Beaches · Marseille · France
The best beaches in and near Marseille
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
The best-known beach is Plages du Prado (About 20 minutes by bus from the Vieux-Port). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in June–September.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
- Swimming season
- June–September
- Warmest sea
- 23°C (73°F)
The beaches
About 20 minutes by bus from the Vieux-Port · Families and sports
1.Plages du Prado
A long stretch of pebble and sand beaches with lawns, lifeguards in summer and space for ball games; the main city beach.
About 15 minutes' walk from the Vieux-Port · Quick swims from the centre
2.Plage des Catalans
A small sandy beach just west of the Vieux-Port, popular with locals for an after-work swim and beach volleyball.
About 15 minutes by bus along the Corniche · Young children
3.Plage du Prophète
A sheltered sandy cove on the Corniche with calm water and a small beach café, popular with families.
About 30 minutes by bus or summer boat shuttle · Water sports and sunsets
4.Plage de la Pointe Rouge
A sandy beach by a marina in the south of the city, with water-sports schools and beach bars.
About 45 minutes by bus and footpath from the centre · Hikers and swimmers
5.Calanque de Sormiou
The largest of the Marseille calanques, with a pebble beach, turquoise water and a small fishing hamlet; road access is restricted in summer, so most visitors hike in.
About 1 hour by bus and footpath from the centre · Fit walkers and snorkelling
6.Calanque de Sugiton
A narrow inlet with rocky platforms and clear water, reached by a steep trail from the Luminy university campus.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13°C (55°F) | 12°C (54°F) |
| February | 13°C (55°F) | 13°C (55°F) |
| March | 13°C (55°F) | 16°C (61°F) |
| April | 14°C (57°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 23°C (73°F) |
| June | 21°C (70°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| July | 23°C (73°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| August | 23°C (73°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| September | 21°C (70°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| October | 19°C (66°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| November | 16°C (61°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| December | 14°C (57°F) | 12°C (54°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and beach
Endoume and Vallon des Auffes
West of the Vieux-Port along the Corniche, Endoume is a quiet residential area of villas and small apartment blocks above the sea. The Vallon des Auffes fishing harbour sits under a road bridge with traditional pointu boats and seafood restaurants, and locals swim from the rocks at Malmousque. Buses run along the Corniche to the centre.
- Good
- Sea views and swimming spots; Calm, local atmosphere; Some of the city's best seafood restaurants
- Watch out
- Bus-dependent for sightseeing; Limited hotel choice
- Nearby
- Vallon des Auffes, Malmousque, Corniche Kennedy, Plage des Catalans
Getting to the beaches
- Metro — Line M1 runs from Gare Saint-Charles to the Vieux-Port and Castellane, while line M2 runs from La Joliette through Gare Saint-Charles and Noailles to Castellane and Rond-Point du Prado.
- Tram — Trams T2 and T3 run along Rue de la République between the Vieux-Port area and La Joliette and Arenc, convenient for the MuCEM and the Terrasses du Port.
- Bus — Buses reach most places the metro does not: line 60 to Notre-Dame de la Garde, Corniche routes to the Vallon des Auffes and the Prado beaches, and lines 19 and 20 towards Les Goudes and Callelongue.
- Ferry — A small ferry crosses the Vieux-Port between the two quays, and summer RTM boat shuttles link the Vieux-Port with L'Estaque and Pointe Rouge.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in June–September. The busiest of those is July, so book early.
Beach safety
Bag snatching and pickpocketing are common around Gare Saint-Charles, the Canebière, the Vieux-Port and on the metro, so keep phones and bags secure. In the Calanques, summer heat and fire-risk closures are the main concerns: start early, carry water and check the daily access map; the mistral can also make the sea rough. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Marseille have beaches?
Yes: Plages du Prado, Plage des Catalans, Plage du Prophète, Plage de la Pointe Rouge, Calanque de Sormiou and Calanque de Sugiton.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Marseille?
Usually June–September, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Marseille?
Plages du Prado: A long stretch of pebble and sand beaches with lawns, lifeguards in summer and space for ball games; the main city beach.