Why Marseille May Be The New Barcelona

Marseille is fast becoming the new Barcelona
Marseille is fast becoming the new Barcelona | © Fred Bigio/Flickr
Alex Ledsom

Marseille is on the up and keeps getting named as the city to visit now before it gets spoiled and/or very expensive. This vibey Mediterranean city is where it’s at; it may be the new Barcelona.

How Marseille Became A City On The Move

Before 2013, when Marseille won the right to call itself the European Capital of Culture, it was seen as the seedy French cousin; a place for drugs, gang shootings and extreme poverty. While Marseille still boasts some of the poorest neighbourhoods in the whole of France, it has had a huge influx of cash, directed by the firm hands of conservative French mayor, Jean-Claude Gaudin. In a few short years, the city has cleaned up its act.

One of the many harbours in Marseille

Marseille Offers More Than Just Spectacular Coast

The Door to the Orient (La Porte d’Orient) commemorating the people of French-African descent who gave their lives for France in the World War

Anyone Who’s Anyone Is Here

A three-hour, high-speed rail link now brings Parisians in their droves, looking for sunny weekend breaks. When newly elected President Macron told his Cabinet to holiday inside France this year, the whole country wondered where he had gone for his. It was only when a local spotted Mrs Macron in Marseille that the story was out. He was later seen jogging along the coast in an OM football jersey with his name on the back (Olympique Marseille are the beloved local team).

Marseille is right on the Calanques, the French national park

The Time Is Now

In 2013, Marseille had just two million annual visitors. In 2015, the New York Times named Marseille as the number two city to visit and the National Geographic declared it had the 5th prettiest coastline. Last year, Marseille had five million annual visitors. The tourist business is booming but now is the time to come. Prices are still the same, the city is still reasonably unaware of its cool new status and it’s not yet overrun. Visit while you can.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
close-ad
Edit article