Marseille is not like anywhere else in the world. Travelers tend to visit the other gorgeous hotspots on the sprawling Cote D’Azur coastline but often skip over Marseille. It has a fascinating maritime past; It is gritty, underground, and rough around the edges. The streets are cocooned by street art, by voices demanding to be heard, and by artists bursting with creative energy. 

France’s second-biggest city never stops moving. A new contender for the coolest European city, having served as the European Capital of Culture in 2013, it has eclectic museums and wonderful Byzantine churches. The locals are famed for their relaxed French approach. As the city is on-trend for cultural creativity, backdropped by the history of seafaring tradition. 

Its colorful, multi-ethnic heritage makes Marseille a fascinating place to visit. Considered a bridge between Europe and North Africa, with a sizable population from Algeria, Marseille is a unique city. Read on for an extensive guide and itinerary list of what to do in Marseille. 

Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde. Alexey Fedorenko/Shutterstock

Visit Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde

A stiff hike up an elevated hill and some stairs are well-justified for visiting the Notre-Dame de la Garde, Marseille’s prized landmark. Opulent in gold, the site’s grounds offer a bird’s eye view of the city’s red rooftops and its harbor, as well as the Cote D’Azur coastline. 

The site was used as an observation point during the Middle Ages, and subsequently, it was the location of a pilgrimage chapel. Inside, it is quite quirky: nautical frames of a maritime past, all decked in gold. Since its onset, it has remained a beacon of faith, with a colossal gilded Madonna crowing the belfry, which you can see from every point in the city. The magnificent church is designed in Neo-Byzantine style with supporting gilded mosaic cupolas. Its spectacular terrace is a wonderful lookout point after visiting the interior. 

Vieux Port. Pani Garmyder/Shutterstock

Circle Around Vieux Port 

The Vieux Port, which is considered the crux of the coastal city, represents the inception of Marseille. It is where the city began as a Greek port around 600 BC. The iconic area is located in the west, close to Canabière boulevard. 

A circular stroll around the bustling harbor immerses visitors in the sights and sounds of a thriving port. A focal point for tourists, the Vieux Port has many dining spots for authentic local cuisine. Seafood restaurants line the strip and bars are teeming with locals sipping glasses of wine. La Caravelle, a bar located on the second floor with water views, is particularly charming for this very activity. 

The Vieux Port upholds the Mediterranean ambiance with fishing boats in its port. On the east side, a timely fish market opens every morning. Visitors are afforded charming views of the serene blue waters and a refreshing sea breeze.

The Mirror at the old port. ColorMaker/Shutterstock

Walk Under the Mirror Pavilion (On Vieux Port)

An upside-down mirror was established on the harborside in a push to gentrify the city and leave behind its gritty image of the past. It is now one of the city’s most popular attractions. It not only presents a respite from the 30c degrees heat, but it also provides some entertainment. Who doesn’t want to see an upside-down version of themselves? Marvel at this fun structure on the stroll around the Vieux Port, or on the way to the museum which is right around the corner.