Here are our best 5 reasons you should visit the "cité phocéenne" : 

1 - To discover the hidden cliffs of the Calanques 

Head along with the Corniche Kennedy and find a beach off the beaten track. Climb out to a boulder, spread out your towel, and you’ll feel like you have your own piece of paradise.

2 - To eat and drink French food 

The Riviera is known for its fantastic Mediterranean food. We recommend the Vieux Port to enjoy a nice dinner, most of the restaurants offer a spectacular view over the harbor. Or you can try the local meal, the Bouillabaise, in one of several fantastic locations around the town.

3 - To enjoy wonderful architecture

Marseille has many historic buildings to visit, but it also houses some modern gems. In 1950, the French architect Le Corbusier built the Cité Radieuse in Marseille. At the time, it was a way to house many people cheaply after the war because it was built of cement. Today, the apartments inside are very sought-after and very expensive.

4 - To discover amazing street art 

For street art, head to the edgy Cours Saint Julien everything that is bolted to the floor has some spectacular graffiti on it somewhere. The MUCEM along the seafront, has some fantastic modern art exhibitions, while the Musée des beaux-arts houses paintings from 1500 to 1800.

5 - To party like you never did before 

Start your evening with an apéro in one of the best bars in town or try some local wines from Provence and head to La Friche, one of these venues where you can have a DJ on a massive roof of an old tobacco factory.

Here are our 3 free tips for you to enjoy Marseille as much as possible : 

1 - Check the weather, it can be windy

The wind symbol on your weather app is more than a breeze. It’s a warning about the legendary mistral wind that gusts in hard from the north. 

2 - Pack good walking shoes 

To navigate the wobbly sidewalks, scattered hills, and thigh-burning staircases throughout the city you'll need the right pair of shoes. The best way to experience Marseille is by foot wandering its winding streets, people-watching, and being bombarded by the incessant buzz of scooters.

3 - Take your time. 

In Marseille, the "quart d’heure Marseillais" means that “on time” is 15 minutes behind. Strikes and public transport delays may happen.

It is because the port of Marseille was created around the year -600 BC by Greek sailors from the city of Phocée who were fleeing the Persian invasions of that time. When they arrived, they were struck by the resemblance of the Calanque de Lacydon, with their city of origin and it is for this reason that they decided to settle there.