Marseille is the oldest city in France and a raw, lively port city, where the fishermen still sell the day’s catch at the Vieux-Port, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde keeps watch over it all from the hill. The city has narrow streets in Le Panier, modern museums on the waterfront and beaches within the city limits.
Where you stay matters a lot in Marseille, because the atmosphere changes from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, and some of the streets around the railway station are less pleasant in the evening. Here are my recommendations for six good areas and hotels in several price ranges.
Contents
The Best Areas in Marseille
- Vieux-Port - best area for first-time visitors
- Le Panier - best area for charm and history
- Joliette - best area for museums and easy transport
- Cours Julien and Notre-Dame-du-Mont - best area for food, bars and street art
- Endoume and Vallon des Auffes - best area for sea views and romance
- Prado and the beaches - best area for beaches and families
Below, I’ll take you through the areas one by one, with a map, the key practical information and three hotels from luxury to budget, so you can find the base that suits your trip to Marseille.
1. Vieux-Port - best area for first-time visitors ⚓
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying right in the centre. The Vieux-Port is the heart of the city, and the main street, La Canebière, starts at the harbour.
- 🚇 Transport: Metro line M1 stops at Vieux-Port, and the boats to the Château d'If and the Frioul islands leave from the quays.
- ✈️ Time from Marseille Provence Airport: The Navette shuttle bus runs to Saint-Charles in around 30 to 50 minutes. From there, it’s two stops on M1 to Vieux-Port.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £80 to £370 a night when I searched for a weekend in September.
- 👮 Safety: The harbour is full of people until late in the evening. Keep an eye on your bag in the crowds and on the metro.
The Vieux-Port is where Marseille began, and it’s still where the city comes together. In the morning, the fishermen sell the day’s catch from small stalls on the Quai des Belges, and in the evening, the cafés along the quays fill up. Under the big mirrored canopy, the Ombrière, you can see yourself and the harbour upside down.
I’d choose the Vieux-Port if it’s your first time in Marseille and you’ve only got a few days. You can walk to Le Panier, MuCEM and the Abbaye Saint-Victor, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde sits on the hill right above the harbour. Several companies sell boat trips along the Calanques from the quay, and it’s the easiest way to see the cliffs if you don’t want to hike.
Getting around is easy, too. The Navette shuttle bus from the airport runs to Saint-Charles station, and you can check the departures on the airport’s page about buses. The metro, trams and buses are run by RTM, and you can pay with a contactless bank card directly at the validator.
See hotels around the Vieux-Port here.
If you’re coming by TGV from Paris, the journey to Saint-Charles takes around three hours, and you can buy tickets from SNCF Connect. If you’d like to spend a couple of nights in the capital first, I’ve also written a guide to where to stay in Paris.
The price of the location is noise and crowds. Rooms facing the harbour can be noisy in the evening, so ask for a room facing the courtyard if you’re a light sleeper. Don’t walk up La Canebière towards Belsunce late in the evening either, when you can stick to the harbour and the streets to the south.
The restaurants right on the quay are also more expensive than in the rest of the city, and many of them live off tourists. If you walk a couple of streets back towards Rue Sainte or up into Le Panier, you’ll often get better food for your money.
Places to Stay around the Vieux-Port
Sofitel Marseille Vieux-Port - best luxury hotel with views over the harbour entrance
The Sofitel is on Boulevard Charles Livon by the Palais du Pharo, around 500 metres from the Vieux-Port, high above the entrance to the harbour. The hotel has a spa and a restaurant, but no pool, and parking in the garage costs around 32 euros (about £25) a day. Guests especially praise the view, while some mention that the cleaning doesn’t always live up to the price.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The view from the hotel is absolutely amazing.”
See photos and book Sofitel Marseille Vieux-Port here.
Grand Hotel Beauvau Marseille Vieux-Port - best classic hotel right on the harbour
The Grand Hotel Beauvau is on Rue Beauvau right by the Vieux-Port, and you can look out over the harbour from several of the rooms. The classic double rooms are small at around 17 m², so choose a higher category if you want more space. A few guests have had unclear information about when the restaurant and room service are open.
One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “The staff were incredibly quick to reply and helpful with my questions, even before we arrived.”
See photos and book Grand Hotel Beauvau Marseille Vieux-Port here.
Hôtel Hermès - cheapest location right by the harbour
Hôtel Hermès is around 35 metres from the Vieux-Port and was the cheapest of the three when I searched. The rooms are very small, with the smallest at just 12 m², but the hotel has a roof terrace with a view over the harbour. Guests mention noise from the rooftop bar, so it suits you best if you’ll mostly be there to sleep.
One guest sums it up briefly on Booking.com: “The location was perfect.”
See photos and book Hôtel Hermès here.
2. Le Panier - best area for charm and history 🏘️
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Le Panier sits on the hill just north of the Vieux-Port, and you can walk down to the harbour in 5 to 10 minutes.
- 🚇 Transport: No metro runs through the neighbourhood itself. The nearest stations are Vieux-Port and Colbert on M1 and Joliette on M2.
- ✈️ Time from Marseille Provence Airport: Take the Navette shuttle bus to Saint-Charles and the metro on to Vieux-Port or Colbert, then walk the last stretch up the hill.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€. The three hotels cost roughly £110 to £340 a night when I searched for a weekend in September.
- 👮 Safety: The neighbourhood is calm and full of visitors during the day. The narrow streets at the top go quiet in the evening, so stick to the well-lit streets.
Le Panier is Marseille’s oldest neighbourhood and sits on the hill where the Greeks founded the city around 2,600 years ago. Today, it’s a maze of narrow streets, steps and small squares with colourful façades, washing hung between the houses and shops selling Marseille soap.
In the middle of the neighbourhood is the Vieille Charité, a former almshouse from the 1600s with a Baroque chapel in the middle of the courtyard. Today, the building houses two museums, and the permanent collections are free. It’s a good place to start before you explore the streets around it.
I’d choose Le Panier if you’d like to stay somewhere with atmosphere and don’t mind hills. You can walk down to the Vieux-Port in a few minutes, and in the other direction, La Major cathedral and MuCEM are right down by the water.
The downside is the terrain. The streets are steep, there are steps in many places, and cars can’t get all the way to every address. If you’ve got a big suitcase or bad knees, check the hotel’s location on the map before you book, because there’s a big difference between staying at the bottom and the top of the hill.
The neighbourhood is also quieter than many people expect. In the evening, most of the shops close, and the places to eat that stay open are clustered around the small squares. If you want more life, it’s only a short walk down to the harbour, where the cafés stay open late.
During the day, on the other hand, the narrow streets can get crowded when groups on walking tours pass through. If you’re staying here, you can go for a walk early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the neighbourhood is at its quietest.
Places to Stay in Le Panier
InterContinental Marseille Hotel Dieu - best luxury hotel with a pool and spa
The InterContinental is in the historic Hôtel-Dieu hospital on the edge of Le Panier, around 350 metres from the Vieux-Port. You get an indoor pool, a spa and a view over the harbour that lots of guests highlight. Valet parking costs around 49 euros (about £40) a night, and some guests find the service at breakfast slow.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Spectacular view, breakfast until 10.30 and discreet, friendly and helpful service.”
See photos and book InterContinental Marseille Hotel Dieu here.
Le Couvent Marseille - best apartments for a longer stay
Le Couvent is an aparthotel on Rue de la Fonderie Vieille at the foot of Le Panier, a few minutes’ walk from the harbour. The apartments have kitchenettes, and the largest are over 50 m², so it works well for families or a longer stay. The guest rating is high, but some guests have had problems with the cleaning and with the apartment they were given.
One guest describes it like this on Booking.com: “Very well located and comfortable.”
See photos and book Le Couvent Marseille here.
Hôtel Ligo by HappyCulture - best design hotel for the price
Hôtel Ligo is on Rue Jean Trinquet on the northern edge of Le Panier, close to Rue de la République and less than a kilometre from the Vieux-Port. The standard rooms are 22 m², and there’s a breakfast buffet. There’s no pool or restaurant, and some guests feel a few of the rooms could do with an update.
One guest singles out the staff on Booking.com: “The staff were so kind and welcoming and always ready to help.”
See photos and book Hôtel Ligo by HappyCulture here.
3. Joliette - best area for museums and easy transport 🏛️
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 15 minutes’ walk from the Vieux-Port along the waterfront.
- 🚊 Transport: Metro line M2 and the trams stop at Joliette, and it’s two stops on the metro to Saint-Charles.
- ✈️ Time from Marseille Provence Airport: Take the Navette shuttle bus to Saint-Charles and then M2 two stops to Joliette.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€. The three hotels cost roughly £65 to £170 a night when I searched for a weekend in September.
- 👮 Safety: The streets along the waterfront are wide and well lit. In the evening, the office streets further inland go quiet.
Joliette is Marseille’s new waterfront. Old warehouses and port terminals have been converted into shops, offices and hotels, and a long promenade runs along the water from La Major cathedral to MuCEM, the museum of European and Mediterranean civilisations.
MuCEM is housed in a dark concrete building at the harbour entrance, and a footbridge links the museum with the Fort Saint-Jean fortress. From here, you can carry on over another bridge up into Le Panier, so you’re close to both the new and the old Marseille.
I’d choose Joliette for a trip where you want a modern hotel at a reasonable price and easy transport. The metro and trams stop in the middle of the area, and the Les Terrasses du Port shopping centre has a large terrace facing the water, where you can watch the ferries come and go.
This is also where the big ferries leave from. If you’re heading on to Corsica, the ferry terminal is at Joliette, and you can read more in my guide to where to stay in Corsica and my list of things to do in Corsica.
The downside is that Joliette lacks the old Marseille atmosphere. Many of the streets are dominated by office buildings, and in the evening there’s far less life than at the Vieux-Port once the shops have closed. In return, you’ll often get a bigger room for your money than down by the harbour.
The area is still being developed, so there may be building work and closed-off sections in some places. Choose a hotel close to the waterfront or on the edge of Le Panier if you want the shortest walk to both the museums and the restaurants. If you stay further north, you’ll rely more on the metro and tram when you head into the Vieux-Port in the evening.
Places to Stay in Joliette
NH Collection Marseille - best hotel between Joliette and Le Panier
NH Collection is on Boulevard des Dames between Joliette and Le Panier and has the highest guest rating of my three picks in the area. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar and a gym, but no pool. Some guests feel the decor is starting to look worn.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was good, with lots of entertainment nearby and a pleasant, safe walk down to the Vieux-Port.”
See photos and book NH Collection Marseille here.
Novotel Suites Marseille Centre Euromed - best choice for families who want space
Novotel Suites is on Boulevard de Dunkerque, around two minutes’ walk from Joliette metro station. The rooms are suites with kitchenettes and room for extra beds, so it works well for a family. The breakfast room is small and can get busy, and some guests feel the furniture is showing its age.
One guest is delighted on Booking.com: “Everything was perfect. I can highly recommend the hotel and will definitely be back!”
See photos and book Novotel Suites Marseille Centre Euromed here.
B&B HOTEL Marseille Centre La Joliette - the cheapest hotel in the whole guide
The B&B Hotel is on Rue de Forbin, around 150 metres from Joliette metro station, and was the cheapest hotel in the whole guide when I searched. The rooms are simple, and the guest rating is lower than at the others, but it’s based on several thousand reviews. Some guests mention that the cleaning could be better and that they couldn’t leave their luggage before check-in.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A budget hotel that exceeded expectations. The rooms are simple but really clean, and the bed is comfortable.”
See photos and book B&B HOTEL Marseille Centre La Joliette here.
4. Cours Julien and Notre-Dame-du-Mont - best area for food, bars and street art 🎨
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 15 minutes’ walk from the Vieux-Port, up the hill south of La Canebière.
- 🚇 Transport: Metro line M2 stops at Notre-Dame-du-Mont, and Noailles station is at the foot of the steps up to Cours Julien.
- ✈️ Time from Marseille Provence Airport: Take the Navette shuttle bus to Saint-Charles and then M2 two stops to Notre-Dame-du-Mont.
- 💰 Price range: €€. The three hotels cost roughly £110 to £145 a night when I searched for a weekend in September.
- 👮 Safety: The area is lively in the evening. Stick to the bigger streets on your way home, and take the metro rather than walking through Noailles late at night.
Cours Julien is Marseille’s alternative neighbourhood. Almost every wall is covered in graffiti and murals, and the long square with its fountains and trees is lined with bars, small restaurants, record shops and vintage shops.
Right next door is Notre-Dame-du-Mont and the square known as La Plaine, which has a market on set days of the week. This is where the locals eat out, and it’s easy to find food from all over the Mediterranean at lower prices than by the harbour. In the evening, life moves out onto the pavements, and the terraces are packed until late.
I’d stay here on a trip as a couple or with friends, when the evenings are an important part of the plan. You can walk down to the Vieux-Port in a quarter of an hour, and the metro runs directly to both Saint-Charles and Prado.
See hotels near Cours Julien here.
To the north is Noailles, with the city’s most colourful market, where you can buy spices, olives and fresh bread. During the day, it’s one of the liveliest places in Marseille, but in the evening I’d take the metro or avoid the narrow streets.
Cours Julien isn’t for everyone. The graffiti is everywhere, some streets are dirty, and there can be noise from the bars until late at night. There aren’t many hotels, and they’re a little spread out across the surrounding neighbourhoods, so book early if you’re travelling in high season.
The area also sits higher than the harbour, so the walk home is uphill or up steps. It isn’t far, but after a long day in the heat, it’s nice to know that the metro runs from Vieux-Port to Notre-Dame-du-Mont in a few minutes, so you can avoid walking through Noailles.
Places to Stay near Cours Julien
Maison Olea - best guesthouse with personal service
Maison Olea is a small guesthouse on Rue Adolphe Thiers north of Cours Julien, around five to ten minutes’ walk from the square. It has the highest guest rating of all the places in this guide, and the host is praised in lots of reviews. There’s no air conditioning, which you’ll notice in summer, and some guests feel the building looks worn.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Sophie was a fantastic host. So kind and so generous.”
See photos and book Maison Olea here.
Grand Juste - best hotel with a garden and family rooms
Grand Juste is on Rue Auguste Blanqui, just east of Notre-Dame-du-Mont, and has a guest rating of 9.0. The hotel has a garden, a terrace and family rooms, and guests praise the little details. Some mention noise from building work nearby and an unpredictable water temperature in the shower.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel got everything right. I loved the thoughtful details.”
See photos and book Grand Juste here.
Mama Shelter Marseille - best choice if you want a lively hotel
Mama Shelter is on Rue de la Loubière, around seven minutes’ walk from Notre-Dame-du-Mont metro station. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar with a relaxed atmosphere, and it was the cheapest of my three picks in the area. The bar on the ground floor can be noisy in the evening, and some guests feel the rooms could do with an update.
One guest singles out the staff on Booking.com: “The staff were super friendly and helpful.”
See photos and book Mama Shelter Marseille here.
5. Endoume and Vallon des Auffes - best area for sea views and romance 🌅
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 2 to 3 km from the Vieux-Port along the Corniche Kennedy coast road.
- 🚌 Transport: The metro doesn’t come out here. Bus 83 runs from the Vieux-Port along the Corniche Kennedy, past Plage des Catalans and on towards Prado.
- ✈️ Time from Marseille Provence Airport: Take the Navette shuttle bus to Saint-Charles, the metro to Vieux-Port and a bus or taxi for the last stretch. Allow a little over an hour as a rough guide.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€€. The three places cost roughly £80 to £840 a night when I searched for a weekend in September.
- 👮 Safety: Endoume is a quiet residential area. Take care on the rocks when you swim, and watch out for traffic on the narrow coast road.
Endoume is the neighbourhood I’d choose if you want to stay by the water and still have the city within reach. It sits on the cliffs south of the harbour, and this is where the Marseillais live in small houses and flats looking out over the Mediterranean.
The neighbourhood’s gem is Vallon des Auffes, a small fishing harbour tucked under a stone bridge on the Corniche Kennedy. The colourful fishing boats are moored close together, and a couple of restaurants serve fish with a view of the harbour. A little further south is Malmousque, where the locals jump into the water from the rocks in summer.
It’s a good choice for a couple who want romance and sunsets. In the evening, people sit on the wall along the Corniche Kennedy and watch the sun go down behind the Frioul islands.
Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde stands on its hill above the neighbourhood, and you can walk up there via steep streets. Plage des Catalans is the nearest sandy beach and lies where the Corniche Kennedy begins. The tourist office’s page on public transport has an overview of tickets and passes for the bus, metro and tram.
The downside is transport. There’s no metro, the buses can be packed in summer, and the restaurants are few and far between in the evening. If you’ve only got two days in Marseille, I’d stay at the Vieux-Port and take bus 83 out here one afternoon.
The choice of hotels is also small. Many of the places to stay are private apartments and small guesthouses, so read the description carefully before you book, and check whether there’s air conditioning, a lift and parking. It gets hot in summer, and the coast road is busy, especially at weekends, when the whole city heads for the water.
Places to Stay in Endoume and by Vallon des Auffes
Le Petit Nice Passedat - the city’s most exclusive hotel by the water
Le Petit Nice sits right by the water on Rue des Braves off the Corniche Kennedy, and its restaurant has three Michelin stars. The hotel has an outdoor seawater pool and private parking. The price is in a class of its own, and several guests feel the hotel itself doesn’t quite live up to it, so it’s a place for a truly special occasion.
One guest is honest on Booking.com: “Fantastic location and view, but the hotel felt disappointing for the price.”
See photos and book Le Petit Nice Passedat here.
Le Rhul - best sea views from the Corniche Kennedy
Le Rhul is right on the Corniche Kennedy with a view over the Mediterranean and has its own restaurant serving local specialities. Guests love the location close to Malmousque and Vallon des Auffes. There’s no lift, parking is difficult, and rooms facing the road can be noisy.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel is beautiful and perfectly located by Malmousque.”
See photos and book Le Rhul here.
Domus Sea and City - affordable apartment in a quiet residential area
Domus Sea and City is an apartment with a kitchen and a terrace on Rue Aicard in the eastern part of Endoume, close to Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde. It’s around a quarter of an hour’s walk to the nearest beach, and it was the cheapest of the three places when I searched. There’s no air conditioning, and several guests mention that parking is difficult.
One guest describes the apartment on Booking.com: “The apartment was spacious, quiet, cosy and clean.”
See photos and book Domus Sea and City here.
6. Prado and the beaches - best area for beaches and families 🏖️
- 📍 Distance from the centre: The beaches are around 5 km south of the Vieux-Port.
- 🚌 Transport: Buses 19 and 83 run to the Plages du Prado, and metro line M2 stops at Rond-Point du Prado further inland.
- ✈️ Time from Marseille Provence Airport: Take the Navette shuttle bus to Saint-Charles, M2 to Rond-Point du Prado and a bus or taxi from there. If you’ve got a car, it’s easiest to drive straight there.
- 💰 Price range: €€. The three hotels cost roughly £110 to £225 a night when I searched for a weekend in September.
- 👮 Safety: The beaches are popular with families. Don’t leave your phone and wallet on your towel while you swim.
Prado is Marseille’s beach district. A string of wide beaches, together known as the Plages du Prado, runs along the coast, and behind them is the large Parc Borély, with lawns, a lake and a botanical garden. At the roundabout by the beach stands a large copy of Michelangelo’s David.
I’d choose Prado for a family holiday or a summer trip where the beach is the main event. There’s plenty of room to play, and in the afternoon, it’s often windy enough for the kitesurfers to head out on the water.
Inland is the Stade Vélodrome, where Olympique de Marseille play, and a little further south stands Le Corbusier’s Cité Radieuse apartment block, which is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. You can even stay in the building itself.
Prado is also a good base for the Calanques. If you follow the coast road south past Pointe-Rouge, it ends at the fishing village of Les Goudes, where the national park begins, and in summer, shuttle boats sail from the Vieux-Port to Pointe-Rouge and Les Goudes. Check Parc national des Calanques before you set off, because the trails can close on days with a high fire risk, and on the busiest summer days you’ll need to book a free slot to walk down to Sugiton.
The downside is the distance from the centre. The hotels are spread out, and from several of them it’s quite a way to both the metro and the beach. If you want to see the city and swim, Prado is easiest with a car or on a longer holiday when you’re not in a hurry.
The beaches aren’t the most beautiful in the area either. They’re man-made, and in summer they get crowded, especially at weekends. If you want the turquoise water from the postcards, you’ll need to head out to the Calanques.
Places to Stay around Prado and the Beaches
nhow Marseille - best hotel with a pool and sea views
nhow sits high up on the Corniche Kennedy north of the Plages du Prado with a view over the sea, and it has a seasonal outdoor pool, a spa and a restaurant. It’s around four kilometres to the centre, so you’ll need a bus or taxi. The guest rating is just under 8, and several guests mention a lack of maintenance and a pool that could be cleaner.
One guest praises the breakfast on Booking.com: “The breakfast was probably close to the best we’ve had at a hotel.”
See photos and book nhow Marseille here.
AC Hotel by Marriott Marseille Prado Vélodrome - best mid-range hotel by the Vélodrome
The AC Hotel is around 270 metres from the Stade Vélodrome and has an outdoor pool in the summer season, a restaurant and a gym. It’s a good choice for families and football fans, and the metro stops at Rond-Point du Prado nearby. Parking costs around 25 euros (about £20) a day, and some guests feel the choice of food is limited.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Good central location, comfortable rooms and friendly, welcoming staff.”
See photos and book AC Hotel by Marriott Marseille Prado Vélodrome here.
Hotel le Corbusier - best choice for architecture lovers
Hotel le Corbusier is inside the Cité Radieuse on Boulevard Michelet, so you’re staying in the World Heritage building itself. The rooms are small and simple, and there’s free parking. The hotel is around four kilometres from the centre and a couple of kilometres from the beach, and guests mention noise from the busy road and a slight lack of maintenance.
One guest describes the experience on Booking.com: “It’s a bit like staying in a museum. You don’t just walk around and look at a beautiful place created by one of the greatest geniuses of the last century, you can also stay in it.”
See photos and book Hotel le Corbusier here.
Where should you avoid staying in Marseille?
I’d avoid the cheap hotels right around Saint-Charles station and in the Belsunce neighbourhood between the station and La Canebière. It’s practical when you arrive by train or on the Navette shuttle bus, but the streets are run-down, and it isn’t pleasant to walk around there with a suitcase in the evening.
The same goes for the upper part of La Canebière and Noailles late in the evening. They’re fine to visit during the day, but I wouldn’t stay there when there are better alternatives a few minutes away.
The districts north of the centre are a long way from the sights, and there’s no reason to stay there as a tourist. The hotels at the airport are far outside the city and only make sense if you’ve got a very early flight.
If you’re going to Marseille for the first time and only have a few days, I’d stay at the Vieux-Port, or in Le Panier if you’d like more atmosphere and can handle the hills. Joliette gives you modern hotels at lower prices and easy transport, and Cours Julien is the place if food and bars matter most.
If you’d like to be close to the water, the choice is between Endoume, with its views and peace and quiet, and Prado, with beaches and room for the family. Both suit a trip of at least four or five days best, when you’ve got time for a day in the Calanques.
Marseille also makes a great stop on a longer trip through the South of France. The train carries on along the coast towards Nice, and I’ve written a guide to where to stay in Nice and a guide to getting from Nice Airport to the city centre if you’d like to fly home from there. If you’d rather head north or west, you can read about where to stay in Lyon or carry on to Bordeaux.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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