Marseille holidays

With a city centre that dates back to ancient Greece and an enticing, sun drenched coastline, holidays to Marseille deliver a fix of culture, history and beach life. Explore the formerly gritty but now glittering harbour, then delve deeper to find street art, museums, chic restaurants and a multicultural population united by a love of their football team, Olympique de Marseille.

Marseille holiday highlights

Marseille
Marseille

Football focus

There are few things the Marseillais love more than their football team. Plan to have your holiday in Marseille between August and May (French football season) and you can join in the chanting at the Orange Velodrome, France’s largest club football stadium. If you can’t get a ticket, watch the action on giant screens at Vieux Port – either way, the atmosphere is electric.

Marseille’s signature dish

No city break in Marseille is complete without sampling its most famous dish – bouillabaisse. Legend has it that this aromatic fish soup was created by local fishermen to use up leftover catch. These days it’s found everywhere from high-end restaurants to street food stalls and cafes. Try it at family-run Restaurant Michel, or head to nearby fishing village Les Goudes, where there are several excellent options.

Historic heights

Taking in the views from Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde is a true highlight of a holiday to Marseille. This Romano-Byzantine basilica sits at the city’s highest point, offering impressive 360-degree panoramas, as well as an ornate interior full of mosaics and murals. It’s a steep walk to get here from central Marseille, so catch the 60 bus from Vieux Port if you’d rather spare your thighs. 

Marseille: Know before you go

Language

French

Currency

Euro (€)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST)

High season

July – August

Low season

January – February

Find the best time to go to Marseille

Weather in Marseille

April – May: Pack layers for the last of winter’s heavy winds, which can blow into April. As temps climb, look forward to trips to the surrounding Provence countryside.

June – August: Temperatures regularly climb past 29°C, packing the local beaches with sun-worshipers. It’s a great time to visit an outdoor festival.

September – October: The weather is perfectly warm for dips in the sea and coastal hikes. Head to nearby Parc National des Calanques to have the trails to yourself.

November – March: Despite Marseille’s Mediterranean climate, winters get cold, with temperatures often hovering just above freezing. Winter is also prone to high winds. Some attractions close for the season.

Events in Marseille

Festival de Marseille (June to July): Marseille’s rich cultural diversity and thriving arts scene spring to life with cultural dance performances, music concerts, film screenings and talks at venues across the city.

Fiesta des Suds (October): A highlight of the city’s event calendar since 1992, this music festival showcases headlining musicians and emerging artists in a wide range of genres, including pop, rap, hip-hop, rock, folk and world music.

Foire aux Santons (November to January): There’s no better way to experience a Provençal Christmas than at this unique fair celebrating ‘santons’ — small, clay figurines depicting nativity characters. Along with stalls selling the traditional santons, expect family-friendly workshops and children’s activities.

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The best neighbourhoods in Marseille

Le Panier

Le Panier’s historic buildings and central location make it one of the best areas to stay in Marseille. It’s the city’s oldest neighbourhood and is perfect for an afternoon of wandering to discover street art, browsing artisan shops and drinking in sunny squares. Neoclassical almshouse and chapel la Vieille Charite is both a museum and cultural centre and is well worth an hour or two of your time.

Good for: History, cafes, street art

Vieux Port

The city’s main maritime hub, Vieux Portis is one of the best places to stay in Marseille. After you’ve checked out the fishing boats and chosen your fantasy yacht, settle down in a waterfront restaurant for some of the best seafood (and views) on the Mediterranean. If you’re an early riser, head to the port’s renowned fish and seafood market to buy the catch of the day and take some interesting photos.

Good for: People watching, views, markets

Prado-Perier

If you’re wondering where to stay in Marseille for a taste of day-to-day life, look no further than Prado-Perier. This firmly residential neighbourhood is home to the city’s best schools and green spaces as well as a vibrant daily market on the Prado. Once you’re done making like a local, the city’s main attractions are just a short ride away by bus or metro.

Good for: Parks, shopping, local life

Things to do in Marseille

Marseille
Marseille
carlos sanchez pereyra

Family friendly things to do

It’s easy to find things to do with family in Marseille, especially if you love the outdoors. Book a sailing tour of Parc National des Calanques to explore quiet coves and beaches, or take a shuttle boat from Vieux Port to the Frioul Islands. These islands are home to the fortress-turned-prison Château d’If, which features in Alexandre Dumas’ classic ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’.

Shopping

Designer boutiques are always an option when shopping in Marseille, but the city is better known for its markets and vintage stores. For secondhand shops, try the streets of bohemian Noailles, and be sure to check out the Marche des Capucins, a Marseille institution selling everything from freshly baked pastries to mountains of North African spices.

Take in the culture

Museums in Marseille are as diverse and dynamic as the city’s population. The region’s heritage is on show at Mucem, the Musee d'Histoire de Marseille and Palais Longchamp. Modern art is the mainstay of Musee Cantini and the Musee d'Art Contemporain (MAC). The Musee des Arts Urbains a Marseille is an open-air trail showcasing the city’s best street art.

Places to eat

Restaurants in Marseille have upped their fine dining game, but if you’re on a budget, the L’Estaque neighbourhood has food trucks serving traditional snacks such as chickpea fritters, Marseille-style pizza and Maghreb flatbreads. For a taste of the city’s multicultural community, try Cours Julien, where you’ll find everything from traditional French to Creole and Algerian cuisine.

Nightlife

Much of the nightlife in Marseille takes place outdoors, thanks to the city’s balmy climate. If you’re here during summer, start your night with a pastis at one of Vieux Port’s waterfront bars, then move on to one of the city’s rooftop clubs, where you’ll hear everything from Afrobeat to drill music to EDM. Vieux Port, Le Panier and Le Cours Julien (‘Cours Ju’ to locals) are popular nightlife hubs.

Free things to do

If you’re after a cheap holiday in Marseille, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of free things to do. Soaking up the atmosphere of Vieux Port or Le Panier costs nothing, nor does viewing permanent collections in the city’s municipal museums – though you will have to pay for temporary exhibitions. For a green, no-cost escape from the city, Parc Borely has botanical gardens, a lake and a castle.

Plan your holiday to Marseille

Budget

A cheap holiday in Marseille is doable with some careful planning. Prioritise activities like strolling the city’s neighbourhoods and enjoying museums on free admission days to help tighten the budget. Set aside around 15 euros (€) for a simple meal in a restaurant and €10 for a short taxi ride. Thirsty? A coffee is usually about €3.

Day trips from Marseille

Drive 30 minutes to Aix-en-Provence to wander the city’s elegant cobblestone streets and visit Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne’s former studio. For more art history, head to Arles, an hour away by train. Home to the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh Arles, it also boasts fascinating Roman ruins and is an easy gateway to the Camargue region.

Getting around Marseille

The local public transport network includes buses, trams and even sea shuttles to help you navigate Marseille with ease. Pick up a City Pass — which also includes museum admissions — to have unlimited access, including to public-sharing city bikes. Heavy traffic can make driving stressful. So consider skipping the car hire unless you plan to take day trips outside the city.

FAQs about Marseille holidays

You’ll need at least two to three days to discover the Vieux Port, the museums and the city’s food scene. Want to explore lesser known neighbourhoods or head along the coast to Parc National des Calanques
The euro (EUR) is the currency you'll be using for general expenses and activities during your trip to Marseille.
With temperatures reaching a high of 30ºC (86ºF), August is the warmest month in Marseille.
French is the language you'll hear most often while on a city break in Marseille.
January delivers the coolest conditions for a Marseille holiday. You can expect lows of 3ºC (37ºF).
From Old Port of Marseille to Le Panier, this city knows how to keep things interesting. Start the countdown to your next great adventure by making a list of the top things to do in Marseille.
Once holding a reputation for being dirty and dangerous, Marseille has cleaned up its act considerably, though there are a few safety tips to bear in mind. Don’t walk around alone after dark, don't show off your valuables, and watch out for pickpockets in busy tourist areas. Do all this and your Marseille holiday should be trouble free.
With an average rainfall of 10 cm, November is the rainiest month to go on a Marseille holiday. When the skies turn grey, venture indoors and make the most of the city's galleries, shops, museums and more.
The cost of your city break in Marseille will differ according to things like where you're leaving from, the time of year, and where you stay. Marseille flights and hotels are usually more expensive during busier times, but you can save by booking in the off-peak season.
Marseille is sunny year-round, but spring and autumn enjoy the best weather conditions. It’s warm enough for a swim, but you’ll avoid the sweltering heat or crowds of summer. If festivals and outdoor concerts are your thing, it’s best to brave the high temperatures and book your Marseille city break during high season.

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