Month guide · Marseille · France
Marseille in May
What May is really like in Marseille: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Earth777, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Marseille. Expect average highs of 23°C (73°F), lows of 13°C (55°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 14.7 hours of daylight. Warm, sunny and green, with long evenings; the sea is still fresh for swimming.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 23°C (73°F) / 13°C (55°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 14.7 hours
- Sea temperature
- 17°C (63°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Marseille: days average 23°C (73°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 13°C (55°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 31 days. Compared with April (19°C (66°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 27°C (81°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 06:14
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:55
- Daylight
- About 14.7 hours
- Sea
- 17°C (63°F)
Spring (March–May). Mild and sunny with excellent hiking in the Calanques; the mistral can be strong and the sea is still cold.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Marseille, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Museum · La Joliette
MuCEM and Fort Saint-Jean
Even without a museum ticket, cross the footbridge to the fort for sunset views; the rooftop terrace has a café.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Views
- Rainy day
- History
Nature · Southern Marseille
Calanques National Park
Created in 2012, the park protects 20 km of white limestone cliffs and narrow inlets between Marseille and Cassis.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Active
- Views
- Free
- Photo spot
Castle · Frioul archipelago
Château d'If
Boats do not sail in strong mistral winds; check the forecast and keep a flexible day.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours including the boat
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Views
- Iconic
Island · Frioul archipelago
Frioul islands
Ratonneau and Pomègues, joined by a breakwater, are car-free limestone islands with small coves for swimming, coastal paths and the ruins of the 19th-century Hôpital Caroline quarantine hospital.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 23°C, lows near 13°C and 5 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Marseille?
One of the best months to visit Marseille. The other best months are June and September–October. Compare every month.
Marseille in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Marseille?
It is one of the best months to visit Marseille. Warm, sunny and green, with long evenings; the sea is still fresh for swimming.
+How warm is Marseille in May?
Average highs are around 23°C (73°F) and lows around 13°C (55°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Marseille in May?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.