Marseille Walks by Effort Level
Marseille Walks by Effort Level
Marseille is a city of stairs, and the walks here fall into three effort levels. Pick the one that matches your legs and your shoes.
Easy: the harbour and the fort
The Vieux-Port quays and the MuCEM footbridge are the gentlest walk in town. The 115-metre bridge rises 20 metres above the sea to the J4 terrace, and the Fort Saint-Jean grounds, ramparts and the garden of migrations are free. The little ferry-boat across the harbour costs €0.50 and is free with an RTM pass. Allow an hour or two with coffee.
Moderate: Le Panier, Cours Julien and the Corniche
Le Panier is about 2.5 km and two hours. Start at the Town Hall, climb the Montée des Accoules, pass Rue du Panier and Place de Lenche, visit La Vieille Charité with its domed chapel by Pierre Puget, and descend past the Major to the MuCEM.
The Corniche walk is about 4 km and takes 2.5 hours. Start at the Abbaye Saint-Victor, pass the Plage des Catalans and follow the Corniche Kennedy with its near-3 km concrete bench. A stone stairway leads down to the Vallon des Auffes, and the route continues past Malmousque to the Prado beaches. The fire-risk map covers the massifs only, so the Corniche stays open on red days.
Cours Julien and La Plaine are 2 km and 1.5 hours. Take metro M2 to Notre-Dame du Mont, climb the rainbow stairs of rue Estelle and wander Rue Pastoret and Rue Vian.
Hard: the hill and the Calanques
The direct climb to Notre-Dame de la Garde takes about 25 minutes and is steep, but entry is free. Bus 60 from the Vieux-Port is the easy way up.
The Calanques are the real effort. Limestone paths are polished and slick, so wear sturdy hiking shoes, not flip-flops. Carry 2 to 3 litres of water per person, since there is no drinking water, shade or bins. From 1 June to 30 September, check the prefecture map each evening for the next day, because on red days land access is forbidden. Sugiton and Pierres Tombées also need a free online reservation on busy summer dates, with 400 people a day and up to 5 per booking. The Calanques National Park site has the rules, and the Cassis tourist office has trail details for the Port-Miou and Port-Pin side.
Guided and self-guided
All three city routes work without a guide and cost nothing. For a local commentary, compare Marseille walking tours on GetYourGuide . The Marseille tourist office sells maps and lists current guided walks.
Street sense
Keep phones and wallets zipped away in crowded places such as Saint-Charles, the Vieux-Port quays and metro transfers. The sightseeing page covers what to do with the free hours between walks.
Tip: do the hard walk first thing in the morning and finish with the easy harbour stroll at sunset.