- Marseille was the first French city to be governed by a communist mayor during the post-WWII era.
- The city’s iconic soap, Savon de Marseille, is strictly regulated by an edict dating back to the reign of Louis XIV in 1688.
- Marseille serves as the primary gateway for immigration from the Maghreb region, significantly shaping its culinary and linguistic landscape.
- The city is home to the oldest port in France, which has functioned as the Mediterranean's maritime hub for over 2,600 years.
- Marseille experienced a massive urban renewal project known as Euroméditerranée, one of the largest in Europe, to revitalize its former industrial waterfront.
About Marseille
Marseille is the oldest city in France, founded by Greek sailors from Phocaea around 600 BC as Massalia. As the country's primary commercial port, its identity is defined by a unique fusion of Mediterranean cultures and industrial history. Dominating the skyline is the basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, while the modern face of the city is represented by the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations. The urban landscape blends maritime heritage with landmarks like the Palais Longchamp and the monumental Cathédrale La Major, showcasing centuries of architectural transformation.
Highlights of Marseille
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Temples
This basilica offers panoramic views over the entire city and the Mediterranean coastline.
Museums
The museum focuses on the anthropological history of Mediterranean societies through a striking contemporary concrete lattice design.
Historical places
This former island prison became famous as the setting for Alexandre Dumas's novel, The Count of Monte Cristo.
Temples
This cathedral is one of the largest in France and displays a distinct Romanesque-Byzantine style with striped stone patterns.
Parks
This expansive public garden features a large lake and botanical collections near the southern coastal beaches.
Venues
This iconic stadium serves as the home ground for Olympique de Marseille and features a distinct architectural roof design.
Parks
Built to celebrate the arrival of water to the city, this monument houses the fine arts museum and a natural history museum.
Museums
This seventeenth-century almshouse in the historic Le Panier district now functions as a multi-disciplinary cultural center.
Top things to do in Marseille
The 318 highest-rated places in Marseille, ranked by travellers.
1
Temples
Notre-Dame de la Garde is a 19th-century Neo-Byzantine basilica situated on the highest natural point in Marseille at 14...
2
Venues
The Orange Vélodrome is the primary home stadium for the Olympique de Marseille soccer club and a major venue for intern...
3
Parks
Parc national des Calanques is a protected area spanning 85 square kilometers of land and 435 square kilometers of sea b...
4
Temples
Cathédrale La Major is a massive Neo-Byzantine Romanesque basilica constructed between 1852 and 1893 to demonstrate Mars...
5
Museums
The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (MuCEM) is the first national museum dedicated to the cultures of...
6
Parks
Palais Longchamp is a 19th-century water tower and monument built to celebrate the arrival of the Canal de Marseille, wh...
7
Parks
Parc Borély is an 18-hectare public garden in Marseille, recognized as a 'Jardin Remarquable' of France. The site featur...
8
Places of interest
Les Petits Trains de Marseille operate rubber-tired tourist road trains that transport visitors through the historic hea...
9
Historical places
Château d'If is a 16th-century fortress located on the Frioul archipelago in the Bay of Marseille. Originally commission...
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Museums
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Parks
12
Venues
13
Historical places
14
Parks
15
Beaches and ponds
16
Museums
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Museums
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Venues
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Museums
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Places of interest
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Temples
22
Historical places
23
Venues
24
Parks
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Parks
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Amusement parks
27
Places of interest
28
Parks
29
Beaches and ponds
30
Museums
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Marseille on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Marseille
May to June or September to October, when the Mediterranean temperatures are moderate and the heavy summer tourist crowds have either not arrived or have departed.
3-4 days, allowing enough time to explore the city center, the islands, and the nearby national park coastal trails.
The city features a network of two metro lines, three tram lines, and an extensive bus system, though much of the central port area remains walkable.
The Vieux-Port area is the most central for transit access, while Le Panier offers a historic atmosphere with narrow winding streets.
Mid-range; while accommodation and dining can be expensive in tourist hotspots, the city offers many affordable street food options and free public coastal access.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 318 curated attractions in and around Marseille, ranked by traveller ratings.
Notre-Dame de la Garde is the highest-rated place to visit in Marseille right now.
The largest category is temples, with 106 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Paris, Lyon, Lormont.
Explore more of France
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
