Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Marseille?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Marseille?
Many visitors choose to spend around three days in Marseille. This would give you the chance to experience the city's most popular activities and admire the historic sights, dine out at amazing restaurants, grab some drinks at a bar, and appreciate the quaint setting. Since many visitors prefer to spend around two to three days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the vibrant city.
How to spend 3 days 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.
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.
Shopping in Marseille 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. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Shopping from Marseille hotel to Provence Designer Outlet ($156)
Marseille 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 beauty comes from its historic architecture and beautiful neighborhoods.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Walking Tour in Marseille with Local Experiences ($54)
- Discovery of the coves of the Blue Coast by boat ($111)
Is 4 days enough time in Marseille?
Four days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Marseille at your own pace to admire the historic sights, dine out at amazing restaurants, grab some drinks at a bar, and appreciate the quaint setting. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
Vegetable Market in Marseille, France
How to spend 4 days in Marseille
With 4 days in Marseille, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Perhaps the most famous place in Marseille is the Vieux Port, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Marseille?
With five days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Marseille has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Marseille as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the historic old town, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife scene at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 5 days in Marseille
If you have more than 5 days in Marseille, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
The beautiful beaches await you in Marseille, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.
A few tour suggestions include:
- La Ciotat Private Kayak Rental For The Day ($41)
- 3h Kayak Tour at Calanques National Park ($68)
- Guided kayak excursion in creeks ($55)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Marseille.
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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