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Things to do in
Marseille

France’s second-largest city combines Provencal cuisine, Mediterranean cruises, and diverse culture.

Our most recommended things to do in Marseille

Marseille: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

1. Marseille: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Marseille is a city rich in history and culture. It has many tourist sites to discover, including the Old Port, La Major Cathedral, the Vallon des Auffes, the Mucem, Notre-Dame de la Garde, etc. Climb aboard our panoramic buses and admire the historic heart and must-see sights of Marseille! Travel and discover the historic heart and must-see sites of Marseille during a day-long audio tour. Enjoy the many treasures of the city of Marseille, such as the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, La Major Cathedral, the Vallon des Auffes, the Mucem, the Cosquer Méditerranée, etc. Come and spend a day discovering the best that Marseille has to offer! Our advice: get a first impression of the city, take a stroll, choose the sites you want to explore in more detail and get off at the stop closest to the monuments and districts you plan to visit. Discover the incredible architecture of the Mucem, go shopping at Prado Shopping or the Terrasses du Port, enjoy a stroll along the sea on the Corniche Kennedy or stop off at Notre-Dame de la Garde and take a moment to enjoy the breathtaking views over the whole city! Discover the city as the people of Marseille know it, full of authenticity and richness.

Marseille: Côte Bleue Calanques Half-Day Kayak Tour

2. Marseille: Côte Bleue Calanques Half-Day Kayak Tour

Discover the postcard-worthy Côte Bleue calanque as you ride a kayak past beautiful bays, striking cliffs, and quaint little homes. Follow your guide from Estaque in Marseille, all the way to Carry-le-Rouet, for a comprehensive overview of this gorgeous natural area. After a short briefing, route presentation, and weather report, head out with all the necessary knowledge to have a fun and safe experience. Explore the creeks of Establon and Aragnols with a beautiful little beach. Depending on the group's pace, you might even be able to reach the magnificent Figuerolles creek. Learn about each little hidden corner from your certified guide and admire the mindblowing rocky sceneries as you float along. Additionally, you can do your part to take care of the local sea life by picking up floating waste and loading it into the bag your kayak comes equipped with. Beginners are advised to choose the morning tour, as the sea is generally calmer than in the afternoon. Various options are available on site. On rental (5€) : - water shoes - comfort backrests - snorkling kit On sale : - 1.5L water (3€) - Waterproof pockets for cell phones (10€) Please make your own arrangements, as our toilets are currently unavailable. They are broken.

From Marseille: Half-Day Sailing Trip in Frioul Calanques

3. From Marseille: Half-Day Sailing Trip in Frioul Calanques

Join a half-day sailing excursion from Marseilles to a calanque in the Frioul Islands. Learn the basics from the skipper, go for a swim, snorkel, and take in views of the impressive scenery and cove rock formations before you return to the mainland. Sail towards the islands of Frioul where you can admire the many stunning coves and the coast of Marseilles. Make the most of the opportunity to take a refreshing swim, go snorkeling and admire the seabed, or simply relax on board. Your state-qualified skipper will teach you the basics of sailing and be able to give the more experienced seafarers some tips. Return to land after a relaxing afternoon seeing some of the best coastal scenery that the south of France has to offer.

Marseille: 24-Hour CityPass

4. Marseille: 24-Hour CityPass

The CityPass Marseille is valid for 24 hours, and allows access to many attractions, museums, trains, boats, guided tours, public transport tickets, and more. This pass is dedicated to individual visitors who wish to discover Marseille with an all-inclusive package. • Unlimited access to public transports for the duration of the pass • Access to MUCEM (closed on Tuesdays) • Access to Regards de Provence museum (closed on Mondays)• Crossing to the If (subject to weather) or Frioul Islands OR one tour with the hop-on hop-off Colorbüs tour • Visit to If Castle (closed on Mondays during winter months)• A tour in the Touristic Train to Notre-Dame de la Garde or through the Old Marseille • An immersive Mehari (car) tour at the Mx Experience (anise museum) with a photo souvenir and a Pastis anise tasting • A 30% discount on a guided tour of the Tourist Office of Marseille is included in the CityPass , valid only for visits at 10€ (reservation is required, subject to avaibility and not included in the offer are La Cité Radieuse / Le Corbusier and private visits)• Reduced rates for children (6 to 12 years old)• Numerous discounts and tasting in partner stores • Numerous discounts for tourist and cultural activities of providers The municipal museums are free of charge all year (with reduced prices for temporary exhibitions when you have this pass)

Marseille: Mucem Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket

5. Marseille: Mucem Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket

Learn about the history and culture of the Mediterranean with a skip-the-line entry ticket to the fascinating Museum of the Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean (Mucem). Opened in Marseille in June 2013, the Mucem has now joined the ranks of the most visited museums in the world thanks to its program of exhibitions and cultural programs. Admire the stunning architecture of the building by Rudy Ricciotti, and stroll along the corridors of the museum to get stunning views of the old port and Mediterranean Sea. Explore exhibitions that combine anthropology, history, archaeology, art history and contemporary art to explain the Mediterranean world and its dialogue with Europe in amazing detail. Exhibition : Fashion Folklore By rediscovering forgotten correspondences and inspirations, the "Fashion folklore" exhibition reminds us that throughout the 20th century, haute couture designers never ceased to summon the forms and imaginations attached to popular costume, and more broadly in folklore. The textile collections of the Mucem constitute the heart of the exhibition. Compared with pieces of haute couture and great designers, they testify to the continuities that irrigate the history of fashion as well as the porosity of the borders between artistic creation and popular culture. The new look that contemporary creation allows to put on costumes responds to the historical depth that they offer to the works of couturiers, in a fruitful dialogue between heritage and contemporary.

Marseille: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Panier Walking Tour

6. Marseille: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Panier Walking Tour

Due to the Rugby World Cup France 2023 (8 September to 28 October 2023) and the visit of Pope Francis (22 and 23 September 2023), our Ligne Bleue will unfortunately be closed from Saturday 2 September until 31 October 2023. For safety reasons, the City of Marseille will be introducing major changes to traffic conditions in the vicinity of the Marseille stadium, preventing us from carrying out our route properly. This temporary closure is beyond our control. Admire the city of Marseille on panoramic double-decker buses and convertible minibuses. Discover the heart of Marseille with an audio guide tour. Experience the many treasures of this Phocaean city, such as the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, the Cathedral of La Major, and more. With 2 bus circuits, experience the most beautiful things Marseille has to offer. With 14 stops on the red circuit, discover the Old Port, the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, the Vallon des Auffes, the Corniche Kennedy, and many other spots. Hop on convertible minibuses to discover the city's newer emblematic places. With its 11 stops on the blue circuit, experience the calm seaside and village atmosphere. Discover the city as the people of Marseille know it, full of richness and charm. Panier District Audio-Guided Walking Tour Alight at the Vieux Port stop to start a 1-hour audio-guided walking tour of the quaint Panier district where the bus has no access. Or, take the walking tour before or after your bus tour; the choice is yours. Walk the narrow streets and alleys, and admire the colorful houses, the majestic Cathedral of the Major, and the Old Port with its 3,000 boats. During your walking tour, use your smartphone to listen to stories recorded by a guide and two professional actors, which will automatically trigger as you walk. Start whenever you want, go at your own pace, and enjoy an innovative look at the city far from tourist groups. If you want to stop to shop or for refreshments, simply resume the tour where you left off. And don't worry about getting lost: The guide provides clear audio directions, and a map loads in real-time. Should you take a wrong turn, the integrated geo-localization feature will get you back on track in no time.

From Marseille: Calanques National Park Guided Hike

7. From Marseille: Calanques National Park Guided Hike

Step away from the city of Marseille and dive deep into the wilderness with a guided hike through the Calanques National Park. Make your way through verdant trees and bushes, reaching the rocky coastline with deep blue waters. Admire the famous coves, swim, and enjoy a picnic break. Begin your journey with a leisurely trek in the company of your guide. Walk through pine woods and rosemary bushes, and come across an impressive cove. Take in the Frioul and Riou archipelagos, and the highest sea cliff in Europe, the Falaises Soubeyrannes. Take short breaks to learn about the exceptional flora and fauna of the national park and hear how its landscape is connected to Marseille's history. Arrive at the beach for the chance to swim in the crystalline waters of the Calanque and taste a picnic lunch before the walk back. It is a 4 and half to 5 hour trip in the Calanques divided in several step, 30 minutes in transport to get to the National Park, 2 hour of walking in the Calanques, you have 1 hour and half to take your lunch break then you have 1 hour of swimming and the last hour is your return to the drop off point. If possible please, try to book this activity before 24 hours from the start.

Marseille: Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Drinks

8. Marseille: Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Drinks

Board the boat at Vieux-Port, in front of Marseille’s city hall. Sail past Château d’If and admire a perfect view of Notre-Dame de la Garde on your way to the Bay of Marseille. Hear about the area's history and local culture from the crew on board. Anchor in a nice secluded cove within the Frioul archipelago, and go swimming in the crystal clear waters. Climb back on board to enjoy a light dinner buffet made from organic, seasonal local produce. Enjoy two glasses of rosé with your meal. After dinner, relax on board and admire the sunset with music playing in the background. You will then start heading back to the Vieux-Port.

Marseille: OM Stadium Tour at the Orange Velodrome

9. Marseille: OM Stadium Tour at the Orange Velodrome

Join a tour of the Orange Vélodrome, uncovering the secrets that forge the history of Olympique de Marseille, a legendary football club. Immerse yourself in this soccer sanctuary, rich in anecdotes and incredible stories. Dive into the world of the Phocaean club. Enjoy exclusive moments as you move from the dressing room to the pitch. Go behind the scenes to discover precious archives, exclusive stories, and anecdotes about France's biggest club. Explore the magic of soccer, discovering the emblematic places of the Orange Vélodrome, including the dressing room, where players prepare and socialize, the pitch side, the scene of memorable exploits that have marked the club's history, and the club's trophy room.

Pont du Gard Skip the Line Admission Ticket

10. Pont du Gard Skip the Line Admission Ticket

Visit Pont du Gard, one of the world’s best-preserved examples of Roman ingenuity. Its chequered history has also inspired numerous artists. The 2,000-year-old section of the Roman aqueduct once provided water to Nîmes. The highly photographed bridge was listed by UNESCO in 1985 as a World Heritage Site. Located between Montpellier, Marseille, and Avignon, this site is a real landmark of Provence and the south of France. With your ticket, gain access to the first level of the bridge, the museum, and the film to discover more about the history of the Ludo area specially designed for children, the open-air walk Mémoires de Garrigue, and the temporary exhibitions. Until October 1, 2023, dive into a world where the transparent meets the tangible with the temporary exhibition Light as Space! Explore the captivating works of artist Yasuhiro Chida. Discover the fascinating world of this renowned Japanese artist, through a one-of-a-kind immersive experience. The artist has created a universe where illusion and reality merge, inviting the public to interact with his bewitching and captivating installations.

Top activities

Top sights in Marseille

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Frequently asked questions about Marseille

What are the best day trips and excursions from Marseille?

The best day trips and excursions from Marseille are:

Calanques National Park

Other Sightseeing Options in Marseille

Want to discover all there is to do in Marseille? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Marseille

Overall rating

4.4
(5,177 reviews)

It was really nice walk around Marseille. Our guide, Charles, was so passionate about telling lots of things about the city, and especially the pictures and maps in the past which he brought for the tour was really helpful to better comprehend how it changed and what happened in this beautiful city. Even though I joined one hour late, he didn’t just ignore the absence and kept contacting me so that I could reach him and he sent me an email to inform me the spots I missed and also good restaurants and places to visit during the stay. I really recommend the tour with Charles!

David's profound love and connection with nature, especially the Calanques, becomes contagious as he generously shares his vast knowledge and many interesting anecdotes. His genuine involvement with the group makes time seem to fly. A really great and unique experience.

If you are not ready for steps galore and incline after incline, get ready. By the end I was so pleased and proud I had accomplished it. The Guide is super. He knows his history, geography, sociology and loves to share Marseille with you. I highly recommend the tour.

Charles was such a great guide. He's friendly and full of information about the buildings and history of Marseille. It was so good to see the beautiful little back streets as well as the big things. I would highly recommend a tour with him😊

Fantastic day! Throughly enjoyed everything from the bikes to the places to the guide! Fab day! Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️