Marseille, Port city on Mediterranean Sea, France
Description
Marseille is a port city on the Mediterranean in southern France, spreading along a wide bay surrounded by hills. It divides into several districts, from the old harbor with its cafés to the tower blocks in the north and the coastal villas in the south.
History
Greek sailors founded the settlement in 600 BCE under the name Massalia, making it the first major trading harbor in the western Mediterranean. Later it became Roman, then a medieval independent republic before joining France in the 15th century.
Culture
Fishmongers sell their catch directly at the old harbor while families gather on the terraces along Quai des Belges to eat bouillabaisse and watch the gulls. In the narrow streets of the Panier district, laundry hangs between buildings and neighbors call to each other in Arabic, French, and other languages from their balconies.
Practical
The metro system connects the main districts through two lines, while buses reach further neighborhoods and beaches. Boats leave regularly from the old harbor to the islands offshore and to the calanques.
Did you know?
The Calanques National Park begins at the edge of town and consists of limestone cliffs stretching for kilometers along the coast. Narrow inlets cut deep into the rock and fill with clear seawater that shifts between blue and turquoise.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Bouches-du-Rhône).
This ranking includes the most populous cities in Europe in 2025, from Moscow with 11.62 million inhabitants to Budapest with 1.7 million. It features major European capitals like London, Berlin, Madrid, Rome, and Paris, as well as Saint Petersburg, Vienna, and Hamburg. These metropolitan areas are...
This collection brings together the 50 most populous cities of France, from the metropolis to overseas territories. It includes the major urban centers shaping the national territory, from Paris with its capital status to regional metropolises like Marseille with its Mediterranean port, Lyon where...
Marseille brings together ancient history and modern city life. This route reveals the many faces of the city through its most important places: the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica overlooks the entire city, while the Vieux-Port serves as the beating heart of urban activity. The harbor has been a...
Marseille offers a range of photo locations that show the city's history and geography. Visitors can watch daily life at the harbor in Vallon des Auffes, where fishing boats create traditional scenes, or walk the steep streets of the old quarter Le Panier, with its colorful facades and local shops....
Marseille's dining scene ranges from Michelin-starred restaurants to traditional family-run establishments. All share a focus on Mediterranean cooking that draws from local waters and markets. Seafood plays a starring role, with bouillabaisse, the city's famous fish stew, appearing on many menus...
Marseille and its surroundings offer many ways to have fun with family or friends. You will find climbing gyms where you can go up walls of different heights, escape rooms to solve puzzles as a team, trampoline parks to jump and play, and water centers for water fans. Sports lovers enjoy climbing...
Marseille has many rooftop and terrace bars that offer views across the city and the Mediterranean Sea. These places take advantage of the mild climate and invite you to enjoy cocktails and drinks from above. The selection ranges from modern hotels to historic buildings and contemporary art spaces...
Stade Vélodrome
3.6 km
Château d'If
4.1 km
Unité d'Habitation de Marseille
4.4 km
Notre-Dame de la Garde
1.3 km
Cosquer Cave
12.2 km
Marseille Cathedral
559 m
Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations
719 m
Old Port of Marseille
186 m
La Canebière
704 m
CMA CGM Tower
2.1 km
Palais Longchamp
2.2 km
Calanques National Park
11.6 km
Bastide Neuve
11.7 km
Abbey of St. Victor
747 m
Château de la Buzine
10.7 km
Palais du Pharo
989 m
Fort Saint-Jean
625 m
Parc Borély
4.2 km
Cathédrale de la Major
571 m
Tour La Marseillaise
1.9 km
Saint Pierre Cemetery
3.9 km
La Vieille Charité
482 m
Calanque de Sormiou
10.7 km
Statue of David
3.8 km
La Friche
2.2 km
Fort Saint-Nicolas
848 m
Hôtel-Dieu de Marseille
241 m
Villa Méditerranée
655 m
1st arrondissement of Marseille
2nd arrondissement of Marseille
3rd arrondissement of Marseille
4th arrondissement of Marseille
5th arrondissement of Marseille
6th arrondissement of Marseille
7th arrondissement of Marseille
8th arrondissement of Marseille
9th arrondissement of Marseille
10th arrondissement of Marseille
11th arrondissement of Marseille
12th arrondissement of Marseille
13th arrondissement of Marseille
14th arrondissement of Marseille
15th arrondissement of Marseille
16th arrondissement of Marseille
first sector of Marseille
Second sector
third sector of Marseille
fourth sector of Marseille
fifth sector of Marseille
sixth sector of Marseille
Seventh sector
eighth sector of Marseille
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes