Updated : 2 February 2026 at 10:02
Marseille, the second-largest city in France, is also one of the country’s favorite destinations. With its iconic neighborhoods and stunning calanques with crystal-clear waters, the Phocaean City has many assets for travelers.
So if you have few times and want to visit Marseille in 3 days, we’ve put together a ready-made itinerary of the must-see places just for you !
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VISITING MARSEILLE IN 3 DAYS : OUR ITINERARY
Three days in Marseille can be intense if you want to see everything. But with our itinerary, you’ll discover many of the city’s must-see highlights. We’ve designed a complete route filled with essential information and helpful tips. Of course, you can always adapt it and select only a few visits for a lighter schedule.
DAY 1: DISCOVERING THE TREASURES OF THE CITY CENTER
A typically Marseillais morning
We start this first day with two symbols of Marseille : the Vieux-Port and Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, affectionately known as “La Bonne Mère”.
The Vieux-Port and its iconic fish market
The best time to visit the Vieux-Port is in the morning, to experience its famous fish market. Formerly known as “La Criée”, fishermen sell their catch starting at 8 a.m., straight from the night’s fishing. You won’t find fresher seafood anywhere else in the city! A true taste of Marseille’s atmosphere.
On the same quay, you’ll notice the “Ombrière”, the famous mirrored canopy of the Vieux-Port. Built in 2013, it has become a popular gathering place for locals. As its name suggests, it provides shade, but if you look up, you’ll see your reflection in the ceiling, a fun and original way to capture memories of your trip.
The Vieux-Port is also perfect for a stroll. Walk along the quays to admire views of sailboats, Notre-Dame de la Garde far away and Marseille’s typical architecture.
Notre-Dame de la Garde, a beloved landmark
After this morning walk, we suggest heading up to Notre-Dame de la Garde, perched at the top of La Garde hill. The walk is accessible even for non-athletes, though you’ll need a bit of stamina to reach the top. You can also join a guided urban hike led by a local, passing through exceptional viewpoints before reaching the basilica.
Alternatively, you can take public transportation (bus 60) or the tourist train to the top.
Notre-Dame de la Garde is especially popular for its 360° panoramic views over Marseille. Nestled among pine trees, it feels timeless and peaceful, perfect for contemplation. Don’t miss the basilica’s interior : entry is free and the Romano-Byzantine décor is stunning.
To recharge your batteries, you can even stop at the Notre-Dame de la Garde restaurant, which serves traditional dishes and snacks.
An afternoon full of history
Get ready, the afternoon will be intense! First stop : the MUCEM.
The MUCEM, Marseille’s most original museum
We recommend starting your visit at Fort Saint-Jean, accessible via a concrete footbridge near Saint-Laurent Church.
We especially love wandering through the gardens and terraces. The path winds through old stones, rocky terrain, and small tunnels, offering spectacular views of the Old Port and Notre-Dame de la Garde. The highlight is the panorama from the top of the Tour Carrée du Roy René.
Then, cross another concrete footbridge linking Fort Saint-Jean to the MUCEM. This crossing offers a unique view of La Major Cathedral, another iconic Marseille landmark. The museum’s contemporary section, designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti, features striking concrete lacework.
Most permanent and temporary exhibitions are held here, with a wide-ranging program that appeals to all tastes.
Practical informations – MUCEM
- Adress : 7 promenade Robert Laffont (Esplanade du J4) – 13002
- Opening : daily except Tuesdays (closed Dec 25 and May 1)
- Hours : Nov–Apr: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. / May–June & Sept–Oct: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. / July–Aug: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Outdoor areas : free access
- Exhibitions : paid entry
- Tickets : €11 full price / €7.50 reduced
Getting to the MUCEM
- Metro : Vieux-Port or Joliette + 15-minute walk
- Bus : 82, 82S, 60, 49 (night line 582))
- Tramway : T2, République, Dame or Joliette stop then around 15 minutes walk
- E-Scooter
- bike
- On foot
If you have time, visit Cosquer Méditerranée, next to the MUCEM, to see the replica of the prehistoric Cosquer Cave.
Practical informations on the Cosquer méditerrannée
- Adress : promenade Robert Laffont (Esplanade Gisèle Halimi) – 13002
- Opening : daily
- Hoours : 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
- Tickets : Adult €18 / Child 10 to 17 years old: €11 / Child 6 to 9 years old: €6 / Free up to 5 years old
Exploring Le Panier, Marseille’s oldest neighborhood
To continue this visit of Marseille in 3 days, go through the esplanade Gisèle Halimi to get to the Major Cathedral. We advise you to go see the interior because the decoration made of mosaics is sublime.
Then dive into the colorful, picturesque streets of Le Panier. This historic neighborhood charms visitors with its Provençal squares (Place des Treize Cantons, Pistoles, Lenche), monuments (La Vieille Charité, Accoules bell tower, old mills, Hôtel Dieu), and large-scale street art at every corner.
– Le Panier Treasure Hunt –
More fun than a traditional guided tour, this treasure hunt is perfect for families or friends. You’ll learn about monuments, iconic streets, and hidden stories along the way.
Le Panier is also known for its designer boutiques, local crafts, antique shops, and concept stores. We’ve even created a full guide dedicated to the neighborhood.
Besides, who says afternoon, says snack ! So we share some of our gourmet addresses with you:
- La Navette des Accoules for the famous orange blossom biscuits
- Vanille Noire for creative ice cream (Rue Caisserie)
- La Pépite, for exquisite gluten-free and dairy-free pastries (Rue Caisserie also)
A lively evening at the VIEUX-PORT
After a full day, enjoy dinner near the Old Port, especially around Cours d’Estienne d’Orves / Place aux Huiles, a lively area just steps away.
– Visiting Marseille with a guide ? –
To go further in discovering the main districts of the city, having a guide by your side is essential. History of the city, sharing of culture and anecdotes, you could learn a lot!
Find more information on these points of interest in our article who help you visiting Marseille in 1 day.
DAY 2 : DISCOVERING THE FAMOUS CALANQUES
A visit to the coast is a must when spending 3 days in Marseille. Exploring all the calanques would take weeks, so we’ve selected the most beautiful one to prioritize.
Sormiou Cove : a natural open-air pool
Located in the 9th arrondissement, within the Calanques National Park, Sormiou is one of the most popular calanques. In high season, arrive early to avoid crowds.
With its white sand beach, turquoise water, small harbor, and nearby coves, the “calanque de Sormiou” one of Marseille’s most beautiful spots. Hiking the surrounding hills offers breathtaking views and intense shades of blue.
The water can be cooler, but snorkeling here is fantastic: schools of fish, starfish, and octopus await.
Practical infoS / Sormiou Calanque
Access is regulated during peak season. In 2024, motorised cars are prohibited from May onward:
- May 29–Aug 31: daily, 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Sept 1–Oct 17: weekends only
- Oct 18–Nov 11: weekends, holidays, and long weekends
Only electric scooters, cabanon owners, and clients of the restaurant “le Château” may drive down.
– Hiking in the Calanques –
Opt for a hike in the creeks with a guide ! You will discover exceptional panoramas of the coast, visit caves, all accompanied by swimming breaks. To book this hike, click here:
An evening at Cours Julien, Marseille’s alternative district
After this sea day, we’ll show you the most underground place in Marseille : Le Cours Julien ! As when you will see during a visit of the Panier quarter, the walls of “Cours Ju’” are also decorated with street-art graffiti. You will also find thrift stores as well as many bars and restaurants at affordable prices.
But here are our recommendations for a great evening :
DAY 3 : MUST-SEE SPOTS IN SOUTH MARSEILLE
Marseille, the city of 111 villages, offers many picturesque places. Two of these “villages” are so unusual that people often go there to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. These are the famous districts of Endoume and Goudes. For us and many Marseille residents, these are essential for a visit of Marseille city in 3 days.
Endoume, Marseille’s most picturesque neighborhood
The Endoume district is a village in itself. Located near the seaside, its coastline offers a superb panorama of the Mediterranean. More peaceful than other neighborhoods, Endoume charms with its small fishing ports, its alleys and trendy bars. It is therefore worth spending half a day there to enjoy its unique setting. Here we reveal some of its gems :
The Corniche Kennedy
It is a famous road which winds overlooking the sea. It was recently renovated to provide a pedestrian section and a cycle path. It is lined with a few beaches such as Prophete Beach, swimming spots on the rocks but also bars with a view. On the way you will also see Parc Valmer, a nice park at the top of which you can admire superb sunsets, with a view on the Frioul islands…
Anse de la Fausse Monnaie
Just below Parc Valmer is Anse de la Fausse Monnaie with its clear water and exceptional view of the Château d’If and the Frioul Islands. Moreover, the rocks which extend to Anse de Maldormé form Petit Nice beach. The latter is located right in front of the famous restaurant of chef Passedat, of the same name as the beach “le Petit Nice Passedat”.
Anse de la Fausse Monnaie is accessible by going down the stairs behind the Fausse Monnaie bus stop or from the Cascade crossing.
Anse de Maldormé
Continue your walking after Anse de la Fausse Monnaie and you will pass the famous restaurant of chef Passedat. You will also come across many small coves sheltered from the Mistral below exceptional residences. We suggest you walk along the sea so as not to miss them, particularly the Batterie des Lions cove.
Arriving at Anse de la Capricieuse (with another beautiful cove !), you can admire the Degaby islet and the island of Endoume in the distance.
Malmousque, between village and swimming
Continuing the coastal path, you will pass just below the Foreign Legion. But above all, you will discover one of the favorite places of Marseillais to meet at aperitif time! Indeed, these rocks are a popular meeting point to relax and admire the sunset after a good day of work. And it’s understandable given the exceptional setting ! The Mediterranean Sea as far as the eye can see, the islands of Endoume and Frioul…you can only daydream in front of such a landscape.
After this short break on the rocks, retrace your steps a little to explore the little flowery streets of the village of Malmousque. The latter is quite small, so you won’t be able to miss one, especially the street “Va à la calanque” which will take you… to the Calanque de Malmousque ! Even though this cove is actually a small fishing port, you can place your towel on a concrete platform to sunbathe and swim in the sea.
The Auffes valley, the gem of Marseille
The Vallon des Auffes is one of the most charming places in the Phocaean City ! Formerly a small fishing port, it has retained a certain authenticity with its traditional boats and colorful sheds.
Whether from the road or down at the port, you will be amazed by the colorful facades and arches formed by the bridge. Moreover, from the bridge you will have a breathtaking view of the Vallon des Auffes with the majestic Notre-Dame de la Garde in the background.
To get downstairs, take the stairs behind the bus stop. Once you arrive, you will have an incredible view of the port. The latter is not very big and you can easily go around it along the colorful houses. Arriving at the bridge, you discover a natural swimming pool on the left. If you continue further on the rocks, an exceptional panorama of the Marseille islands will be offered to you.
Personally, we prefer to come to Vallon des Auffes at the end of the day to watch the sunset. The red-orange colors are incredible and the setting is postcard-worthy.
– Visiting urban coves –
Discover this part of the Marseille coast in an original way thanks to a fun guided tour. You will take part in a treasure hunt that will take you to little-known coves in the city. To book this gem hike, click here:
Les Goudes : the end-of-the-world feeling
The fishing village
Les Goudes is one of the favorite fishing villages of Marseillais, like Malmousque or Vallon des Auffes. Located in the 8th arrondissement, just before the Calanques National Park, this picturesque and colorful neighborhood is located in a natural setting. Stroll among the small cabins and restaurants and enjoy an exceptional view of the entire harbor of Marseille. If you have a little thirst, we recommend the pub “20,000 lieux sous les bières” or to eat, the “Esplai des Goudes”, you can enjoy a good fresh fish.
Cap Croisette & la Baie des Singes
At the end of the fishing village, you can continue straight to arrive at Cap Croisette. More commonly called La Baie des Singes, it is home to a small fishing port and a beach protected from the wind. It is thus located at the entrance to the Calanques National Park.
Nicknamed “the end of the world” by the people of Marseille, it is one of the most beautiful jewels of the Phocaean City ! This place in the middle of nature, typical of Provence, necessarily contrasts with the excitement of the 2nd largest city in France. Opposite the Baie des Singes you can observe the legendary Maïre Island, a landmark for birds and in particular the gulls (named Gabians in Provence).
We advise you to go to the end of Cap Croisette via the path carved into the rock. You will have a sublime view of Marseille on one side and of Maïre Island and the Parc des Calanques on the other side.
A visit of Les Goudes and Monkeys bay is essential for us to get an idea of the many facets of Marseille !
ACCESS TO THE VILLAGE OF Les GOUDES
🚙 By car : along the seaside via Pointe Rouge. However, we do not recommend this mode of transport as it is difficult to park once you arrive.
🛵 By scooter : solo or in pairs, it’s THE most practical solution for navigating Marseille! Take advantage of this to make a discovery tour on an electric scooter with a smartphone guide.
🚍 By bus : from the Vieux-Port with line 19 (allow between 30 and 45 minutes depending on traffic) then line 20 to Les Goudes
🛥️ By Ferry Boat, from the end of April to the end of September. Departure from the Old Port (with connection at La Pointe Rouge). Price: €8. Free if you have an RTM subscription for more than 7 days.
Our favorite : admire the Goudes from the water by opting for a sailing excursion in the Calanque national Park !
👟 Access to Cap Croisette is regulated, you will not be able to go there by car in order to preserve the coast. We therefore advise you to park in the car park which is located just above Les Goudes, boulevard Alexandre Delabre and to get there on foot.
ILÔT DEGABY
Since 2024, a seasonal bar and restaurant operate on this private island (May–October), accessible by boat from the MUCEM with advance reservation.
Open from May to October, go to the MUCEM to take the boat which will take you to the bar-restaurant (by reservation 48 hours in advance and subject to weather conditions). You can enjoy seasonal Mediterranean cuisine. The menu is limited, a guarantee of fresh and quality products (3 starters, 3 main courses, 3 desserts – vegetarian option)
EVENING IN VALLON DES AUFFES
What could be better than spending an evening at Vallon des Auffes to enjoy the sunset ? The brightness is incredible, the warm tones of the sky reflecting in the sea is a sight that you will remember for a long time ! And to complete this evening, we recommend 3 popular places with Marseillais :
Practical tips for visiting Marseille in 3 days
When to go to Marseille ?
You can visit Marseille in 3 days whatever the season. Indeed, the climate is mild and it rarely rains for several days in a row. The one you will have to fear the most is the famous Mistral! If you want to take advantage of the swimming spots and in particular the coves, we advise you to avoid the summer months and to come instead in May-June or September-October.
How TO GET to Marseille ?
🛩️ By Plane : Marseille-Provence Airport (30 minutes from the city). To book your flight tickets, it’s herei !
🚍 🚕 How to get from the airport to the city center ? To reach the city center, you will have the choice between taxi, Uber, the private transferts et the shuttle (line 91).
- The shuttle connects Marignane airport and Marseille Saint-Charles station in around 30 minutes (excluding traffic jams). A shuttle leaves every 10 minutes. The round trip costs 16€ (10€ one way)
- You could also rent a car right out of the airport.
How to VISIT Marseille ?
If you want to follow the route we suggest, it will be difficult for you to visit Marseille by foot. You will therefore have to either rent a 2-wheeler or use Marseille public transport (RTM). They are quite developed in the center and hypercenter of the city.
For information, the Phocaean City offers a multiple choice of public transport : bus, tram, metro and even ferry boat. An RTM ticket costs €1.9 (€2 if you buy it directly on the bus). The price of a 10-trip card is €15. With these tickets, you will be able to access all public public transport in Marseille.
Where to stay to visit Marseille ? Our adresses
You will find a multitude of accommodation options to visit Marseille in 3 days. Here are our favorite neighborhoods which will be perfect for a stay in the Marseille city:
You will be right in the heart of the action ! It is the ideal place to be in the center of the main points of interest. We advise you to book at Grand Hôtel Beauvau, an exceptional hotel with a plunging view of the Vieux-Port.
This is the emblematic district of Marseille. You can directly enjoy the village atmosphere: steep streets, artisan shops, charming squares surrounded by bars/restaurants… Our suggestion: le Couvent, a picturesque building transformed into a magnificent guest house.
From Catalans Beach to Notre-Dame de la Garde via the Corniche, you will find a little more tranquility in this charming neighborhood. We particularly like the Terrasse du pêcheur in Vallon des Auffes, a comfortable apartment with a view of the small port.
It is an area a little further from the city center but no less isolated. You will be close to the Prado beaches, the famous Borély park and Vélodrome stadium, and will find bars-restaurants and shops. For an original experience, we advise you to sleep at Le Corbusier, the famous Cité Radieuse. To enjoy the seaside, prefer the Nhow, a modern hotel below the Corniche Kennedy, with a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean.
This is the famous avenue which runs from the Reformed Church to the Old Port. You will be close to the districts of Noailles, Panier and Vieux-Port and will thus benefit from the excitement of the city. One of the best accommodations for us is the Maison Montgrand hotel : it is quiet while being ideally located, with a pretty shaded terrace and comfortable rooms.
– OUR OPINION –
After living in Marseille for several years, we can say that three days are not enough to see everything, but it’s a perfect introduction. Ideally, plan a week (or more) to truly experience the city and its surroundings. Stay tuned : we’ll soon share a complete guide to visit Marseille !
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