Is Marseille Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Marseille, being the second-largest city in France, is mostly safe for solo female travelers. Like many large cities, there is a mix of safe areas and areas better to avoid, especially at night. During the daytime, you needn't have much concern as long as you follow basic safety guidelines such as staying alert and keeping your valuables secure. However, it is recommended to avoid isolated areas and be cautious at night, particularly around the Old Port and the train station, which can be a bit dodgy. On the whole, the citizens are friendly and helpful, and public transportation is reliable.

Safety rating

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How safe is Marseille?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Moderate

Marseille has loveable, lively neighborhoods, but like any major city, it has its share of areas that pose a potential safety risk, especially at night. While walking alone, it's important to stick to well-lit, populated areas and avoid deserted streets or areas known for crime. Most of the main tourist areas are fairly safe, and local police are visible. Like any urban setting, caution and awareness of one’s surroundings are key.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Marseille, is generally safe, reliable, and well-maintained for travelers. The city has a good network of buses, trams, and metros that are commonly used by locals and tourists alike. During the day the frequency of travel options is also accommodating, however, like anywhere you would still need to exercise common sense and personal safety, especially at night or at less crowded stations. Petty crimes, such as pickpocketing, can still be a concern, as is common in many major cities. Overall, Marseille's public transportation safety is more or less comparable to other major European cities.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

In Marseille, you can expect the typical urban environment. Occasional stares and passive remarks may be commonplace but most locals are respectful and keep to themselves. It's always important to stay alert and aware, as in any large city. Unwanted attention can occur from time to time, but it's generally not an oppressive environment for solo female travelers.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Moderate

Marseille does have its share of petty crime such as pick pocketing and bag snatching, often in crowded or touristy areas. However, taking typical travel safety precautions such as keeping the valuables secure and being aware of your surroundings can significantly lower the risk.

Is Marseille worth visiting?

Overall rating

3.8 /5

based on 10 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4/5

Safety

3.2/5

Food

4.2/5

Budget-friendly

3/5

Solo travel

I felt safe but be careful people are kind but some are strange i loved food and calanque but its difficult to be host there. Talk to people to know were to go and what to do they love help and talk and most are funny

Posted: October 25, 2024
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Group travel

My favorite city in the world From the moment I arrived in Marseille, I felt at home. I fell in love with the city's urban style, international cuisine, political landmarks, and alternative cafes. I highly recommend it.

Posted: August 28, 2024
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Jessica

Jessica

United States

Solo travel

I stayed in an airbnb room with a woman and her daughter. They were both super sweet and the room was great. I spent a day in aix-en which was beautiful but super hot I took a boat tour of the calanques which was BEAUTIFUL. It was tricky sometimes because the metro stops running at 11:00. There’s a lot of chaos happening because of the Olympics and the airport is not very easy to get to from where I’m staying in my opinion. It’s either a kind of pricey train or a bus that makes me nervous because of traffic.

Posted: July 11, 2024
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Group travel

In marseille, it’s better to go out during the day. The center of the city is very beautiful, there are lots of people. However some places can be dangerous so you may want to stay in crowded areas, city center. It’s hot, there is the beach and sun

Posted: July 10, 2024Experienced: June, 2019
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Solo travel

Even though I'd heard scary things about Marseille, I was pleasantly surprised by how safe I felt. I might've been lucky but I met so many cool people through Couchsurfing events and made friends with locals which was one of the main reasons I felt secure. I'd give the same general advice to solo female travellers: 1. Be aware of your surroundings 2. Don't go out late at night 3. Research about safe areas to stay and visit and stick to those especially for accommodation. 4. Keep your valuables as securely as possible and keep an eye on your stuff. Guard your stuff like a hawk, especially in public transport and tourist hotspots

Posted: June 23, 2024
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Emily

Emily

United Kingdom

Solo travel

I’m not impressed with Marseille. Though I feel I’ve been spoiled by staying in Avignon the week prior (which is a gorgeous city). The moment I got off the train at the central station I knew I was in a city. It feels & looks dirty & the neighbourhood my hostel is in does not make me feel safe. At dinner I walked to the harbour along a very big & touristy road, but it was filled with gangs of men staring & commenting at me. As a lone female it’s not often I feel unsafe (I grew up in London, I know how to hold myself when out & about), but this evening I had to have my wits about me & decided to get the metro home just one stop to avoid having to experience that again. It’s put me off going out tomorrow evening now. Very disappointing.

Posted: June 21, 2024
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Julia

Julia

France

Group travel

Marseille is an amazing city with a lot of diversity and hidden treasures. The musems are quite diverse and very interesting. I highly recommend the Museum of the History of Marseille, the Mémorial des déportations and the Museum Cantini. Also, I highly recommend visiting the Calanques, it is gorgeous there :)

Posted: April 29, 2024Experienced: March, 2024
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Solo travel

Marseille was at itself a very nice city, lots of stuff todo and French pastries are just amazing. There where quite a lot of sights like some churches and museums as well as the Harbour. BUT after dark I didn’t feel safe as a female walking around alone and not in the sketchy parts but in the touristic center inward talked to by several weird man and even followed by some drunk people and I had to seek rescue at the next store with a security guy. Overall I would recommend marseille by day, by night I wouldn’t go out alone. I even met some guys at my hostel who told me the same and they were like tall men so…

Posted: March 5, 2024
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Molly

Molly

United Kingdom

Solo travel

After researching online I was quite hesitant about my trip to Marseille due to its reputation of being unsafe for solo female travellers. Do not let this stop you from visiting this beautiful city! As long as you trust your intuitions and go to the right places, you will have a wonderful experience. I stayed in a studio apartment in La Panier, which was one of the recommended areas as it’s a tourist hotspot and therefore, usually bustling with people. I did not wander about after dark and got back to the studio just after sunset every night in which time, people were still walking around and I felt very safe. If staying in Marseille, I would recommend finding somewhere with a balcony or an amazing view from the window (like I did) as you can still enjoy the city from a distance during the night. One of my favourite experiences from Marseille was visiting the Notre Dame. It is a simple 15 minute bus ride from the port (to avoid walking up the hill) and has the most incredible views of the city. I sat in silence for about half an hour just absorbing the architecture from the inside, it is truly breathtaking.

Posted: January 25, 2024
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Solo travel

I had a wonderful solo adventure in Marseille, I rented an Airbnb about 10 kilometers outside the city center, near the foot of the mountain. Plenty of mountain and coastal trails. Easy access to the bus and water transport. I stayed in a quiet area and bought all my food at small local markets.

Posted: March 6, 2023
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Is Marseille safe for women?

Safety index

2.7 /5

Based on 9 local experiences

Crime index

2.4 /5

Based on 9 local experiences

Altynaï

Altynaï

Marseille is safe. Just don't go to the hood in the north of Marseille and be cautious after 1 am. It's really a lovely city where everyone feel at home country. You can go in every bar by yourself and you will meet all kind of people. It's really a cosmopolite city.

Posted: December 25, 2024
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The city is pretty safe you just have to stay in the right places and don’t go to sketchy places. City center is pretty safe depending on the streets you are in just to make sure that if you want to avoid any that situation to be dress modest

Posted: December 25, 2024
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Meet locals in Marseille

Altynaï

Altynaï

About Me

I like playing, listening and talk about music. I love to dance. I like to learn about traditionnal food. And I like sharing stories about travels, cultures and emotions.

Speaking

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Lisa

Lisa

About Me

Helloo ☀️ I am Lisa from Algeria 🇩🇿 I live in Marseille, France 🇫🇷. I love painting, drawing, sharing and having deep conversations with friends and strangers !! I'm not great at cooking, but I'm trying to improve these days 😜. I'm currently on a Travel journey ✨️ where I try my best to discover a maximum of new countries, new cultures, new ways of being and doing things. 🙃 Looking forward to meet new people and experience new adventures 💫

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Marseille

Lisa

Lisa

Marseille

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Helloo ☀️ I am Lisa from Algeria 🇩🇿 I live in Marseille, France 🇫🇷. I love painting, drawing, sharing and having deep conversations with friends and strangers !! I'm not great at cooking, but I'm trying to improve these days 😜. I'm currently on a Travel journey ✨️ where I try my best to discover a maximum of new countries, new cultures, new ways of being and doing things. 🙃 Looking forward to meet new people and experience new adventures 💫

Speaking

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Dounia

Dounia

Marseille

Can host for:

1 day

About me

“I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.”

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Marseille

Charlotte

Charlotte

About Me

Salut! Hi! Hola! I am a jazz singer, comedian, composer and stage artist and I love nature, arts and people!

Speaking

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victoria

victoria

About Me

I am planning my first backpacking trip around Europe March 2024! It’s my golden birthday & I am planning to do most of the trip solo.

Speaking

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Safety in France