Location: Marseille
Top Things to do in Marseille
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Marseille That You Shouldn't Miss
Travelers visit the port city of Marseille, the third largest city in France, for the meeting of style and history. The bay, flanked by Fort Saint-Nicolas, and Fort Saint-Jean shelters the Castle of If, from Count of Monte Cristo fame. Watched over by the basilica Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, the city's pedestrian zones and shopping areas (including the colorful French-African quarter) mix with historical sites.Travelers looking for a fun time go to the OK Corral, a cowboy theme amusement park.
Restaurants in Marseille
1. Parc National des Calanques
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,949 reviews
Reviewed By milgil24 - Sydney, Australia
The stunning natural beauty of the Calanques along the South Coast of France is a must do. We went on a boat tour which departed from Marseille (booked through Airbnb experience) which was amazing, but there are so many ways to visit this national park.
2. Randonnees theatrales Marcel Pagnol Cie Dans la cour des Grands
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 493 reviews
3. Chateau d'If
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,725 reviews
This famous fortress, standing on a rocky island off the coast of Marseille, was immortalised by Alexandre Dumas in The Count of Monte Cristo as the prison where the novel’s hero, Edmond Dantes, was incarcerated before ultimately escaping. The castle was built by Francois I in 1524 and over the centuries it gained a fearsome reputation as many opponents of royal power were jailed and died in the fortress. The Castle of If has been perfectly preserved and is one of the most impressive historical sites on the Mediterranean coastline. Open: > 15th May to 20th September: from 9.30 a.m. to 6.15 p.m. > 21st September to 14th May: from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. The last visit depends on the timetable of boats, information at the tourist information center, on our website monuments-nationaux.fr or on Frioul If express. Closed: > Mondays from 21st September to 14th May. > 1st January, 25th December and subject to bad weather. Admission fees: Adults : 5,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 4 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups.
Reviewed By tanyac179 - Surrey, United Kingdom
We opted for this trip as part of our Marseille tourist pass. Enjoyable boat ride (great views on boat) in lovely warm weather and you can spend as much time as you like walking around. Fascinating history - there is no lift & area is uneven which was a little bit difficult for our elderly relatives but we had plenty of time to explore which helped. Walk up is steep in parts too. Nice cafe with wonderful view and prices not too bad - we just had drinks & ice cream.
4. The Panier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,447 reviews
Reviewed By Ilmar1 - Perth, Australia
The one unique thing about this area which makes it worth visiting is the quality of the street art (or graffiti) which adds a very colourful dimension to the narrow streets. Virtually nothing was open when we visited except a few shops selling mass produced souvenirs, so there was nothing to do but take photos. I was told this was because it was no longer tourist season (which explained the almost deserted streets) and the december rush had yet to begin. Take an hour to walk slowly around and admire the views. It is worth it.
5. Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,186 reviews
Reviewed By JenLovesTrains - Bad Hindelang, Germany
It’s a steep climb up to the basilica with stations of the cross along the way. Well worth it for the views over all of Marseille. It looked as though a little tourist train goes though if you don’t want to do the walk. The basilica itself is beautifully decorated with mosaics and full of a variety of thankful donations, including ship and plane models hanging from the ceiling, medals, paintings and many many marble plaques. We enjoyed reading those! People’s thanks range from being saved from submarine bombardment in the war through being healed of an ulcer to passing an exam. There’s also a crypt, gift shop, restaurant and museum but we didn’t go to the restaurant or museum. They crypt is full of votive candles and the gift shop is crowded but has a good selection of postcards.
6. Abbaye Saint Victor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 844 reviews
Reviewed By TomS841 - Munich, Germany
The crypt, which is the original church built in a Roman quarry in the 3C as a christian burial place outside the town, now forms the foundation of the 11C tower, a massive fortification which speaks volumes to the defensive nature of church establishments then. The original 2C Roman sarcophagi are in excellent condition. The crypt is in it's original 3-5C condition. Where else can you see that? Quite spectacular and for 2 Euros, definitely not just worth staring at from above. The church itself is Gothic and otherwise unremarkable.
7. Cathedrale de la Major
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,467 reviews
Reviewed By YairBarZohar - Qiryat Ata, Israel
Marseille's impressive cathedral is one of the most important national monuments in all of France and today serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Marseille. The cathedral stands on a site that served as a cult site of the city from the 5th century AD. The structure we are facing today is mostly from the 19th century, but there are small parts of it dating back to the 12th century. But what makes Marseille's cathedral so important is not only the fact that it is the oldest church in the city, but especially the fact that its interior design is stunning. The spectacular combination of Romanesque and Byzantine architecture, together with the impressive size of the cathedral, makes the visit within the cathedral a tremendous experience. Admission is free. Opening Hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. How long should you visit? About half an hour.
8. Musee d'Histoire de Marseille
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 606 reviews
Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia
We were lucky enough to be staying practically next door to this museum so we had the chance to walk by every day. It is a good historical and archaeological museum with an actual archaeological site. The museum displays artifacts from the very ancient times, including the city's origins, from the Greek period, through to Roman times and until more recent times, up to, I think the 19th century. Definitely worth a visit, especially if you like history and archaeology.
9. Palais du Pharo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 765 reviews
Reviewed By 444Travelfor - London, United Kingdom
Nice park beautiful walk around the palace, beautiful vegetation on one side and on the other side beautiful view of the sea for very beautiful photos
10. Cite Radieuse Le Corbusier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 879 reviews
Reviewed By chickandbeast - Southgate, Canada
Cite Radieuse Le Corbusier is part of everyday existence but architecture lovers celebrate it as a piece of art of a building designed by architect Le Corbusier.
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