Marseille is unlike any other French city. Founded by Greek sailors more than twenty-six centuries ago, it stretches for miles along the coast, between the commercial port to the north and the white cliffs of the Calanques to the south. Its sixteen arrondissements encompass more than a hundred neighbourhoods, many of them former villages that have retained their character.
Choosing where to stay in Marseille is therefore about deciding how you want to experience the city: on foot in the centre, facing the sea along the Corniche or in the peace and quiet of a country house in the hills. This guide will help you decide, with places we have hand-picked one by one.
Hotels are concentrated around the port and the station; guesthouses and holiday rentals are scattered across residential neighbourhoods. You can find our full selection on the page of places to stay in Marseille.
Which neighbourhood to choose in Marseille
Distances are long and public transport varies from one neighbourhood to another, so choosing a base matters more here than in most cities.
- Vieux-Port and Le Panier (1st and 2nd arrondissements): the historic heart, with its stepped lanes and boats to the islands. Ideal without a car, but noisier in the evenings.
- Cours Julien and Notre-Dame-du-Mont (6th arrondissement): graffiti, bookshops, bars and concert venues, a 15-minute walk from the port.
- Longchamp and Les Cinq-Avenues (4th arrondissement): a residential neighbourhood around Palais Longchamp, well served by metro and tram, and quieter than the city centre.
- Endoume, Vallon des Auffes and the Corniche (7th arrondissement): streets climbing towards Notre-Dame de la Garde and fishing coves at the foot of apartment blocks. Everyday life by the sea, half an hour's walk from the port.
- Prado, Pointe-Rouge and Les Goudes (8th arrondissement): beaches, seaside parks and the gateway to the Calanques. The centre is farther away, but seasonal water shuttles help.
- The north-eastern hills (13th arrondissement and surroundings): former country houses with gardens and pools, far from the bustle. A car is almost essential.
For a weekend or a first visit, stay as close as possible to the Vieux-Port: you can get everywhere on foot or in a few metro stops. For a week in summer, with family or as a couple, a house with a pool in the southern neighbourhoods or hills is often worth the daily journey. Here are our recommendations, by type of stay.
Small, welcoming guesthouses
Just a few rooms, a personal welcome and often a garden: these three places suit anyone who prefers the feel of a home to a hotel.
Maison d'hôtes - Maison Olea
Just three rooms, each with its own bathroom, arranged around a patio shaded by an olive tree: it feels more like a family home than a hotel. The garden and terrace are perfect for morning coffee. With so few rooms, it is best to book early for spring weekends.
La Maison Vague
There is just one room, but it measures 40 m², is air-conditioned and has a bathtub: the welcome is bound to be personal. A continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi complete this simple offering, designed for a couple or solo traveller. Families will need somewhere larger.
chez Guy
An outdoor pool, garden and terrace create an almost rural setting in the southern part of the city, near the beaches. Free private parking and a paid airport shuttle make arrivals and departures easier. To reach the Vieux-Port, however, you will need to take the bus or drive.
Houses and villas for families and longer stays
A kitchen, several bedrooms and an outdoor space make all the difference for a week with the family.
La petite Toscane de Marseille
A 130 m² house in the 4th arrondissement, near Palais Longchamp and its museums, with two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a terrace and air conditioning. The neighbourhood is served by the metro, so you can do without a car. Pets are welcome.
La Champanel Maison vue Mer
Three bedrooms, a garden and a terrace with views stretching out over the sea and the city rooftops: a family villa, well placed for setting off early to explore the nearby Calanques. A car makes shopping and trips into the centre easier.
Maison 50m2 dans propriété privée à 20 minutes de la mer
A small, detached house on a private estate, with a separate bedroom, fully equipped kitchen, terrace overlooking the garden and air conditioning. Free private parking makes it a convenient base for exploring by car. The beach is not just around the corner: this is a place to come for peace and quiet rather than a stroll to the sea.
Pools, spas and couples' getaways
These three places focus on water, gardens and privacy, and are primarily suited to couples.
Ô Balinais mini villa avec spa et piscine chauffée privative Marseille
A suite for two with a private heated pool, hot tub and terrace overlooking the garden and surrounding hills: the Balinese-inspired setting is clearly designed with couples in mind. Come here to unwind rather than spend all day exploring the city.
Magnifique loveroom
For adults only, this guesthouse sets a romantic scene with a whirlpool bath, a heated outdoor saltwater pool and a garden. Free private parking is a real bonus in a city where finding a space can be tricky. Needless to say, this is not a place for families.
LA BASTIDE DES CULS-ROUSSET
In the 13th arrondissement, in the north-east of the city, this guesthouse has a pool, garden, spa and rooms with terraces, far from the noise of the centre. Free private parking is important here: a car is the easiest way to reach the Vieux-Port or the coast.
What to see in Marseille
Start at the Vieux-Port, where fishermen still sell their catch in the morning on Quai de la Fraternité. Just above, Le Panier, the oldest neighbourhood in the city, is a maze of sloping lanes, little squares and workshops leading to the Vieille Charité, a former hospice built from the 17th century onwards and now a cultural centre.
At the entrance to the port, the Mucem and its concrete lattice are connected by a footbridge to Fort Saint-Jean. Close by, Villa Méditerranée houses Cosquer Méditerranée, a replica of the decorated cave in the Calanques, whose entrance lies beneath the sea and which was discovered in 1991: the visit takes place aboard small exploration pods.
For the view, climb up to Notre-Dame de la Garde, known as the “Bonne Mère”, watching over the city from its hill. Then head down towards the Corniche Kennedy and Vallon des Auffes, a small fishing port tucked beneath a viaduct. Boats from the Vieux-Port sail to the Château d'If, a 16th-century fortress made famous by Alexandre Dumas, and the Frioul archipelago.
The Calanques
The Calanques National Park begins at the edge of the city, beyond Les Goudes and Callelongue. Sormiou, Morgiou and Sugiton can be reached on foot along sometimes challenging trails; in summer, set out early and never go without water. For several summers now, access to Calanque de Sugiton has required a free reservation during the peak season, from late June to late August and on certain weekends in June and September.
Nearby
- L'Estaque: a former fishing village painted by Cézanne and Braque, to the north of the bay.
- Cassis: a colourful port at the foot of Cap Canaille, with boat trips to the nearby calanques.
- Aix-en-Provence: Cours Mirabeau, its fountains and Montagne Sainte-Victoire, about half an hour away.
When to visit Marseille
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons: mild weather, bright sunshine and sea temperatures often warm enough for swimming until October. Summer is hot and very busy. Winter is mild, but the mistral can blow hard for several days at a time.
Every October, the Fiesta des Suds brings music from around the world to the J4 esplanade, at the foot of the Mucem. Before Christmas, the santon fair sets up in the city centre, and on 2 February, Candlemas is celebrated around Saint-Victor Abbey with navettes, biscuits flavoured with orange blossom.
Getting there and getting around
TGV trains arrive at Saint-Charles station, right in the city centre: the monumental staircase leads down into the city, and the Vieux-Port is about a 20-minute walk away. Both metro lines start at the station. Marseille Provence Airport is around 27 km away; a shuttle connects it to Saint-Charles, and TER trains run from Vitrolles-Aéroport station.
In the centre, you can get by on foot, the metro and the tram. From April to late September, water shuttles connect the Vieux-Port with Pointe-Rouge and L'Estaque in about 30 minutes. A car is useful if you are staying in the hills or exploring inland; find more ideas for places to visit on our Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur page.
Marseille is part of our guide to where to stay in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. To extend your trip, also discover where to stay in Cassis, on the other side of the Calanques, where to stay in Aix-en-Provence, for the Provence of fountains and grand townhouses, and where to stay in Cannes, on the French Riviera.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions before a stay in Marseille.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in Marseille?
For a first visit, the neighbourhoods around the Vieux-Port are the most convenient: Le Panier, Cours Julien and the streets near La Canebière put the main sights, restaurants and metro within a few minutes' walk. By the sea, Endoume and the Corniche have coves at the foot of apartment blocks. If you are looking for a pool and peace and quiet, the guesthouses in the north-eastern hills are a good option, provided you have a car.
Can you visit Marseille without a car?
Yes, as long as you stay in the centre or near a metro station. TGV trains arrive at Saint-Charles station, where both metro lines start, and the tram completes the network. From April to late September, water shuttles connect the Vieux-Port with Pointe-Rouge and L'Estaque, while boats sail to Château d'If and Frioul. A car is really only useful if you are staying in the hills or exploring the villages of Provence.
Where should I stay in Marseille to be near the sea and the Calanques?
The southern neighbourhoods are closest to the sea: Endoume and Vallon des Auffes along the Corniche, followed by Prado, Pointe-Rouge and Les Goudes, at the entrance to the Calanques National Park. The downside is the distance from the centre: plan to take the bus, a seasonal water shuttle or a car to reach the Vieux-Port in the evening.
Do you need to book to visit the Calanques?
For most of the calanques, no: you can walk in freely, along trails that are sometimes challenging. Calanque de Sugiton is an exception: for several summers now, free reservations through the Calanques National Park have been required during the peak season, from late June to late August and on certain weekends in June and September. In summer, some of the massifs may also close when there is a fire risk, so check access conditions the day before your hike.
When is the best time to stay in Marseille?
Spring and autumn offer the best balance: mild temperatures, sea conditions that are still pleasant in September and October, and fewer people in the Calanques. Summer is hot and lively; winter is mild but sometimes swept by the mistral. Every October, the Fiesta des Suds brings life to the J4 esplanade, and the santon fair opens before Christmas. Book guesthouses early for these dates, as they have few rooms.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
5,022 places
