Walk from the Vieux-Port
Walk 20–25 minutes past the Pharo to the cove.
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Plage des Catalans
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One of 178 Things to Do in France
In short
Plage des Catalans is the closest sandy beach to Marseille's Vieux-Port, on the Corniche Kennedy in the 7th arrondissement, looking out to the Frioul islands. Local families and beach volleyball players use it for a quick city swim. Access is free at all hours, and in 2026 lifeguards worked from 29 May to 30 August, 9:30 to 18:45. Two to three hours is plenty.
Plage des Catalans is the sandy beach closest to the Vieux-Port in Marseille, in the Anse des Catalans on the Corniche Kennedy in the 7th arrondissement. It suits residents and visitors who want a quick swim in the city, families on calm days and beach volleyball players, and it looks out to sea toward the Frioul islands.
A sifted cove below the Cercle des Nageurs
The cove lies below the Cercle des Nageurs swimming club. The sand was reprofiled and sifted to a depth of 30 cm, and it is cleaned daily. The water near the shore is fairly shallow on calm days. Public toilets, showers, a first-aid post and a refreshment bar serve the beach. Because it is the most central beach in Marseille, it fills quickly on hot weekends.
Catalans volleyball club, founded in 1949
The Catalans volleyball court is busy from late afternoon onwards. It is home to the Catalans beach volleyball club, founded in 1949, and hosts high-level competitions and training.
Snorkelling and the underwater museum
The Sentier sous-marin des Catalans is a snorkelling trail that also covers the history of the area. Offshore lies Marseille's underwater museum, a set of submerged sculptures that divers and snorkellers can visit.
Palais du Pharo, Fort Saint-Jean and the MuCEM
The Palais du Pharo, a 19th-century palace with a public garden, stands on the headland between the beach and the Vieux-Port, about 500 m away. Fort Saint-Jean and the MuCEM, the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, lie beyond it at the harbour entrance, about 1 km. Heading south along the Corniche, the road soon reaches the Vallon des Auffes, a small fishing harbour of traditional boats and restaurants.
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Key information
🏖️Beach: Closest sandy beach to the Vieux-Port
🏝️View: Frioul islands
🛟City lifeguards 2026: 9:30 AM – 6:45 PM, 29 May – 30 August (supervised zones)
🎟️Entry: Free
💰Currency: Euro (€ EUR)
🕕Time Zone: CET (UTC+1) · CEST (UTC+2) in summer
Explore the area
Palais du Pharo 0.5 km
Vallon des Auffes 1 km
MuCEM and Fort Saint-Jean 1 km
Vieux-Port metro station 1.8 km
✦
Plan your visit to Plage des Catalans
Dates, opening hours and how to get there are below. Booking ahead secures your preferred day.
Highlights Include:
Beach
- Sheltered cove
- Shallow water near the shore
- Neighbourhood atmosphere
Nearby
- Underwater museum offshore
- Vallon des Auffes fishing harbour
- Pharo gardens
What They Offer
Entry
Free
Visit duration
2–3 hours
Timed entry required No
Underwater museum
Snorkel to the Musée Subaquatique just offshore to the west.
Vallon des Auffes
Continue along the Corniche to the tiny harbour and its restaurants.
Accessibility
Ask the City of Marseille about adapted access.
Age limits
None
What to pack
Swimwear, towel, sun cream, snorkel
What to wear
Sandals
Not allowed
Swimming outside marked zones in season, littering
Amenities
Facilities vary by season; cafés nearby
Tips for visiting Plage des Catalans
- Arrive before 11am in summer, when the small beach fills quickly.
- Bring water shoes for the rockier edges of the cove.
- Combine your visit with a walk to the Vallon des Auffes for lunch.
- Avoid driving: parking along the Corniche is limited.
- Pack a snorkel to look at the underwater museum offshore.
Driving
Parking near the cove is limited, especially on summer weekends; public transport or walking is easier.
Public transportation
Bus 83 from the Vieux-Port stops less than 500 m away, or walk 20–25 minutes around the Pharo headland.
Address
The Anse des Catalans is on the western edge of central Marseille, at the start of the Corniche Kennedy.
Opening Hours
- MondayOpen 24 hours
- TuesdayOpen 24 hours
- WednesdayOpen 24 hours
- ThursdayOpen 24 hours
- FridayOpen 24 hours
- SaturdayOpen 24 hours
- SundayOpen 24 hours
Last entry: None (open access)
Open all year.
Free access. In 2026 the city posted lifeguards on supervised beaches from 29 May to 30 August, 9:30 AM to 6:45 PM.
Special events
No special events on record for Plage des Catalans.
Best times to visit
Early morning or early evening; the sun sets behind the Frioul islands.
Best days to visit
Weekdays.
Best months to visit
June and September.
Admission tickets
Entry is free.
Plage des Catalans: free entry
Marseille's city-centre beach.
- Free access to the beach
Admission
Free entry: no ticket or booking is needed.
Visitor policy
Cancellation and prepayment
No booking is needed; access is free.
Children and admission
Shallow water near the shore suits children on calm days.
Groups
No booking needed.
Pets
Check the city's seasonal rules for dogs.
Photography
Personal photography is welcome. Drone flights must follow national drone rules and local restrictions.
Bags
No restrictions.
Smoking
Do not leave cigarette ends on the beach.
Accepted payment
Entry is free.
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Travelers are asking
Yes. Pack a mask and snorkel, and wait for a calm day before swimming out to it.
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Where to stay near Plage des Catalans
Hotels closest to Plage des Catalans, nearest first, so you spend less time on the road and more time there.
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InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu5-star hotel
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from$245.00/ night
- Free WiFi
- Swimming pool
- Parking
5 Rooms available
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What to know about the Catalans beach.
General
In the Anse des Catalans on the Corniche Kennedy, Marseille 7th arrondissement, west of the Palais du Pharo. It is the nearest sandy beach to the Vieux-Port.
Yes. You pay only for extras such as parking or food from the refreshment bar.
The Pharo gardens, the MuCEM and Fort Saint-Jean, and the Vallon des Auffes fishing harbour.
Walk 20 to 25 minutes around the Pharo headland or take bus 83, which stops less than 500 m from the beach.
Yes. The Sentier sous-marin des Catalans is a marked snorkelling trail, and Marseille's underwater museum lies offshore.
Yes. The court is home to the Catalans beach volleyball club, founded in 1949.
Yes, entry to Plage des Catalans is free.
Bags: No restrictions.
Families & accessibility
On calm days, yes. The water near the shore is fairly shallow, but the beach is small and crowded in July and August, so arrive early.
Timing & weather
In 2026 the city's supervised beaches had lifeguards from 29 May to 30 August, 9:30 to 18:45.
Early morning and early evening. Evening is also when the sun sets behind the Frioul islands.
Plage des Catalans is open Monday–Sunday: Open 24 hours.
Free access.
Most visitors spend 2–3 hours at Plage des Catalans.
The best months to visit Plage des Catalans are June and September. The best days and times of day are covered under When to visit on this page.
Stay & facilities
Public toilets, showers, a first-aid post and a refreshment bar.