Free Things to Do in Marseille: Our Picks

Marseille has a reputation for being an expensive city to visit because of its best-known paid attractions, but a good chunk of what it does best doesn't cost a thing. Here's our pick.

Heritage and architecture, no entry fee

The MuCEM is the best example: its outdoor promenade and suspended footbridge over Fort Saint-Jean, with a stunning view over the sea and the Old Port, are entirely free to access, only the exhibitions inside being paid. La Vieille Charite, a former baroque almshouse in Le Panier, is also free to visit in its inner courtyard, one of the neighborhood's most beautiful spots.

Nature and swimming

Walking access to the Calanques National Park is entirely free, from the easiest trail to the most technical crossing. The city's beaches (Prado, Catalans, Malmousque, and many more, see our beach guide) are also all free without exception, unlike some seaside resorts where the best patches of sand are privatized.

Wandering the neighborhoods

Le Panier, with its pastel lanes and murals, is free to discover on foot. The street art of Cours Julien, some of the richest in the city, is free to admire while wandering, and so is the Noailles market, whose atmosphere alone is worth the visit (see our dedicated article), even without buying anything.

The best free viewpoints

The forecourt of Notre-Dame de la Garde offers a 360-degree panorama over the whole city, the bay, and the Frioul islands, freely accessible on foot or by bus. The garden at the Palais du Pharo, less known to rushed visitors, gives an open view over the entrance to the Old Port and is often surprisingly quiet, even in peak season.

Museums that are free or partly free

Several municipal museums in Marseille offer free access to their permanent collections (with temporary exhibitions sometimes paid separately): this applies to several city-run museums, whose exact terms shift from time to time. It's best to check the hours and pricing for the day directly on each museum's website before heading over, as free access is sometimes limited to certain days or hours.