Your digital welcome book in Marseille

Welcome to Marseille, France's oldest city

I don't know about you, but just reading the title of this article, I can already hear the cicadas. Let's be honest: Marseille means sunshine, cicadas, the calanques and that singsong accent! So we thought we'd share our favourite little spots with you, as friends.

Explore the calanques, the beaches and the great outdoors

We'll admit it: we're starting with our favourite part. But once you've read what's in store, we defy you to disagree with us. Say the words Calanque d'En-Vau, Calanque de Port-Pin or Plage de la Pointe Rouge and what springs to mind? Breathtaking scenery? Turquoise water? Pure pleasure and lazy days? Well, you'd be absolutely right! It's fair to say the Marseille coastline is a real gem.

It's true that lounging on the beaches of some of the calanques means walking a fair way first, but honestly, once you're standing in front of scenery like that, it's all forgotten! And of course, thrill-seekers and watersports fans will find everything they could wish for too: banana boats, paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking. Last but not least, we haven't forgotten those who prefer to admire the scenery on foot. There are plenty of walking routes around Marseille. One of our favourites starts at the Calanque de Sugiton and ends at the Calanque de Morgiou. We'd also recommend the walks up to the Pointe du Belvédère or the Tour de Pomègues.

Cultural things to do

But of course Marseille isn't only beaches and calanques. We agree with you there: it has plenty more to discover. Why not pay a visit to the Mucem, the city's great museum? And an absolute must, if you're feeling brave, is to walk from the Vieux-Port up to Notre-Dame de la Garde. The view is exceptional. Poised between land and sea, it really is one of the most beautiful spots in Marseille.

Finally, if you have the time, we'd suggest heading over to Cassis, a small town 20 km from Marseille. The beaches there are idyllic too, but there's far more to it than that. Wander its steep little streets and treat yourself to an ice cream down by the harbour: it really is the best way to get to know the town. And when it comes to tasting your way around, let's not forget the markets! The fish market at the Criée is quite something: authentic, and full of the smell of freshness (fish, that is). The Prado market is less specialised, and you'll find everything you need to cook up some good holiday meals.

Local recommendations for eating out

Fancy a proper fish soup or a really good bouillabaisse? You've come to the right place. Marseille is spoilt for restaurants and you're sure to find one to suit you. The great thing is that you can escape the cliché that seaside automatically means seafood. Here you'll find every type of restaurant, each with its own speciality. There's the Miramar for lovers of seafood and shellfish. Une Table au Sud serves refined, gastronomic cooking, while La Fabrique offers a menu focused more on meat and fish. As we said: there's something for every taste!

Convinced by this article? Keen to discover it all for yourself? Go for it! And do send us your feedback on your stay and share your own local recommendations. Here at StyQR we're always curious to discover new things. On that note, we've put together a welcome book all about Marseille. Do take a look if you're after ideas!