseille guide is pretty comprehensive and should serve as a starting point for researching things to do based on your interests. The combinations of city sights as well as green spaces to relax in should provide the perfect balance for most visitors to experience an enjoyable day in the city. 

If you intend to visit museums and other attractions, we would strongly recommend you purchase tickets so that queue wait time is kept to a minimum as with one day in the city, you really need to move at a reasonable pace. 

The food and drinks suggestion should help break up your sightseeing itinerary to help you refuel along the way. If you are visiting in the peak summer months, do bear in mind the Mediterranean climate can mean temperatures can soar so enjoy indoor activities in the later afternoon and try and do a lot of the outdoor things in the early to late morning or late afternoon period. Finally, our suggestions for a one day itinerary included above is a quick and hassle free way to spend a perfect day in Marseille.

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