Marseille Cruise Port Guide
Photos: kallerna (CC BY-SA 4.0) · via Wikimedia Commons; Jose Ruedas, luis vidilla, Patrick Faure, Mihai Ioan Neag, Juan Manuel Esteban · via Google Maps
- Country:
- France
- Region:
- Western Mediterranean
- Coordinates:
- 43.2967° N, 5.3764° E
About Marseille
Marseille suits culture-seekers and nature lovers alike. France's second-most populous city sits on the Mediterranean coast in Provence, with attractions ranging from world-class museums to dramatic coastal landscapes. The port location puts you within reach of everything from ancient ruins to national parks.
The city centre clusters near the waterfront. The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations is 1.2 km away, whilst Marseille Cathedral and Palais Longchamp are equally close. Port Antique, a garden attraction, sits just 0.2 km from the cruise terminal, making it an easy first stop. For history enthusiasts, Fort de Ratonneau and Fort de Cavaux offer fortress exploration at 5.5 km and 7.9 km respectively.
Nature and Wider Exploration
Marseille is the only large city in France with a national park within city limits. Parc national des Calanques lies 10.3 km away, featuring Mediterranean landscapes and hiking. From here, you can also reach nearby cruise ports including Barcelona, Cannes, Ajaccio and Cagliari on Western Mediterranean cruises.
Marseille is a city in southern France, the prefecture of the Bouches-du-Rhône department and of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Situated in Provence, it marks the eastern end of the Côte Bleue on the Mediterranean coast. Marseille is the second-most populous city proper in France, after Paris, with 886,040 inhabitants in 2023 over a municipal territory of 241 km2 (93 sq mi). Together with its suburbs and exurbs, the Marseille metropolitan area, which extends over 3,972 km2 (1,534 sq mi), had a population of 1,917,728 as of 2023. The cities of Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and 90 suburban municipalities have formed since 2016 the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, an indirectly elected metropolitan authority now in charge of wider metropolitan issues, with a population of 1,939,077 as of 2023. The southeast of Marseille is in Calanques National Park, making Marseille the only large city in France to have a national park within city limits.
Read more on Wikipedia (text CC BY-SA)
Things to do in Marseille on a port day
Top-rated sights within reach of the cruise terminal. Ratings, hours and reviews from Google — check opening times before you go.
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Photo: Franck Lacuisse · via Google Maps Museum
Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations
4.4 (24,771) 1.2 km from port
Landmark sea-facing venue opened in 2013, with exhibitions on Mediterranean history & civilizations.
Near: Librairie-Boutique du Mucem (11 m) · Passerelle Fort St Jean-J4 (48 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- 5 · “Very big museum close to the old Port... It's near the water... When you come inside there is free places…” — VLAJKO PETROVIĆ
- 5 · “Other than my fabulous spot at the Parc Longchamp, this museum is my other favorite all around spot and experience…” — Claudia
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Photo: Parc national des Calanques · via Google Maps National Park
Parc national des Calanques
4.7 (21,196) 10.3 km from port
National park formed in 2012 ranging over a mountainous coastline & an adjacent marine area.
- Good for children
- Dogs allowed
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “One of the best national parks I have been to; do yourself a favor and spend the whole day here…” — Dom
- 5 · “On of the most memorable nature trips of my life. We took a boat tour from the port of Marseille…” — Sidónio Sousa
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Photo: Daniel Arcenegui Muñoz · via Google Maps Church
Marseille Cathedral
4.7 (20,763) 1.0 km from port
Huge 1800s neo-Byzantine cathedral featuring an opulent interior lined with murals, mosaic & marble.
Near: Musée de l'illusion Marseille (67 m) · Police station (136 m)
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- 5 · “⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Marseille Cathedral is an impressive masterpiece of architecture and one of the city’s most beautiful landmarks. The combination of…” — Unicorn 2000 Ltd
- 5 · “The Cathédrale de La Major is the only cathedral built in the 19th century. At that time, Marseille was flourishing…” — Peter Seno
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Photo: Yvan Perdreau · via Google Maps Park and Garden
Palais Longchamp
4.6 (20,648) 1.7 km from port
Monument from the mid-1800s with a waterfall & reservoir built to bring water to the city.
Near: Natural History Museum of Marseille (49 m) · Musée des Beaux-Arts, Marseille (70 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Saturday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Sunday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- 5 · “Great monument in Marseille... One of the main things what to see in this city... When you walk around such…” — VLAJKO PETROVIĆ
- 5 · “An experience not to be missed. The most magnificant fountain and park I ever laid eyes on. It was difficult…” — Claudia
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Garden
Port Antique
4.5 (1,384) 0.2 km from port
Compact public park with archeological remains of Roman road & Greek walls of city's ancient port.
Near: World Trade Center Marseille Provence (72 m) · Marseille History Museum (107 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
- 5 · “Good for day visit with family. Specially museum. Lots of navel learnings across centuries.” — Abhishek Singh
- 5 · “We started our walking tour with MSC Excursions here. The area was restored to remember the ancient Roman Port. The…” — Dr. Jose G. Lepervanche Valencia Global Campus
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Tourist attraction
Place d'Armes
4.6 (521) 1.1 km from port
With its village, its gardens & countless little secrets, Fort Saint-Jean is a joyful maze,
Near: Tour du Roi René (28 m) · La fontaine du Fort Saint-Jean (36 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Sunday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
- 5 · “This fort adjoining the Mucem has been redeveloped into gardens and art displays. A walk along the ramparts provides wonderful…” — Josh
- 5 · “Must see area. Spend 30 mins to have a beautiful walk along will make you feel blessed” — Ricky Chan
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Fortress
Fort de Ratonneau
4.5 (436) 5.5 km from port
Situated on the island's highest point, the ruins of this 19th-century fort offer panoramic views.
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Amazing views. Not crowded. Used the boat to come back and forth.” — Francisco Beltran-Silva
- 5 · “Nice island the boat rake around 20 min to arrive from the old port. From the port it takes like…” — Ana C. Beltran S.
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Fortress
Fort de Cavaux
4.6 (218) 7.9 km from port
Near: Calanque de la crine (369 m)
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Amazing experience, be sure to respect the nature!” — Robin van Dijk
- 5 · “It’s a fairly long hike to get there, but it’s worth it. It has a long history with even German…” — GNAL
Map of Marseille and nearby attractions
Best time to visit Marseille
Cruises to Western Mediterranean mostly sail april to October.
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Cruises calling at Marseille
Deals update daily — see all Western Mediterranean cruises.
