Marseille is an old city with plenty to offer for its visitors. There are things to do and things to see in Marseille that can keep any visitor entertained for days, if not more. However, the abundance of choice can be overwhelming, especially if you are there for a day or two. If that’s the case, here is our list of the top 5 things to do if you are in Marseille for just two days, and you are on a tight budget.

#5 Notre Dame de la Garde

This is Marseille’s best-known landmark, conveniently located on a hilltop above the sea and the city. If you are not into walking, then there are buses departing every twenty minutes from Vieux Port. Its mosaic interior is incredibly impressive, as well as the views of the city below. There is no entrance fee, and you can stay for as long as you like.

#4 MuCEM

MuCEM is short for Musée des civilizations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée. This museum offers an insightful look into the history of the Mediterranean civilizations. This eclectic museum spreads over three buildings, features impressive gardens, and covers various history topics, all related to the Mediterranean region.

#3 Château d’If

Anyone that has read The Count of Montecristo, Alexandre Dumas masterpiece, will undoubtedly recognize the name. Even though none of the events happened and that “The count of Montecristo” is a work of fiction, it still is an exciting place to visit. The truth is that this 16th-century castle was once a real prison where enemies of the state were imprisoned.

#2 Rove tunnel

Rove Tunnel is the longest canal tunnel ever made in the entire world. Its 72 feet wide and is 4.5 miles long. The building of the tunnel took almost two decades and was finished in 1926. Unfortunately, parts of it collapsed, and it was closed in 1963. Nowadays, it is just a tourist attraction.

#1 Palais Longchamp

This is the home of Marseille’s oldest museum – Musée des Beaux-Arts. The museum hosts a fantastic collection of work by both French and Italian artists. Most of the artwork dates from the 17th century and until the present time. Besides artwork, the museum features a splendid park that is very popular with the locals as it is one of the several green corners in Marseille’s center.

Getting from and to the Marseille airport

There are several Marseille airport transfers. The cheapest one is the airport shuttle, but it runs only from 04:10 to 23:10. Often the bus is overcrowded, and it takes longest to travel from the airport to the city and vice versa. The airport taxi will cost you 50 euros if it is day time and 60 euros in after hours. Only a small percentage of airport taxi drivers speak English or any other language than French. Then there is the Welcome Pickup service that costs as same as the taxi, but you get a driver that will wait for you at your exit, and that is fluent in English.