The short version
- Take the TGV to Marseille, 3 hours at the fastest, then the regional train to Cassis, about 30 minutes and €8.40, roughly every half hour.
- Cassis station is 3 kilometers from the port. Bus 371 runs into town in 10 to 15 minutes for €0.80. Bus 78 from Marseille Castellane drops you in the center.
- Boats leave the port for the calanques all year. The one-hour trip to Port-Miou, Port-Pin and En-Vau is €21; the longest, 2 hours 20 minutes, is €33.
- On foot, Port-Miou is 30 minutes from the center, Port-Pin 15 minutes beyond it, and En-Vau about an hour, with a steep climb.
- From June 1 to September 30, access depends on the fire risk, published between 17:00 and 18:00 for the next day. On red days the trails are closed; boats still run, but you can’t land.
- Building work at Port-Miou runs until June 2027. Walkers coming over the hills from the Fontasse side must detour through Port-Pin, about an hour longer.
What to see
Start at the port: painted houses, fishing boats and the boat ticket booths. The market fills Place Baragnon on Wednesday and Friday mornings.
Take a boat first if you are not a walker. Tickets go on sale at the port half an hour before each departure, the standard trip needs no booking, and bad weather cancels sailings.
Then walk. The national park entrance at Port-Miou is 30 minutes from the center. Port-Pin, a pine-shaded pebble cove, is 15 minutes further, and En-Vau, the deep calanque between white cliffs, is about an hour. The climb back up is hard in summer heat, so carry water.
Drive up the Route des Crêtes to Cap Canaille, the high sea cliffs between Cassis and La Ciotat. The road closes in strong wind and on red fire-risk days.
Taste the wine. Cassis became the first wine appellation in Provence in 1936, and most of its 200 hectares make white wine, the local match for fish.
Getting there and around
From Marseille Saint-Charles, regional trains reach Cassis in about 30 minutes, with more than 60 round trips a day. From Marseille airport, allow 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 by bus to Saint-Charles and the train.
Don’t drive into the center; the tourist office strongly advises against it. Park free at the Gorguettes car park, 235 spaces, and take bus 372 into town.
The Marseille-side calanques are reached by city bus from Marseille. For Sugiton, take bus B1 to Luminy and walk about 45 minutes. For Sormiou or Morgiou, take bus 22 or 23 and walk 45 minutes to an hour; the roads are closed to cars in summer.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for walking. Summer is hot, the climb from En-Vau is hard in the heat, and the fire rules can close the trails.
From June 1 to September 30, check the next day’s fire risk after 17:00 on the Mes Calanques app or the prefecture’s map.
In summer, the Sugiton calanque on the Marseille side needs a free reservation on the busiest days. In 2026 that was every day from June 27 to August 30 plus some June and September weekends; the 2027 dates are not out yet.
In winter the boats run with fewer departures, and sea urchins come into season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Marseille to Cassis?
Take the regional train from Marseille Saint-Charles, about 30 minutes and €8.40, then bus 371 from Cassis station to the port. Or take bus 78 from Castellane in Marseille, which stops in the center.
Can you see the Calanques without a boat?
Yes, on foot. Port-Miou is 30 minutes from the center of Cassis, Port-Pin 15 minutes more, and En-Vau about an hour, with a steep climb. Wear proper shoes and carry water.
Are the Calanques open in summer?
It depends on the fire risk. From June 1 to September 30, the prefecture publishes the next day’s level between 17:00 and 18:00. On red days the trails and the Route des Crêtes are closed, and the boats run without landing.
Do I need to book Sugiton?
Only on the busiest summer days. The booking is free and online, opens three days ahead at 9:00, and closes at 18:00 the day before. The 2027 dates have not been published.
Is there a tour I can add?
Yes, in Provence. Avignon is on the TGV line to Marseille, and our One Night in Provence meets at Avignon TGV station: the Roman theater in Orange and a Châteauneuf-du-Pape tasting on the first day, then Arles, Les Baux and Saint-Rémy on the second.
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