Marseille is the perfect place to start a trip in Provence. Not only is it a melting pot of cool cultures, but it’s easily accessible through a major international airport and a port. Like many port cities it had a bit of a sordid reputation, but has recently undergone quite the transformation to become a trendy place to visit.
With travel opening up in the EU and having spent a weekend recently in Bruges, my husband and I decided to take a longer trip through the south of France. We spent some time in Provence & the French Riviera, but kicked off our journey in Marseille. A full day is the perfect amount of time for this city – see below for my recommendations on how to spend 24 hours in Marseille.
Where to stay
With only one day, you’ll want to maximize your time by staying centrally located. We stayed at the less expensive Grand Hotel Beauvau (part of Sofitel) with points, which was a great location with a good view of the port. However if you can, I would recommend staying at the InterContinental in Old Town. It has harbor facing rooms with amazing views of the basilica. Otherwise, there are a ton of affordable AirBnBs in the same area with the same stunning view, like this one.
And now for the good stuff… here is my full 24-hour itinerary to Marseille! All of these stops are also detailed in this Google map for easy access – check out the interactive map at the end of the post.
How to spend 24 hours in Marseille
8AM: Pick up a croissant at Maison St. Honoré. Carbs are the best way to start a day with a lot of walking. Plus croissants are a staple for me anytime I’m in France – and Marseille was no exception. This chic bakery is on the way to the Basilica, and has great croissants & pastries.
9AM: See the Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde. It’s an uphill walk, so it’s good to do this first thing before the heat and crowds. The tile patterns and intricate interior are absolutely stunning if you’re an architecture & design fan. And if not, the view outside is unmatched and the best place to see the city. They have a little train that will take you up to the top, but I always prefer to explore by walking.
10AM: Visit the Marseille History Museum. Marseille has an incredible history spanning 26 centuries, first as a Greek colony, then a Roman city, and finally a French port. I highly recommend a visit to the museum (even if you aren’t a history buff). They have an immense amount of relics they’ve recovered in excavations of the city. It’s one of the biggest museums in France and had all sorts of cool Roman & Greek artifacts, including a massive reconstructed boat wreck from the second century. And before you even enter you’ll see why this place is amazing – the ruins of the ancient port are actually just outside of the museum entrance. Bonus – entrance is super cheap at 6 euros!
1PM: Have lunch at Entre Terre et Mer. The seafood at this place is outstanding (and the presentation is totally gorgeous). I recommend the prawns, but the snails were actually really delicious. If crustaceans aren’t your thing, they also have truly excellent charcuterie. The petite platter + a one-person seafood tray was plenty for two people. I also recommend enjoying a glass of one of my favorite beverages, rosé (because hey, you’re in the South of France).
3PM: Shop in Old Town. There are a ton of cute boutiques in this picturesque area, but here are a few of my favorites.
- Maison Méditerranée is a small boutique selling natural soaps and skincare products. I picked up some hair oil – it’s 100% organic and available online as well here.
- Marseille is known for soap, and Le Bazar de Cesar Savonnierie is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs. They also have hand creams (my recent obsession since having to use so much hand sanitizer).
- I loved the sweet woman who owns Maison de Ville, which is very close to Entre Terre et Mer. She makes the clothing, and actually custom tailored a skirt for me in less than an hour while we shopped.
- I got a great signature Marseille scented candle at Pollen, a cooperative of 13 Marseille designers. They have some pretty jewelry and unique artwork available at their online boutique (all made in France). The exact candle isn’t online, but the brand Petite Mila has a few others for sale.
- Lastly, it’s not in Old Town but I got the cutest card at a little pop-up called Neatshe. The woman inside was really sweet (despite my poor French skills), and they only carry sustainable brands. It’s not on Google Maps and it’s just a temporary storefront, but they have information here! The card was designed by Laurie Lecou, and they also carried some gorgeous ready-to-wear clothing from Botzaris Paris (bodysuits), Les Expatries (modern knits and basics), and Olly (lingerie). Will definitely be adding them to the next edition of my favorite French brands.
5PM: Grab a cookie & a coffee at La Fiancée. This place was actually recommended to me by a lovely French woman who lives in Amsterdam, and it did not disappoint! It’s perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up before getting ready for dinner. I recommend the milk chocolate chip and the peanut butter cookie (yes I had two… my sweet tooth knows no limits).
8PM: Dinner at La Mercerie. This is a must. Honestly it was one of the best dinners of our trip in France. It’s a set menu and I highly recommend getting the wine pairing. At most restaurants we request to sit at the chef’s counter when available, since we love chatting with the professionals. 🙂
11PM: Grab a drink at Copper Bay. If you still have some energy left, end your evening with a cocktail here. Their theme is “mermaids & magic potions”, so you know the cocktails are going to be whimsical and delicious. Mine was the Muito Legal, and it had a mini ice cream cone filled with chantilly! The interior is beautiful and spacious (perfect for social distancing). Or if you’re feeling extra adventurous… try a shot of the local liquor pastis.
Even if you aren’t able to travel but still need some summer outfit inspiration, check out my summer style guide to the French Riviera. And for more on Marseille, check out my story highlight on Instagram.
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