Marseille is a city made out of beaches, sun, and charming provincial houses. There are many beaches in Marseille, most of which reflect the stunning sunshine of the Mediterranean on their calm and turquoise waters. This city’s coastline is as diverse as its surrounding nature.
Some Marseille beaches inhabit inlets of limestone cliffs, while others snuggle the sand or pebbles of the nearby shores. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly spots or a private one where you can lounge on a long chair, this list has you covered and is sure to provide you with one (or 20!) Marseille beaches you will fall in love with.
Most Popular Beach In Marseille
Prado Beaches (Plages du Prado)
Prado beach is an area encompassing many different succession of beaches in Marseille. Every spot on this long sandy stretch is popular, primarily because of the grassy lawns demarking each one and offering soccer players and children a vast green space to enjoy.
We encourage you to walk around before settling down on one spot, as each location has a unique atmosphere. This area hosts many fun beach activities and sports, from surfing to kayaking. There’s even a skateboard park nearby. And plenty of food trucks adorn its outskirts and offer various food choices.
If you want to stay near the Prado beaches, consider staying at nhow Marseille, a short 6-minute walk from the sands and green lawn of Prado’s main beach. The hotel’s room, swimming pools, and spa offer panoramic views of the surrounding sea and mountains.
Cruises and water activities are very popular around Marseille and is another way to check out the beautiful coastal zones.
Best Beaches In Marseille for Families
Prophet’s Beach (Plage du Prophète)
Prophet’s beach is one of Marseille’s most beautiful sandy beaches, home to fine soft sands and very gentle waves, making it great for families. This one has public bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, lifeguards (during summer), and plenty of restaurants and bars.
Beach volleyball enthusiasts are not left out: volleyball tournaments are a regular occurrence, and the friendly locals will welcome you with open arms – as long as you know how to play. This Marseille beach is close to the city center and has its own bus stop, the ‘Prophet’ stop.
Since it’s located near a small hill, not many accommodations exist near Plage du Prophete, but an exception is La Luna B&B, only an 8-minute leisurely walk away from the waves. Although this is a bed and breakfast, it offers many modern-day facilities and amenities of any hotel: an infinity swimming pool, sea views, hot tubs, and small saunas.
Catalan Beach (Plage des Catalans)
This beautiful Marseille beach, known for its coastal horseshoe shape, is the go-to place for beach volleyball lovers. Because of the number of matches it regularly hosts, a first-aid station has been created on its outskirts, adding to the many facilities of the area: snack bars, kiosks, and beach huts, to name a few.
A lovely view of the Frioul islands highlights the overall pleasant atmosphere, and for fans of fun facts and literature: this beach appears in the third chapter of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Les Bords De Mer offers a unique stay near Marseille’s beaches for those who love the sea. The hotel is so close to it that it will be rare for you to gaze anywhere without meeting the sight of deep blue waves. Catalan Beach is only a short 2-minute walk from this accommodation.
L’Estaque Beach (Plage de l’Estaque)
L’Estaque comprises a succession of beaches overlooking the northern part of Marseille. Despite its proximity to the city’s tall buildings, this area offers you comfort in well-maintained surroundings snuggled by quiet, clean, and shallow waters.
The three main Marseille beaches to check out are popularly frequented by young families: The Plage de Sable de La Lave, La Plage de la Batterie, and La Plage du Fortin – the last one being a pebbled beach, so it tends to be less busy.
If you plan on visiting Marseille beaches with a big group or family, consider staying at Marseille-Au-Bord-de-L’eau, a magnificent villa in the middle of L’Estaque. Its large terrace and garden offer a view of the surrounding city and port, and the accommodation is well linked to public transport, making it perfect for exploring the rest of the city.
Pointe Rouge Beach (Plage de la Pointé Rouge)
You’ll find Marseille’s largest continuous sandy beach near a port of the same name, sitting on the edge of many restaurants, pubs, and bars. This one isn’t for those seeking peace and quiet as it is jam-packed all day long.
Crowds keep coming back due to the many activities available in the area: surfing, kayaking, and sailing, to name a few. Plenty of shallow-water regions on this Marseille beach make it perfect for families with small children.
A 5 minutes walk from Pointe Rouge beach, Hôtel Le Mistral has the best location in the area as it is also well connected to the Calanques surrounding Marseille by bus. With great views of its surroundings, this accommodation is perfect for those who want a hassle-free stay with an in-sight bar to return to after sightseeing.
Best Beaches In Marseille That Are Less Touristic
Malmousque Beaches (Plage de Maldormè – Anse de Malmousque)
Malmousque is a lovely neighborhood in Marseille that transports you to glimpses of what the city used to look like: waterfront pastel-colored provencal houses surrounding little port nooks. Locals flock to the rock coves hanging on the sea banks and create their own little Marseille Beaches.
The most popular spot is the Anse de Malmousque. But small pebbled beaches exist, too: we recommend checking out Maldormé Beach, a small creek in the area accessible via stairs.
If you want to see what the Malmousque neighborhood has to offer while staying near its beautiful Marseille beaches, consider staying at Le Rhul, a beachfront resort directly overlooking the turquoise waters of the area. Most rooms have sea views, and the hotel’s restaurant is very popular with the locals.
Anse de la Maronaise Beach (Plage De La Maronaise)
This relatively small area tends to get very crowded during peak hours, even though it is not well known by tourists. This Marseille beach also offers a different atmosphere than the city: dotted with shrubs and rocks, it feels more wild and natural. It provides the perfect haven for scuba divers and florist enthusiasts as it is home to the wreck of the ‘Mahonne” boat, plenty of fish life, and rare flowering species.
The remoteness of Anse de la Maronaise means that there aren’t many accommodations nearby. Consider staying at Château Beaupin Chambres et Suites instead, as it is a popular starting point for hikes in the area. The property is set in a 19th-century French castle overlooking the beaches of Marseille.
Anse des Sablettes Beach & Phoceens Beach (Plage de l’Anse des Sablettes & Plage Des Phocéens)
The spots of Anse des Sablettes and Phoceens are located 8 minutes from one another and are mirror copies of each other, so we’re grouping them. These little-known beaches in Marseille sit on the city’s outskirts and are located inside high rocky cliffs, providing them with some shelter from the heat. Both are mainly frequented by locals and tend to be less crowded.
These two beaches are 11 minutes away from Château Beaupin Chambres et Suites – making it a perfect accommodation for those wishing to stay in that area.
Best Private Beaches in Marseille
Monkey Bay Restaurant Beach Marseille (Restaurant La Baie des Singes)
Taking refuge in a small alcove cut in the rocks in the heart of the Calanques National Park, la Baie Des Singes is one of the area’s best-kept secrets. This private Marseille beach belongs to a restaurant of the same name where food is prepared from fresh fish caught during the day. Sculpted rocks from the creek serve as a sunbathing area surrounded by clean and clear waters.
If you wish to stay near this private beach, consider the Charmant Cabanon aux Goudes à Marseille Avec Vue Mer. This charming holiday home is only a short 12-minute walk away from La Baie Des Singes.
The Bistrot Beach Marseille (Le Bistrot Plage)
Strolling around Corniche Kennedy, you might be surprised to find people occupying deckchairs and tables, sipping on cocktails, and enjoying the sound of waves crashing on the rocky shore.
Bistro Plage inhabits several leveled terraces and offers a private Marseille beach, neither rocky nor sandy, as the area is built on wood embedded in the surrounding rocks. It offers magnificent views of the Frioul islands and Chateau d’If. And clients of the Bistrot have unique access to the turquoise waters of the area via a small ladder.
Le Bistrot beach is near one of Marseille’s most beautiful hotels: Le Petit Nice – Passedat. This accommodation is home to a 3-star Michelin restaurant, reflecting the beauty of the surrounding sea in its culinary prowess.
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The Best Beach in Iles Frioul, Marseille
St-Esteve Calanque Beach (Plage de la Calanque St Estève)
The Frioul islands tend to serve as a backdrop to the best beaches in Marseille. But this archipelago of exceptional flora is home to many beautiful beach alcoves of its own. Our favorite one is the Saint Esteve beach as it is the most accessible: only a 20-minute walk from the harbor and the only one attended by a lifeguard during summer.
This beach is suitable for all tastes as it is half-pebble and half-sand, sheltered from the wind, and its waters are shallow and turquoise blue.
While Frioul island doesn’t have any hotels on-site, staying at a hotel near the Marseille port will bring you closer to the island and allow you to visit the surrounding area easily. Consider staying at Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites, which directly overlooks the old port.
The Best Beaches Near Marseille
St Croix Beach (Plage de St Croix)
The North-west of Marseille offers beachgoers the opportunity to frequent diverse types of beach lands such as this one, whose vast sands are also home to plenty of pine trees. Plage de Saint-Croix is one of the only sandy beaches in the area, making it more crowded, and its shallow bay is suitable for sun-seekers of all ages.
Appartements et chambres des Joncas is a 30 minutes walk away from Plage de St Croix, but it’s also close to other smaller beaches like Anse de la Couronne Vieille. This cozy property provides its guests with an on-site bar, restaurant, and shared lounge. Sports-lovers also have the opportunity to make use of their tennis court and bicycles.
Verdon Beach (Plage Du Verdon)
Verdon beach is a large family-friendly Marseille beach that is equipped with all the modern facilities that make a trip comfortable: first-aid post, showers, and sanitary facilities. It is also one of the few wheelchair-accessible beaches as it has amphibious and beach wheelchairs that can be rented.
Although it’s close to many shops and restaurants, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nature, far away from the city.
If you want to stay in this trendy area, consider Le Pescadou, a popular aparthotel with all the facilities you could ask for: a restaurant, bar, terrace, garden, and a shared lounge. It’s also conveniently located 2 minutes away from plage du Verdon.
La Dugue Beach (Plage De La Dugue)
La Dugue beach is a bit outside Marseille but remains easily accessible thanks to the city’s many transportation systems. This little harbor can be found through a narrow walkway that will lead you to a beach that has both a sandy and pebbled area. The spot is known for its sea urchins, so make sure to wear the appropriate foot apparel.
The surrounding area of plage de la Dugue is mainly dotted with provincial residential homes. Les Terrasses des Anthenors is an exceptional cozy Bed & Breakfast. This accommodation is located on a small hill overlooking the sea, allowing guests to enjoy everything the surrounding nature offers: from leisurely hikes to clear-water snorkeling.
Calanque de l’Éverine Beach (Calanque de l’Éverine)
This magnificent creek is only accessible through a 40 minutes walk that borders the seaside. Calanque de L’Everine is relatively unknown compared to other Calanques. Since it takes a bit of time to reach it, the reward is a quiet and, most often than not, empty excellent beach spot nestled between cliffs and covered in alabaster pebbles.
Although Calanque De L’Everine is remote, you can easily access its main hiking routes through this property. It is located a 2-minute walk away from another famous nearby rocky inlet: Calanque de Figuières.
Pointe de Figuerolles Beach (Pointe de Figuerolles)
Along the coast of Niolon, a small cove is accessible through a viaduct that hides a Marseille beach with sparkling waters, pebbles, and magnificent city views. This tranquil narrow stretch tends to be mainly visited by locals and the occasional boat owner. Note that it isn’t very suitable for young families as the hike to reach it is a bit steep.
To continue with the atmosphere of tranquility provided by Pointe de Figuerolles, consider staying at Les Nuits d’été Niolon: a relaxing bed and breakfast sitting on the outskirts of the beach. You’ll enjoy a slower pace of life with proximity to everything the region offers.
The Best Beaches In Marseille For Nature Lovers
Calanques National Park (Parc National des Calanques)
The Calanque National Park offers lovers of nature opportunities to take part in hikes and swim or lounge near some of the most beautiful beaches in France. Heavenly landscapes await: massive limestone and mountainous dolomite formations dotted by trees give way to stunning access to the sea and wild-looking coves.
There are many Calanques in this park, some of which are home to the best beaches in Marseille.
Our top 3 Calanques Beaches near Marseille:
- Calanque de Sormiou
- Calanque de Marseilleveyre
- Calanque de Sormiou
Although the Calanques National Park doesn’t have any hotels on its premise, Hôtel 96 is located right on its doorstep. It’s the perfect accommodation for you if you plan on exploring the area. in a 19th-century house equipped with a pool, garden, and a sauna you can enjoy after a day of hikes and swimming.
The Best Small Town Beaches Near Marseille
Cassis Beaches
Cassis is just a stone’s throw away from Marseille’s beaches but offers an entirely different atmosphere to the bustling city. Here, relaxation and romance reign. This small port village provides its visitors with astounding views of gorges, cliffs, and coves. Cassis looks and feels like a dream and hosts plenty of small beaches, most of which are perfect for snorkeling.
Our top 3 favorites Cassis Beaches near Marseille:
- Beach of the Bestouan (Plage du Bestouan)
- Beach of La Grande Mer (Plage de La Grande Mer)
- Beach of L’Anse de l’Arène (Anse de L’Arene)
Hôtel Les Roches Blanches Cassis is a short 10-minute walk to the city center. This 5-start resort is located a few minutes from several beaches in the area, and you can even reach the Calanque National Park from it, on the opposite side of town.
Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer Beaches
Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer is known for its idyllic Provençal character as vineyards and pine forests surround it. Marseille’s beach-lovers locals who like to spend their weekends and summer holidays frequent this seaside town. The beaches here are almost all blue-flag certified, ensuring the quality of bathing waters.
Our top 3 Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer beaches near Marseille:
- La Reinette Beach (La plage de la Reinette)
- Beach of the Lecques (Les Lecques)
- The beach of la Madrague (La Madrague)
Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer is more than worthy of consideration for a short trip as it takes you far from the hustle and bustle of Marseille but is still close to the city. Consider staying at Au Tapis de Sable, a property decorated in Mediterranean colors, only 1 minute away from some of the most beautiful beaches.
La Ciotat Beaches
La Ciotat is best known for calling itself the “cradle of cinema”: this is where the Lumière Brothers made their first movie. Its beaches also have plenty to boost and can stand proudly next to Marseille beaches: this coastal town was voted as having the world’s most beautiful bay in 2019.
Its beaches are part of a cove known as the Gulf of Love, an evocative name for a place that well reflects it.
Our top 3 La Ciotat beaches near Marseille:
- Beach of the Capucins (La Plage des Capucins)
- Grande Plage beach (La Grande Plage)
- Petit Mugel Cove (Anse du Petit Mugel)
There are a handful of great accommodation options in La Ciotat but none can compare to Appart’hôtel A Deux Pas de l’Eau. It is located right in the heart of La Ciotat, close to all its beaches.
Enjoying The Best Beaches In Marseille
Marseille is a beach lover’s paradise, and its coastline will satisfy everyone’s taste. The city center has several great beaches, while its suburbs offer wilder and more secluded options.
These are just some of the best Marseille beaches In France to visit. Note that it’s not uncommon for French people to bathe nude, so come prepared! We also recommend equipping yourself with the correct foot apparel, especially if you plan to sunbathe or explore more rocky or pebbled beaches.
