France › Marseille

Marseille

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · Allow 2 days · 28 places in the guide

The second most populous city in France and its oldest, founded by Greek settlers around 600 BC, with a national park of calanques inside its limits. The Old Port, the hilltop basilica and the museums lie within a few kilometres; the calanques and the Frioul islands are further out.

A first look at Marseille

To see

Château d'If

about 150 min

François I's island castle and former prison off Marseille, the setting of The Count of Monte Cristo.

Fine Arts Museum

about 75 min

European art from the 1500s to the 1800s in the left wing of the Palais Longchamp, with a large collection of Pierre Puget.

Marseille History Museum

about 90 min

The museum of the city's 26 centuries, built around the archaeological site of the ancient port.

To do

Calanque de Sormiou

about 180 min

A big inlet with bright blue water, a climbing destination whose beach is supervised in summer.

Calanque de Sugiton

about 180 min

A narrow limestone inlet with clear water, reached on a hiking trail; a free booking may be needed in summer.

Frioul Islands

about 180 min

Four islands off the Old Port with small sand beaches and coves, open even when the mainland calanques are closed.

To eat and drink

Chez Etienne

about 75 min

An old-school restaurant with classic Italian dishes, whose reviews mention baby squid, anchovies and pizza.

Chez Fonfon

about 90 min

A family fish restaurant in the Vallon des Auffes harbour, known for bouillabaisse and fish baked in clay.

La Boîte à Sardine

about 75 min

A fishmonger and restaurant with nautical decor, serving local seafood at lunchtime only, Tuesday to Saturday.

Le Miramar

about 90 min

A port-side restaurant whose own site says it is a founding member of the Bouillabaisse Charter.

This page shows 10 of 28 places. The app has all of them, with hours, maps and a plan for your days.