Where to stay

Marseille's nautical heritage is central to its history, so stay right on the Vieux Port, the picturesque harbor area where a pair of 17th-century forts still stand sentry. Marseille's greatest hits are all walking distance from the hotels in the 1st Arrondissement, home to museums of all kinds, including the archaeological site of Marseille's Roman port in the Jardin des Vestiges. Stay in the 7th Arrondissement to climb up to the Notre Dame de la Garde or sail out to Château d'If, a tiny island immortalized in the novel The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. The luxuries of French imperial history are reflected in the hotels of seaside Le Pharo; its lavish palace built by Napoleon III is now a conference center.

Since Marseille became Europe's Capital of Culture in 2013, it has seen a rebirth, particularly in the industrial, seaside 2nd Arrondissement. Book accommodations here in the La Joliette neighborhood to spend the days exploring galleries and museums like the MUCEM (Musée des Civilisations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée), and the nights partying in hip bars. Alternatively, stay in the narrow streets and boutique hotels of the Quartier du Panier, packed with restaurants, galleries, and the poetry center at the Centre de la Vielle Charité. Get a sense of Marseille's deep North African heritage by booking in Noailles, which has traditional markets and is a quick walk away from most of downtown Marseille.

Marseille is a thoroughly Mediterranean city, with stunning and unique landscapes at its doorstep. Wake up to panoramic views of the ocean and the mountains from the hotels in the 6th Arrondissement, located on the highest point in the city. Head south to lounge on the pebbly beaches of Bonneveine, in the 8th Arrondissement, where accommodations combine a beach vacation with access to palatial parks and the Orange Vélodrome. The rocky cliffs and gorges of the calanques seem a world away from busy downtown Marseille, but a stay in the city's 9th Arrondissement means you can experience their rugged beauty every day.