Marseille Cruise Port Guide: Old Port, Forts & Basilicas

Marseille Cruise Port is one of the most popular cruise ports in the Mediterranean, welcoming over 3 million visitors each year! Located on the sunny southern coast of France, it’s also France’s oldest city and the third-largest (after Paris and Lyon).

In this guide, let me show you your best transport options to get from Marseille Cruise Port to Marseille City Centre, so you can start enjoying all the top sights & attractions! No need to hike to Basilica of Notre-Dame or Vieux Port (Old Port)! I’ll give you all the tips to navigate around the city, from the free port shuttle point to all the major attractions.

This is Part 1 of my 2-Part Marseille Cruise Port Series. Part 2 is here – DIY Day Trip Guide to Aix-en-Provence (& Lavender Fields during Summer)

Marseille Cruise Port: Is a DIY Shore Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎😎 Easy-Peasy!

Planning on exploring Marseille Cruise Port on your own? Well, you’ll be pleased to know that I rated Marseille as an Easy-Peasy 😎😎😎😎😎 port for a DIY shore excursion. Here’s why:

• Free Port Shuttle Bus: Free Port Shuttle takes you directly to the centre of Marseille and within walking distance of Vieux Port (Old Port)
• Public Bus to City Centre: Queues for the free city centre shuttle may be long but don’t worry, there’s public buses that makes the journey from Marseille Cruise Port to the City Centre just as easily
• Excellent Bus, Tram & Metro Network: Marseille’s excellent public transit network will take you to all the attractions, and all for a day-pass of €5.20

👇 See my Marseille Cruise Port Map below – all the public transit stops are marked.

Marseille Cruise Port Essentials: All Your Need to Know

Marseille Cruise Port Address: Port of Marseille – Gate 4, Chemin du Littoral, 13015 Marseille

Note that there are two ports in Marseille. Large cruise ships will dock at Terminals A/B/C/D/E/F at Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal (aka Gate 4, The Grand Port Maritime de Marseille). Small ships may dock at the Port de la Joliette (J4) near the Cathédrale de la Major.

• Currency: Euro
• Language: French
• Official Marseille Port Website: click here or check which cruise ships are scheduled to dock in Marseille when you’re there
• Official Marseille Tourism Website is excellent and fantastic for itineraries!
• Recommended Transport App: Download the Citymapper app for real-time bus schedules and easy trip planning within Marseille. Google Maps worked for me too!
• eSIM for roaming in France: Use an eSIM like Airalo for affordable data plans while in France. Get $3 off your first purchase with code ROXANN1666.

Marseille Cruise Port Map

• On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
• On Tablet | Mobile? Pinch your screen to zoom in/out and use two fingers to move map around. If you have Google Maps installed on your tablet/mobile, my map will open in your Google Maps app if you click on the upper right hand corner.
• If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps

How to Get from Marseille Cruise Port to City Centre: Your Options

Marseille’s City Centre is about 5-6 miles away from Marseille Cruise Port and there are several options for you to get to Marseille City Centre easily. They are:

1. Marseille Cruise Port Free Shuttle Bus

The Marseille Cruise port Free Shuttle Bus runs every day when ships are docked. Once you’ve disembarked from your ship, follow the green line on the ground and you’ll get to the stop! The shuttle stop is also well signposted and the queueing area is underneath a large bus shelter.

It’s one central shuttle bus stop for cruisers from all ships, so depending on where your ship is docked, the walk to the free shuttle stop may be 5-10 minutes. The stop is just inside the port gates at Gate 4.

Free Shuttle Bus Drop Off Point In Marseille City Centre: You’ll be dropped off outside the shopping centre “Les Terraces du Port”, a block away from Joliette metro station – see this marked on my Marseille Cruise Port map

Return Shuttle Pick Up Point: To return to Marseille Cruise Port, the shuttle pick up point is at 9 Quai du Lazaret – look for a large gate with white iron bars, marked “Grand Port Maritime de Marseille” next to the shopping centre Les Terraces du Port. You have to walk inside the gates to board the shuttle.

Note on Free Shuttle Capacity: When there’s multiple ships at Marseille Cruise Port, there’s almost always a queue for the free shuttle. It technically runs every 20 minutes but be aware that if there’s traffic in Marseille, the shuttle could be stuck on route! And that’s why I list all the options here, just in case!

2. Cruise Line Run Shuttles

All major cruise lines will run a shuttle to Marseille city centre – whether it’s complimentary or paid will depend on your cruise line’s policy. (Celebrity Cruises, for example, charged US$15 return per person per day on my cruise – as I had an overnight port stay in Marseille.)

Pick Up Point: Cruise line shuttles will pick you up, almost always, very near your ship. So you may want to choose your cruise line’s shuttle over the free port shuttle, as there’s less walking involved!

Drop Off Point: Cruise line run shuttles usually drop you off near the Les Terraces du Port shopping centre as well – the same drop off point as the free shuttle bus. This is because parking areas suitable for motor coaches to pick up and drop off passengers in the centre of Marseille are rare. So you will undoubtedly see a long line of coaches (serving passengers from different cruise lines) there.

3. Public Buses – Bus #35T, 35, 36 & 36B

Marseille Cruise Port is served very well by a network of buses. The more convenient bus route for cruisers is the Bus #35T. Keep the other routes as a back-up option.

(a) Bus #35T to Marseille City Centre

• Finding the Bus Stop: The Bus #35T stop is just inside the main port gate – see this marked on my Marseille Cruise Port map above. You can easily identify the bus stop, as there’s a ticket booth with a ticket machine outside. There’s usually a member of staff there selling tickets from the booth too.
• Tickets: Purchase tickets from the booth or from the machine. One-way tickets are €1.70 and cards are accepted at the ticket machine. Alternatively, you can pay with a contactless card onboard but you’ll be charged €2 one-way.
• Frequency: The bus is timetabled to run every 20 minutes or every 15 minutes during July and August – I would use Google Maps or Citymapper for live bus arrival buses.
• Where to Get Off: Get off at the last stop called “Joliette”, which is near (but not directly outside) the Les Terraces du Port shopping centre – less than a minute’s walk from the free port shuttle drop off point. See the bus stop marked on my Marseille Cruise Port map above.

(b) Bus #35, #36 & #36B to Marseille City Centre

All these routes stop just outside the main port gate and provide additional options for getting to Marseille City Centre quickly – I would use these as backup as they are less convenient than bus #35T. These three bus routes are used frequently by locals working in the Marseille port area.

• Finding the Bus Stop: Bus #35/#36/#36B stop is outside the main port gate – see this marked on my Marseille Cruise Port map above. You’ll need to follow the road and walk onto what looks like a freeway. There’s a bus shelter there to identify the stop.
• Tickets: Purchase tickets from the booth or from the machine, from inside the port gates. One-way tickets are €1.70 and cards are accepted at the ticket machine. Alternatively, you can pay with a contactless card onboard but you’ll be charged €2 one-way.
• Frequency: Between the 3 bus routes, there’s usually a bus every 10-15 minutes.
• Where to Get Off:
  • Bus #35 will take you to Joliette metro station (similar to route #35T), near “Terraces du Port” shopping centre
  • Bus #36/#36B will take you to Bougainville metro station, where you can transfer to the metro. Joliette metro station is 3 stops away from Bougainville metro station.

4. Taxis and Ride-share (Uber & Bolt)

Taxis are readily available at Marseille Cruise Port. Uber and Bolt also operate in Marseille. Expect to pay around €20 each way to the city centre.

Special Note about Peak Hour Traffic

The area around Joliette and Le Terraces du Port shopping centre area can get very congested during peak hours and on weekends.

My trip back to Marseille Cruise Port on a shuttle took over an hour on Friday evening. So give yourself extra time, if you’re planning to head back to port during peak hours.

Free Port Shuttle or Public Bus to Marseille City Centre?

If multiple ships are at port, then there’s almost always a queue at the free port shuttle stop, especially at peak times.

I would “play it by ear”. If the queue is short, or if you don’t mind waiting, the free port shuttle is an excellent free service for cruisers! But if the queue is long, you may be better off paying for a public bus to Marseille City Centre. Many cruisers don’t know about the public bus services, so you’ll generally find a shorter queue.

Planning to use public transport in Marseille? Then you may be better off walking to the ticket booth at the bus stop and buy a 24-hour public transit pass (€5.20) either from the booth or at the ticket machine (cards accepted). Then you’ll have unlimited trips on buses, trams and the metro for your port day. This also saves time later when you get into Marseille city centre, as you can hop onto buses and metro easily.

Top Things to Do in Marseille on a Cruise

The bus and shuttle options from Marseille cruise port will drop you off at or close to Joliette metro station. The stop is usually outside the shopping centre “Centre Commercial Les Terraces du Port“. So for the attractions below, I will give you directions from the shuttle stop and/or Joliette station.

1. Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde

Situated on the hill of “Garde”, the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica offers a 360 degree view of the city. Affectionately known locally as “La Bonne Mère” (the Good Mother), this is a wonderful viewpoint to see Marseille, even if you’re not interested in churches.

The Basilica started in early 13th century when a priest named Pierre built a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary on the hill known as La Garde. The current Basilica was built in the 19th century and is a blend of Romanesque and Byzantine architectural styles. A lower church has been carved into the rock and an upper church adorned with intricate mosaics.

The Basilica is free to enter and there are toilet facilities and vending machines at the bottom level.

• How To Get There:
  • Walk: For keen walkers, the Basilica is a 45-minute uphill walk from the Old Port (“Vieux-Port”) area, so if you choose to walk, the DIY Sweat Index would be higher! But there’s an easier (and faster) way to get to the Basilica.
  • Bus: Take Bus #60 from either the Mucem St Jean stop (15 mins walk from port shuttle drop off) or right outside the Vieux Port metro station. Pay €2 fare with a contactless card onboard if you haven’t bought a day–ticket.
  • Petit Train: The Petit Train Marseille also runs a tourist train up to the Basilica (€10) from Vieux-Port. (This is definitely the scenic slow option, it takes about 1 hour 15 minutes return trip, with a photo stop at the Basilica. But it will bring you back to Vieux Port).

Bus #60 will drop you off right at the main stairs to the Basilica, so there’s only one big flight of steps to tackle before you start enjoying the marvellous views. The stop “Notre Dame de la Garde” is the last stop on the route, so you don’t need to worry about when to get off the bus.

2. MUCEM Museum & St Jean Fort

The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (MUCEM) is the first major national museum dedicated to the rich history and cultures of the Mediterranean. MUCEM is a 10-min walk on flat ground towards the harbour on Quai de la Joliette, after you get off the port shuttle bus. You’ll see the “Mediterranean Villa” with a spectacular overhang.

Next to the Mediterranean Villa is the “J4 Esplanade“, a latticework of concrete blocks that resemble a fishing net, a nod to Marseille’s maritime heritage. From there, you can walk across to Saint Jean Fort, which dates back to the 12th century, via the 115m footbridge. Even if you’re not a museum buff, I would still recommend that you visit Saint Jean Fort. It’s possible to walk around the fort for free but the views from the fort’s terrace are well worth the paid ticket to get inside the fort.

• Opening Hours: Closed Tuesdays. Otherwise 10am to 7pm during peak summer months. 11am to 6pm from September to April.
• Tickets: €11 for adults, €7.50 for kids. €18 family pass for 2 adults and up to 5 kids. Buy fast track MUCEM tickets here.

3. Vieux Port (Old Port)

Le Vieux Port or the Old Port of Marseille is where the first boats dropped anchor when they sailed from Ancient Greece in 600BC. The harbour is flanked by two historic forts, Fort Saint-Jean and Fort Saint-Nicolas. Fort Saint-Jean is now integrated as part of MUCEM (see above). Fort Saint-Nicolas reopened in May 2024.

Today, it is a pedestrian-friendly area with lots of bars, restaurants and shops. It’s a great place to stop for a coffee or lunch, either on the way to/fro the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica and MUCEM. Or it’s an excellent starting point to join a walking food tour due to the “bars/restaurant density” in the area.

• How to Get There:
  • Walk: It’s a nice 15 minute walk from MUCEM, with great views along the way.
  • Metro: From Joliette station near port shuttle stop, take Red M2 line (2 stops) and change at Saint Charles to Blue M1 line (2 stops) and get off at “Vieux Port” stop.
  • Bus: Vieux Port is along the bus route #60 to the Basilica

Marseille is famous for its soap. The “Savon de Marseille” is made with specific methods and ingredients, dating back to 1688 when King Louis XIV of France established regulations to protect the authenticity of Savon de Marseille. (Savon de Marseille is still a protected designation of origin under EU law today.)

You’ll see many soap shops around the area, selling the distinct cube shape soaps that make a good souvenir or gift from Marseille. Stop by the Marseille Soap Museum (Le Musée du Savon de Marseille) for a free guided tour. You can even make your own personalised soap here!

4. Fort Saint-Nicholas

Fort Saint-Nicholas (aka Citadelle de Marseille) has re-opened to the public for the first time in over 360 years in May 2024! Built under Louis XIV, this imposing 17th century fortress was commissioned to protect Marseille’s harbour. The fort’s extensive grounds and gardens offer stunning views of the port and cityscape. If you intend to explore Le Vieux Port (Old Port) area, then just keep walking along the waterfront and you will undoubtedly see it! (The fortress is laid out in a star shape.)

Fort Saint-Nicholas is free to enter and you’re free to roam around the gardens. You can also have a drink at the Guinguette du fort, a bar with panoramic views of the port. Check opening times – for now, it should be open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 12 noon till late.

Top Tip: If you fancy walking around Fort Saint-Nicholas, I would recommend trying out its free “geolocated” sound walk. It tells you about little known history about the Fort – just download the app and start walking!

5. La Cathédrale La Major

La Cathédrale La Major (aka Cathédrale Basilique Sainte-Marie-Majeure) is a Roman Catholic cathedral built in the Neo-Byzantine style in the mid-1800s. It is the largest cathedral in France after the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Its foundations are superimposed on an old church from the 4th century.

Situated between the cruise shuttle bus stop Joliette and the MUCEM complex along the waterfront, you won’t miss the cathedral along the way. The cathedral is free to visit and I would highly recommend you stopping by for a quick visit either on the way to MUCEM or on your way back to the shuttle bus.

6. Palais Longchamp

When I hopped off the tram, this spectacular view of Palais Longchamp’s water tower (Château d’Eau) was what greeted me! The Palais Longchamp was built in the 19th century to celebrate the completion of the Canal de Marseille, which brought fresh water to the city of Marseille from the Durance River.

Today, the Palais Longchamp houses two museums, the Musée des Beaux-Arts (Fine Arts Museum) and the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle (Natural History Museum). If it’s a sunny day, the landscaped gardens in Longchamp Park, located right behind the Palais Longchamp are well worth a quick turn too.

To get here, take the Blue M1 metro line to the “Cinq Avenues Longchamp”. Walk through Longchamp Park or walk a few minutes downhill towards Palais Longchamp. Alternatively, the T2 tram line links Joliette (2-minutes from port shuttle drop off), directly to “Longchamp” stop. You can pay via contactless card on the tram, too.

7. Walk around “Le Panier” District

Le Panier is the oldest district of Marseille. Within walking distance from MUCEM and the Cathédrale La Major, you can easily spend an hour or two wandering around the narrow, winding streets and admire the vibrant street art there.

The Old Charity Centre (Centre de la Vieille Charité) is at the heart of Le Panier. It houses archaeology and art museums but the main courtyard area is free to enter. I found this to be a nice place to take a break, with access to toilets. Go through the main gates’ security checks. You’ll be free to roam around the large courtyard without having to go through to the ticket office.

8. Other recommended attractions

If this isn’t your first time in Marseille, consider adding the following to your Marseille trip:

• History buffs: I would recommend visiting the Abbey of Saint-Victor, walking distance from the Old Port. Fort Saint-Nicolas (aka La Citadelle de Marseille) is closed currently.
• Architecture lovers: Don’t miss the ‘Cité Radieuse’ of Le Corbusier. The ‘Unité d’Habitation’ is free to enter. You can visit a few designated floors of the building where there’s a design concept store, a bookshop, a coffee shop and a restaurant.
• Sport fans: you may want to visit the Orange Velodrome Stadium
• Sunbathers: If you’re just craving for a beach day, visit Plage du Prado, Marseille’s largest beach.
• Further afield day trips:
  • Day Trip to Aix-en-Provence, where you can do a walk in the Lavender Fields between June and August
  • Calanques of Marseille – public transport can be difficult for a day-trip, so consider taking a local tour if you’d like to go there.

Featured Image courtesy of keopol from Pixabay

Are you heading to Marseille in your upcoming Mediterranean cruise? Have any questions about your day at port in Marseille? Drop me a line in the comments below! If this DIY port guide has been helpful to you, please do pass it along! This motivates me to write more DIY port guides. The share buttons are on the side.

Anchors aweigh! 👇 Find your next port of call here!

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