Marseille offers great beach holidays; surprisingly there are 20 small beaches within the city limits, mostly rough sand and shingle shelving into sea. Catch a ferry to enjoy the beauty of the Frioul islands' beaches on your holiday. Or find seclusion on beaches on the calanques inlets, near Marseille, or visit neighbouring resorts like Cassis.
Escape the crowds on holiday walks across the hills to the wild and beautiful calanques, steep-sided sea inlets south of Marseille. Some, like En-Vau, have accessible secluded beaches. Or take a ferry just a few minutes from the Old Port to the rocky coves and quiet holiday beaches of offshore islands, the Iles de Frioul.
Get active at Catalan Beach near the Old Port, or beyond north Marseille at the Estaque Beaches. Here you'll find the Marseille Municipal Water Sports Centre, equipped for sailing, diving and windsurfing by adults and children. Or choose South Marseille's Pointe Rouge and Le Prophète beaches, ideal for waterskiing, beach games and windsurfing.
You'll find showers and refreshments on small shingle beaches near L'Estaque or beside Marseille's corniche road. Head further for South Marseille's beachside Parc Borély, with play areas, cafes, greenery and shingle beaches, and sandier Pointe Rouge beaches. Just 16 miles further you'll reach the resort of Cassis.
Dance till late at music bars close to beaches beside the corniche road. In the evening and at weekends, bring your own music to barbecues and parties on Le Prophète and Prado beaches in South Marseille. For beachside dance venues and a party mood head to neighbouring resort Cassis, 17 miles away.
