Créé par Emilie, le 20 juin 2026
Votre guide Ryo
Top 6 Best Activities in Marseille
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Choose, on this dedicated page, the best activities in Marseille to immerse yourself in its art of living. The Phocaean city has a deeply rooted culture of its own! You'll soon learn all the secrets of crafting authentic Marseille soap or taste, one by one, the city's best culinary specialties under the benevolent gaze of Notre Dame de la Garde, affectionately nicknamed 'la bonne mère'.
In this multi-faceted city, everyone will find something to satisfy their desires. Travelers passionate about heritage will tirelessly visit the historical treasures of this Bouches-du-Rhône city. Sports enthusiasts will explore the rugged surroundings of Marseille. Gourmet strollers will search for artisan shops and the best tastings in popular neighborhoods, from the Vieux-Port and its town hall! As you'll understand, when it comes to activities in Marseille, everyone finds their happiness through very varied experiences!
Beyond discovering its grandiose historical heritage, turn to more modern outdoor activities. Like going on explorations in the surrounding dry nature. During a hike, discover the best spots of Marseille's calanques, swim in the turquoise water of the Mediterranean Sea, and enjoy a magnificent viewpoint as a couple, with family and children, or among friends. Reviews are unanimous, these visits offer an unforgettable spectacle.
What to do in Marseille? 6 activity and outing ideas to choose from
Your activities will allow you to understand the controversial side of Marseille, and possibly soften its edges. Yes, generally, you either love Marseille or hate it! The reasons for these contrasting impressions are numerous, however, the city's age gives it assets like no other city in France. Public transport (bus, metro) will allow you to move around the city easily. Visiting Marseille will thus be at your own pace.
1. Test soap craftsmanship at the Marseille Soap Museum
Category: € / Unusual / Cultural
Description: Head to the quays of Marseille's Vieux-Port facing Fort Saint-Jean to enter this historical museum with its refreshing scent. Located in the former galley arsenal from Louis XIV's era, your workshop will take on a whole different dimension. You'll quickly learn the secrets of France's most famous soap. The period machines, vintage advertisements, and other unusual objects will surely surprise you. Then comes the saponification workshop, full of floral and 100% natural scents. You'll even have the possibility to personalize your soap, that's the detail that makes all the difference.
Good to know: Psst… After a visit to the Marseille Soap Museum, a small 100g piece of Provence will be offered to you! Among the museums in Marseille, this one is absolutely a must-do.
2. Go rock climbing in the calanques
Category: €€€ / Thrills / Sports
Description: Here's the ideal activity to combine sports practice and landscape discovery. In Marseille, Cassis, or La Ciotat, you'll discover the calanques vertically during a via ferrata or via cordata! Accompanied by experienced instructors, you'll spend a unique moment rich in thrills on the famous cliffs bordering the Mediterranean, the ancestral pride of the Marseillais. A great way to get some fresh air while admiring the landscape.
Good to know: Even though everything will be done for your safety, don't forget the essentials: hiking shoes, a water bottle, and protective clothing. Shorts and tank tops are forbidden!
3. Explore the calanques by boat in Cassis
Category: €€ / Cultural Marseille activities
Description: From the charming little coastal town of Cassis (40 min from Marseille's Vieux-Port by car, 1h 15 by bus), you'll board a boat to discover the magnificent calanques of the Marseille coast. During a trip lasting 45 min to 2 hours, you'll be in the best conditions to marvel at this unique natural heritage with a breathtaking view of Marseille and its calanques. The calanque d'En-Vau is considered the most sublime of all. An outdoor activity to do with family or friends.
4. Go on a gourmet world tour at Noailles market
Category: €€ / Unusual
Description: Meet in the heart of Marseille, at 5 cours Saint-Louis, for a gourmet world tour! Accompanied by your guide, you'll lunch from shop to shop, passing through the Hautes-Alpes, Tunisia, Cape Verde, Senegal, Vietnam, or even Djibouti. This approximately 3-hour taste adventure ends in a café where you can taste desserts from around the world. An ideal way to fully experience the cultural mix typical of the Phocaean city!
5. Try cocktail mixology
Category: €€ / Unusual / Gastronomic leisure
Description: Marseille loves to party and indulge in simple pleasures. Getting together for a drink among friends is part of it. During this workshop organized by bartenders passionate about cocktails, discover the basics of mixology during your stay. In the center of Marseille, discover the key steps of creating a rum cocktail, champagne and so many others. You'll be shaken by the fabulous mixtures proposed and the infinite possibilities of these alchemies. Something to note in your agenda among the things to explore during your visit to Marseille!
6. Explore the calanques by stand up paddle
Category: €€ / Unusual Marseille activities
Description: Starting from Cassis, you'll be struck by the beauty of the Calanques National Park during a Stand Up Paddle excursion! The unique panoramas, translucent water bathed in sunlight and whitish rock form an extraordinary picture. At your own pace (after all, you're on vacation!), feel the gentle sensations of the waves, sail wherever you please and take swimming breaks in this paradisiacal setting. The real plus of this activity is that you'll reach places accessible only by sea! Ideal for both families and outings with friends.