A weekend in the city
Second largest city in the country and one of the most important ports in Europe, Marseille is a city rich in history and activities. There are always things to visit and see in Marseille 😁.
Here we present a guide in several editions so that you can make the most of your time!
In today’s issue of “what to do in Marseille?” We are going to propose a well-charged and entertaining plan if you only have two days in the city.
Visit Marseille for the weekend
Even if one has only two days, Marseille offers many things to see thanks to the way the city is built. We recommend concentrating more than anything else in the city center, where we find the old port of Marseille, where it was founded more than 2,600 years ago, making it the oldest city in France.
Day 1 – history, old port and monuments of the city
The best way to get a global picture of the city’s history is to join one of our Marseille Free walking tours. We will take a two-hour tour of the Panier, the city’s historic quarter, during which we will talk about the history of Marseille and see some of its most important monuments. We will finish the tour next to Fort St. Jean, just a few meters from the number 60 bus stop which will take you to the basilica Notre Dame de la Garde, an emblematic monument of Marseille built during the XIX century and from where you will have a spectacular 360° view over the entire city.
A very good place to eat, before or after visiting the basilica is the pizzeria “La Bonne Mère“, uan institution in Marseille!/span>
To end this hectic and sporty morning you can take the number 60 bus back to the port of Marseille or walk downhill.
A good time OFF at your hotel (see recommendations below) is always a good idea to rest and prepare for the day ahead.
Once ready, we advise you to head towards the Pharo Palace and its gardens with views of the port and the islands that surround the city. From there, continue walking along the path that borders the sea, called “La Corniche” to the neighborhood of “Malmousque”, a beautiful and authentic fishing district with a picturesque port and excellent places where you can take a dip, do snorkeling and see fish. If you are lucky, you may see an octopus, yes, all this in the center of the city!
If you still have energy left, retracing your steps, on the rue Sainte, a new and good area where to have a drink, stop at La Ruche pfor a good cocktail or theCave Victor for a good beer !
Now yes, you are ready to go back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep !!
Day 2 – Nature and beach
On this second day, we advise you to visit an unmissable place in the city, the Calanques National Park, the largest peri-urban park in all of Europe and with some SPECTACULAR coves and beaches!
The only coves accessible by car are Sormiou (but only by reserving a table at the restaurant “Le Château“) and Morgiou (only by reserving a table at the “Nautic Bar” restaurant), if not the only way to go is walking, actually trekking.
How to go to the Calanques National Park from the city center?
Even if there are several coves in this fantastic national park that runs from the south of Marseille to Cassis, to enjoy it in the best way in a single day, we advise you to visit Morgiou on Sugiton , the first with a beautiful beach and a fishing port, and the second with more rocks than sand (never fine sand around here) but with incredible views.
Getting to Morgiou from the center
By car
Park in the Morgiou car park, just after the restaurant “Chez Zé” yand then walk around 40 minutes following the red path, delimited with red lines painted on the stones or on the trunks of the trees or even follow the route for cars./span>
By bus
Approach Rond Point du Prado by bus or metro and take Bus 22 (not 22S) to the end, stop “Les Baumettes” and follow the red path as described above or follow the car path.
Getting to Sugiton from the center
By car
Park in the parking lot of the architecture faculty of Luminy, and walk about 40 minutes following the blue or yellow path and then the dotted red one, delimited with red lines painted on the stones or on the trunks of the trees or even follow the route for cars./span>
By bus
Go to Place Castellane and take the B1 to the “Luminy PN des Calanques” stop and follow the path as described above.
Proposals for hotels in the center of Marseille
