
Experience a full day in Marseille, exploring its rich history and notable sites. This private tour is suitable for individuals or small groups, ideal for those wanting to see a lot in a limited timeframe. The tour includes hotel or cruise ship pickup, a sightseeing tour by car with photo stops at scenic locations, and an hour for lunch at recommended eateries. After lunch, visit key landmarks such as the basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde, Palais Longchamp, and Le Panier. At the end of the day, you will be returned to your original pickup location.
Marseille’s cathedral is, of course, worth visiting, being one of the city’s most important buildings. Overlooking the sea, this spot is perfect for views and photographs. Its imposing structure, composed of several domed towers, with the highest reaching a height of 16 meters, and the use of green and white limestone might remind some of Florence’s Duomo, but the interior has been decorated in a completely different style. Fortunately the cathedral is also free to visit.
The Vieux Port (Old Harbor) is probably the most important part of Marseille, where all tourists head to take photos, eat some fresh fish and seafood, watch the boats or ride the Ferris wheel. It is part of the city’s old town and a great location from which to head to all of the city’s main attractions, so it’s definitely worth a visit. Sunsets during the summer are particularly awe-inspiring, so stick around the area until early evening for some beautiful views.
This church is one of Marseille’s most famous landmarks, situated on the top of a hill overlooking the city and the sea. It is most easily accessed by bus since going there on foot means having to face the weary climb to the top, and there are buses that depart every twenty minutes or so from the Vieux Port and take you right up to the church’s doors. It is free to visit, and the mosaic interior, like the beautiful views of the city, is incredibly impressive.
The majestic Palais Longchamp is the site of the city’s Musée des Beaux-Arts, the oldest museum in Marseille. The gallery is home to an impressive collection of work by Italian and Provençal artists, and most of the paintings and works of art date from the 17th century to the present day. Apart from the beautiful artwork, the palace also has a splendid park that locals flock to when they want to enjoy the good weather, as it is one of the few green areas in the city center.
Marseille’s Old Town is one of the most picturesque neighborhood's visitors will find anywhere in France. It is easily accessible from the Vieux Port, as it is situated on a nearby hillside. It was first inhabited in 600BC, when the Greeks settled here, so it truly is the oldest part of the city. It is a colorful, multicultural neighborhood that blends the many influences that are present nowadays in Marseille, making for a unique place in which to spend an evening or to go for a walk.