When you say Marseille, you say beach! Marseille’s 57 kilometers of coastline boast no fewer than twenty-one beaches! Even if all the places to swim in Marseille rival each other in beauty (between calanques and sandy beaches), we’ve decided to select the ones that are really worth the detour!
Sandy beaches for swimming in Marseille
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La Verrerie beach
Nicknamed “plage de la Bonne Brise“, La Verrerie is also known for “Chez Dédé”, a pizzeria that used to brighten up our days on the beach until 2013. Situated between the Madrague de Montredon road and the Anse des Sablettes cove, the Verrerie beach is a popular spot for a day of sharing!
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La plage des catalans
This is undoubtedly Marseille’s most convenient beach when you’re in the city center. Admittedly, it’s neither the wildest nor the one with the most turquoise waters, but its major asset is its proximity, as it’s just a 15-minute walk from the Old Port! The Plage des Catalans is perfect for an impromptu swim, between two meetings or at the end of the day to relax after work.
Where to bring your deckchair
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Malmousque
A small village nestled in Marseille’s 7th arrondissement , Malmousque is a fabulous place to swim. Yes, we’re forgetting the fine sandy beaches, but located just ten minutes from the city center, this beach of pebbles and asphalt offers a real urban getaway!
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Les Goudes (via Tuba Club)
There’s no need to bring your own deckchairs – the Tuba Club has some lovely yellow-and-white striped ones. With a name that pays homage to the diving club it once was, the TUBA CLUB is the select address that brightens up our summer days. Nestled in Les Goudes , this restaurant-hoteloffers a breathtaking view of the sea and the calanques.
The calanques
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The Frioul archipelago
As part of the Calanques massif, the Frioul archipelago is relatively easy to reach. From the Vieux-Port, a water shuttle takes you there in just 20 minutes (nothing like the hour-long walk required to reach some of the calanques). The beaches of Frioul Islandoffer an authentic setting, typical of the calanques , and are a thing of beauty!
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Sugiton
When the sun comes out, Sugiton calanque becomes one of the busiest calanques, and is inevitably affected by the carelessness of some visitors… So the Parc national des Calanques has decided to to introduce a “pass” for access to the calanque.. You will be able to book four weeks in advance and take several places at the same time (but there will probably be a limit not to exceed). Access remains free, and you can book your tickets via an online platform.