A Marseille weekend
Last updated on January 29th, 2026.
Marseille is a city of two sides — traditional and gritty, and seeing both in a weekend is possible.
Charming neighborhoods like Panier in Marseille co-exist alongside historic attractions like Château d'If near the city’s coast. There are plenty of things to do in Marseille in 1 day or 2, and this post outlines an easy itinerary for a Marseille weekend.
If there’s one rule to follow to discover the best of Marseille in a weekend, it’s to just keep walking.
How to reach Marseille
The second largest city in France is located on the south coast of the country in the province of Provence. Its main international airport is Marseille Provence Airport, which is approximately 27km (17mi) from the city.
Just Uber it
There’s public transportation available to the city center, but it’s not a straightforward journey and includes several changes.
Still, if you've time and want to experience Marseille metro and bus, go for it. If not, you can follow our footsteps and take an Uber.
We found Uber to be pricier in Marseille than other places where we’ve used the service. To give you an idea, a 22-minute drive to our hotel in the city cost €42 ($47/£36).*
For budget travelers, I recommend taking the bus and metro and saving your money for the city.
Jump to:
Best things to do on a Marseille weekend
Visit the old port
Without a shadow of a doubt, the first place to head to in Marseille is the old port (Vieux Port).
It may be the most touristic part of the city, but it’s a good place to get your bearings. Walk the entire route of the promenade, taking a moment to browse any market stalls, or watch live street performances.
Vieux Port has the same energy of the Rambla in Barcelona or Piccadilly Circus in London. It’s the place where everyone goes.
Walk the port
The boats in the harbor take center stage of the old port. It’s particularly striking when the sun’s shining, and you can see the light bouncing off the water.
From here, it’s possible to take a day trip to nearby Calanques National Park. The park is ideal for outdoor lovers or to simply see the stunning calanques. A cruise on a traditional wooden Schooner is a fun way to explore the park.
Truthfully, I can’t say much about the buildings immediately around the port.
There are many outdated buildings, and not in the flattering way. Still, you can find several hotels here along with restaurants that attract coach loads of tourists.
Visit Notre-Dame de la Garde
There’s one noticeable landmark that stands out above them all in Marseille, and that’s the Notre-Dame de la Garde.
Situated at the highest peak in the city, you get a clear view of the basilica once you enter Vieux Port.
Inside Notre-Dame de la Garde
There are two churches inside Notre-Dame de la Garde — lower and upper. The lower church, also known as the crypt has been carved from the rock in Romanesque architectural style.
It’s much smaller in size and simpler than its upstairs counterpart.
The upper church in neo-byzantine style is bursting with color and mosaics from every angle. Take a seat on one of the pews to admire the entirety of the church.
It’s the most visited site in Marseille so don’t be surprised by the number of people that’ll be there. Even so, you can still enjoy the ambience and detail among the shuffling people around you.
Map: 7 TOP sights to see in a Marseille weekend
The best view of Marseille
The upper church of the basilica is on the sixth floor (you can take the elevator or stairs). It’s the last floor and also the highest point in the city.
As you exit the doors to the outdoor terrace, you’re greeted with some of the best views of Marseille. Even with plenty visitors around, it’s possible to find your spot and take unspoiled photos.
I also recommend going to the terrace on the fifth floor, and even walking around the ground floor. There are several good photo and Instagram worthy opportunities here.
Best way to reach Notre-Dame de la Garde
The best way to reach the basilica in the sky is on four wheels. It’s a long way up and also a steep one too. If you don’t have your own car, there are plenty of other options.
From Vieux Port, you can hop aboard the cute but touristy petit train. It costs €8* ($8.57/£6.72) per person for a return trip and is also a novel way to see the city. It’s open-ended on the right side however, so not so pleasant if it rains.
Another way to reach the basilica is by bus. The no. 60 bus also takes you from the old port directly to the steps of the church. It costs €2* ($2.14/£1.68) per person each way and you can pay on the bus.
Step inside Marseille Cathedral
From one basilica in the sky to another on ground level.
Marseille Cathedral, or Cathédrale de la Major in French, is one attraction you can’t miss on your Marseille weekend.
By this, I mean, its size is so grand you literally cannot miss it.
This Catholic church is a national monument of France, reflecting neo byzantine-romanesque style.
It’s just as impressive inside as it is out, with dozens of murals, marble and mosaics to tantalize the senses.
Marseille Cathedral’s also in a location of the city that’s near the waterfront, Quai de la Tourette. And it’s here where you’ll find another of the city’s top attractions.
Swing by the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations
For those rainy days in Marseille — and when it rains, it really pours — this museum saves the day.
As its name suggests, the museum curates the history and culture in the Mediterranean basin throughout the ages.
The exterior of the Musée des civilisations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée is also just as impressive. This cube-shaped building measures 160,000 sq ft, housing exhibits on two levels.
It’s open every day except Tuesdays, and there’s an entrance fee to access the museum. Check the website for the most up-to-date prices and exhibitions.
Head to Fort-Saint Jean
Connected by bridge to the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations is the Fort-Saint Jean.
It was built in 1660 by Louis XIV at the entrance to the old port. The fortification became part of the museum in 2013. Parts of the buildings are now exhibition spaces and a documentation center.
Pass by Abbey of St Victor
This imposing, yet striking, Roman structure is one of Marseille’s oldest buildings. Named after Saint Victor of Marseille, the abbey dates back to the 5th century.
More inside
As well as a church inside, the crypts are also a museum in itself. There are relics, paintings and even skulls dating to the 3rd century.
The interior’s quiet, archaic and mysterious. Entry to the abbey is also free, leaving no excuse not to add this to your Marseille weekend itinerary.
Explore the Panier quarter
We lost count of how many times we walked around the Panier neighborhood in Marseille. The first time we stumbled upon it by chance as we were finding the way back to our hotel in La Joliette.
A colorful neighborhood
Panier neighborhood in Marseille is a series of small winding roads, showing local life at its best.
Colorful front doors and window panels beckon you and your lens around every corner. It’s rustic, away from the crowds and very Mediterranean.
There are a few independent cafes, restaurants and also stores in the area. I urge you to take a coffee, pause and soak up the atmosphere.
What is Marseille famous for?
Marseille is well known for several things. As well as its main attractions, it’s also known for its products.
You can find one of its most popular items, Savon de Marseille, everywhere, and in different fragrances too. While we didn’t take any ourselves, I did notice that prices vary between places.
To put it simply: the less touristy the area, the cheaper the price.
Marseille Navette
Don’t visit Marseille without trying the local sweet biscuits called ‘Navettes’.
These oblong-shaped biscuits resemble the shape of a boat and are usually prepared for the Christian holiday of Candlemas. Recipes can differ, but typically they’re perfumed with orange blossom water.
The pizzerias
Something we didn’t know about Marseille before visiting was its high number of Italian descendants.
In fact, over one third of the Marseille population can trace their heritage back to Italy.
Saying that, there are a dozen of very good, and authentic, Neapolitan pizzerias in Marseille. For over 4 generations, Chez Etienne’s family-run business has been serving up freshly baked pizza with plenty of creamy mozzarella.
La Bonne Mere is another excellent Italian pizzeria near Notre-Dame de la Garde. Be sure to make a reservation before visiting because tables here go fast.
Where to stay in Marseille
We couldn’t have found a better place to stay on our Marseille weekend than NH Collection Marseille.
Its location in La Joliette neighborhood is central and also within walking distance to the central sights in Marseille. The hotel’s also right by the charming Panier neighborhood in Marseille. In short, it’s the kind of place where you get a feel of Marseille life up front.
Our suite was bright, light and also very generous in size. The separate living area with sofa and TV leads to a grand bedroom with king bed.
My favorite feature, however, was the bathroom. There’s a bathtub and separate shower room, both with rainforest shower options. It was the most relaxing way to end a day of exploring the city.
If we ever return to Marseille, we know exactly where we'll be staying.
The hotel manager, Victor, and all the staff, including their guest relations manager, Germana, were exceptional. When you hear the phrase ‘welcome home’ on arrival, you know you’re in for a great stay.
Convinced? You should be! Check their rates and make your stay a reality at NH Collection Marseille.
Is Marseille expensive?
The answer to this really depends on where you’re coming from, and also on what you’re spending.
Other fellow (northern) Europeans may find the prices fairly standard. Travelers coming from further afield may find them higher than average.
Like most destinations, you can find competitive prices for accommodation to suit your budget. Food and drink again vary by location and the type of restaurant.
Shop around
By the main hub of the old port many of the restaurants around the harbor can get expensive. I’ve never been a fan of the menu du jour (menu of the day) as the food’s never as good. Just my experience.
It’s possible to eat cheaply if you’re on a budget. There are many decent boulangerie (bakeries) to take fresh bread and savory goods that won’t break the bank.
Marseille also has a large North African community (Algerian, Moroccan, Tunisian), of which you’ll find plenty of local eateries too.
What do you think of this Marseille weekend itinerary? Is it a city you’d like to explore in a weekend? Leave me a comment below.
*prices correct at time of travel.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
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1. Visit the Vieux Port (Old Port)
2. See the Notre-Dame de la Garde
3. Stop by Marseille Cathedral
4. Explore the Panier Quarter
I’m really looking forward to Marseilles in April. Meeting up with my Husbands friend and wife. What can we all do together plus we have a Son aged 7. Also my Neice lives in Lyon. Is it too far to travel to. We have 4 nights. Thanks
Hi Jane, you will really enjoy Marseille. Check out my Marseille travel tips for first-time travelers too, it's good for first-time visitors 🙂
Marseille sure is a city that has a lot to offer and I always want to spend more time while going there. I would always say two days aren't enough for this city, but on the other hand, if I had only two days I would spend them exactly as you described it. I think you covered the city's highlights in only 48 hours and that's impressive.
Thanks Daniel! Actually, you can see the main sights in a day, as long as you start early of course 🙂
Okay now I have moved this further up my must visit list! what a gorgeous trip!
Thank you! Yes it really is!
I love that you included the best views of the city in this guide. One of my favorite things is to sit with a sketchbook or a journal and just watch the city come to life! These are all great recommendations in Marseille and you’ve included so many hidden gems that I haven’t seen.
Thanks Martha! We loved exploring the city and the hidden streets too. It's also a great city to sketch
What a gorgeous town! I love the church architecture, and the little streets and alleys are so cute. I had no idea the number of Italian immigrants in Marseilles - if there are lots of pizza places there, that's even more motivation to go!
Neither did we before going! The pizzerias are really good in Marseille
The marbles inside the Marseille Cathedral is impressive as well as the Abbey of St. Victor. I can just sit and relax at the pew for a long time to admire the interior of both churches. I found the fact that over one third of Marseille population can trace their roots back to Italy is interesting. I wonder if they speak Italian, too.
From being there, not many people did speak Italian, but we noticed many locals with Italian names 🙂
Thanks for sharing your photos. I have yet to visit France but already had an idea about what to expect of the place.
It's a big country to explore, Marseille is just one part 🙂
What a stunning view! Marseille is simply breathtaking! Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome!
Thank you so much for sharing these informative trivias about Marseille. Love to taste those Navettes and Pizzasaround the place. Savon de Marseille sounds a really nice remembrance or souvenir.
You're welcome! It's an awesome city to explore and plenty to see and do
I really want to visit France and expirience the whole vibe of this beautiful place x
It's a great city to explore 🙂
Marseille sounds like a great city to explore over a weekend, Lisa. Especially since you say that it's so walkable, I love cities that are pleasant and easy to cover by simply walking around. The Old Port, with its market stalls and live performances, sounds like a great place but I also love the Notre Dam de la Grade, it looks beautiful both from the outside and inside and the views of the city from there are super! I feel particularly drawn to the streets of Panier!
Panier was our favorite neighborhood! I actually preferred it to the centre 🙂
Wow this looks like an interesting place! I hadn't heard about this place before. Thanks for giving me some new information today!
You're welcome
this is full of helpful information when traveling. It looks amazing here!
It's a great city
Thanks for sharing this useful post on the various activities to do in Marseille. It will be helpful for guiding those who are visiting Marseille.
Thanks for your feedback
What a fantastic guide and itinerary for Marseilles. I really must visit Marseilles one day, it looks absolutely beautiful!
Thank you! You really should, it's also a great city for families
Now I could kick myself. We skipped Marseille believing it to be just a big ugly city but it looks lovely. I would love to roam the old town and see the cathedral. Looks like we will passing quite close again this summer, so saving this post!
Honestly, we weren't expecting much either and were pleasantly surprised! Definitely visit this summer; it'll probably be busier but it's big enough for everyone 🙂
Marseille Cathedral looks stunning from the inside out. I could spend hours exploring this beautiful architecture. Those small alleys also create a good backdrop for photos for IG.
It's a gorgeous place, and a great backdrop for IG; I should know, I took a few!
This was such a thorough guide! I truly appreciate the effort that you put into making sure you left nothing out, and now I feel like I must visit Marseille! Your photos are stunning as well
Aw thank you so much! I'm so glad you found it useful
Such breathtaking views! I really fell in love with this place, hoping that will see these personally. I love this so much!
So do I! Thanks for commenting
Marseille looks like an amazing destination! The Cathedral would be high on my list. It looks stunning! It sounds the perfect place to spend a couple of days. I am definitely keeping this destination in my mind!
It's such an interesting city to visit, yet typically French. Definitely visit one day!
A weekend in Marseille looks like a dream! Thanks for all the detailed tips on what to see and how. The Panier neighborhood looks like the perfect place to wander and get lost. Vieux Port also looks like a beautiful spot - sometimes things are popular for good reason. 🙂
That's very true! And thank you for your comments, it's always a pleasure to read
It's my dream to visit France. It's so great getting a real person's advice.
Thank you, that's means a lot!
Get me to Marseilles! What a timely post with everything going on in Paris right? This is really an amazing post with so much great information; thank you especially for your pictures!
It's so sad what happened to the Notre Dame in Paris. Marseille's is stunning, let's hope nothing happens there
Great guide for Marseille, Lisa! I've been in France so many times, yet never visited this city. Good to know that Marseille is famous for biscuits and soap. Having a sweet tooth, for me the ‘Navettes’ sound way more appealing the famous 'Savon de Marseille' lol!
Thank you! Lol, yes the navettes are more appealing than trying the soap!
I've always heard about Marseille, but pictured it completely different, I didn't know it was France's second largest city! I know Uber is more expensive than public transportation, but I don't think I'd have the patience for it not being a "straight shot" so I'd splurge on the Uber! I'll be sure to stay out of the touristy areas once I visit. Interesting to learn that Marseille has such a high number of Italians living there, I'd love to try their food!
It was something interesting to us too, as we spend a lot of time in Italy. And yes, we took the Uber too!
Good detailed list you have there about Marseille. I always struggle to choose sights to see for such duration. This ready made itinerary is truly helpful. Visiting the medieval fort and walking streets of Panier are must do for me. Great pictures.
Thank you! I'm so glad you find this itinerary useful 🙂
The Panier neighbourhood is so beautiful. I love all the history and architecture of the city. I also love the azure blue coast. I don't know if one weekend is enough with how beautiful Marseille is.
There's a lot to see but it's so possible. Plus you can do day trips to Provence and Cassis from here too
I’m planning a trip to France and Marseille wasn’t included. The view from Norte dame is incredible and I see missing this would be a mistake. I could spend an entire day wandering the promenade and market stalls
Aw that's a shame! Definitely try and return, it's an interesting city
Beautiful places all around the world that we can't get enough of thou Norte Dame got burnt recently it's still all beautiful.
Yes!
Ever since I read the Count of Monte Cristo, I've been wanting to check out Marseille. I remember when Anthony Bourdain visited Marseille and talked about the more...old and dirty...side of it. I was intrigued because it was full of history. Visiting the old port would be a trip for sure. And Château d’If, but mainly because of its connection to the book.
You immediately get the feeling of the history as you enter the port. Marseille is edgy but also has its charming parts
What else a city can offer - ancient charm and modernity together is a rare combination. Glad to know that Marseille has both. I would definitely take the bus, uber sounds too expensive for budget travelers. It's a great itinerary, I would stay for a couple of more days if I visit Marseille.
Yes, it's more expensive there for Uber than other destinations. But really worth a visit
Marseille looks like a perfect French town and the itinerary is simply great. I love the vibrant Panier, would love to explore this street. The Navettes don’t look like biscuits anyway, wouldn’t mind trying them though.
They also have an interesting flavor!
Marseille is so pretty and unlike Paris it looks much less crowded. I just totally love your suite. The fort looks gorgeous, somehwere I would love to visit in an eye blink. Even the Marseille cathedral is so enormous and beautiful!
It really is, and you can totally spend an hour there taking everything in
This is a great Marseille itinerary. We hope to visit there soon. Your photos are great too.
Thank you! So do I
You are so right - Marseille is gritty. We called it edgy. We spent a week and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and visited all the places you have mentioned. We loved the small restaurants around the back streets of the Port. The Hop on Hop off Bus got us around Marseille and up to the Cathedral. Loved your article it brought back memories.
Glad it brought you back there! Yes, you feel that pretty much immediately
France is on my bucket list for sure. This would be amazing to see in person
Definitely visit one day, it's awesome
I have been to Marseille a very long time ago and this post revamped in me the desire to go back. Lovely photos and precious hints!
Thank you! It was a great city for a weekend break
Looks like a really fascinating city. I studied a little bit about Marseille (or Massalia) at uni so I'd love to see it for myself one of these days. I didn't realise it's famous for its soap!
Lol neither did I before visiting. It's definitely got a lot of charm
What beautiful photos you have. It looks like a city that I would love to walk and walk and walk. The Panier neighbourhood looks lovely and the Marseille Cathedral looks like a cathedral I could spend a lot of time. I love the hotel too. It looks very posh and also reasonably priced.
NH Collection is excellent, and centrally located too. Thank you for the feedback and compliment, we really enjoyed our time there
Stunning photographs. I have been to France twice but could not visit this beautiful destination that time.
Thank you! Maybe you'll visit next time
A great detailed list you have there about Marseille. I have yet to visit this city. The information and tips are just great for me for my future travel.
You're welcome! Hope you make it there one day
This Marseille itinerary is good. On my birthday, me and my boyfriend is planning to visit there.
Oh nice! I hope you have a wonderful time
Im going to Marseille in March and I am going solo! I am super excited and your article helped me to decide things I want to see! Thank you x Karina 🙂
Hi Karina, so glad you found it useful! Enjoy your time in Marseille x
Amazing! Your photos are beautiful and I can only hope to visit this place sometime in my lifetime! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, and you're welcome! I hope so too 🙂
The place is really beautiful, I just love the view and the way you gave a detailed info about it. It made me love it more.
Thank you! It was a pleasure to write about
Oh the Panier neighborhood looks dreamy!
It was my favorite part of the city!