Marseille

Grit, grandeur and Mediterranean soul

Marseille stands out as a lively port city on France’s southern coast. Its history stretches back over two thousand years, shaped by trade and cultural exchange with the Mediterranean world. The city’s streets carry traces of Greek origins while markets overflow with fresh produce from nearby farms. Coastal breezes shape daily life here and the mix of old stone buildings and modern galleries creates a distinctive urban feel. From historic forts to bustling harbors, Marseille offers an authentic glimpse into southern France’s character beyond typical tourist scenes.

Add to list Map view

City in France

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 6.6

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	8

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in most hotels, tourist restaurants, and museums, but less so in markets and smaller shops. Young locals and those in tourism are generally helpful. A few French phrases are always appreciated.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Marseille Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Strong in Mediterranean culture and coastal scenery. Explore historic ports, visit museums, taste seafood cuisine and hike dramatic calanques cliffs nearby.

Place score

7.4

Best at:

Sea

Local cuisine

Museums

Guided tours

Walkable

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🌈 7

LGBTQ+

France – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is optional but appreciated in restaurants (5-10%) and for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, but restrictions apply in some cities.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces but common in outdoor cafes.

Bastille Day (July)	Parades and fireworks occur nationwide.
Easter (March/April)	Cultural celebrations and closures.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive events.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 112 (EU emergency), 15 (Ambulance), 17 (Police), 18 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Heetch
Other:	France offers diverse experiences, from art and culture to nature and cuisine. Be cautious in crowded areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Marseille, France

🌬️

Jan

🌬️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

☀️

Sep

☀️

Oct

☀️

Nov

☀️

Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April, Oct.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Calanques trails and access can close on high wildfire risk days, June to September; Sugiton needs advance booking

Mistral wind blows strongest in winter and spring, bringing clear skies but rough boat crossings

Cruise ship days make the Old Port and Vieux-Panier noticeably busier from April to October

Don't miss

🌄 Climb to Notre-Dame de la Garde for sweeping harbor views
⛵ Stroll through the colorful Old Port and watch the boats
🎨 Explore Le Panier’s narrow streets filled with street art
🍲 Savor a traditional bouillabaisse in a waterfront restaurant
🛥️ Take a boat to the Château d’If fortress island
🏖️ Swim in the turquoise waters of Calanques National Park

You've been here?

Why travel to Marseille?

Travel to Marseille if you want a real slice of Mediterranean life – think lively fish markets at the Vieux Port, labyrinthine lanes in Le Panier and the scent of North African spices drifting from Noailles. The city’s gritty charm is balanced by grand sights like Notre-Dame de la Garde and the modern MUCEM museum. Don’t miss a hike or boat trip to the stunning Calanques National Park for turquoise coves and dramatic cliffs. Marseille isn’t polished or always pretty, but that’s its magic: it’s authentic, diverse and full of surprises. Downsides? Some areas are rough around the edges and the city has a higher crime rate than most French destinations – stick to well-trafficked neighborhoods, especially at night and keep an eye on your belongings. Driving is chaotic and parking is tough, so stick to public transport or rent an electric bike. And don’t swim after heavy rains – the sea can get polluted.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Vieux-Port
2 Notre-Dame de la Garde
3 Palais Longchamp
4 Fort Saint-Jean
5 Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean
6 Chateau d’If
7 La Cité Radieuse
8 La Friche

🎡Places for activities

1 Le Gyptis

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Parc national des Calanques (cœur)
2 Parc Borély
3 Anse de la Fausse Monnaie
4 Anse de Maldormé
5 Frioul Islands
6 Corniche du Président John Fitzgerald Kennedy
7 Parc Longchamp
8 Plages du Prado
9 Plage des Catalans

🛍️Shopping

1 Marché aux Puces
2 A.C.S Afro market
3 Les Docks Village
4 Centre Bourse
5 Rue Saint-Ferréol
6 Galeries Lafayette

🎈Events

Festival de Marseille (dance & arts)
Fiesta des Suds (music festival)
Marseille Jazz des Cinq Continents
Carnaval de Marseille
Fête de la Musique
MUCEM summer exhibitions
Christmas Market at Vieux Port
Bastille Day fireworks
Olympique de Marseille football matches
Calanques trail races

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Stay alert around the Old Port, especially late nights.
Book Calanques hikes or boat trips early; access can be limited in summer.
Use the metro or trams at night; avoid isolated streets in some areas.
For bouillabaisse, choose a reputable harbor restaurant and reserve; prices vary widely by catch.

How to travel to Marseille

Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) is 27 km from the city, with shuttle buses to the center. High-speed trains (TGV) connect Marseille to Paris, Lyon and beyond via Saint-Charles station. Ferries link Marseille to Corsica, Sardinia and North Africa. Intercity buses and highways connect to the wider Provence region.

Access summary

From Marseille Provence Airport (MRS): shuttle bus to Saint-Charles station, about 25–35 minutes.
From Paris: high-speed TGV trains to Saint-Charles, roughly 3–3.5 hours.
From Nice: frequent regional trains along the coast, usually around 2.5–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Marseille

Marseille offers everything from boutique hotels in Le Panier and Vieux Port to budget hostels and seaside resorts. Book ahead for summer and festivals. Most accommodations are centrally located-stay near the port or in lively districts like Cours Julien for easy access to sights and nightlife.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Toyoko INN Marseille Saint Charles

8.6

Marseille Centre Euromed

8.7

InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu By IHG

9.1

C2 Hotel

9.2

Hotel La Residence Du Vieux Port

9.0

Residhotel Le Grand Prado

7.6

Golden Tulip Marseille Euromed

8.3

Hotel Carre Vieux Port

8.6

Marseille Saint Charles

8.3

New Hotel of Marseille - Le Pharo

8.8

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Marseille

Marseille’s best explored on foot, by tram, metro or bus. The city’s hills and wobbly sidewalks make sturdy shoes a must. Rent an electric bike for the coastal Corniche. Avoid driving – traffic is chaotic and parking is scarce. The airport shuttle bus runs frequently to Saint-Charles station. Public transport connects most neighborhoods and beaches and ferries run to the Frioul Islands and Château d’If.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+8 %

Daily expenses in Marseille are around 8% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£64	£150	£381
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£24	£66	£119
🍝 Food per day	£33	£73	£213
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£11	£49

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£28
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£14
🍟 Fast food combo	£10
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.10
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£5.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.60
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£31
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£10.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£21
🤧 Cold medication	£9
💇 Basic haircut	£16

Safety information overview

General safety

Marseille is generally safe in tourist areas, but has a higher crime rate than most French cities. Petty theft and pickpocketing can occur — stay alert, especially at night and in crowded places. Avoid isolated neighborhoods after dark.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with hospitals and pharmacies throughout the city. No special vaccinations are needed. Tap water is safe. Sun and wind can be intense — protect your skin and stay hydrated.

Accessibility

Most main attractions, hotels and public transport are accessible, but hills, cobbles and steps can be challenging. Some older buildings lack elevators. Check ahead for specific needs.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and widely available. Public fountains are found in parks and squares — refill your bottle as you explore, especially in summer.