Few know what to expect from this multicultural city on the Mediterranean coast before visiting. What they will find a Marseille it is a complex place, overflowing with history and character, destined to win you over.
The trick to seeing what makes Marseille so special is to come prepared. Taking a look at a Marseille itinerary like this will ensure you know how to make the most of your visit. With our itinerary as your guide, you can spend as little as 2 days exploring the city and be sure you haven't missed any of the best places to visit in Marseille. So, if you want to leave pleasantly surprised, here's what to do in Marseille in 2 days.
The perfect 2 day itinerary in Marseille
As one of the largest cities in the French and a major tourist destination, you will have no problem entertaining yourself for a couple of days in Marseille. To experience the best of Marseille means spending enough time along its central port and the historic neighborhoods it has supported for centuries. However, to experience the best things to do in Marseille, you will also want to visit other neighborhoods and districts, from the elegant Five Avenues atAcclive Saint Victor. And let's not forget the group of islands right off the coast, including the Dramatic Chateau d'If.
Arriving in the city, immediately head towards the seafront and the many attractions found in the area Le Panier.
Vieux Port (Old Port)
Rather than having a main square as its geographic and symbolic center, Marseille has the Old Port (Porto Vecchio). A vast marina full of boats and almost completely surrounded by buildings and fortifications, the Old Port it has always been vital to the city. While it has become more pedestrian-friendly in recent years, the area still retains much of its old-world character.
Go to Fish market at the end of the harbour, where the fishermen still sell their fish every morning. The market square also has some modern touches, such as the large Ferris wheel or the large canopy structure with a reflective roof. After seeing the market, take a stroll along the north side of the port and admire the hundreds of masts that fill the Vieux Port.
Fort Saint-Jean
Following the seafront, you will arrive at your next stop, the impressive Fort Saint-Jean. To enter the fortress, you will have to go up the stairs on the opposite side of the street and cross an overhead pedestrian bridge. Once inside, you will be able to explore the walls and fortifications of this fort which has protected the Vieux Port since 1660. A pleasant surprise among its views and defenses are the herb gardens planted in places, which delight the nose with their aromas.
MuCEM
The other pedestrian bridge providing access to the Fort Saint-Jean leads to one of Marseille's new entries, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations o MuCEM. This museum, opened in 2013, is dedicated to exploring the fusion of histories and cultures of civilizations that have lived around the Mediterranean. Exhibits focus on topics such as trade and agriculture in different periods, including the modern era. Even if you decide not to see the exhibits, you'll at least want to get a look at the building's surprisingly modern architecture from the endless ramp that wraps around it.
Marseille Cathedral
A short distance away, through a pleasant pedestrian walk, you will find the Marseille Cathedral. This seemingly modern cathedral immediately catches the eye thanks to its size and unusual Byzantine architecture. While there had been a previous cathedral on the same spot since the 1896th century, it was almost entirely destroyed to make way for this new cathedral, finished in XNUMX. As beautiful as this city emblem and national monument is from the outside, it really feels the ladder once inside. This is not your usual French church, so don't miss it.
Le Panier
The residential area that accompanies many of these places of interest is known as Le Panier and is one of the oldest parts of the city. With its location on a hill overlooking the port, Le Panier it has numerous steep and narrow streets, as well as an old-fashioned character. The neighborhood makes you feel like you've left the big city and found yourself in a completely different city.
The best thing about Le Panier it is its vast street art. Every street and side alley seems to have its own little gallery, encouraging you to continue exploring the neighborhood and seeing what treasures you can find.
La Vieille Charite
One of the few places of interest found in the residential heart of Le Panier it is the cultural center La Vieille Charite. Despite its elegant Baroque design, the 18th-century building that now houses this museum and cultural center was originally used as a shelter for the city's poor. Both the Musée d'Archéologie Méditerranéenne the Musée d'Arts Africains, Océaniens et Améridiens found there require an entrance ticket, but it is free to enter the main courtyard and admire the gallery arches that enclose its small chapel.
Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde
La Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde It's right on the other side of town, but it's worth the trip to get there. Overlooking the south side of the city, on top of a hill, stands the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde. This basilica is the most iconic landmark of Marseille and is visible from most places in the city. Make the journey to this 19th century basilica and you won't regret it.
As soon as you arrive, you will immediately notice the glittering golden statue of the Madonna and Child at the top of its tower. The building itself has multiple levels, with a crypt carved into the rock below and a stunning neo-Byzantine chapel above it. Best of all, you will enjoy spectacular views across Marseille and even the Frioul Islands offshore from the outdoor viewing terraces.
We've made a good start with Marseille's attractions, but there's still so much more of the city to discover. Then there is the famous Château d'If on the Frioul Islands which you won't want to miss.
Longchamp Palace
Start your second day with the impossibly majestic Longchamp Palace outside the city center, in the fourth arrondissement. Believe it or not, this set of fountains, stairs and colonnades was built as a monument to celebrate the construction of the Canal of Marseille in the 19th century. Yet, you would fully believe that it was once a palace for an elite local nobleman thanks to its terrace fountains and spectacular architecture. The buildings on either side of its main fountain, known as the Water Castle, house the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Natural History.
Museum of Fine Arts of Marseille
Since you are already there, enter the Palais Longchamp and get to know the figurative art exhibited in the Museum of Fine Arts of Marseille. Although it wasn't moved to the Palais Longchamp until the 60s, the Museum of Fine Arts was founded in 1802, making it the oldest museum in the city. Its exhibitions boast an enviable collection of paintings and sculptures created by Italian and Provençal masters from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth century.
Views from the Palais du Pharo
Now we return to the Vieux Port area, this time skirting the south side of the port and heading towards the Palais du Pharo. Overlooking the pleasant Émile Duclaux Park and the mouth of the Vieux Port, this is another good spot in Marseille for views. In particular, it's a good place from which to look down the Vieux Port and see how impressive Fort Saint-Jean must have been to the incoming ships.
Saint-Victor Abbey
One of the oldest monuments of the city is theSaint-Victor Abbey, easily reachable from Palais du Pharo. The abbey is said to have been founded by a hermit in the 5th century, but today only the 13th century church remains ### Saint-Victor Abbey One of the oldest monuments in the city is the Saint-Victor Abbey, easily reachable from the Palais du Pharo. The abbey is said to have been founded by a hermit in the 5th century, but today only the 13th-century church remains. Inside, you'll find a dark stone interior that gives you a sense of how ancient the structure is.
Marseille History Museum
Staying in the wake of the city's great history, we now head to Marseille History Museum. Opened in 1983, the museum is built around an open-air park with ruins uncovered during archaeological excavations in the 60s, which include sections of walls and a necropolis. Inside, you will find artifacts dating back to the settlements of Greece ancient and of the ancient Roma.
Soap shopping
Marseille is also famous for its soap. Walking around the streets of the centre, you can easily come across delightful shops selling soap in different sizes and colours. All shops deserve an entrance and buying a few bars of soap not only means helping the local economy but also taking a "useful" souvenir home.
Sunset cruise with dinner
There's no better way to spend an evening in Marseille than enjoying a sunset dinner cruise. Sip a drink on the outdoor deck while enjoying the stunning surrounding landscape as you cruise along the coast of Marseille. As the sun sets, drop anchor in a secluded cove and enjoy dinner in the cool night air. You can book your sunset dinner cruise experience here.
Chateau d'If
To end your time in Marseille, hop off at the Vieux Port and take a ferry over to the Chateau d'If on Frioul Islands. This infamous fortress is located on the island of If, the smallest of the islands that lie right outside the port of Marseille. While the Château d'If would be worth a visit for its picturesque island fortress, it is also the setting of the classic novel “The Count of Monte Cristo“. It is in this fortress-prison that the protagonist Edmond dantès he is unjustly imprisoned and later escapes. In reality, however, no one is known to have escaped from the prison and survived, due to his isolated location. During a visit to the Château d'If, you can explore its courtyards, cells and exhibitions, as well as enjoy views of Marseille from its walkway.
Best time to visit Marseille
To truly enjoy your 48 hours in Marseille, it's wise to take into account the best time of year to visit. Both the weather and the number of tourists can affect how much you will enjoy the city and its attractions, so the timing of your trip is of great importance.
For example, summer in Marseille means hot, dry temperatures and crowds at their peak, making it less than ideal. Instead, the best time to visit Marseille is widely considered to be the months following summer, i.e. from September to November. These autumn months, as well as the spring months of April and May, offer pleasant weather for sightseeing, but with fewer tourists and cheaper hotel rates. As for winter, while Marseille remains warmer than other parts of France, it is still cool and rainy.
How to get around Marseille
When visiting Marseille, it's important to understand the best ways to get around the city. Even though some attractions are conveniently close, walking won't always be the best option, especially on the second day of this itinerary. So, it's wise to familiarize yourself with Marseille's public transportation network, which includes the metro, trams, and buses.
There are two lines for both the metro and the tram, which can limit its usefulness. Buses, on the other hand, make up the main part of the network, covering the city entirely. Tickets are shared between networks, with a single journey ticket costing €1,70 and lasting one hour. While one ticket covers connections, it can only be used for one subway trip. Tickets can be purchased at metro stations, tram stops and on board buses.
Another great way for tourists to get around is with a hop-on hop-off bus. A day ticket allows you to hop on and off at any of the many scheduled stops and explore Marseille at your own pace. The bus also includes an informative audio guide that provides commentary on key attractions. You can purchase your hop-on and hop-off bus ticket here.
It is also important to know that you have options for getting to and from Marseille Airport. The airport is 27km from the city and you have the option of a shuttle or train to get there. Frequent shuttles to Marseille's main train station Gare St. Charles take 30 minutes and cost €8,30. Alternatively, the train costs €5,10 and takes 23 minutes, but you will first need to take the free shuttle from the airport to Vitrolles Aeroport train station.
Where to stay in Marseille
To make the most of your time, you will need to pay attention to where to stay in Marseille. Choosing good-value accommodation in the right part of town can have a bigger impact on your visit than you might realise. The easier it is to sightsee and find places to eat and relax, the more enjoyable your trip will be. Ultimately, the best places to stay in Marseille will be as close to the Vieux Port as possible, or somewhere with good public transport links.
For a truly special experience in Marseille, there is no better choice thanInterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu. This stunning five-star hotel is located within a historic building, right above the Vieux Port, making it perfectly located in the city. Guests can indulge in two gourmet restaurants, a spa, an indoor pool and a gym.
If you're looking for the kind of amenities you're used to at home, you'll want to stay somewhere like Staycity Aparthotels Center Vieux Port. These studios and apartments have kitchens and good space, and the location puts you between the main train station and the Vieux Port.
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