How to Spend the Perfect One Day in Marseille

Last Updated on 9th March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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Marseille is a vibrant city in Southern France that almost everyone seems to have their own opinion about. From the positive to the negative, it’s a city that you should nonetheless have on your bucket list, even if you only have a limited to visit. Here’s your ultimate guide to spending one day in Marseille.

For even more inspiration, be sure to check out our guide to the best things to do in Marseille.

Is one day enough for Marseille?

Though Marseille is fairly large (one of the largest cities in France), one day is more than enough to see all of the major attractions that the city has to offer.

After all, most tourist destinations are focused on the city centre and the rest of the South of France is perhaps even more beautiful than its largest city so you’ll want to divvy up your time wisely.

Suggested itinerary for one day in Marseille

Climb up to Notre Dame de la Garde

Presiding over the rest of the city, the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde is a beautiful example of Byzantine meets Romanesque architecture. The Notre Dame de la Garde was constructed in 1853 and is known locally as ‘Bonne Mère’ (the good mother).

There are several ways to reach the ecclesiastical building. While many people prefer to make the climb, it’s possible to take a bus to the top, at which point it’s only a short walk to reach the church itself. The interior of the church is free to visit while the exterior offers beautiful panoramic views of the city.

Visit the Vieux Port

After a dizzying climb to the very highest point of Marseille, it’s time to head to its lowest, the Vieux-Port. Literally translated into English as ‘old port,’ this is a truly ancient port. After all, Marseille is one of the oldest cities in France and was founded by the Ancient Greeks as Massalia, a fishing and trading port.

Today, a stroll around the Vieux-Port offers a glimpse of lavish life in the south of France; glitzy hotels and bars line the promenades, while yachts are moored in the water. The Vieux-Port is also home to Mucem, a museum of culture and civilisation that tells the history of the Mediterranean.

As of 2022, a visit to the museum costs €11. Purchase your skip-the-line ticket in advance. If you’re not able to make it to the museum, then you can also check out highlights of the MuCEM thanks to Google’s Arts and Culture project.

Grab lunch around Vieux-Port

As you might imagine from a city based by the sea, one of the most popular forms of cuisine when it comes to eating out in Marseille is seafood. Some of the best restaurants in the Vieux-Port area include La Table du Fort Restaurant Marseille Vieux-Port and Restaurant Le relais 50.

For those looking for vegan and vegetarian fare, there are many more options available today than even just a few years ago. Some of the best spots in town for meat-free food includes Green Love (a concept store selling makeup and groceries serving up vegan dishes), La Table à l’Envers, and Mariposas.

Visit Marseille Cathedral

The cathedral of the city can be found on the fringes of Le Panier district of the city and overlooking the crashing waves of the azure blue sea. Built in the Byzantine-Roman revival style, there has been a church on site since as early as the 12th-century.

The current cathedral was built between 1852 to 1896 and is still used as a place of worship today. Recently renovated, rendering the cathedral even more beautiful, entrance to the cathedral is free and particular highlights include memorabilia dedicated to Johnny Halliday, stained glass windows, and some truly spectacular mosaics.

Wander around the Le Panier district

The oldest district in Marseille is Le Panier, which is characterised by its cobbled lanes, shuttered windows, and pastel hued homes. There are also a lot of steps in this district so be sure to bring alog comfortable shoes that you can actually walk in!

The name ‘Le Panier’ is actually directly translated into English as ‘the Basket’. The historic area is well-known for its many winding pathways and stepped streets.

If you’re looking for a souvenir from your trip (such as local baskets, potteries, or sweets- sample the navette de Marseille) then this is where you’ll find shops to buy small gifts!

Marseille sunset cruise

Time and budget permitting, one of my favourite things to do in a city is to take a magical sunset cruise. After all, there is perhaps nothing quite as memorable as watching the sunset over the azure blue sea of the mediterranean.

This sunset cruise is highly rated and takes place on a catamaran with an open-air deck. Included in the ticket price is dinner onboard the boat, all the while enjoying views of the sparkling sea and sunset. Find more details here.

Enjoy a drinks at the Vieux-Port

End the day the right way by heading back to the Vieux-Port. As you might have guessed by now, hands down the best eateries in Marseille are located around the Vieux-Port area. And so, after an eventful day exploring the city, it’s time to head back to the area to grab a few drinks if you want to experience the nightlife of Marseille.

One of the best rooftop restaurants in the city is Ciel l Rooftop, which is a short walk away from the Vieux-Port. This trendy eatery offers spectacular views of Notre Dame de la Garde and has English speaking waiters.

If you have more time…

Visit the beach

Of course, if you’ve whizzed around the rest of the city and are looking to relax for a little while, then it’s worth noting that Marseille is blessed with several beaches.

Some of the best beaches in Marseille include The Plage de Sable de La Lave (which is the easiest to walk to), La Plage du Fortin (which is the least busy of the beaches in Marseille).

Visit Fort Saint Jean

On the very edge of the Vieux-Port district of the city, Fort Saint Jean is a 16th-century fortification which was constructed at the behest of Louis XIV, i.e. the Sun King of France. Constructed so as to defend the port from invaders, today the fort is one of the most visited monuments in Marseille.

Getting around Marseille

Visitors should also note that Marseille is one of the only cities in France, along with Paris and Lyon, to be divided into districts which are known as ‘arrondissements’.

Public transport is fairly well developed and as well as buses and trams, there are two metro lines; M1 and M2 connect east to west and north to south.

Where to stay in Marseille

Thanks to its large size and great transport links to the nearby region, there is no shortage of places to stay in Marseille to suit every budget. Here are some of the best accommodation options based on location and web-reviews.

Budget: This hostel has both mixed dorm rooms. The hostel also offers beautiful view of the old port of Marseille and it’s easy to walk from this Marseille accommodation to most of Marseille’s main attractions. Check prices and availability here.

Mid-range: This four-star hotel is conveniently located in the 1st arrondissement of the city close to all of Marseille’s main attractions. Other highlights include air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Check prices and availability here.

Luxury: For the crème de la crème of staying in Marseille, you’ll want to check into this give-star establishment. Amenities include an indoor pool and a fitness centre. Check prices and availability here.

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