Marseille in 2 Days: everything you need to know

Marseille is a charming port city surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea that holds for you a very important historical, cultural and artistic richness, combined with modern and contemporary elements. If you want to get to know this ancient French metropolis, don't hesitate to take the plunge, even if you don't have much time to explore it.

Even if you think that 2 days is too little time to visit Marseille, you should know that it is enough time to do many activities. You can visit natural spaces such as the Colline Puget Garden or emblematic museums such as the Mucem, the Cathedral, the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, the Le Panier district, the Château d'If and much more.

For your first day of your trip, I have prepared a classic itinerary, which includes a visit to several places of historical and cultural value, i.e. you will visit the destinations that I consider essential in Marseille. Such is the case of the Cathedral, the Le Panier district, the Fort Saint-Jean, the Palais Longchamp and, of course, the Old Port.

Museum of European and Mediterranean civilizations

You'll start at the Museum of the Civilisations of Europe and the Mediterranean, which was opened since June 2013 and in 2015 was awarded the Council of Europe Museum Prize. Inside, you'll see a range of exhibitions and displays covering the history and civilisations of the Mediterranean.

As well as the richness of its exhibits, its architectural beauty stands out , which you'll be able to appreciate from the outside, as it has a modern 72-metre cube-shaped structure. As you walk around inside, you'll get beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea and Fort Saint-Jean. All thanks to the glassed-in exhibition halls.

Useful information

• Price: 11€ per person or 18€ per family ticket (two adults and one child).
• Location: 1 Esp. J4, 13002 Marseille.

Marseille Cathedral

An 11-minute walk from the previous destination will take you to the Cathedral of La Major. It is a landmark in the city built around 1852. This place holds a lot of history and artistic beauty in each of its parts. For example:

• Architectural style: it combines the Romanesque with the Oriental, representing the combination of cultures and the interaction between East and West.
• Construction: it holds the title of being the only cathedral built in France during the 19th century.
• Foundation stone: Napoleon III laid the first stone to build the new cathedral.
• Materials: the structure is made of materials such as green stones from Florence, white marble from Carrara, onyx brought from Tunisia and Italy, etc.
• Interior: with various bell towers, domes, mosaics, statues and Byzantine arcades of high artistic value.

Useful information

• Price: access to this place is public.
• Location: Pl. de la Major, 13002 Marseille.

Visit to the Le Panier district

After leaving the cathedral, you can walk 1 kilometre for about 14 minutes to reach the Le Panier district. It is undoubtedly one of the must-see destinations when visiting the city for several reasons. First of all, because it is the oldest district, but also because it is home to a large part of the tourist activity.

It is a district with steep alleyways, where you will find shops, restaurants and bistros, where you can buy souvenirs, eat snacks and enjoy drinks. Depending on your physical ability, you can walk around the area and take the steps, or you can take the Petit Train. Either way, venture around this colourful place at your own pace.

Useful information

• Price: access to this site is public.
• Location: 13002 Marseille.

Les Docks Village

A further 1 kilometre walk from Le Panier will take you to Les Docks Village, an iconic building that represents the modernity of the city. Here, you will see a series of shops, restaurants, corporate headquarters of major companies, brands and various branches.

During the walk, you can take the time to appreciate the modern architecture or buy various products, from the most sophisticated items such as exclusive perfumes and drinks, to the simplest ones, such as a blanket to protect you from the cold or handicrafts. You can also take one of Marseille' s best gastronomic tours to enjoy a drink or a delicious meal.

Useful information

• Price: access to this place is public.
• Location: 10 Pl. de la Joliette, 13002 Marseille.

Palais Longchamp

To continue the tour, you must board the train for a journey of about 28 minutes to reach the Palais Longchamp. This place is home to a wealth of art, culture and architecture that contributed to Marseille being declared European Capital of Culture in 2013. Among its attractions, you will be able to see:

• Central façade: which welcomes visitors with its imposing structure composed of a colonnade, which connects with the two wings of the building.
• Museum of Fine Arts: located in the left wing, with exhibits of sculptures, drawings and sculptures corresponding to the XVII and XVIII centuries. It is considered the oldest museum in the city.
• Museum of Natural History: located in the right wing, with diverse samples of elements belonging to the 18th century.
• Natural Park: the palace houses a huge natural park behind its façade. It is a space that was the Great Zoo of Marseille until 1987.
• Observatory: this is a scientific attraction open to various groups.

Useful information

• Price: Admission is free for most activities.
• Location: Bd Jard. Zoologique, 13004 Marseille.

Fort Saint-Jean

At the end of your visit, take the train back to Fort Saint-Jean. It is a building erected in the time of Louis XIV, although other parts of it have even older origins.

If you look closely, you will see that part of its structure is made of pink stone and inside you can learn about the history of Marseille through different elements. The fort is made up of gardens, ramparts, towers and vaulted rooms. You can also enjoy the beautiful panoramic views from various points.

Old Port of Marseille

To end your first day's itinerary, I recommend a visit to the Old Port. It is one of the areas you will have to pass through time and time again for various activities. So, it's time for you to stop and explore a little.

Continuing on from the previous destination, you will reach the port in just 2 minutes. In the Old Port you will be able to do various activities, but one of the most recommended is to eat in some of the restaurants or cafes that surround the area.

You could go to the fish market or explore the streets of the city centre at your own pace. You can also connect with various types of tours by boat, train, bus, etc., according to your preferences.

For the second day of the tour, the aim is to visit some religious monuments and, at the same time, natural and historical monuments. I suggest you visit the Abbey of Saint Victor, the church of Notre-Dame de la Garde, the Colline Puget garden and the Château d'If.

Saint Victor Abbey in Marseille

You will begin your day by visiting a site of great religious and historical value for the city: the Abbey of Saint Victor. Its name is due to the fact that the building was built near some of the tombs of great martyrs, such as Saint Victor.

This 5th century religious site is described as a sample of early Christian art. As you walk around the interior, you will find various crypts, sarcophagi and you will see the main basilica. Also, from the towers, which were the city's landmark for many years, you will get a beautiful view of the harbour, ideal for photographs.

Going to the Abbey is also one of the things to do in Marseille in February. If you visit on the 2nd, you can take part in the Candlemas celebration, a religious feast where the abbey welcomes a pilgrimage that leaves from the port.

You will then see the virgin, who is dressed for the occasion in a green cloak, to be presented to the public and blessed by the archbishop. At the end of the ceremony, there is a blessing of the city and a mass. Afterwards, the pilgrims taste the traditional navettes, which are biscuits in the shape of a boat, a symbolic representation of the city.

Useful information

• Price: Admission is free.
• Location: Pl. Saint-Victor, 13007 Marseille.

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Continuing your tour, you will walk for about 20 minutes from the abbey and arrive at the Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde. This is a building whose value goes beyond the religious aspect.

This site is a strategic point in the city, as it is one of the highest areas (the hill is approximately 150 metres high ). For this reason, the area was always occupied and functioned as a fortification to prevent other troops from entering Marseille.

Construction of the basilica began in 1545. On entering, you will notice the imposing façade with a gilded sculpture of the Virgin Mary. This image is one of the most representative when talking about Marseille.

During your visit, whether you choose a guided option or do it on your own, take the opportunity to go up to the terrace and enjoy the panoramic views of the building. You can also visit the chapels and see the exhibitions of religious objects and works of art in the rooms of the building.

Useful information

• Price: Admission is free.
• Location: Rue Fort du Sanctuaire, 13006 Marseille.

Colline Puget Garden

After leaving the basilica, just walk for about 12 minutes or 1.3 kilometres to reach the Jardin de la Colline Puget. This natural space will surprise you with its steep paths. If you manage to climb to the top, you will get a wonderful view of the city.

Although it is a natural space, it went through a process of construction that began in 1801 and in 1872 it received the name it has today, due to the fact that the bust of Pierre Puget, an important French sculptor and painter, was placed inside it.

Regardless of your level of physical endurance, you can venture out on foot, as you can make stops and sit on the shady benches along the way.

In case you are travelling with the little ones, you can include this plan among the things to do in Marseille with children. This is because you will find a children's playground with special play areas for them. On the other hand, if you love cycling, then you can visit this garden using a bicycle.

Useful information

• Price: Admission is free.
• Location: 13007 Marseille.

Château d'If

Now it's time to get away from the city and take a ferry ride for just over 20 minutes to the Château d'If, a former fortress and prison dating back to 1527. It's a former fortress and prison dating back to 1527.

Although it's a tourist attraction today, the truth is that it was a gloomy place for thousands of people who stayed there. Therefore, when you walk inside you will see various passages, catacombs, offices, barracks and prison cells.

Look carefully as you go along, as you will see figures carved in the stone, footprints and other inscriptions with the names of many of the prisoners who were held there. Also, keep in mind that this castle recreates the prison of the Count of Monte Cristo, mentioned in the work of Alexandre Dumas.

Once you have finished your visit, it's time to return to the city to go to your hotel, pick up your bags and go to the airport for your return journey. Of course, you can stop off at a restaurant in the city centre for dinner or an aperitif.

To get around the city, you have several types of public transport, grouped as follows: the bus network, the tramway, the metro, the ferry and bicycles. Each of them will allow you to connect with different tourist sites in Marseille.

If you wish, you can also use private transport, which is mainly represented by taxis, but you can also rent a car.

To take advantage of public transport services, you can buy a single ticket to travel on them for one hour, a card to use the transport of your choice for a period of 24 or 72 hours. You can also take the Marseille hop on hop off sightseeing bus tours.

In the case of bicycles, you can opt for the city's bicycle rental service, as well as hiring a private service. In both cases, you are charged for the time you use the bike, which is counted in hours or days. You can also sign up for one of the best bike tours in Marseille.

Depending on how much time you spend cycling around the city, you'll save a lot more money if you use the tourist card. This can be purchased either online or in person (at the tourist office). With the Citypass you can hop on the main public transport systems without having to pay extra.

The card will also allow you to enter a considerable number of tourist sites in the city. For example, it entitles you to entry to 15 of Marseille' s best museums and also allows you to take the boat trip to the Château d'If, with a guided tour and admission included.

And don't forget the tourist train ride, which you can take if you buy the card.

To use the Citypass, you can opt for the 24-hour option, which costs €24, the 48-hour option, which costs €33, and the 48-hour option, which costs €33. Undoubtedly, a very cost-effective option with many benefits for any tourist.