Best Time to Visit Marseille

The weather of Marseille is characterised by a dry and mild climate as commonly experienced in the Mediterranean regions, when the summers are hot and the winters comparatively milder. The summer temperatures range between 18 to 28 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, it remains warm from late spring onwards, all the way to the onset of the autumn season, with almost 300 days of the year being hot and sunny. On the other hand, winters in Marseille are not cold, but can sometimes be chilly due to the local winds called Le Mistral, with temperatures ranging between 6 to 13 degrees Celsius.

The spring and summer seasons make up the peak season in Marseille, and are the times when the town sees the highest number of tourists coming in from different parts of the world. In the spring season, the days are longer and sunnier, making it perfect to enjoy outdoor activities like sightseeing, sunbathing, heading to the beach and even enjoying water sports. With the onset of summer, you can also enjoy the festival season here, with prices of airfare and accommodations quite high.

The off season in Marseille begins from the month of November and lasts till March, on average. This is when the town is less crowded, much quieter and rather pleasant to explore, with the airfares, hotel prices and other extra expenses being quite affordable. However, the off season also comes with certain disadvantages, as the days become shorter during winters, and some tourist attractions close for entry during this time.

January is one of the Best Time to Visit Marseille, especially if you wish to experience the city at its quietest. With the occasional snowfall, and the Christmas markets adding vibrancy to the otherwise gloomy atmosphere, this is a perfect time. The temperatures during this month vary between 3 degrees Celsius to 12 degrees Celsius.

With average temperatures ranging between 4 degrees Celsius to 13 degrees Celsius, February is often a cold month in Marseille, in addition to being the sea urchin season in the region. It is during this month when you can see the pilgrims head up to the Abbaye St Victor at dawn with orange blossom biscuits to seek blessings.

March boasts of temperatures between 6 degrees Celsius to 16 degrees Celsius, and marks the onset of the spring season in the city. The days begin to get longer, and there are several parades and events in Marseille during this month, such as the Carnaval de Marseille, complete with decorated balloons and floaters.

The month of April is one of the Best Time to Visit Marseille, when the temperatures get warmer, and range between 9 degrees Celsius to 19 degrees Celsius. It is in April when the sailing season begins here, and the boats sail to the bay. The days are warm, with little to no rain, and the city celebrates numerous events, such as the Festival de Musique Sacrée, the Festival Flamenco Azul and Massilia Cup.

May comes with beautiful sunny days in Marseille, with numerous open-air markets where you can get your hands on summer produce such as figs, melons and cherries. The temperatures range between 13 degrees Celsius to 23 degrees Celsius, and you can also see Muguets or lilies of the valley being sold on the streets during this month.

June is another popular month to visit Marseille, with temperatures varying from 17 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius. You can also witness events like the Garlic Fair, the Festival du Soleil, as well as the Marsatac and Marseille Jazz des Cinq Continents being celebrated in the city.

To get a taste of the true summer season, July is one of the Best Time to Visit Marseille. This is when the temperatures are at their highest, ranging between 19 degrees Celsius to 30 degree Celsius. In addition to heading to the beaches, you can also enjoy meals in the rooftop and open-air restaurants and cafes. You can also go to the several concerts that are also organised during this month.

August marks the holiday season in Marseille, with the locals heading out of the city for vacations, and an influx of tourists. This is the peak season in the city, with many events owing to the high temperatures between 19 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. It is also when the new football season starts here, and when the first grapes are harvested.

With temperatures ranging from 16 degrees Celsius to 26 degrees Celsius, September marks the end of the summer season in Marseille. This is when the weather becomes cooler, and a lot of people visit the countryside and the beaches to soak in the beauty. The Calanques National Park also begins to reopen during this month. You can also attend events like Festival MIMI and Foire Internationale de Marseille in September.

October is one of the Best Time to Visit Marseille, when the streets and beaches are rather empty, owing to the low season here. The days begin to get shorter, and temperatures lower down to between 13 degrees Celsius to 21 degrees Celsius, with prices of hotels and airfare becoming quite cheap.

November marks the beginning of the winter season in Marseille, when you can enjoy events like Foire aux Santons and the oldest craft fair in the city, and get your hands on traditional terracotta figurines for Christmas. The temperatures also fall down to around 8 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees Celsius in November.

With low temperatures between 4 degrees Celsius to 12 degrees Celsius, you can definitely visit the city of Marseille. December is the peak winter month of the year, when you can celebrate Christmas in Marseille with the locals. You can witness the complete midnight Mass, the Provencal chants, desserts and numerous other events and markets all around.