Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Aix-en-Provence?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Aix-en-Provence?

Many visitors spend two to four days in Aix-en-Provence during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This town offers a number of attractions to explore, including the restaurant scene, the shops and boutiques, the beautiful scenery, and the museums and landmarks.

Aix-en-Provence is a charming university town in southern France that is perfect for exploring on foot. It's a popular study abroad destination for American university students, but it's also a great couples getaway.

Do you have one or two days to visit Aix-en-Provence? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Aix-en-Provence?

As a small town, Aix-en-Provence offers plenty of activities and attractions for visitors. One day is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Aix-en-Provence such as university and the restaurant scene, the shops and boutiques, the beautiful scenery, and the museums and landmarks. To thoroughly enjoy it all, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule two to four days to fully experience the laid-back town. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

How to spend a day in Aix-en-Provence

Shopping in Aix-en-Provence is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

The delicious food of Aix-en-Provence is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this town's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

A few tour suggestions include:

Half day Wine Tour in Côtes de Provence Sainte-Victoire from Aix en Provence ($93)
NO DIET CLUB - Best food tour in Aix en Provence (En / Fr) ($63)
Provence Day Trip with Cassis Village Boat Ride and Local Wine Tasting from Aix ($165)

Aix-en-Provence is a very walkable city. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is popular with tourists and offers some fun sights and attractions. So with a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to explore the university area and other attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the laid-back town has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to four days to fully enjoy the restaurant scene, the shops and boutiques, and the beautiful scenery. If you have a weekend or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

Aix en Provence

How to spend 2 days in Aix-en-Provence

With a weekend (two to three days) in Aix-en-Provence, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.

This town offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Aix-en-Provence is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It's a beautiful town with nice architecture and a relaxed but active vibe.

A few tour suggestions include:

Time flies by on this Aixquisite Walking Tour of Aix-en-Provence ($77)
Sunset Lavender Tour from Aix-en-Provence ($90)
Provence Day Trip with Cassis Village Boat Ride and Local Wine Tasting from Aix ($165)

Public transit in Aix-en-Provence is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the town quite easily. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Aix-en-Provence, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.