Boat Tours and Other Activities in Calanques National Park

The Calanques National Park in the Mediterranean, a magical place that illuminates small fjords of turquoise waters and white cliffs that look like paradise on earth. The landscape of Marseille in the Calanques is rugged and steep, full of cliff-side trails, beautiful white beaches and secret coves that suddenly appear where the Mediterranean Sea has carved the rock.

Some of these coves, called "calanques", are only accessible by sea, via boat or kayak excursions. But they can also be discovered through hiking trails, bike rides or even by climbing their rock walls. An original way to explore this area is to combine different activities to admire its landscapes from land and water, enjoying the surroundings, the climate and nature in its purest form.

In the Calanques National Park, south of Marseille, there is a coastal strip stretching over 20 kilometres between the village of La Madrague and Cassis, whose coves are very popular with the people of Marseille.

Many travellers flock there, especially in summer, to spend a relaxing holiday in Provence and enjoy the sun, water and nature in all its splendour.

If you are planning a trip to Marseille, Les Calanques could be the perfect addition to your city break, allowing you to relax and unwind while admiring the beautiful landscapes from the sea. There are many activities to enjoy in this incredible setting. Here are a few ideas:

Bicycle tour

An active and fun way to discover this natural environment is by taking a bike tour of the Calanques National Park from Marseille, where you will ride along the most picturesque trails with views of the sea, — from £76

Hiking tour

If you prefer to connect with nature on foot, you can join a hiking tour of the Calanques National Park from Marseille, ideal for exploring its rock formations and hidden coves — from £36

Climbing excursion

The more adventurous can opt for a climbing excursion in the Calanques National Park from La Ciotat, which combines sport and spectacular views in an incomparable setting, — from £241

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These popular coves in Marseille are one of the biggest tourist attractions in the south of France due to their beauty.

In my opinion, this boat trip is the best way to discover the Calanques National Park and spend a relaxing day in Marseille while being in touch with nature and enjoying spectacular views of the Mediterranean.

Whether you choose the shortest cruise or the most comprehensive option, seeing the cliffs and waters of the Calanques from the boat is incredible.

The feeling of sailing aboard a sailboat, enjoying a delicious lunch and relaxing under the sun while observing the great outdoors is the plan everyone dreams of during their holidays.

The adventure begins at 11:00 am at pier 72 in the port, where you will set sail along the French coast on a fascinating 7-hour journey through the Old Port and the island of If to the beautiful Calanques National Park.

This is where one of my favourite parts of this excursion takes place: the captain drops anchor in the Calanques so that travellers can dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean. And that's not all! You'll even have the opportunity to use the snorkelling equipment provided by the activity operator to dive under the sea. How cool is that?

Recommended if... You don't want to miss out on this experience in Marseille, where you can enjoy a relaxing day aboard a comfortable sailboat that includes lunch, drinks and snorkelling equipment.

Today, the Vieux Port serves as a marina, but it was once one of the most important ports in the western Mediterranean. Some of the monuments surrounding it are:

• Fort Saint-Jean: dating back to the 12th century, this is a unique place to view the city skyline. It is connected by a footbridge to the MuCem museum.
• The MuCem: this is the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, opened in 2013 to showcase the different Mediterranean cultures. You can visit it by buying tickets for the MuCem in advance.
• Fort Saint-Nicolas: a 17th-century military building commissioned by King Louis XIV to control maritime access to the city. Its walls can be visited to admire the views of the port and Marseille.
• Marseille Cathedral: built in the 19th century, this Romanesque-Byzantine style temple is unique in France, evoking the oriental style that was very much in vogue at the time.
• The Lighthouse Palace: Napoleon III had this palace built for his wife, Empress Eugénie, in 1852. It was later used as a hospital and medical school.
• Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde: located on the highest hill, near the Old Port. This Byzantine-style basilica is crowned by a sculpture of the Virgin Mary, protector of sailors and Marseille.
• The Château d'If: this 16th-century fortress inspired the writer Alexandre Dumas to set the prison where the protagonist of his famous novel "The Count of Monte Cristo" was imprisoned. You can book tickets for the Château d'If to explore its interior.
• Finally, the boat arrives at the Calanques National Park, a magical place of white cliffs with small coves of turquoise waters. The landscapes are magnificent, worthy of a postcard.

Book in advance

To guarantee your place on a cruise or any of the other activities in Marseille, I recommend booking online as far in advance as possible. This will allow you to choose the best option.

Once you have made your booking, you will receive a confirmation email with all the details, which will serve as your voucher or receipt.

Arrive early to get the best spot

Try to arrive at the pier a little early so you can board first and get a good spot on the deck of the boat to take the best photos. The views from these coves are beautiful!

Don't get too hung up on taking photos

Once you set sail, you'll have plenty of time to take lots of photos of the landscape along the way. So enjoy the trip at your own pace and make yourself the star of the show, not your camera.

Combine it with other activities

As you've seen, some cruises also include other experiences such as picnics, dinners, dancing or swimming in the coves. With these packages, you can save time and money, so if you have another activity in mind in Marseille, I suggest you consider this option.

Choose a sunny day

For a Mediterranean cruise, it's best to check the weather forecast to make sure it will be sunny on the date you want to book your place.

Marseille has a pleasant, mild climate most of the year, and as the summer is dry and hot, everything is much more enjoyable under the Provençal sun!

Protect yourself from the sun during the cruise

During the cruise, your skin will be exposed to the sun, so you should protect yourself with a good sunscreen to avoid burns, a hat to protect your head and sunglasses to protect your eyes, as the Mediterranean sun can be very intense around midday.

Wear appropriate clothing and footwear

When dressing for a cruise in the Calanques or Marseille, I recommend that you take into account the type of cruise you are going on. In other words, a cruise with dinner and dancing on board is not the same as a cruise where you will have a picnic or stop during the trip to take a dip in the sea.

I suggest you wear comfortable shoes and casual clothing for this type of activity, to which you can add a more elegant touch with accessories if, for example, the event takes place in the evening and you are going to have dinner and dance on board the boat.

A cruise to Marseille is a wonderful experience to relax during your holiday and enjoy the Mediterranean and this corner of Provence in a different way.

However, a walking tour of Marseille is also an excellent way to discover its most emblematic monuments, learn about the history of this city and its rich cultural heritage. It is the oldest city in France! In my post What to see and do in Marseille, I tell you all the essentials you shouldn't miss.

This is your chance to stroll through its charming streets, soak up the relaxed atmosphere of its neighbourhoods and let yourself be seduced by the best bouillabaisse in the world, prepared right there. You will fall in love with Marseille!