Where to Stay in Marseille France – Choose the RIGHT Area in Marseille!
Planning a trip to Marseille, France? Then you must find the right area to stay in!
Located in the South of France and bordering the mediterranean sea, Marseille is the 2nd largest city in France with over 860,000 people. Visiting Marseille is the chance to enjoy a sunny city full of history and rich in culture that invites you to relax. The beaches, creeks, and attractions of this city of art and culture will seduce you for sure.
However, the whole city suffers wrongly from its reputation for crime and is often avoided by tourists or even locals. Indeed, only some areas aren’t safe so you just need to avoid these places.
Looking for the safest and best place where to stay in Marseille France? That’s exactly why I’ve written this guide, so you make sure to stay safe and enjoy your trip to its fullest!
Let’s find the best places to stay in Marseille, with the pros and cons of each area!
No Time to Waste? Here’s my #1 Favorite!
- Lots of restaurants
- Cultural center of the city
- Easy public transportation
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- The Best Place to Stay in Marseille France for YOU
- About the City
- THE Best Neighborhood to Stay in Marseille: Le Vieux Port (The Old Port)
- Best Neighborhood for Families: Cinq Avenues
- Best Area for Nightlife: Notre-Dame-du-Mont
- Best Neighborhood for the Beach: La Plage
- Best Area to Get Away from the Crowds: La Corniche
- Where NOT to Stay in Marseille
- FAQ About Traveling Marseille
- Other Hotels in Marseille
The Best Place to Stay in Marseille France for YOU
- ⭐️ THE Best Neighborhood in Marseille: Le Vieux Port (The Old Port)
- 👨👩👦👦 Where to Stay for Families: Cinq Avenues
- 🥂 Best Area for Nightlife: Notre-Dame-du-Mont
- 🏖 Best Location for the Beach: La Plage
- 😌 Where to Stay to Get Away from the Crowds: La Corniche
So there you have it, the answer to “Which is the best area for staying in Marseille?”. If you want more info about each area including + hotel recommendations with reviews, keep reading below!
About the City
Marseille is a big city in terms of population, but even more so when you consider its size. It spreads across twice more land than Paris. This means there are a lot of districts, and every one offers a different aspect of the city. Some are great for tranquility, others to party, while some others are great for visiting as a family or going to the beach.
But keep in mind some are not safe to visit and be sure to read the whole post as I will tell you more about them later on.
THE Best Neighborhood to Stay in Marseille: Le Vieux Port (The Old Port)
The Centre Vieux Port, is located where the Greeks first founded the city over two thousand years ago. It was and still is, the center of the city. To me, this area is the best part of Marseille to stay in, especially for first-time visitors for a few main reasons.
First of all, being located right in the center of the city, you’ll find everything here. The Marseille Vieux Port, of course, but also lots of restaurants and bars, and even though there aren’t any beaches directly in the old port, you’ll find some nearby.
This brings me to my second point: everything you won’t find in the Vieux Port will be really close, especially because a lot of public transportation goes through the district. Metro and buses will take you everywhere in the city, and you can also easily get to other cities on the French Riviera.
✅ Best Hotel in Marseille’s Le Vieux Port – Les Appartements du Vieux Port
Located right in the center of le Vieux Port, these apartments are great to enjoy Marseille city to its fullest extent. They offer a fully equipped kitchen, and you can come with your pet. Last but not least, the hotel offers an airport shuttle, so you won’t have to struggle with public transportation or a taxi once you land.
⭐️ Luxury Choice in Marseille’s Le Vieux Port – Sofitel Marseille Vieux-Port
At the Sofitel Marseille Vieux-Port, you’ll find everything you might need. The hotel offers two restaurants, a panoramic view of the sea and the port, a spa & wellness center, a fitness center… On top of that, the hotel rooms are amazing and the breakfast is great!
💰Budget Pick in Marseille’s Le Vieux Port – 2 rooms Apartment in Vieux-Port
This place is great if you’re on a tight budget, but still want to enjoy the Vieux Port. This charming little apartment is perfect when visiting as a couple. In the same street, you’ll find the oldest bakery in Marseille. I told you you’ll find everything in the Vieux Port!
Read more: Check out this post to find out more hotel options in Marseille
Best Neighborhood for Families: Cinq Avenues
The Cinq Avenues district is located in the first and fourth arrondissements, a little east of the Old Port. It’s one of the fanciest districts in Marseille, and you’ll find some of the most beautiful buildings in the city there.
Lots of them are built in a Haussmannian style, similar to what you can find in Paris. You’ll also most certainly love the Longchamps Palace, and the Fine Arts museum it hosts. But unlike Paris and most big cities for that matter, the Cinq Avenue area offers a lot of green spaces, and large streets, which makes it perfect when travelling as a family, with kids who need to run everywhere!
✅ Best Hotel to Stay in Marseille’s Cinq Avenue- Maison Pépouze
Maison Pépouze means chill house in French slang. It offers you the comfort of a hotel, with a continental breakfast in the morning and room service, but also the flexibility of an apartment, that you might need when visiting with your family. You’ll get the best of both worlds!
🔥Runner Up Pick in Marseille’s Cinq Avenue – Maison Dormoy
Just like Maison Pépouze, Maison Dormoy offers you the best of a hotel and of an apartment. The decoration of the hotel is also great. It offers more choice regarding the size of the rooms and the beds, as well as a parking lot, so it can be a great option if you’re traveling by car.
Best Area for Nightlife: Notre-Dame-du-Mont
Divided into two main areas, La Plaine and Cours Julien, are both equally fun to party. Notre Dame du Mont is without a doubt, Marseille’s best area to enjoy the nightlife. This district is located just a few hundred meters west from the Vieux Port, so it will be just as easy for you to use public transportation.
Cours Julien is the main nightlife street of the city, and there you’ll find countless bars, but also lots of street art. This means the area is full of young people, mainly artists, musicians, and of course, lots of students. Biggest parties are of course Friday and Saturday nights, but you’ll find something any day of the week.
If partying is one of your holiday purposes, don’t hesitate. Staying in Notre Dame du Mont is the best for you!
✅ Best Hotel in Notre-Dame-du-Mont – Mama Shelter Marseille
Mamma Shelter is the perfect hotel to come back to after a great party in Notre Dame du Mont. It’s located just a few hundred meters away from the Cours Julien, so you’ll be close to the nightlife, without being completely in it, if you want to take a night off. It’s also perfect to chill out during the day since it has a great lounge.
🏠 Full House (Hosts 6 person) in Notre-Dame-du-Mont – Maison Cours Julien
Another great option if you’re coming for Marseille’s nightlife, especially if you’re coming as a group, is to book a full house in Notre Dame du Mont. This way you’ll be completely free, and will easily be able to start the night right at home. This house is great for this since it’s located just one block away from Cours Julien.
💰Budget Pick in Notre-Dame-du-Mont – Appart’hôtel ESTELLE
Located less than a hundred meters away from the Cours Julien, these apartments are great if you’re on a budget, but don’t want to give up on comfort during your trip. The apartments are big enough for two people. If this is important to you, be sure to ask for a kitchen when you book!
Best Neighborhood for the Beach: La Plage
La Plage, as its name indicates, is a district with many beaches. It’s located in the southern part of Marseille, right on the coastline. You won’t be right in the center, but as always in Marseille, public transportation will get you there when you need to.
The main and most famous beach there is Les Plages du Prado. This is a huge and beautiful beach. But it’s not the only one. This part of the coastline is literally filled with beaches for you to choose from.
And if you’re coming with a car, it’s just a quick drive to the Calanques national park, where you’ll find small, but amazing beaches like you’ve never seen before!
✅ Best Hotel in Marseille’s La Plage – nhow Marseille
This place provides a wide range of services. Not only is this hotel located right on the seafront, but it also offers a swimming pool so you can choose where you’re going to chill and swim. The view is of course amazing, and you can get a cocktail at one of the hotel’s bars while admiring it.
🔥Runner Up Pick in Marseille’s La Plage – Golden Tulip Villa Massalia
Located just a few minutes away from the beach, this hotel is also a great pick. While you won’t be right on the seafront, some rooms still offer a beautiful sea view. If you’re traveling with your pet, this hotel is perfect since it will allow you to take it with you!
💰Budget Pick in Marseille’s La Plage – Aparthotel Adagio Marseille Prado Plage
This best budget hotel offers full apartments, and you can take advantage of this if you’re on a tight budget, for example by cooking for yourself instead of eating outside every night. The hotel is located just one hundred meters away from the seaside, perfect for your beach holidays!
Best Area to Get Away from the Crowds: La Corniche
Located in between the Old Port and La Plage, La Corniche is without a doubt the best place to avoid the crowds, without going way out of the city.
There aren’t as many beaches as in La Plage, so you’ll keep away from the busy seasides, and not as many restaurants, bars, and museums as in the Old Port, so you’ll be away from most touristic attractions as well.
The district gets its name from the coastal road, called Corniche John Fitzgerald Kennedy at this place. Driving along this road can be a memorable experience since you’ll be at some points just meters away from the sea.
✅ Best Hotel in Marseille’s La Corniche – Hotel Marseille Centre Bompard la Corniche
Located just a couple of hundred meters away from the coast, this is the perfect quiet hotel where to stay in Marseille. It offers comfy rooms, a swimming pool to relax in, a restaurant to taste the amazing Mediterranean food. Last but not least, you can come with your beloved pet.
⭐️ Luxury Choice in La Corniche – Le Petit Nice – Passedat
Le Petit Nice is a hotel part of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux associations. Not only that, but the hotel’s restaurant has Three Michelin Stars. So both accommodation and food are outstanding there. The hotel also offers a swimming pool, from which you’ll be able to enjoy a magnificent sea view. For more luxury accommodations in Marseille, check out this post.
💰Budget Pick in La Corniche – Cabanon de pêcheur
This fisherman’s house offers a bedroom and a sofa bed, so it’s perfect if you’re coming with up to four people. It’s located in the Northern part of the district, so you’ll also be close to the Vieux Port. you’ll get a small terrace, and of course, being a fisherman’s house, direct access to the waters.
Where NOT to Stay in Marseille
As you’ll see, Marseille is an amazing city. But some parts of the city are not safe, especially for tourists, and you don’t want to risk ruining your holidays by going there by accident.
The easiest for you is to avoid everything north of the Old Port. The 13th, 14th, 15th, and 6th districts as well as the Cité Bellevue, located in the 3rd and Cité Air Bel, located in the 11th are precisely the places you don’t want to get to, even by accident.
Everything south of the Old Port is safe, and this is where you want to be! There you won’t even think about these Northern neighborhoods, and will just focus on what’s important: enjoying your holidays!
FAQ About Traveling Marseille
How long to stay in Marseille?
If you’re visiting Marseille for the first time, 3 days is the perfect duration for your trip. You’ll have time to visit the city, some museums if you want to, and enjoy the beach. And most importantly, in 3 days you’ll have the time to try different Mediterranean dishes!
What are the safe areas in Marseille?
Every area listed in this post is safe to stay in. So you can choose from Le Vieux Port, Cinq Avenues, Notre-Dame-du-Mont, La Plage, and La Corniche. Just remember to stay South of the Old Port and you won’t have to worry about safety. And just like in most big touristic cities, beware of pickpockets in the main tourist attractions.
Where should I stay in Marseille France?
If this is your first time in Marseille, don’t hesitate and go to the Old Port. It’s the best overall area where to stay in the city. If you’re visiting with your family, Cinq Avenue is a great option. Coming for Marseille’s nightlife? Then you should book yourself a hotel in Notre-Dame-du-Mont. To enjoy the beaches at their full potential, you should choose La Plage. Finally, if you want some peace during your trip, La Corniche will be perfect for you.
Other Hotels in Marseille
Looking for more hotel options in Marseille? If yes, make sure to check out my hotel guides dedicated to Marseille, you’ll find the ideal place!
- The 23 Best Hotels in Marseille
- The Best Boutique Hotels in Marseille
- The Best Luxury Hotels in Marseille
Check out here to discover more posts about Marseille, Provence, and more widely France.
Final Thoughts
As I’ve said many times through this post, the best place to stay in Marseille is the Old Port. It’s ideally located downtown in the city and offers anything you might want. It’s the oldest part of the city and the architecture is gorgeous. There are a lot of hotels to choose from, and lots of restaurants, and you can easily get to the rest of the city with public transportation.
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