Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Toulon?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Toulon?
Most visitors spend one to two days in Toulon when visiting. The industrial port city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the quaint shops, the beaches, the museums and landmarks, and the food.
Toulon is often overlooked for more famous nearby cities, but for an off-the-beaten path experience along the French Riviera then this port city is one of a kind. It's probably more famous for its naval base than its appeal to tourists, but the old town has many sights and cafes and the harbor is a fun place to explore. There are also nearby beaches that are more frequented by locals than by travelers.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Toulon? 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 Toulon?
Three days is more than enough time to see everything that Toulon has to offer. After all, it's not such a huge city. Many visitors prefer to spend one to two days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the quaint shops, the beaches, the museums and landmarks, and the food at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
How to spend 3 days in Toulon
Shopping in Toulon 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. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Tasting Bandol Wines & Visit of Cellar (in English) ($13)
- Vineyard visit in Gyropode, visit of Cave & Tasting Wines of Bandol ($37)
- Cellar Visit & Bandol Wine Tasting (in French) ($13)
Toulon is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the port city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.
The beautiful beaches await you in Toulon, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Sea kayaking in the heart of the Ramatuelle Nature Reserve ($42)
- Transfer from Toulon Cruise Port to Marseille Provence Airport ($117)
- Private Transfer from Toulon Cruise Port to Marseille city Hotels ($117)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.
The public transit in Toulon is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the port city quite easily and affordably. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.
You'll find a few good museums and historic landmarks here, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.
Toulon 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. Located on the French Riviera, you won't be disappointed by the beauty. Despite being less touristy than many nearby towns, there is still plenty to see and do.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Heritage Walking Tour in Toulon ($179)
Is 4 days enough time in Toulon?
Four days is more than enough time to see pretty much everything in Toulon, as it's not as large as some other cities. You can move at your own pace and relax in your hotel. Find the best deals at the shops, lounge on the beach, browse through museums, and enjoy a meal at a restaurant. You could also use Toulon as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region.
Toulon, France
How to spend 4 days in Toulon
If you have more than 4 days in Toulon, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the port city has to offer.
After you've explored most of Toulon, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
Is 5 days enough time in Toulon?
Five days provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Toulon at your own pace to experience the quaint shops, the beaches, the museums and landmarks, and the food. Then you can use this city as a convenient base for venturing into smaller destinations nearby where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
How to spend 5 days in Toulon
Having 5 days in Toulon will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the port city.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Toulon, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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