Looking for the best spots to include in your self-guided city tour of Marseille? I’ve got you covered! Keep reading to discover 19 must-see places for your itinerary!
If you are heading to the south of France, you can’t possibly miss the city of Marseille. Not only was the city elected European Capital of Culture in 2013, but between the food, the scenery, and the locals, you’ll be begging to stay longer!
I’ve been there a few times and discovered something new every single time… So believe me, you won’t be bored!
In my opinion, the best way to explore the city and save money is by going on a self-guided city tour of Marseille. Museums, architecture, charming neighborhoods, and incredible nature—there’s so much to see! And believe me, your trip to Marseille will exceed your expectations!
Keep reading to discover the 19 best spots to include in your city tour of Marseille, along with a few tips to help you make the most of your trip!
This blog post is all about the 19 must-see spots when exploring Marseille on foot, plus the best travel tips for your self-guided city tour of Marseille!
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EXPLORE MARSEILLE ON FOOT: 19 SPOTS YOU CAN’T MISS
Ready to explore Marseille on foot? Here are the 19 best spots to add to your city tour of Marseille, along with a few travel tips for the ultimate experience!
And to make your life even easier, the attractions are organized in a logical way to explore Marseille on foot… You’ll thank me later!
CITY TOUR OF MARSEILLE—THE GREATEST SPOTS TO VISIT
1. Vieux Port—Old Port
Historical heart of the city, this is the place where you should start your city tour of Marseille.
Why, you might ask? Well… There is no better place to feel the soul of the city and begin immersing yourself. Surrounded by bars and restaurants, I advise you to start with a coffee there to admire the traditional fishing boats and modern yachts, which give this place an atmosphere that mixes modernity and heritage.
It is also the departure point for boat trips—if that’s something you are planning to do—but we will return to that later. For now, we are starting our self-guided city tour of Marseille.
Visiting time: 1 to 2 hours.
Cost: Free.
2. Fort St-Jean
A few steps away from the Vieux Port, you will find the Fort Saint-Jean. A true symbol of Marseille’s military history, it is now home to the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations. You can enter the fort for free to enjoy the panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea and the Vieux Port of Marseille, but access to the museum does have a cost. Don’t worry—that’s the next stop on your city tour of Marseille… Just keep reading!
Visiting time: 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Cost: Free.
3. MuCEM—Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations
See… What did I tell you? Here comes the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations. As you’ve probably already understood, this museum is dedicated to Mediterranean civilizations. To be honest, the architecture of the museum itself is worth admiring! If you are interested in learning about the history, culture, and society of this particular region, you are going to love it! It is a bit expensive—in my opinion—but totally worth it!
Visiting time: 2 to 3 hours.
Cost: €9.5 per person.
4. La Joliette
Next on your self-guided city tour of Marseille? The neighborhood of La Joliette. This area has been rehabilitated and is now one of the most modern parts of the city. Shopping centers, coworking spaces—which can be great for those who travel and work at the same time—museums… Just walk around and stop if something catches your eye!
Visiting time: 1 hour.
Cost: Free.
5. CathEDRAL of Notre Dame de la Major
To discover the Cathédrale de Notre-Dame de la Major, just walk along the shore of the port. This—huge—piece of architecture was built in the 19th century and is famous for its size and its marble mosaic. Adding to this the fact that it is by the sea… you can’t really do better than that. Whether you just want to see it from the outside or go inside, I promise you’re going to love it!
It is honestly one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture I have seen throughout all my travels in France!
Visiting time: 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Cost: Free.
6. La Cité Radieuse—The Radiant City
If you’re into architecture, this little detour will be worth it for you! Have you heard of Le Corbusier? I believe that if you’re an architecture enthusiast, you have! The Radiant City is a modernist building classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There, you will find apartments, a hotel, and artistic spaces. You can even visit the rooftop, which offers a spectacular view of the city!
Due to the cost, I suggest you only pay for the guided tour if you are really interested in architecture. If not, you might feel it was a waste of money… Just being honest with you! After all, I’m here to help you plan the very best city tour of Marseille!
Visiting time: 1 hour.
Cost: €10 per person.
7. Le Panier et La Vieille Charité—The basket
One of my favorite neighborhoods in Marseille—and the cutest in my opinion—is Le Panier, or “the Basket.” It is the oldest district of the city, with narrow streets, colorful houses, and small artisan shops. The atmosphere there is just unique and really different from the rest of the city!
In the very heart of this neighborhood, you will find La Vieille Charité, a cultural and artistic center with several museums and exhibitions. Entering La Vieille Charité is completely free, but some exhibitions may have an entrance fee. Just ask when you get there!
Visiting time: 1 to 2 hours.
Cost: Approximately €5 for temporary exhibitions.
8. St-Victor abbey
Next stop on your self-guided city tour of Marseille: Saint-Victor Abbey! This medieval monastery is one of the oldest monuments in the city. Here, you can explore fascinating crypts built during the 5th century. Whether you’re familiar with this part of history or not, you won’t regret stopping by!
Visiting time: 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Cost: Free.
9. Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde
Probably the most famous attraction in Marseille—and that’s why you can’t possibly explore Marseille on foot without stopping there!
Perched on top of a hill, La Bonne Mère, or “Good Mother” in English, is the highest point in the city. You might wonder why it’s called “the Good Mother” though… Well, it’s quite simple. Historically and religiously speaking, the Virgin Mary atop the basilica was there to protect fishermen while they were at sea and ensure they returned safely to their families. Whether you are a believer or not, I promise you won’t regret stopping there. Not only is the basilica beautiful, but the views you’ll get from up there are just breathtaking!
You might also be happy to know that if you’re tired of walking by then, you can take a free bus that will take you up the hill!
Visiting time: 1 to 2 hours.
Cost: Free.
10. Vallon des Auffes
After visiting Notre-Dame de la Garde and taking in the breathtaking views, head down the hill to the Vallon des Auffes, a small port that seems to be frozen in time. In my opinion, it is one of the best places to take a break and enjoy a meal by the sea.
Visiting time: 1 hour.
Cost: Free.
11. Cours Julien
My second favorite neighborhood in the city… Believe me, you’ll quickly understand why when you get there on your city tour of Marseille! The Cours Julien is known for being the bohemian district of the city. Full of street art, vintage shops, and small cafés, it is the perfect place to wander and discover the creative spirit and culture of Marseille.
Visiting time: 1 to 2 hours.
Cost: Free.
12. Jardin du Pharo—Pharo’s Garden
On your way back to the city center, make a quick stop at the Pharo’s Garden and enjoy the views of the Vieux Port and Fort Saint-Nicolas! If you need a quick break from walking, it’s also a great spot to rest for a while—when the weather is nice, of course!
Visiting time: 30 minutes.
Cost: Free.
13. St-Nicolas fort
Located right in front of Fort Saint-Jean—the one you visited just after your time in the Vieux Port—Fort Saint-Nicolas is a historical site offering beautiful views of the Vieux Port. Although this fort isn’t open to the public, so your stop will probably be quick. But, if you want to take some photos, this is a great spot to do so!
Visiting time: 30 minutes.
Cost: Free.
14. Villa Méditerranée
Right next to the MuCEM and Fort Saint-Jean, the Villa Méditerranée is a cultural center famous for its architecture over the water. Unfortunately, it was closed when I visited… but believe me, the building itself is worth a detour. And if you appreciate modern architecture, you’ll be delighted!
Visiting time: 30 minutes.
Cost: Depending on the current exhibition.
15. Trajectoire Gallery
For those who love contemporary art, this is a must-see on your city tour of Marseille. Close to the Cours Julien, the Trajectoire Gallery showcases works by local artists. The best part? It’s totally free! So you have no excuse not to visit, even if you don’t know much about contemporary art!
Visiting time: 30 minutes.
Cost: Free.
16. Musée des Beaux-Arts—Museum of fine arts
Located in the Palais Longchamp—which is also a must-see when visiting Marseille—the Museum of Fine Arts showcases an impressive collection of European art from the 16th to the 19th century. Whether you’re an art lover or not, I highly recommend at least visiting the Palais Longchamp and enjoying the surrounding gardens. And if the weather isn’t great, a tour of the museum might be the perfect activity for you!
Visiting time: 1 to 2 hours.
Cost: €6 per person.
17. Borély Park
By now, you’ll have seen—almost—everything there is to do in the center of Marseille. But there are a few spots worth visiting just outside the city.
About 20 minutes away by bus (don’t worry, we’re done walking!) is Parc Borély. This vast park features French gardens, a lake, and several footpaths where you can relax after a long day of exploring the city. Within the park, you can also visit Château Borély—Borély Castle in English—which houses the Museum of Decorative Arts. Whether you decide to visit the museum or not, I highly recommend taking some time to explore Parc Borély, one of the most famous parks in the entire city!
Visiting time: 2 to 3 hours.
Cost: Entry to the park is completely free, but the museum costs €5 per person.
18. Frioul Islands and Château d’If
One of the most popular excursions for visitors to Marseille is a trip to the Frioul Islands and Château d’If, famously known as the prison of the Count of Monte Cristo. The islands are accessible by boat, with ferries departing from the Vieux Port, as mentioned earlier. If the weather is nice—and you’re not prone to seasickness—this makes for the perfect afternoon in Marseille!
Visiting time: 3 to 4 hours.
Cost: A round-trip ferry ticket costs €11 per person, and entry to Château d’If is €6 per person.
19. Les calanques
Last but not least of these 19 greatest spots on your self-guided city tour of Marseille: The Calanques National Park.
The perfect blend of mountains and sea, the Calanques might just be one of my favorite natural spots in France—and I promise, I’m not exaggerating! If you’re a nature lover, you simply can’t plan a trip to Marseille without spending at least half a day exploring the Calanques. And if you’re not an avid hiker, don’t worry—there are trails for all levels throughout the park.
So, what’s your excuse for not visiting?
Visiting time: 3 to 4 hours minimum.
Cost: Entry is completely free, but guided tours or cruises are available, with prices varying depending on the tour operator.
ADDITIONAL TIPS TO EXPLORE MARSEILLE ON FOOT
Now that you know everything about the top attractions to visit on your city tour of Marseille, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your trip! Take notes—some of these are things I wish I had known before visiting Marseille for the first time!
- Start your day early, especially if you are visiting during summer when the days can get very hot!
- Make sure you have a map or GPS—it’s easy to get lost in the narrow streets of Marseille…
- Wear comfortable shoes; Marseille is anything but flat.
- Protect yourself from the sun, even if you’re visiting during the shoulder seasons—spring and autumn.
- Try the local cuisine, and when I say try it, I mean everything—from local drinks to local food!
- Take time to speak with the locals. The Marseillais are such welcoming people, and they’ll love to talk about their city with you!
- Take the various stairs and get lost in the city—I promise that’s how you’ll find hidden gems.
- Head to the beach or anywhere with a view over the city to watch the sunset.
- Keep an eye on your belongings. Unfortunately, like in many European cities, pickpockets can be an issue in Marseille!
CITY TOUR OF MARSEILLE: EXTRA RESOURCES TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP
If you still need more information to plan your city tour of Marseille here are a few extra ressources that might be helpful to you – or you can just ask me, I’ll be more than happy to help you!
- Visitor Center of Marseille: Find all the information and events happening in the city!
- GetYourGuide: Book activities and excursions in advance!
- Colorbüs Marseille: For a guided bus tour of the city!
- CityTours Marseille: To book private and group guided tours!
With this article, the extra resources, and my availability for any further questions, you have no excuse not to plan the very best city tour of Marseille!
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