Things to do in Marseille – 8 tips in France's great port city

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: September 2026 | What is there to see and do in Marseille in southern France? We spent a day in this lively port city and managed to experience the Vieux-Port, the fish market and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, among other things. Here we collect our own experiences and supplement with more tips for those who want to discover Marseille.

Marseille – old port city on the Mediterranean Sea

Marseille is one of France's largest cities and the country's oldest. The Greek city of Massalia was founded around 600 BC, but people have lived in the area for much longer than that. Traces of human presence in the Marseille area date back tens of thousands of years, and the famous Cosquer Cave outside the city contains prehistoric cave art.

It is a city with a very long history, but Marseille does not feel like a museum. This is a large, intense and multicultural port city with restaurants, markets, boats and people. For a long time, Marseille had a rather tough reputation, but the city has changed a lot and today attracts visitors with both culture, history and proximity to the Mediterranean.

We only had one day and started at the most obvious place: the harbor.

1. Stroll around the Vieux-Port

Old Port, the old port, is the historic heart of Marseille. It was here that the ancient city of Massalia emerged more than 2,600 years ago and the port is still a natural gathering place in the middle of the city.

Here you can stroll along the quays, watch the boats, sit on an outdoor terrace or just watch the people go by. This is also where you will find the large mirror-like Ombrière, designed by Norman Foster, which reflects the people and the harbor upside down. We really liked it.

2. Check out the fish market in the harbor

When we were in Marseille, the fishermen stood selling the day's catch right down by the Vieux-Port. And they still do.

On Quai de la Fraternité There is a fish market every morning, normally from around 8 am to 1 pm. The selection depends of course on what the fishermen have actually caught from the Mediterranean, but here you can find, for example, sardines, mackerel, sole, monkfish and various types of sea bream.

It's not a big tourist market created for visitors, but still direct sales from fishermen to customers. For us, it was also part of what made Vieux-Port actually feel like a port and not just a backdrop.

3. Go up to Notre-Dame de la Garde

High above Marseilles thrones Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, or The Good Mother, the good mother, as it is usually called by the inhabitants.

We walked there from Vieux-Port. It wasn't terribly far, but there was one small detail that the map didn't quite capture: It was uphill. Quite a lot of it.

The basilica is located on a 154-meter-high hill and the reward is a stunning panoramic view of Marseille, the port, the Mediterranean Sea and the islands off the coast. The church itself is also worth entering, with mosaics, paintings and a crypt.

Anyone who is not familiar with our method can take the bus or the little tourist train up. It's considerably less sweaty.

4. Discover Le Panier

Just north of Vieux-Port lies The Basket, Marseille's oldest district. Narrow alleys, stairs, small squares, colorful facades, street art and cafes await you here.

It was in the area around today's Le Panier and Vieux-Port that the ancient Greek city of Massalia grew up. Today, the district is one of the places usually recommended for those who want to leave the major traffic routes and discover a more small-scale side of Marseille.

We didn't have time to explore this properly during our visit. Next time we would definitely give Le Panier more time.

5. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts

At the entrance to the Vieux-Port is Mucem, Musée des Civilizations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée. The museum opened in 2013, when Marseille was the European Capital of Culture, and is about the history, societies and cultures of the Mediterranean.

The building itself has also become a modern landmark. The dark, almost lace-like concrete shell makes the Mucem stand out against the historic fortifications next door.

From the area you can also get to Fort Saint-Jean, making this a great continuation of a walk from the Vieux-Port and Le Panier.

6. Eat something typical of Marseille

The most famous dish from Marseille is, of course, bouillabaisse, the classic fish dish that has its origins in the city's fishing culture. We love seafood, but it wasn't actually bouillabaisse this time. Instead, we had another French favorite: fried mussels.

The restaurants right by the harbor were more expensive, so we strayed from the most touristy streets and found a small outdoor restaurant where almost all the other guests seemed to be French.

I chose regular mussels while Peter had mussels with roquefort. The prices from that lunch in 2017 mean no one needs to plan their vacation after today. We still remember the mussels, however.

7. Take the boat to Château d'If and the Frioul Islands

Outside Marseille lies Friulian Islands, and here you will find, among other things, the famous fortress Chateau d'If.

The castle was built in the 16th century and later used as a prison. But the most famous prisoner never actually existed. This is where Alexandre Dumas placed Edmond Dantès in the novel The Count of Monte Cristo.

From Vieux-Port you can take a boat out to the islands. We didn't have time to do this during our visit, but it's an excursion we would like to add next time.

8. Experience the Calanques outside Marseille

If you have more than one day in Marseille, there is another very good reason to stay: Calanques National Park.

The national park stretches along the Mediterranean coast between Marseille and Cassis and is known for its dramatic limestone cliffs and narrow bays with turquoise blue waters.

The area can be explored both on foot and from the sea. Just keep in mind that the nature is protected and access to some areas may be restricted when the fire risk is high, especially during the summer.

So this is not something we managed to do during our day in Marseille, but it is high on the list for a future visit.

More to see and do in Marseille

If you have more time, there is much more to discover. Cours Julien is known for street art, bars and a more bohemian atmosphere, while La Canebiere is the historic avenue leading up from the Vieux-Port.

Palais Longchamp is another of the city's major landmarks. The monumental palace was built in the 19th century to celebrate the fact that water from the Durance River could finally be channeled to Marseille. Today, it houses a park and museums, among other things.

Also The Corniche is worth knowing. The coastal road follows the Mediterranean Sea and offers a completely different side of Marseille than the dense neighborhoods around the Vieux-Port.

Is Marseille worth a visit?

Yes absolutely, and we would love to give Marseille more time next time. It may not be the most polished city in the south of France, but that is part of the experience. Marseille feels like a real big city and port city, with fishermen and luxury yachts, worn-out neighborhoods and grand buildings, the Mediterranean and people from many different parts of the world.

Excursions and destinations near Marseille

Marseille is well located for those traveling further through Provence and along the Mediterranean coast. Aix-en-Provence is located north of the city and is a classic Provençal town with historic quarters, markets and cafes. To the east is Cassis, which is also a good starting point for the Calanques.

To the northwest you reach Arles and Les Baux-de-Provence, while the journey east eventually leads towards Hyères, the Giens Peninsula, Le Lavandou and the French Riviera. Here you will find reports and tips:

• Things to do in Arles
• Light show in Les Baux-de-Provence
• Guide to the French Riviera