Here in Marseille, we are quite shy and don’t like to boast about our city, although it is the most beautiful city in the world, so to help you understand why everybody here believes so, here is a list of 10 unmissable places to visit!
1. An evening in Frioul
The islands of Frioul are just in front of the city and easily accessible by boats directly from the Old Port of Marseille. Take the 6pm boat, have a swim in one of calanques/beaches (Calanque de Morgiret for the sunset for example), take a picnic or eat in one of Frioul restaurants (book in advance), come back with a night boat (last return at 11pm) – incredible views of Marseille Bay, sunset, swimming, evening at sea, perfect !!
2. Walk : Vieux Port / Panier / Joliette / MUCEM
Start from the “Ombrière” on the Old Port, walk to the Mairie de Marseille, go up the “Montée des Acoules” to get to the Panier, continue through the narrow streets of Marseille to the museum of the “Vieille Charité”, then discover the streets that inspired so many TV series and movies and arrive at the Bar des 13 coins. Have a look at the Cathedral La Major, then go down to the MUCEM museum, next to which you will find the new Marseille attraction “the Cosquer Cave”. You can go into the MUCEM terrace and Fort St Jean gardens without paying for the museum. Then go back to the old port round the “Tour du Roi René” and look at the LREC Palais du Pharo from the other side of the port.
Itinerary : https://goo.gl/maps/K1RqLvBLkuxEoiGF7
3. Notre Dame de la Garde
This is the iconic monument of Marseille !! This church, called « La Bonne Mère » by all Marseillais, is located on one of the hill of the city center. A steep walk, but the view is rewarding!! Of course you can take a bus or a taxi, but I recommend walking. Start from the Old Port, go and visit the medieval church “St Victor” then go up Rue Vauvenargues to the top. Enjoy !! A nice walk is to go down on the other side, “chemin du Bois Sacré”. From there you can reach the “Parc de la Colline Puget” where you can play Petanque with a nice view of the city.
Itinerary : https://goo.gl/maps/z5HwgzAgUBpq9Srb8
4. Les Goudes
Going to "Les Goudes" is like going to another world while staying in Marseille ! This little port is the gateway to the famous Calanques. Many places to have a swim, hike, and forget that you are so close to a big city. You can imagine that nothing has changed since the Greeks discovered the bay about 2600 years ago ! The best way of going there is to take the boat “Navette Maritime” from the Old Port to the “Pointe Rouge”, then another boat to “Les Goudes”. You can also take the bus 19 from Place Castellane (metro M1 or M2) all the way to Madrague Mont Rose, then walk or take the small Les Goudes bus.
5. Sommet Marseilleveyre – Parc Pastré
If you like a hike, a bit sporty, and want to have an amazing view of the Calanques and the city, this is for you !! Take the bus 19 up to Montredon Pastré. Then go up!! You’ll need to get details about which path to take on the Parc des Calanques app. http://www.calanques-parcnational.fr/en/walks-and-hikes
6. Les Calanques – Luminy – Sugiton
Another famous hike (easier) to discover the heart of Calanque : the Sugiton calanque, directly from the University campus of Luminy. Accessible by bus : B1. All details in : https://www.marseille-tourisme.com
7. Vallon de Auffes / Anses de la Fausse Monnaie / Mallemousque
Explore the hidden gems under the waterfront !! Take a short walk from Pharo to Plages des Catalans, continue to Vallon des Auffes, go down to the scenic port under the bridge, continue to the Anse de la Fausse Monnaie, and walk through the narrow streets and the hidden creeks around Mallemousque : Itinerary : https://goo.gl/maps/E4BaRv6REnEnQswi6
8. La Corniche à pied / en trottinette / à vélo
Rent a bike or an electric scooter and take the Corniche Road from Pharo to Plages du David ! Amazing views, all the Marseillais are there !
https://goo.gl/maps/xWXmPwVkYnjNrTVy5
9. L’Estaque
If you want to see another side of Marseille, take the Navette Maritime at the Vieux Port in the direction of the Estaque village: https://www.marseille-tourisme.com
10. Le Vélodrome
Despite desperate attempts from another football club far away in the north of France, Olympique de Marseille (OM for the locals) is still the one and only team in France to have won the European Champions League, on May 26th 1993. Visit the OM stadium and share the passion!! https://www.orangevelodrome.com/om-tour
