Visit Marseille in 2 Days: What to See and Do?

Marseille travel tip for a top stay: 

• Book your flight to Marseille (best prices)
• See the best-rated hotels in Marseille
• Car hire in Marseille from €50
• Book Marseille train tickets at the best prices
• Best hotels with a pool in Marseille

Visit Marseille in 2 days: the perfect itinerary

Day 1 of your stay in Marseille

What to do during the day? 

Welcome to Marseille! Start your visit at the Old Port to soak up the maritime atmosphere and enjoy the view of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde. A chance to buy fresh fish directly from the fishermen if you wish. Then spend your day exploring the city, strolling and stopping at café terraces for a drink or lunch. Don't miss the town hall, the Quai des Belges, La Canebière and the Place Estienne d'Orves.

After this gourmet break, head off to explore Le Panier, Marseille's oldest neighbourhood, with its charming colourful lanes and street art. This lively district is also home to workshops, many art galleries and pretty trendy boutiques. Then head towards the sea to admire the Cathédrale de la Major, in Byzantine style, adorned with mosaics, arcades and statues.

Visiting Marseille in 1 day without seeing the MUCEM would be a real shame. For this, we recommend you book your skip-the-line ticket to avoid waiting. We love this museum for its mix of modernity by Rudy Ricciotti and the military Fort Saint-Jean. It is also the first major national museum devoted to the civilisations of Europe and the Mediterranean. Take the opportunity to admire the view of the sea.

Fancy settling down at the beach? We recommend: 

• Prado beach, ideal for families
• Les Catalans beach 
• Pointe Rouge beach
• Petit Nice beach or Anse de Malmousque for their laid-back side (tranquilleeeee, as the Marseillais would say)

What to do in the evening in Marseille?

In the evening, head to Cours Julien, a bohemian district with many terraces, restaurants and a strong street-art presence. As an alternative, football fans can experience the electric atmosphere of the Stade Vélodrome on match nights.

What to do if it rains in Marseille? Bonus option

If you are wondering what to see in Marseille when it rains, go and see the Cité Radieuse by the famous Le Corbusier, a true symbol of modern architecture.

Day 2 in Marseille

Here is a suggestion of the best sights and activities to round off your weekend in Marseille.

What to do during the day?

Start this morning by visiting the unmissable Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde basilica, the symbol of Marseille. We love its Romanesque-Byzantine architecture and its esplanade, perfect for admiring the spectacular panorama over Marseille and the sea.

Then head to the Corniche Kennedy and stroll around the Vallon des Auffes. It is a picturesque little harbour with pretty coloured houses and many restaurants. Let's say it's a bit of authentic Marseille. For lunch, choose between a local restaurant on the spot or go for a picnic in Parc Borély. This magnificent park is also home to the Château Borély and the Museum of Decorative Arts, Faience and Fashion.

Another option for spending the afternoon

Another option: spend the afternoon exploring the Calanques National Park, one of the most beautiful natural sites in France. From there, you can: 

• book a kayak outing or a catamaran trip to admire the calanques from the sea, 
• go hiking to discover the breathtaking landscapes of calanques such as Morgiou, Sormiou or Sugiton.

To end the day, head to the Friche la Belle de Mai, a space devoted to art and culture. There you will find exhibitions, meeting spaces, and many bars and restaurants to round off these 2 days in Marseille.

Our top 10 must-sees and must-dos 

If you want to visit Marseille in 2 days or more, here is a summary of the most beautiful things to do or see in Marseille. 

• The MUCEM
• The Cathédrale de la Major with its striped façade 
• The Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde and the summit of the "Bonne Mère"
• Marseille's Old Port and the Vallon des Auffes
• Le Corbusier's Cité Radieuse
• The Château de la Buzine 
• The Le Panier district in the heart of the historic centre 
• An excursion to the calanques of Marseille and the surrounding area 
• Taste Marseille's specialities such as the famous bouillabaisse, soupe au pistou and pastis.

• The Château d'If, a former prison that inspired the story of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. This site is listed as a historic monument in France

Other nice museums to visit if you have time: Musée Regards de Provence, Museum of Illusions (family activities), Museum of the History of Marseille, Soap Museum, Musée Cantini. 

The best activities from Marseille

Here are a few ideas for outings not far from Marseille.

Take a sailing boat excursion in the calanques of Frioul

Go on a 3-hour electric bike excursion through 3 calanques 

Discover Provence and spend a day in the lavender fields of Valensole

Visit Châteauneuf-du-Pape for an intensive wine experience and its fine wines

Where to stay and have lunch in Marseille: the best addresses 

Here are the neighbourhoods to favour during your weekend in the Phocaean city, with a few restaurant addresses.

Stay at the Old Port - La Canebière district

It is one of the most emblematic and lively neighbourhoods in Marseille. 

• Hôtel La Résidence du Vieux-Port
• Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites 
• Hotel Belle-Vue Vieux-Port

Eat at Miramar and try its bouillabaisse. 

Sleep in Le Panier

The oldest neighbourhood in Marseille, with its picturesque lanes and authentic charm.

• Hôtel Hermes

Eat at Chez Etienne

Choose the Corniche to visit Marseille in 2 days

We love the Corniche for its stunning views of the Mediterranean and its easy access to the beaches.

• Le Rhul
• Les Bords De Mer
  

Eat at Fonfon for its seafood. 

Stay at Cours Julien

This is the bohemian and artistic district. We love it for its atmosphere, cafés, little shops and street art.

• Mama Shelter Marseille

Eat at La Cantinetta for its Mediterranean cuisine.

Weekend in Marseille: our suggestion of free visits

Below are a few ideas for 100% free outings in Marseille : 

• The MUCEM's permanent exhibition (go on the first Sunday of the month)
• The Musée des Docks Romains 
• Some of the exhibitions at La Friche La Belle de Mai
• A walk along the coast or a hike in the Calanques

And of course, be aware that several of Marseille's monuments can be visited for free. This is the case of the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde basilica and the Cathédrale de la Major.

FAQ Visit Marseille

How to get to Marseille?

Coming by plane

Marseille is served by Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), located about 25 km north-west of the city. A shuttle connects the airport to Marseille Saint-Charles station in about 30 minutes.

Otherwise take a taxi or hire a car with Discover Cars (best prices, rated 4.7 on TrustPilot). 

Marseille is accessible via several main motorways :

• A7: From Lyon and northern France.
• A55: From Montpellier and the west.
• A50: From Toulon and the east.

Several bus companies also offer services to Marseille from various French and European cities.

Coming by train

Marseille is well connected by train thanks to Marseille Saint-Charles station. TGVs link Marseille to Paris (about 3 hours), Lyon, Nice, and other major French and European cities. See the trains here. 

Getting around in Marseille

The RTM (Régie des Transports Métropolitains) public transport network covers the city very well. The self-service bike scheme "Le Vélo" is available throughout the city. Taxis and ride-hailing cars are easy to find for getting around town.

Our article on "Visit Marseille in 2 days" ends here. We hope this list of ideas helps you plan your stay in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur in the south of France. All that's left is to wish you a great trip and plenty of good vibes 😎