Travel tips · Marseille · France
Marseille travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Earth777, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Marseille is a port city shaped by waves of arrivals from Italy, Armenia, North Africa, the Comoros and beyond, and that mix shows in its markets, food and music. Locals are informal, outspoken and fiercely loyal to their football club, Olympique de Marseille. Life moves outdoors: pétanque in the squares, swimming off the rocks and long evenings on terraces.
Key facts
- Language
- French
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- Type C and E sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink; carry plenty when hiking, as there are no…
- Emergency
- 112 (European emergency number)
Things to know
- Greet shopkeepers and waiters with 'Bonjour' before asking anything.
- Football matters here; avoid mocking Olympique de Marseille in company.
- Cover up when leaving the beach; swimwear is not worn in shops, churches or restaurants in town.
- In the Calanques, take all rubbish away with you and stay on marked paths.
- Pétanque games in squares are serious; watch from a respectful distance unless invited.
- Book Calanques National Park ahead: From June to September access to the massifs depends on daily fire risk, and the path to Sugiton has required a free online reservation in peak summer; check the park website the day before.
- Many sights are free: Notre-Dame de la Garde, La Major, the Fort Saint-Jean gardens, the Calanques trails and the Vieux-Port ferry views.
Tipping
Service is included in restaurant prices by law. Leaving small change or a euro or two for good service is common; up to about 5–10% is generous in upmarket restaurants.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bonjour | Hello / good day |
| Un pastis, s'il vous plaît | A pastis, please |
| L'addition, s'il vous plaît | The bill, please |
| Peuchère | Poor thing / what a pity (local expression) |
| Fada | Crazy (Marseille slang) |
What to wear
Dress is relaxed and casual, but bring proper walking shoes for the Calanques and a windproof layer for mistral days.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and E sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink; carry plenty when hiking, as there are no fountains in the Calanques.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- Mobile coverage is good in the city but patchy deep in the Calanques; EU roaming applies to European SIMs, and eSIMs work well for other visitors.
- Time zone
- Europe/Paris
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.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check France's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Marseille?
Service is included in restaurant prices by law. Leaving small change or a euro or two for good service is common; up to about 5–10% is generous in upmarket restaurants.
+Can you drink the tap water in Marseille?
Tap water is safe to drink; carry plenty when hiking, as there are no fountains in the Calanques.
+What plugs are used in Marseille?
Type C and E sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Marseille?
French.