Cassis is the little sister of Marseille and many visitors’ favourite place on this coast. Its harbour is ringed by pastel houses and café terraces, with fishing boats and pleasure craft bobbing in front and a medieval castle on the headland above. To the east rises Cap Canaille, a great wall of ochre-red rock among the highest sea cliffs in Europe, crossed by the Route des Crêtes with breathtaking views back over the bay. To the west begin the calanques: Port-Miou, Port-Pin and En-Vau can be walked to from the edge of town or seen from the water on the boats that leave the harbour throughout the day. Cassis also makes a crisp white wine on terraces running down to the sea, one of the oldest appellations in Provence, and it is perfect with the local seafood. This page links to a Tiqets small-group tour from Aix-en-Provence that combines a walk through Cassis, a boat ride along the calanques and a winery tasting, with transport included. If you are based in Marseille, it is easy to reach Aix for the start, or to visit Cassis independently by bus or train.
How to visit: the linked tour lasts about eight hours, with a live English-speaking guide, a maximum of eight guests, round-trip air-conditioned transport, a boat ride past the calanques and a wine tasting. It meets in central Aix-en-Provence near the tourist office, so confirm the exact meeting point after booking. Entry fees and meals are extra, and free cancellation is available until 24 hours before. Travelling independently from Marseille, buses and regional trains run to Cassis; the station is a few kilometres above the town, so a bus or a long downhill walk links it to the port.
What to expect: the harbour is busy on summer weekends and calmer out of season, when many restaurants still open for lunch. Boat trips from the port run to three, five or more calanques depending on the cruise, and may be cancelled in rough weather or strong mistral. The market fills the centre on Wednesday and Friday mornings.
Making the most of it: walk to Port-Miou and on towards Port-Pin in the morning, take a boat in the early afternoon for the cliffs of En-Vau, then finish with a glass of Cassis white on the harbour. If you have a car, drive the Route des Crêtes over Cap Canaille towards La Ciotat for the views, but note that it closes on windy and high fire-risk days.
What to expect
The experience
A small-group day tour with a walk through Cassis, a boat ride past the calanques and a winery tasting, or an independent trip by bus or train from Marseille.
Best time
A calm, sunny day, ideally a Wednesday or Friday for the market; boats may not sail in strong mistral.
How long
About eight hours on the tour, or a full day independently.
Tips
Confirm the Aix meeting point after booking, and if you go alone, allow for the gap between Cassis station and the port.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Couples and food lovers who want the prettiest port on the coast plus a look at the calanques from the water.
- Families
- The boat ride and harbour are fun for children; the tour suits older children best given its length.
- Couples
- A boat past En-Vau, then a long seafood lunch with a bottle of Cassis white by the harbour.
- Pair with
- A hike in the Calanques National Park, or Aix-en-Provence the next day.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
How far is Cassis from Marseille?+
Cassis is roughly half an hour east of Marseille by road. Buses and regional trains run there, though the station is a few kilometres above the port.
Where does the linked tour start?+
It starts in central Aix-en-Provence near the tourist office, with transport included from there. Confirm the meeting point after booking.
What is included in the tour?+
A live English-speaking guide, round-trip transport, a boat ride along the calanques and a wine tasting are included. Meals and entry fees are not.
What is Cap Canaille?+
Cap Canaille is the huge ochre cliff east of Cassis, among the highest sea cliffs in Europe. The Route des Crêtes runs over it with sweeping views.
Can I take a boat to the calanques from Cassis?+
Yes, boats leave the harbour for cruises to Port-Miou, Port-Pin, En-Vau and beyond. Sailings can be cancelled in rough weather.
