Season guide · Marseille · France
Marseille in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Florent Chabaud, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Mild and sunny with excellent hiking in the Calanques; the mistral can be strong and the sea is still cold. Expect highs up to 23°C (73°F) and lows around 6°C (43°F), with about 15 rainy days across March–May. May is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 6°C (43°F) to 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 15
- Sea
- 13°C (55°F) to 17°C (63°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 16°C (61°F) | 6°C (43°F) | 4 | 11.8 h | 2/5 |
| April | 19°C (66°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 6 | 13.4 h | 3/5 |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 13°C (55°F) | 5 | 14.7 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 19°C (66°F) against a yearly 20°C (68°F), and 15 of the year's roughly 53 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
Make the most of the weather
Religious site · Vieux-Port
Notre-Dame de la Garde
The neo-Byzantine basilica on a 149-metre limestone hill is crowned by a gilded statue of the Virgin and Child, known to locals as la Bonne Mère.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
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
Day trips in spring
- Cassis (About 30 minutes by train or bus) — A small fishing port backed by the Cap Canaille, one of the highest sea cliffs in France, with pastel houses, cafés and its own white wine.
- Aix-en-Provence (About 35 minutes by express coach) — The elegant university town of Cézanne has plane-tree-lined Cours Mirabeau, dozens of fountains, 17th- and 18th-century mansions and excellent morning markets.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Marseille?
Yes: May is among the best months. Mild and sunny with excellent hiking in the Calanques; the mistral can be strong and the sea is still cold.
+What is the weather like in Marseille in spring?
Highs of up to 23°C (73°F) and lows around 6°C (43°F), with about 15 rainy days over the season.