Where to stay in Marseille [Best Places to Stay for 2024]

Nestled along the coastline of Provence, Marseille is the second largest city in France. From the old port area to the Basilica Notre Dame to the surrounding beaches, there are tons of fun things to do in Marseille.

Map of Marseille & Locations of the best areas to stay

The most difficult part of your trip may be deciding what to do and where to stay in Marseille France. With our guide to the best Marseille neighborhoods, you can find the best places in Marseille, and for each neighborhood, the best hotels in Marseille France for every budget.

We will cover off all types of Marseille accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Marseille hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Marseille 2024.

❤️ Best Area first timersMarseille city centre
💸 Best Luxury HotelInterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu
👪 Best Hotel for For FamiliesBoutique Hôtel Azur
🏨 Best Mid-Range HotelMercure Marseille Canebière Vieux-Port
🛏️ Best Budget Hotelibis budget Marseille L’Estaque
✨ Best HostelHostel Vertigo Vieux-Port

This guide shows off the best Marseille hotels, best places in Marseille to visit, the best places to stay in Marseille, hotels near Marseille attractions, Marseille neighborhood guide and many more.

Wondering what area to stay in Marseille? Below are 8 of the best neighborhoods in Marseille to help you make the right decision when trying to work out best areas to stay in Marseille for you. We have tried to make the guide as easy to follow as possible.

We have also included some things to do or places to visit as well as some eatery suggestions of either our favourite places or some funky places to eat at within the areas in Marseille so you can use this as a go to guide.

Arriving early into Marseille? Check out this option for Luggage storage in Marseille  so you can enjoy Marseille without having to lug your luggage around with you!

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City Centre – Where to stay in Marseille for tourists

The heart of Marseille is the city centre, which is the best place to stay in Marseille for tourists looking for nightlife and evening activity.

The city centre has the largest concentration of Marseille hotels and restaurants, which is why it’s so popular for visitors. This also happens to be the location of the Marseille Vieux Port, or the Old Port of Marseille.

Don’t miss La Canebière, the high street of Marseille which runs through the city centre.

The city centre also has easy access to the Metro, making it easy to visit other parts of Marseille, or even plan day trips from Marseille to other cities along the Cote d’Azur.

Map of City Centre of Marseille

Best places to stay in Marseille city centre

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Marseille city centre

Budget accommodation in Marseille city centre

Mid range accommodation in Marseille city centre

Family Friendly accommodation in Marseille city centre

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Marseille city centre

Aerial view of historical city center of Marseilles and Montee de la bonne Mere, France

Le Panier – Where to stay in Marseille for foodies

The original Marseille neighborhood, Le Panier Marseille means “ the basket” and it is the center of the old city.

Originally a fishing village, this area retains a small town charm with winding cobblestone streets, quaint squares lined with cafes and a diverse population of immigrants.

This neighborhood has many historic churches and attractions, including the Hôtel-Dieu, Saint-Laurent church, and the Vieille Charité.

Marche de la Joliette is one of the best markets in Marseille or head to the new shopping mall Les Terraces du Port. A self-guided walking tour is a perfect way to explore Le Panier.

Le Panier is best area to stay in Marseille for foodies, with the amazing markets and small eateries righ at your doorstep.

Map of Le Panier

Best places to stay in Le Panier

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Le Panier

Budget accommodation in Le Panier

Mid range accommodation in Le Panier

Family Friendly accommodation in Le Panier

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Le Panier

Marseille France.A street scene in the old town La Panier in Marseille in France

Cinq Avenues – Where to stay in Marseille with family

For an upper-class neighborhood near the city centre, consider Cinq Avenues, which comprises the 1st and 4th arrondissement.

With quieter Marseille accommodation options, this is a very family-friendly area of Marseille. The main highlight of this area is the Palais Longchamp.

In addition to a beautiful park and monument, Palais Longchamp houses several museums including the Natural History Museum and the Fine Arts Museum, as well as a botanical garden and observatory.

This could be considered the safest area to stay in Marseille, but usual precautions should be taken as with any large city. The Cinq-Avenues-Longchamp Metro station offers easy access to other parts of Marseille.

Map of Cinq Avenues

Best places to stay in Cinq Avenues

Budget accommodation in Cinq Avenues

Mid range accommodation in Cinq Avenues

Family Friendly accommodation in Cinq Avenues

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - Beginning of the great and famous avenue of La Canebiere from the old port of Marseille

Cours Julien – Where to stay near Marseille for nightlife

The neighborhood Cours Julien is one of the younger areas of Marseille, attracting a diverse crowd of artists, students, and musicians. Making it the best places to stay in Marseille France for nightlife.

In addition to budget-friendly accommodation options, Cours Julien has a vibrant art scene that includes some of the best street art in Marseille.

Many locals and tourists congregate at open-air cafes, and Place Jean Jaurès is the nightlife hub of Cours Julien .

Cours Julien is the best area for tourists looking to enjoy live music, art, and an overall alternative scene.

Map of Cours Julien

Best places to stay in Cours Julien

Budget accommodation in Cours Julien

Mid range accommodation in Cours Julien

Family Friendly accommodation in Cours Julien

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Cours Julien

bend streets in the old port part of marseille france

Le Roucas-Blanc – Where to stay in Marseille for hot springs

This swanky district of Marseille translates as White Rock, as it’s built atop a white rock outcrop near the Vieux Port.

Tourism initially came here for the hot springs baths, which are now contained at the Sofitel Palm Beach hotel.

The hilltop location of Le Roucas-Blanc offers stunning views of the surrounding area, so even if you don’t stay here, plan to have dinner at one of the lovely restaurant terraces.

La Corniche is a beautiful roadway along the sea and is the perfect spot for an after-dinner stroll.

Looking Marseille hotels near beach? Le Roucas-Blanc is your best option!

Map of Roucas-Blanc

Best places to stay in Le Roucas-Blanc

Budget accommodation in Le Roucas-Blanc

Mid range accommodation in Le Roucas-Blanc

Family Friendly accommodation in Le Roucas-Blanc

Affordable Luxury accommodation in Le Roucas-Blanc

That beach is located between "La Pointe Rouge" and "Le Roucas Blanc"

L’Estaque – Where to stay in Marseille on a budget

For a taste what Marseille was like before tourism, head to L’Estaque. This serene port village is just 15-20 minutes northwest of Marseille city but offers an entirely different experience.

The fishing port is also a hub for artists and beach-goers. The Plages de Corbiere comprises three urban beaches that are popular even with travelers staying in Marseille.

The village has many cafes and restaurants, and overall offers a very relaxing alternative to the busy city of Marseille.

Wondering where to stay outside Marseille? L’Estaque is perfect because it’s not too far out and close to the beach!

Map of L'estaque

Best places to stay in L’Estaque

Budget accommodation in L’Estaque

Mid range accommodation in L’Estaque

Family Friendly accommodation in L’Estaque

L'Estaque, Marseille, France -  view of a carousel at Mistral Park

Château-Gombert – Where to stay near Marseille for relaxation

Another quiet alternative to the chaos of central hotels in Marseille is the area of Château-Gombert.

The castle that gave the neighborhood the name is long gone but in its place remains a quaint area that feels like a separate village.

Narrow cobblestone alleyways lead to hidden treasures, like the Saint-Mathieu Church, the Terroir Museum, and WWI and WWII museums. Interestingly, Château-Gombert is also home to the technopole, a large campus of over 100 companies, universities, and laboratories.

Map of Chateau-Gombert

Best places to stay in Château-Gombert

Budget accommodation in Château-Gombert

Mid range accommodation in Château-Gombert

Family Friendly accommodation in Château-Gombert

The old stairway in the historic quarter Panier of Marseille in South France at night

La Madrague – Where to stay near Marseille for nature lovers

This port city and resort area south of Marseille is the perfect area for travelers looking to spend time in nature.

La Madrague sits on the edge of the Calanques National Park which includes protected coastlines, coves and mountainous areas perfect for hiking. Besides hiking, Pointe Rouge Beach is another major draw of La Madrague.

This beach is very popular as it offers a number of beachside cafes and bars, not to mention a daily fish market each morning. The nearby marina and yacht club has jet ski and boat rentals.

Map of La Madrague

Best places to stay in La Madrague

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in La Madrague

Budget accommodation in La Madrague

Mid range accommodation in La Madrague

Family Friendly accommodation in La Madrague

Stunning view from the hiking trail with Calanques D'En Vau bay, Calanques National Park, Cassis, Bouches-du-Rhone, South France, Europe

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Author

  • Samantha King

    Sam, a seasoned traveler across four continents and 49 countries, is a leading authority in travel planning. Her website, Travelling King, offers tailored itineraries and expert guides for seamless trips. Sam's expertise in luxury travel, fast travel, and destination guides keeps her at the forefront of the travel community.

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