The 9 things to do in Cassis

Visit Cassis: What are the best things to do and see in this pearl of the Mediterranean Sea?

Cassis... well, it is the fruit of the cassissier, okay. But it is also, and above all, a superb small fishing port located in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, about 20 kilometers east of the Marseilles metropolis. The city is famous for its trails through the gigantic Cape Canaille, its calanques and its majestic cliffs plunging into a deep blue water, its pebble beaches and the castle overlooking the town, but also for its adorable little port bordered by multicolored buildings, cafés and succulent restaurants offering bouillabaisses, seafood and fish dishes!

In the land, vineyards produce the famous white wine of Cassis and many hiking trails await lovers of escapades in the middle of nature. Needless to say, whatever your ambitions are, you will only have the embarrassment of choice when you look for what to do in Cassis when you stay in the area!

To help you develop your holiday or weekend on site, Wanderlix offers you a selection of the essential activities to do in one of the most beautiful small Mediterranean cities. Ready? Here we go!

1. La calanque de Port-Miou

What a lovely little name! In fact, the calanque - a geological formation consisting of a creek with steep edges in which the sea- of Port-Miou is the most eastern calanque of the coast between Marseille and Cassis: it is located in the city of Cassis, which has three calanques, just at the entrance!

If you’re talking about it, it’s a must when you’re visiting Cassis: it’s distinguished from the other calanques by its large size and relief, especially tortured! In addition, this calanque is one of the only ones to be accessible by car.. provided the visitor seeking to do in Cassis has taken care to park in the early morning in this busy natural area!

2. The small port of Cassis

When we visit Cassis, we first discovered a port: a charming small fishing port where the boats -the "pointus"- come, every morning, sell fish and seafood to the shout: typical Provencal atmosphere assured!

It is also from there that you can organize a tour with a local guide that will help you choose what to do in Cassis: hiking during a discovery of the hinterland, wine tasting or a nice boat ride.

If Cassis has a charming little historic city centre, its port is indeed the soul of the commune: here we meet, chamail, laugh or taste a pastis in the shade of a parasol, taking advantage of the sweetness of living in the southern cities of the South.

3. A boat ride

After strolling on the docks of the small port of Cassis, why not take advantage of it to rent a boat ?

Indeed, having your own small boat will allow you to explore the Mediterranean coast, its calanques and its beaches. Thus, you will have the opportunity to discover the landscape in another way, seen from the waters. A great experience to live with your loved ones to perfect your stay in Cassis!

4. The market of Cassis

What to do in Cassis when you have to make some food purchases? Visit the Cassis market, pardi!

The latter, located in the center of the city, on the place Baragnon , close to the fishing port, is held every Wednesday and Friday. Producers and merchants come to supply their stalls with succulent regional specialties, and here the good mood is rigour! If the place is particularly popular with tourists, the prices remain correct and the freshness is always at the rendezvous.

Initiate yourself to the Provençal flavours, fill with crudities and olive oil, treat yourself to the best local products while discussing with traders: their joy of living has no price!

5. The beaches

When you are looking for what to do in Cassis, you can also choose to... do nothing at all. And this falls well, especially in the summer: the town has several beaches, including the beach of Bestouan -située near the Port-Miou calanque -, the beach of the Great Sea -the largest and most tourist of the area-, or the beach of the Arena -the last one being surely, with its pebbles, the quietest since the least frequented.

It is pleasant, after being sun-drenched, to have a pair of palms and a tuba to discover the marine fauna of the surrounding rocks; Depending on the season, it can even be possible to fish in these waters that are full of rock fish.

6. Cape Canaille

The Cap Canaille only peaks a few hundred meters above sea level, but this reddish rocky promontory is certainly one of the best spots in the region! The panorama that is offered is actually worth a look; you get there by taking a nice coastal path connecting Cassis to La Ciotat, where the hiking enthusiasts who came to visit Cassis will appreciate the majesty of the place. In addition to the view of the calanques, one can make a fear of the top of the famous Soubeyran cliffs: with their high peak of 394 meters, the latter are the highest maritime cliffs of France and are among the most colossal of Europe.

You will have understood it, organizing a getaway to Cape Canaille is one of the must-sees when you are looking for a trip to Cassis: go for a walk!

7. The little Cassis train

A rather expensive activity, kitsch, but appreciated by the smaller ones, Cassis’ small train is certainly one of the immanquable playful when you go on site: from the tourist office located on the fishing port, the small train carries you for 45 minutes through the most beautiful places around the corner.

A commented visit that will allow you to learn more about the history of the commune, to discover the beach of Bestouan and to enjoy a stop on the peninsula of Port Miou before completing your journey by returning to the heights of the city; We recommend you, in order to visit Cassis simply and without getting tired under the lead sun that reigns as a master during the summer, to enjoy this wonderful moment of family relaxation to explore the region.

8. A sea kayak tour in the Calanques

You doubt it, the splendid calanques can obviously be explored.. seaside: the coves, sheltered and often calm, are easily accessible by sea kayak and many tourists come to enjoy the beauty of the place during a nautical and refreshing getaway!

Prepare with a lifejacket, sun cream and ice water and enjoy an unusual view of the Sisidain coastline. When we look for what to do in Cassis, it is obviously one of the most enjoyable activities to do! It is not essential to be athletic or particularly trained to take pleasure and to move easily, the handling of the sea kayak is rather simple. Don’t hesitate anymore, go visit Cassis in the row...

9. Marine diving

It is close to the small fishing port, close to the tourist office, that the companies and stands are focused on offering tourists to visit Cassis to start diving. It must be said that the spots, sublime and preserved, are particularly numerous in the vicinity, and that it is pleasant to enjoy the freshness of the Mediterranean waters when it is very hot! The accompanying monitors will explain precisely the actions to be known and the use of the elements composing your equipment, to ensure safe exploration for all. If you would like to offer this special moment, do not hesitate to consult the various offers and services offered directly to these experienced professionals!

How do I get to Cassis?

By plane

The city of Cassis is located a few tens of minutes by car from Marignane International Airport, which is very close to the city of Marseille and which provides the metropolis with regular connections to the world. If you use the air transport to visit Cassis, you can rent a car from your arrival or take a bus to the city of Cassis, tourist and so well served by the shuttles and various public transport!

Moreover, our partner Ulysses will allow you to get there by finding a flight at the best price.

By train

In addition, the city has its own station, Cassis train station, located on the line linking the Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles Vintimille! Rail transport is therefore a simple and cost-effective way to get you into this calanque bead.

By car

If, in the end, you wanted to move to the latter by car, and walk around freely, know that if the roads that will lead you to Cassis are particularly pretty - no wonder, in view of the beauty of the place - they can be very crowded during the summer. Not to mention the fact that it can be difficult to move and park there: So you'll choose!

Where to stay in Cassis?

When we look for what to do in Cassis, we must also carefully prepare his arrival on site and so, residential area . In fact, you will find on-site several types of accommodation to choose according to your wishes, and your budget: Cassis is a very busy little town, especially during the summer season, so you can enjoy the many possibilities offered to find where to sleep.

Hotels are present in the commune and in the surroundings, but they are often stormed by visitors, it may be interesting to consult the rooms available on Marseille or on Aix-en-Provence, for example; we recommend that you discover the different possibilities using this Compare hotels . Campsites are also scattered around the countryside, and are perfect for enjoying the cadas’ singing while enjoying a flexible and affordable solution. Finally, in this small fishing port, it may be useful to consult the offers offered on rental platforms as Airbnb : apartments, villas, studios are often offered by the owners wishing to make the area discover to the tourists, and these ads can allow you to feel in Cassis.. as at home!

There you go! You now know how to discover Cassis without taking your head and fully enjoy your stay in this typical Mediterranean town by determining which activities you will best match: then, which ones will seduce you when you arrive to visit Cassis?