Season guide · Marseille · France
Marseille in summer
June–August: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Hot, dry and crowded, with warm sea, festivals and evening life on the quays; Calanques access depends on daily fire risk. Expect highs up to 30°C (86°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F), with about 8 rainy days across June–August. June is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- June–August
- Temperatures
- 16°C (61°F) to 30°C (86°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 8
- Sea
- 21°C (70°F) to 23°C (73°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in summer
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 27°C (81°F) | 16°C (61°F) | 3 | 15.4 h | 4/5 |
| July | 30°C (86°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 2 | 15.1 h | 5/5 |
| August | 30°C (86°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 3 | 13.9 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 29°C (84°F) against a yearly 20°C (68°F), and 8 of the year's roughly 53 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 5/5 and hotel prices 5/5 on average.
What's on in summer
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- June: Fête de la Musique — free street concerts (21 June)
- June: Festival de Marseille — dance and performing arts (usually June to July)
- July: Bastille Day fireworks over the Vieux-Port (14 July)
- July: Mondial La Marseillaise à pétanque — giant pétanque tournament (usually early July)
Make the most of the weather
Nature · Southern Marseille
Calanques National Park
Start hikes early, carry at least two litres of water per person and wear proper shoes; the limestone paths are steep and slippery.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Cost
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Active
- Views
- Free
- Photo spot
Castle · Frioul archipelago
Château d'If
Built in the 1520s on a tiny island off the harbour, this fortress later became a state prison and was made famous by Alexandre Dumas's The Count of Monte Cristo.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours including the boat
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Views
- Iconic
Island · Frioul archipelago
Frioul islands
Bring water, sun protection and snorkelling gear; there is almost no shade, and the coves on Ratonneau are calmer than the open coast.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
Street · Endoume and Vallon des Auffes
Corniche Kennedy
The seafront road runs from the Plage des Catalans to the Prado beaches, with views of the Frioul islands and the Château d'If.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Couples
Beach · Prado and the beaches
Plages du Prado and Parc Borély
Go on a weekday morning in summer; weekend afternoons are very crowded and parking is difficult.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
Day trips in summer
- 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.
- Avignon (About 35 minutes by TGV) — Avignon was the seat of the popes in the 14th century, and the vast Gothic Palais des Papes and the half-ruined Pont Saint-Bénezet still dominate the walled city.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is summer a good time to visit Marseille?
Yes: June is among the best months. Hot, dry and crowded, with warm sea, festivals and evening life on the quays; Calanques access depends on daily fire risk.
+What is the weather like in Marseille in summer?
Highs of up to 30°C (86°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F), with about 8 rainy days over the season.