One Day in Marseille – Your Ultimate Guide to the City

Introduction

Welcome to Marseille, France’s vibrant port city where ancient history meets Mediterranean charm. As the country’s second-largest city, Marseille captivates visitors from all over the world and it is especially a popular port of call for Mediterranean cruises.

Whether you’re arriving on a cruise ship or planning a quick city break, making the most of your time in Marseille requires some strategic planning to make the most out of your trip. This post helps you experience the city’s highlights and will give you an idea on how to spend one day in Marseille.

Morning Activities: Exploring the Heart of Marseille

Your Marseille adventure begins at the Vieux-Port, the city’s ancient harbor dating back to 600 BC. The port springs to life early morning as fishing boats dock with their fresh catches, showcasing the local culture. Visit the local fish market along Quai des Belges as fishermen sell their morning haul.

Strolling alongside the port you can see the true life with some local buskers performing for the public. Grab a bite to eat or a coffee to re energize for your next stop as you are going to need it.

Notre Dame de la Garde

From Vieux-Port, head to the Notre-Dame de la Garde – The must visit attraction if you only have one day in Marseille. This 19th-century basilica sits atop the highest point in Marseille at 162 meters. Unfortunately there aren’t a whole load of options to get there other than getting stuck in and walk uphill for around 20-30 minutes. The other option is to get a taxi up there.

My personal experience was that I got a metro to Castellane station, the main hub for public transport in Marseille. Then I walked uphill with a backpack weighing more than it needed to, and climbed some flights of stairs for around 20 minutes. The walk path is well sign posted so you won’t get confused and lost. However I was coming from the train station and this option made sense for me who likes a good trek.

How to get there from Vieux-Port?

Luckily for you, my mistakes are a blessing. After researching there was a bus option from the Vieux-Port main square right next to its metro station. Catch bus number 60 for a €2 one way trip and save a 30 minute walk. Alternatively if you want to play tourist there is a tourist train for €8 round trip.

Apart from the cathedral, the main attraction rewarding your gruesome climb is the panaromic views from the basilica’s terrace that span the entire city. You can capture the port, entire archipelago and the city’s rooftops until the horizon. The other great thing about a visit to the Notre Dame de la Garde is that entry to the basilica is free however the museum is not. I skipped the museum so I can not tell you whether or not it is worth it entering.

Afterwards I headed down the other way I came from and ended up near the waterfront. It was more satisfying walking down rather than uphill!

Afternoon Exploration

After you visited Marseilles must visit attraction in Notre Dame le Garde you have several options on where to go to fill out your personalized one day in Marseille. You can either head back next to the port area and up to the Le Panier District, Marseilles oldest district. Other attractions worth visiting are Palais Longchamps, Cathedral de la Major and the Stadio Velodrome home of Marseilles F.C for the football fanatics out there.

Le Panier District

Le Panier District is the oldest part of Marseille and is full of artistic energy. This charming neighborhood takes you down memory lane with its winding streets decorated with colorful murals and thought-provoking street art.

• Place de Lenche – A charming square perfect for people-watching
• Rue du Petit Puits – Famous for its colorful street art
• Place des Moulins – The highest point in Le Panier with stunning views

The highlight of Le Panier is La Vieille Charité, a beautiful baroque building from the 17th century. It used to be a shelter for the homeless, but now it has museums and cultural exhibitions. You can enter the courtyard for free, but tickets to the museums cost between €5 and €8.

You can find plenty of small cafes tucked away between the vibrant walls and stone staircases, serving espresso for €1-2. These genuine spots provide an ideal opportunity to relax and soak in the artistic atmosphere of Le Panier while sticking to your budget.

Palais Longchamp

Another worthwile attraction to fit in your one day in Marseille is The Palais Longchamp. Iis a magnificent monument from the 19th century that boasts an impressive waterfall and two museum wings that house the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum. There is also a nearby park which offers a nice escape to the city life.

MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations)

The striking MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations) is a modern architectural marvel overlooking Marseille’s waterfront. This cube-shaped structure, is the home of fascinating exhibitions showcasing Mediterranean civilization through the ages.

• Entry fee: €11 (standard ticket)
• Free admission: First Sunday of each month
• Opening hours: 10 AM – 6 PM (closed Tuesdays)

The museum’s rooftop garden offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean, a great photo opportunity without any additional cost. The elevated walkway connecting MuCEM to Fort Saint-Jean lets you experience breathtaking vistas while learning about local maritime history.

Stade Velodrome

Easily accessible by metro line M1, the Stade Veledrome is a huge stadium and well known around the world from all football fans. It is one of the biggest stadiums in Europe and is the home of Marseilles FC, the only team in France that won the Champions League. You can take a stadium tour or just walk around its ring road and take the stadium in. Nearby you can also find a shopping mall which is ideal for couples, the man goes and enjoy his footy addiction while the woman satisfies her shopping addiction!

Chateau d’If

A short boat ride from the Vieux-Port brings you to the legendary Château d’If. It used to be a fortress but after it has been turned into a prison and was immortalized in The Count of Monte Cristo.

• Ferry cost: €11 round trip
• Entry fee: €6
• Journey time: 20 minutes each way
• Last ferry returns: 5:30 PM (summer) / 4:30 PM (winter)

When entering the prison cells, one can notice the graffiti-covered walls accumulated over centuries. The small museum inside displays artifacts from the fortress’s military and penal history, bringing to life the stories of its infamous inmates.

La Major Cathedral

As the sun begins to set, make your way to La Major Cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-Majeure de Marseille). This Byzantine-Roman cathedral stands on the waterfront, and with its striped exterior of limestone and green Florentine stone, creates a breathtaking sight especially during sunset. The cathedral’s interior has something to offer as well as the outside architecture with mosaics, marble columns, 16 meter high ceilings and gorgeous stained glass.

Pro tip: Visit between 4-6 PM (depending on the season) to catch the best lighting for photographs

Dining Options – Flavor of Marseille

After spending the day running around Marseilles, by this time you should have wrapped up quite the appetite. Marseilles has a renowned culinary scene and offers diverse dining options for every budget:

Budget-Friendly Options:

• Chez Sauveur: Famous for authentic bouillabaisse at reasonable prices
• Le Petit Nice: Local favorite serving traditional Provençal dishes
• Food trucks at Cours Julien: Street food with Mediterranean flavors

Some of Marseilles local specialties include:

• Bouillabaisse (traditional fish stew)
• Pieds et paquets (lamb tripe dish)
• Fresh Mediterranean seafood
• Local wines from the Provence region

Getting to Marseille from the Cruise Terminal

Arriving at Marseille’s cruise terminal puts you just 7km from the heart of the city. Here’s your guide to reaching the city center smoothly and affordably to make the most out of your one day in Marseille:

Shuttle Bus Service

• Direct shuttle buses run from the cruise terminal to Vieux-Port
• Tickets: €8 one-way, €14 round-trip
• Journey time: 20-25 minutes
• Buses depart every 30 minutes during peak season

Public Bus Options

• Bus 82 or 82s from Terminal to Vieux-Port
• Tickets: €2 per journey
• Purchase tickets at terminal kiosks or from bus driver
• Travel time: 35-40 minutes

Taxi Services

• Fixed rate of €25 to city center
• Available directly outside terminal
• Credit cards accepted
• 15-20 minute journey

Independent Exploration

• Book a private transfer in advance through cruise line
• Share rides with fellow passengers to split costs
• Consider local ride-sharing apps for better rates
• Pre-book return journey to avoid last-minute stress

Pro tip: The shuttle bus service offers the best balance of convenience and cost for most cruise passengers. Book your return ticket immediately to secure your spot and save on the round-trip fare.

For cruise passengers with limited time, these transport options connect seamlessly with our suggested itinerary, allowing you to maximize your one day in Marseille.

Optional Day Trips from Marseille (if time permits)

If you have more than one day in Marseille there are plenty of natural wonders or continuing on your travels to other cities and villages along the french coast. You can continue along to Nice: a 2h 30 minute journey away or if you are looking to spend more than one day in Marseille, the Calanques National Park is the natural attraction beyond the city’s limits.

Calanques National Park

These limestone cliff formations create dramatic inlets with crystal-clear turquoise waters. A half-day hike through the park reveals hidden coves and breathtaking viewpoints. There are plenty of trails to choose from but the easiest to get to by public transport and the most accessible route to hike is the Calanque de Sugiton trail, while experienced hikers might tackle the challenging path to Calanque d’En-Vau.

You can read all the details on Calanque de Sugiton in our guide here – Getting to Calanque De Sugiton – Everything You Need to Know

Frioul Archipelago

The Frioul archipelago presents another great escape, accessible via a 20-minute ferry ride from the Vieux-Port. This cluster of four islands offers:

• Clear waters perfect for swimming
• Snorkeling
• Historic fortifications
• Quiet coves and inlets ideal for kayaking

One can pack a picnic and spend a day island-hopping for the cost of a €11 ferry ticket (round-trip). The islands offer well-marked walking paths connecting various points of interest, making it easy to explore independently.

Pro tip: Book your ferry tickets early in the morning to secure your spot, especially during peak season. Both destinations work well as half-day excursions, allowing you to combine them with your Marseille city exploration.

French Riviera

If you want to extend your holiday even further, traveling to the French Riviera is a great option. With its hilltop villages and pristine beaches, the city of Nice, France serves as a gateway to plenty of villages such as Eze, Villefranche sur Mer, Menton and even another country – Monaco!

You can get to Nice either by train or by bus. We recommend checking out OMIO to find out the cheapest prices and options for your travel.

The train will get you right in the city center while bus operaters like Flixbus often take you to Nice airport which is a short train ride away to the city.

Read all about our guides on how to visit the villages along the French Riviera here:

• How to get to Eze using Bus, Train or Nietzsche’s Trail!
• Peille & Peillon – 2 Hidden Villages in the French Riviera

Getting Around Marseille: Public Transportation Guide

To make the most out of your one day in Marseille, this city has a comprehensive public transport system, operated by RTM (Régie des Transports Métropolitains), including metros, trams, and buses. The metro system consists of two lines that connect major attractions and neighborhoods, while the tram network covers three lines throughout the city. I found the timings to be often and timely even on the bus network on routes which are not as frequent.

Ticket Options and Costs:

• Single ticket: €1.70 (valid for 1 hour)
• 24-hour pass: €5.20
• 72-hour pass: €10.80
• 7-day pass: €15.50

Where to Buy Tickets:

• Metro and tram stations (automated machines)
• RTM boutiques
• Select tobacco shops
• RTM mobile app
• Bus drivers (single tickets only, cash required)

Important Tips:

• Always validate your ticket when boarding
• Keep your ticket until the end of your journey
• Metro operates from 5:00 AM to 12:30 AM
• Night buses (after midnight) run on select routes
• Download the RTM app for real-time schedules and route planning

Multi-day visitors should consider the City Pass, which includes unlimited public transport access plus entry to various attractions and museums.

Conclusion

We hope this comprehensive guide helps you make the most of your one day in Marseille! From navigating the city’s transport system to discovering hidden gems, we’ve aimed to cover everything there is to know with practical tips and inspirations for your visit.

Whether you’re a cruise passenger or independent traveler, don’t forget to save this guide for your trip planning, and feel free to adapt the itinerary to suit your traveling needs. Contact us if you have any questions and we will be more than happy to help!

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