Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Marseille?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Marseille?
Many travelers spend two to three days in Marseille during their visit. After all, the vibrant city has plenty to explore such as the historic old town, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife scene.
Marseille is a well known port city in southern France along the French Riviera. It has a fascinating old town and a long running history. There are many historic attractions and a lot to explore as a touristy.
Do you have one or two days to visit Marseille? 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 Marseille?
Marseille, renowned for its numerous sights and attractions, is a major draw for tourists. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the vibrant city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to three days to fully enjoy the city. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend a day in Marseille
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The Old Port is filled with shops and boutiques, and is the most scenic part of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with history and character.
A few tour suggestions include:
- All Inclusive Food & History Tour of Marseille with Local Guide ($145)
- Walking Tour in Marseille with Local Experiences ($54)
- Marseille Old Town Outdoor Escape Game ($7)
The delicious food of Marseille 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 city'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. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Marseille Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience ($108)
- Marseille Shore Excursion - Full Day Wine Tour in Provence ($164)
- Small Group Marseille Shore Excursion : Avignon & Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tour ($164)
Marseille is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Marseille?
A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the vibrant city of Marseille, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time to take it all in. You don't want to miss the chance to admire the historic sights, dine out at amazing restaurants, grab some drinks at a bar, and appreciate the quaint setting. Many tourists set aside two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Marseille below.
Vegetable Market in Marseille, France
How to spend 2 days in Marseille
With a weekend (two to three days) in Marseille, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Marseille offers a charming atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else. Spend part of the day exploring the scenery. The Old Port area is one of the most scenic parts of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and it remains quite busy today.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Walking Tour in Marseille with Local Experiences ($54)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. Much of the city's nightlife is centered around being outdoors. Whether you're on the beach or hanging out at a rooftop bar, Marseille is a magical place.
Public transit in Marseille is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Marseille, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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