If you’re looking for a day trip from Toulon or Marseille, Cassis should be high on your list. If you haven’t really heard about it, the town is a colourful fishing town with extremely pretty streets and excellent seafood. Not only that, but the nearby and beautiful Calanques terrain needs to be seen to be believed.
The town of Cassis is certainly small enough to explore in a day and there is plenty to keep you occupied. Whether it be exploring, taking a boat trip, or simply relaxing, I’d argue that this is a must-see when in the Côte d’Azure. The best part is that it isn’t that well discovered, yet, so you can experience a more authentic and genuine day out in Cassis.
This quick guide is going to cover everything you need to know, ranging from how to get to Cassis as well as a short itinerary. You’re in the right place to plan your perfect day here. Enjoy.
A Day Trip to Cassis | Your Quick Guide
Planning Your Day Trip to Cassis
How to Get to Cassis from Marseille
Though Cassis is a small town it is relatively easy to get to. Firstly, there is a train station which is connected to both Marseille and Toulon, the two nearest cities. A train from Marseille takes around 20 minutes, whereas Toulon is slightly longer at 35 minutes.
The train station in Cassis is not exactly central. In fact, it is a good 40 minute walk from the harbour front, the main attraction. Fortunately, the town runs a regular shuttle service which drops you at the Casino de Jeux in the town centre. Look for the bus 371 for the town, or 373 for the peninsula and hiking area.
You can also choose to drive to Cassis. The A50 from Marseille effectively gets you here and it is an easy journey. However, parking is extremely limited and fills up quickly, especially during the summer. I’d recommend parking at either Parking des Gorguettes (park and ride) which is usually quieter, or Interparking Mimosas which is more central, but usually busy.
Top Tip: If you’re coming to Cassis during the more peak seasons, ensure that you arrive early. During our last trip (2026) we arrived at 09:00 and the beach was already busy.
The Best Time of Year to Visit Cassis
Cassis is beautiful all year round, but my personal favourite time to visit is the late spring (May / early June). The South of France in the summer is quintessential, and very much a French past time, but it is verging on too hot. Late spring still promises warm weather, but not too hot. An alternative is early autumn (September) which is much the same.
The Best Things to do in Cassis
Let’s start off with the best things to do in Cassis. I’ve simply included all the things you could do in a day trip Cassis, but don’t feel that you have to tick everything off. To be honest, Cassis is designed to be a slower-paced day out.
1. Explore the Port de Cassis
Of course, you need to start off your day at the Port of Cassis. This is probably the main area you’ll see on all of the post cards and is probably the prettiest part. It also happens to be where a lot of good restaurants and cafés are and you should make time for a drink or lunch by the waterfront.
Top Tip: This is also where you’ll need to come back to for any boat or hiking trips you may want to take. Most companies meet in this area.
2. Visit the beaches
The next best thing to do on your day trip to Cassis is visit the beaches. There are several beaches nearby, each of which is easy to get to by foot. The most popular by far is the Plage de la Grande Mer. This is the main beach and is located right by the harbour. It will therefore come as no surprise that this is the busiest beach by far.
Alternatives can be found nearby. One quieter spot I found was along the harbour wall as you walk towards the lighthouse (which is definitely worth seeing). You can climb down and place your towels on the flat rocks below. There were very few people here and it made for a quieter experience. If you want sand though, you’ll need to walk down to Plage du Corton, which is slightly out of the town centre. However, the scenery here is beautiful.
3. Wander through the old town
Another great thing to do in Cassis is to wander through the streets of the old town. Cassis has plenty of narrow streets to explore and we found lots of cute boutiques around here. To be honest you could easily blow a week’s budget on the Provençal souvenirs and products that we found here.
The streets here are particularly atmospheric in the morning. Whilst the beach was busy when we arrived early, the town itself wasn’t too bad. I very much enjoyed wandering about and looking for fun photo opportunities.
4. Take a boat trip through the Calanques
One of the highlights during a day trip to Cassis is taking a boat trip through the Calanques. If you aren’t aware, the Calanques is a series of rugged and wild landscapes which stretch between Marseille and Cassis. Much of the scenery involves dramatic cliff faces and bright turquoise water.
These run regularly from Cassis and there are different lengths available. I personally would pick this option unless you were really into hiking, of course. If you go to the Cassis Tourism website they include a list of all of the providers which are recommended.
FAQ: Would you recommend visiting a calanque without hiking?
Absolutely – by boat is arguably just as good. Whilst you miss out on the views from the top, you get a different (and just as beautiful) perspective.
5. Hike to a Calanque
It will come as no surprise that this is next! The Calanques on foot is easily one of the best things to do here, and many people plan their day trip to Cassis just for this.
The hiking trails vary from intermediate level to relatively advanced, with the longest lasting at least 5 hours. Calanque de Port-Miou is usually the first stop on the route (around 45-60 minutes) before going to Port-Pin and En-Vau for the more strenuous part of the journey.
I can safely say that the scenery here is spectacular, but please do not underestimate the route. During the summer it gets incredibly hot, and the risk of wildfires here is relatively high. Ensure that you check ahead and bring the correct, sensible equipment.
Top Tip: Given the wildfire situation of 2026, the Calanques has strict rules which are in place all year to protect this fragile habitat. Please check the official website to see the access regulations put in place to protect the national park.
As I said above though, if it is too hot or too restricted, a boat ride is just as nice.
6. Visit the vineyards of Cassis
If you didn’t know, Cassis is also famous for its wine! Whilst Provence is known for rosé, the region around Cassis produces white wine. This has notes of the sea air and local citrus, which apparently pairs it well with fish and seafood.
If you’ve rented a car and you’re with friends, this is a great little option. If you’re doing tasting sessions, make sure that there is a designated driver, or take a taxi to and from Cassis. There are some vineyards which offer tastings and are also partner with Cassis Tourism. You can see these vineyards here.
7. Climb to the best viewpoints
If you fancy a walk which isn’t as strenuous as the Calanques, then Cassis has you covered. Whilst maybe not what you want in the summer, this is perfect for a colder day to get some incredible views over Cassis.
One place I’d recommend is Cap Canaille, which is an enormous cliff which overlooks the mediterranean. It is over 300m high and is one of the tallest sea cliffs in Europe.
If you have a car, then you can go to Route des Crêtes along the top of the cliffs. This is another excellent option, but the roads can close in the summer due to wildfires.
A Suggested Cassis Day Trip Itinerary
If you’re visiting Cassis from Marseille, here’s how I’d structure the day:
Morning: Explore Cassis
As I said above, arrive as early as you can and start in the harbour. Enjoy a coffee (we really liked le Bistrot de Nino; some places didn’t let you just have a coffee and pastry) and then slowly meander through the harbour.
Top Tip: If you have not yet booked a boat trip, make sure you do that online. For eSims, I like to use Sim Local. Use the code GIRLONTHEMOVE to get 5% off!
Head on into the old town and browse some of the shops to pick up souvenirs. Then, slowly make your way back to the harbour ready for your boat trip.
Late morning: Take a Calanques boat trip
This will probably be the highlight of your day; the Calanques are something else. Try to do this as early as you can, especially in the summer. The weather can get hot and you’ll easily burn on the water. Plus, it can get especially busy.
The cruise will take around 1-2 hours depending on the operator, and they’ll all run from the harbour. Your ticket should tell you where the meeting spot is.
Lunch: Harbour views
Once you’re back in Cassis, head to the harbour for a lunch. There are some really nice restaurants right on the seafront. Bistrot de Nino is a great shout for classic French cuisine, as is L’Oustau de la Mar.
Enjoy fresh seafood right overlooking the water and have a glass of that local white wine to wash it down.
Afternoon: Leisure
For the afternoon, I’d recommend relaxing. Either head to the Plage de la Grande Mer or one of the quieter coves, and bring some snacks and drinks too.
If the weather isn’t right, or if you don’t want to relax, this is a great time to walk about some of the trails. The walk to Port-Miou is an intermediate one and may not be suitable for all. If that is the case, you can head to Cap Canaille – a bus also runs here.
Alternatively, why not take a taxi out to one of the local vineyards?.
Evening: Return to Marseille
Head back to Marseille in the early evening or, if you’re not in a hurry, enjoy a lovely dinner in Cassis at the harbour. It is just as magical when the sun goes down.
FAQs
What is Best to Eat in Cassis?
Being a Mediterranean fishing town, seafood is the obvious choice. Whilst you’ll be familiar with the freshly-caught fish, mussels and prawns, you might not have heard of boubillabaisse. This is a famous Provençal salad which is often served with fresh bread and olives. Definitely one to try and perfect with Cassis wine.
Where Should I Eat in Cassis?
As I’m sure you’ve gathered, the harbour is the obvious choice. There is one small caveat though; there are some tourist traps here. I’ve recommended the two I tried and both were very good. However, some definitely did not look as nice so ensure that you check them out on Trip Advisor first.
Aside from the harbour, there are more local places in the old town. Sure, you won’t get the views, but many of these serve local people and looked / smelled fantastic when we were walking around.
How long do you need for a Day Trip to Cassis?
I’ve done Cassis in two ways. Firstly, you can definitely spend a shorter time here if you just wanted to see the town and its sights. However, I’d argue that the full day trip to Cassis is definitely worth it to get a proper feel for the place, as well as to enjoy the local scenery.
Plus, in the summer, you’ll likely want to spend time relaxing by the beach or on the water.
Can you visit Cassis and the Calanques in one day?
As you’ve seen above, you definitely can do this, but you’ll want to either do a short hike or take a boat trip. If you want to hike more of the Calanques, then a day is not going to cut it. You’ll need to stay here for a night or two in order to do so.
What Else Should I Know about Cassis?
Cassis is beautiful but it is getting busier each year. Make sure that you book activities ahead of time and, if you are planning on exploring the Calanques, bring sturdy shoes and plenty of water.
Final thoughts | A Day Trip to Cassis
If you’re in Marseille or Toulon and are stuck for things to do, a day trip to Cassis is just what you need. It is one of the most beautiful towns in Provence and offers a lot for its small size. Whether its hiking, swimming, relaxing or sightseeing, this is a great day out for anyone wanting to get more out of the Provence region.
I hope that you found my quick guide useful and, if you have any questions, please ask. I always love hearing from you.
