Underrated European city on the edge of the Mediterranean with ‘the region’s best food’ – and it’s two hours from the UK
A CITY often overlooked by Brits is said to have some of the best food in the region – and its just two hours by flight.
Most Brits heading to France will be visiting Paris or Nice when planning a holiday.
Yet the coastal city Marseille should be on your list for 2024, already being popular with Parisians planning a weekend break.
As France‘s second city, the port city was once a huge trading centre.
It was also once easy to get there by train, with direct UK-Marseilles Eurostar services, although this was scrapped and Brits now have to change in Paris or Lille.
Thankfully you can still get there by direct flights, taking around two hours with Ryanair and as little as £18 each way.
Most tourists head straight to the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, with some of the best sunset views at the city’s highest point.
Otherwise there are a number of rooftop bars for amazing views too, such as Rooftop Hotel Hermes, Tuba and R2.
And being a port city, there are a number of beaches to choose from too, such as the most popular Prophet’s Beach or Plage des Catalans.
Or grab a ferry to Les Iles, which has a number of beaches and birdwatching trails.
Make sure to look out to spot Chateau d’If, a 16th century castle and former prison on an island which was the setting of the book The Count of Monte Cristo.
Late travel writer Anthony Bourdain raved about Marseille too.
He said back in 2015: “If you’ve been to France, chances are you haven’t been here, France’s second-largest city, the oldest city in France.
“It sits right by the Mediterranean. The food is famously good. Yet it’s a victim of bad reputation, bad history. Marseille, as it turns out, is exactly the kind of place I like.”
“We both learned that Marseille is a great, underappreciated travel destination, a hidden gem that isn’t hidden at all—a great city with great food and great views, sitting right on the edge of the blue Mediterranean, surrounded by freakin’ Provence. It’s got it all.”
The one dish that should be tried in Marseille is bouillabaisse, which originated from the city.
The famous fish soup can be found at most traditional restaurants, or you can try it at Le Petit Niche, the only three-star Michelin restaurant in the city.
It is also claimed that Marseille had the world’s first road pizza truck in 1962, so its easy to find a slice while there.
Otherwise the trendy district Quartier des Createurs is one to visit too, home to vintage stores and handmade items, or the Cours Julien for finding walls covered with grafitti and cafes.
If you want to stay, you can find budget hotels such as the Ibis Budget or Holiday Inn from £60 a night, or trendier boutiques like Mama Shelter from £80 a night.
Or you can splash out on the Sofitel overlooking the harbour, or the five-star Le Petit Nice.
Sun travel writer Qin Xie previously visited Marseille, saying: “It is rough and ready – a working port and buzzing metropolis with all the charms of the Med.
“It may surprise you to learn that Marseille dates back to Roman times and is now a sprawling, cosmopolitan metropolis.”
What to know about visiting Marseille
- Direct flights to Marseille operate from London and Edinburgh.
- The cheapest flights start from just £18 with Ryanair, taking two hours.
- Or you can travel by train with Eurostar, changing at Paris or Lille.
- Brits need to have a passport with at least three months left on it.
- No visas are needed for anyone staying up to 90 days within an 180-day period but you need to make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit.
- You may also need to show proof of accommodation and funds, around €120 a day.
Elsewhere in France is Belle-ile, a little known French island that’s near the UK.
Otherwise here’s the tiny town in France that is just like a British city.