What are the nearest attractions to Old Port of Marseille (Vieux Port)?

Attractions near Old Port of Marseille (Vieux Port): Chateau d'If Maritime and Commercial Museum of Marseille (Musée de la Marine et de l'Economie de Marseille) Marseille History Museum (Musee d'Histoire)

What else should I know about attractions in Marseille?

As well as visiting the Old Port of Marseille (Vieux Port), check out these trip ideas to make the most of your visit: How to Spend 2 Days in Marseille How to Spend 1 Day in Marseille How to Spend 3 Days in Marseille

Old Port of Marseille (Vieux Port), - What To Know BEFORE You Go

Old Port of Marseille (Vieux Port)

Once the city’s commercial maritime hub, the Old Port of Marseille (Vieux Port) has been in use since antiquity and is now used by yachts, fishing craft, and pleasure boats. The picturesque and vibrant quays are the setting for fish markets and historical buildings, as well as cafés and restaurants that specialize in fresh-from-the-boat seafood.

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Quai du Port, Marseille, 13002

The Basics

To understand Marseille’s maritime heritage, a visit to this bustling port is a must. It is, after all, the nucleus from which the city grew. Biking and walking tours of Marseille—both guided and self-guided—include jaunts around the atmospheric Vieux Port, stopping at attractions such as the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (MuCEM) and the twin forts of Fort Saint-Jean and Fort Saint-Nicolas, which were built to guard the port.

The port area also features on street art tours of Marseille, which explore the mural and graffiti-adorned streets of nearby neighborhoods such as Cours Julien. Sightseeing boat tours and ferries also depart from the Vieux Port.

Things to Know Before You Go

Marseille Vieux Port is a must for sightseers and foodies.
Come hungry: There are lots of waterfront restaurants where you can dine onbouillabaisse (fish stew) and enjoy views of the boats coming and going from the harbor.
Many of the port’s attractions, including MuCEM and Fort Saint-Jean, are wheelchair accessible.

Trip ideas

How to Spend 3 Days in Marseille

How to Spend 1 Day in Marseille

One day in the city gives you chance to tick off several top attractions and spend some time at sea. Here’s how.

Provence Tours from Marseille

With the hidden coves, medieval villages, and rolling vineyards of Provence within easy reach, Marseille makes a great base from which to discover the best of southern France. Check out these options for exploring Provence from Marseille.

How to Spend 2 Days in Marseille

Food and Wine in Marseille

The typical order of the day: ultra-fresh seafood paired with a chilled glass of pastis. These are our top picks on what to savor in Marseille.

When to Get There

With such an abundance of sunshine—more than 300 days per year—there are few bad times to visit Marseille. The same goes for the Vieux Port, though the area is busiest during July and August. If you want to go to the port’s fish market, get there early; the market runs from around 8am–1pm.

Marseille Vieux Port Fish Market

Held daily on Quai des Belges, this fish market is a local institution, with many Marseille restaurateurs coming here to source seafood for their kitchens. Availability changes depending on what the ocean provides, but bream, mussels, and red mullet are often on offer. If you want to buy some fish, have the fishmongers clean and fillet your chosen catch so it’s ready to cook.

Old Port of Marseille (Vieux Port)

The Basics

Things to Know Before You Go

How to Get There

Trip ideas

How to Spend 3 Days in Marseille

How to Spend 1 Day in Marseille

Provence Tours from Marseille

How to Spend 2 Days in Marseille

Food and Wine in Marseille

When to Get There

Marseille Vieux Port Fish Market

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