Plage du Prado, empreintes de mains dans le sable

Marseille's beaches and bathing places

Dive into the heart of the Mediterranean sea

Marseille has many ideal places for swimming with family, alone or with friends. Discover its Calanques, but also its secret bathing spots, specific to the people of Marseille now revealing to you here! We cannot talk about Marseille without mentioning its assets, which are its beaches of the Mediterranean sea.

Beaches of Corbières – l’Estaque

A mythical district of the city, it is here that the only beaches of the northern districts are found, preceded by landscaped gardens with a municipal nautical base. Three beaches follow each other, they are supervised and easy to access. Shallow, partly shaded, they are made of fine sand and pebbles, equipped with toilets, showers and a free clothes locker. They are perfect beaches for families! Nearby there is a refreshment bar, a playground (volleyball…). Spaces are also set up for picnics, sports, and creative activities are also offered.

From this place, a magnificent postcard is offered to you, you can admire a beautiful panorama of the Marseille coast!

Between two baths, you can go for a walk in the village of l’Estaque, a source of inspiration for several artists and painters, Cézanne, Dufy, Renoir…and also the setting for the film “Marius and Jeannette” by Robert Guédiguian. A true Provençal and Marseille authenticity!

And you can also feel it on the plate with the famous « Chichis Frégis » or the “panisses” to be tasted after an afternoon of idleness.

Practical information

Ferry « la navette » from the Old Port in the high season (April to September)
Direct access by bus n°35 – stop Estaque Riaux
Address: Plage de Corbières 13016

Catalan Beach

The sandy beach near the Old Port and the city centre

It is the most accessible sandy beach when you are in the city centre of Marseille. Located a few minutes walk from the Old Port, it allows you to take a quick dip after a day of strolling or to refresh yourself before continuing your visit to Marseille. Its location and the presence of a first aid post and sanitary facilities make it the perfect beach for families. You have to come there early in the morning to enjoy a bit of tranquility because it is a very lively beach thanks to its proximity to the center of Marseille. The Catalans beach also hosts the Catalans Beach Volleyball Club and a few meters away, you can find the swimming club of the Cercle des Nageurs of Marseille on one side and the Hôtel des Bords de Mer on the other.
For a taste break, the restaurant Chez Michel welcomes you around one of the best ” bouillabaisses ” in Marseille as well as the restaurant Les Akolytes with their delicious tapas !

Useful information

Access : bus n°83 – stop « Les Catalans »
Opening hours : 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. from April to October and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. from November to March.

Malmousque

Bathing spot and small picturesque harbour

A small village in the 7th district, still in the center of the city, Malmousque hides treasures for walkers. A maze of quiet, flower-lined little streets, almost all of them lead to the small fishing port or the little coves by the sea! Pass in front of the Foreign Legion Rest Center and continue your way to the sea where you can walk along the “l’Anse de Malmousque” with a breathtaking view of the harbor of Marseille, the Degaby Island and even the islands of Frioul and ‘Château d’If’ (If Castle). The district and the creeks are frequented by locals, we dive into an authentic Marseille! The “Anse de la Fausse-Monnaie” offers large rocks to install your towel just under the Petit Nice Passédat 5* Hotel ; note that swimming around Malmousque is not supervised and the water is deep there.
The place is ideal to enjoy the sunset with a slice of pizza from one of the best pizzerias in Marseille located in the area : l’Eau à la Bouche ; except for the “Petit Nice Passédat” gourmet restaurant, there are no other restaurants in Malmousque.

Useful information

Access : bus n°83 – stop « Endoume »
Address : Plage des Catalans 13007

Prophète’s beach

Ideal beach for families

Below the Corniche Kennedy, the prophète’s beach is an iconic free access beach in Marseille. It is very famous among the inhabitants of Marseille but also among tourists because it is suitable for children and adults! The water is shallow, so children can walk quite far, and for the more sporty, a beach volleyball court is open to the public, freely available! The Prophète’s beach also has a first aid station, a refreshment bar and showers. And for a meal with a view of the sea, you have to go to Chez Marco, a famous institution located just above the beach, is the place to go. When evening comes evening, it is the essential place for aperitifs on the beach or for a picnic. Families or groups of friends usually meet there to enjoy the sunset.

Informations pratiques

Access : Bus n°83 – stop « Le Prophète »Opening hours : Free access.Address : Plage du Prophète – 178 Corniche Kennedy 13008

Prado Beach

A must for swimming

It is the largest beach in Marseille, with a succession of several free access beaches (Roucas Blanc, Prado Nord, Prado Sud, Plage de Borély, Vieille Chapelle, Huveaune…) over a distance of 3.5km. It is one of the busiest in Marseille, and stretches from David, the famous Prado statue to the Vieille Chapelle near the Pointe Rouge. It is surrounded by vast expanses of grass that become a paradise for football lovers! Very accessible via bus n°19 and 83 or the metro, it offers nautical activities, playgrounds for children, private beaches, volleyball courts, numerous sanitary facilities, lockers and several first aid stations. It also has a complex with restaurants, bars and shops: l’Escale Borély. Every summer, it also hosts several festivals, the Delta Festival or the Freestyle Cup, thanks to its skate-park.

Pratical information

Access : Bus n°83 and bus n°19 stop « La Plage » – Métro 2 arrêt « Rond-Point du Prado » then 20mn walk.
Address : Plage du Prado – 142 avenue Pierre Mendès France 13008

Pointe-Rouge beach

A paradise for seaside activities

A few minutes from the Prado seaside park, you can enjoy the Pointe-Rouge beach, the largest sandy beach in Marseille next to the small port of the same name. It offers many restaurants, bars, playgrounds, but also advice, showers, toilets and first aid stations. It is often very busy because it is sheltered from the wind! You can rent a pedalo, go kite surfing or paddle surfing, go diving from the small port or rent a deckchair on one of the private beaches.

Practical information

Access: bus n°19 stop « Pointe Rouge » and in summer via la navette maritime “La navette” from the Old Port
Address : 25 avenue Montredon 13008

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Anse du Bain des Dames

Huts and authenticity

Made up of three beaches ranging from pebbles to sand and gravels, the Anse du Bain des Dames is very popular with the locals of Marseille. Further from the center than its counterparts, it is rather quiet and has showers unlike some more secret beaches in Marseille. Authentic Marseille fishermen’s cottages, now owned by individuals, are still present.

Practical information

Access: Bus n°19 stop « Engalière » then 5mn walk.
Address : 38 Promenade du Grand Large 13008

Swimming in the Calanques

The Calanques massif offers creeks that are more or less easily accessible after a short walk! Port Pin, En-Vau, Sugiton, Morgiou, or Sormiou (supervised in summer) … Heavenly landscapes await you there. Bring good shoes and water!
Please note: a prefectoral decree regulates access to the creeks in spring and summer, not authorizing the passage or cars. More information on the website of the Calanques National Park.