Calanque de Sormiou, a natural jewel in Marseille city

THE CALANQUE DE SORMIOU, A MARSEILLE’S WILD JEWEL

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Updated : 2 February 2026 at 10:01

PACA map Calanque Sormiou

Nestled between the hills and the Mediterranean Sea, the Calanque de Sormiou is a treasure of the Calanques National Park. Once a small fishing harbour, this magical and wild place charms visitors with its crystal-clear waters, fishermen’s huts and unspoilt natural setting. Sormiou is our favourite calanque in Marseille because of its incomparable natural beauty. It truly feels like an open-air swimming pool !

If you are looking for a unique spot to enjoy the sun and the sea, the Calanque of Sormiou is a must-see destination in Marseille. When you discover this place, you will be captivated by :

Its crystal-clear waters with shades of blue worthy of Polynesia

Its fine white sand

Its surrounding nature, made up of hills and Mediterranean vegetation

Map of the Sormiou cove in Marseille
The Sormiou cove, a true swimming pool in the nature

– Did you know ? –

The Calanque de Sormiou hides a magnificent sea cave within it : the Capelan Cave. The colour of the water inside turns an exceptional blue when the sun is at its highest point. Beyond its dazzling beauty, this sea cave is also a fantastic playground for diving enthusiasts thanks to its many underwater tunnels. However, we recommend not venturing beneath these arches if you are not used to freediving.

Entrance to the Capélan cave in Sormiou
Interior of the Capélan cave in Sormiou

Access to this sea cave is either by sea (by paddleboard, canoe or swimming, in about 25 minutes) or on foot via a marked trail that also takes around 25 minutes, following the black markings towards the Bec de Sormiou (warning: vertiginous sections). Two entrances are possible: from the sea with mask, fins and snorkel, or from land (beware, the ground is clay-like and very slippery).

Where to stay near the Calanque de Sormiou ?

When it comes to accommodation, this will depend on whether you prefer peace and quiet close to the calanque or a more lively area.

To avoid traffic jams, we recommend choosing accommodation fairly close to Sormiou. In the area, we really like La Villa Massalia located in Parc Borély. From there, you can reach the Sormiou car park in just a 15-minute drive.

On the other hand, for a livelier atmosphere, you’ll find what you’re looking for in the Vieux-Port area, particularly at the hôtel Maisons du Monde hotel, which is very well located and cosy.

And for a truly unique experience: we suggest spending a night in a fisherman’s hut in the Calanque de Callelongue !

Find the best accommodation in Marseille to discover Sormiou easily

How to get to the Calanque de Sormiou ?

There are several ways to reach the Calanque of Sormiou. However, depending on the season, you may be required to rely on your own two feet to enjoy the most beautiful calanque in Marseille !

🚙 By car : access by car to the Calanque de Sormiou is only possible outside the high season. For safety and environmental protection reasons, car access is prohibited during certain periods of the year.
Access restrictions are as follows :

  • from 29 May to 31 August, every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • from 1 September to 17 October, every weekend from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • from 18 October to 11 November, every weekend, public holidays and long weekends from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

You can reach Sormiou via the Route des Calanques (D56), but be aware because the road is narrow and winding. The car park at the bottom of the calanque costs €10 per day. We don’t recommend taking this road, as we find it dangerous and instead advise going on foot.

Find the best car rental deal

🚍 By public transport : take bus 23 from Rond-Point du Prado (La Cayolle stop), then walk down the path leading to the calanque.

🥾 On foot : if you park near the wastewater treatment plant (La Cayolle), the trail from the Col de Sormiou is quite challenging due to the elevation gain, but it offers exceptional views over the massif and the Mediterranean Sea. It takes about 35 minutes to reach the beach and 45 minutes for the return (around 5 km and 270 m of elevation gain round trip).

View of the Calanque de Sormiou from the road

🚲 Other options : the Calanque de Sormiou is accessible all year round by bicycle, e-bike and electric scooter.

– A nice alternative –

If you don’t feel like walking, you can also plan a discovery of Sormiou by boat or by bike !

Hiking in the Calanques National Park around Sormiou

The Calanques National Park offers a wide variety of hiking trails. Here are two fairly easy hikes accessible to most visitors.

From Les Baumettes to the Morgiou Ridge : a breathtaking viewpoint over the Calanque of Sormiou

DISTANCE : 8km / ELEVATION GAIN : +455m / DURATION : 3h35

Starting from Les Baumettes (free parking available), follow the blue-marked trail to cross the Col des Escourtines, then continue straight towards Baou Rond. Just after Baou Rond, you’ll enjoy a unique panorama over Sormiou (43.2144097, 5.4274899). This hike is easy.

View of the Sormiou cove from le Baou Rond


However, if you wish to continue past Le Baou Rond to follow the Morgiou ridge all the way to Cap Morgiou, please note that there are some vertiginous sections. That said, this hike offers incredible views over the Calanques coastline all the way to the famous Cap Canaille. It is possible to return via the Calanque de Morgiou.

Discovering the Calanque de Morgiou on foot

Like the Calanque of Sormiou, Morgiou is not accessible by car during the high season. To reach it, you can park at Les Baumettes and take the Col des Escourtines, following the red-marked trail, which will lead you to the Calanque de Morgiou in about 45 minutes. Please note that a good portion of the route follows the road.

The Morgiou calanque

The Calanque de Morgiou also hides a treasure : the famous Grotte Bleue, a sea cave that is almost completely submerged, accessible from Morgiou beach or on foot.

– Let yourself be guided –

If you don’t feel comfortable setting off on your own, we recommend choosing a guided hike to discover the calanques !

Facilities / Infrastructure

👉 Parking subject to a fee / Temporary toilets
👉 Supervised beach during the high season

WHAT TO DO AT THE CALANQUE DE SORMIOU ? Our TO-DO LIST

Paddleboarding or canoeing : liding over Sormiou’s crystal-clear waters allows you to enjoy the bay from a different perspective. Above all, you’ll be able to explore nearby small coves and swim away from the crowds! With Morgiou and Sugiton not far away, you can also make a small detour there. You can also book a guided paddle excursion for a safe experience.

Paddle in the Calanque de Sormiou

Snorkelling : This is our favourite activity in Sormiou! The seabed is quite rich. No exotic fish here, but you’ll find many fish swimming together. This is particularly true of sea bream. It’s quite impressive. You’ll also see many starfish, soles, and we even managed to spot an octopus. Another thing we love is watching cormorants hunt underwater. It’s spectacular, and it’s the only place where we’ve witnessed such a show.

Snorkeling in Sormiou

Relaxing on the beach : Sormiou also has a sandy beach. Even though it’s not very large, it’s pleasant enough for reading, sunbathing or taking a nap. However, this activity is best enjoyed in the shoulder seasons.

Relaxing on Sormiou beach

Walking around the area : The trail leading to Sormiou offers spectacular views of the sea and coastline. If you want to stretch your legs between swims, we recommend exploring both sides of the calanque. When facing the sea, heading up to the right follows the black-marked trail and offers stunning viewpoints over the entire Calanque of Sormiou.
You can also head left to discover the port of Sormiou and the second small cove (with pebbles). We also love walking to the end of the path overlooking the cove and heading right onto the rocks. You’ll be able to swim away from the crowds and enjoy a different view of the Calanque of Sormiou.

Walk around the Sormiou calanque

Rock climbing : If you’re a climbing enthusiast, Sormiou will be your paradise. You’ll find many long routes and a few smaller sectors. Don’t count on us for advice here, climbing is definitely not our area of expertise !

A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE : DISCOVER THE CALANQUES BY CATAMARAN

The most beautiful viewpoints

It’s far too difficult to choose just one panorama, as the landscape offers so many different and equally stunning viewpoints. So here are two :

📸 The one located to the right of the calanque, near the abandoned house (GPS point: 43.2095360, 5.4200306). From up there, the view is breathtaking and the shades of blue are incredible.

📸 The one located to the left of the calanque, along the path leading to the port. You’ll enjoy a different perspective, less elevated but with impressive views of the Bec de Sormiou hills. GPS points: 43.2109149, 5.4211947 and 43.2106762, 5.4224097.

  • View point on Sormiou
    View from abandoned house
  • Point of view 2 on Sormiou
    View from the coastal path

What to see around the Calanque de Sormiou ?

The Calanques National Park cannot be visited in just one day. However, if you are staying in Marseille, several places around Sormiou are must-sees :

  • The calanque de Sugiton, another little gem of the Calanques National Park (remember to book in summer)
  • The Sugiton viewpoint starting from Luminy, offering a breathtaking view over the calanques of Sugiton and Morgiou
  • Les Goudes and the Bay of the Monkeys, a small fishing village that also marks the entrance to the Calanques National Park
  • View of the Sugiton cove from the belvedere
  • Maire Island in Goudes in Marseille

Still have a few questions…

When should you visit the Calanque de Sormiou ?

The best time to visit Sormiou is in spring (May–June) or autumn (September–October), when temperatures are pleasant and crowds are thinner. In summer, the influx of visitors can make access more complicated. In any case, we recommend going in the morning.

Is it accessible to dogs ?

Yes, dogs are allowed in the Calanques National Park as long as they are kept on a leash.

Do you need a reservation to access Sormiou ?

Unlike Sugiton, the Calanque of Sormiou does not require any reservation.

Does the Calanque of Sormiou have a downside ?

One of Sormiou’s weak point is that it can be very crowded in summer (and sometimes even on weekends in the off-season).

– Practical information –

During periods of high fire risk, the Calanques National Park may be closed to the public, so be sure to check access conditions here. These restrictions have been put in place to protect these fragile natural areas.

– OUR OPINION –

The Calanque de Sormiou is one of the most beautiful beaches in the region, a true haven of peace that you absolutely must discover. If you are a lover of nature and seascapes, you will be delighted by the beauty of this place. The beach, its turquoise waters rich in fish and its surrounding landscape make it an ideal place to recharge your batteries.

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