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

3.9 /5

based on 15 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.1/5

Safety

3.2/5

Food

3.9/5

Budget-friendly

3.1/5

Solo travel

It was honestly a beautiful city; I really loved the beach and the people are super friendly. To stay safe in this city, you should especially avoid going out alone at night and choose the neighborhood where you'll stay during your visit. You can find all types of cuisine possible to meet everyone's needs. There are many affordable transportation options, making it easy to get around the city.

Posted: April 2, 2025
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Group travel

Marseille was fun. We all heard it's super unsafe but didn't really feel like it. Of course I only stayed intramuros. Even at night walking with a friend felt okay. Always be careful but I'd say it's all good.

Posted: March 12, 2025Experienced: December, 2024
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Sydney

Sydney

United Kingdom

Solo travel

Marseille is a gorgeous place near hiking in the mountains, nightlife in the city, and beautiful beaches. Truly one of my favourite cities in the world! I felt very safe— even did a bit of hitchhiking around in the Calanques. Went cave diving and spent most of my time by the sea.

Posted: March 11, 2025
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Laureline

Laureline

France

Solo travel

Marseille is the biggest city in south France. It allows you to go check a lot other places in south of France by train/buses. You can also enjoy the sea and typical food there. Some neighbor (in North) and quite not safe for solo female so please stay in the center ! And not to close to the train station. Enjoy !

Posted: February 4, 2025Experienced: December, 2024
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Group travel

Marseille is a cute city for a daytrip. I was with seven other peolpe, is was a friendgroupt vacation. That‘s why I always felt safe. There are some creepy little streets though, but overall if you stay in the touristy spots, you shouldn‘t have to worry. My favourite thing as a vegan were the many gelato stands with parfaits, it was so yummy. They often had slush ices, too, which was great.

Posted: January 9, 2025
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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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Is Marseille safe for women?

Safety index

3 /5

Based on 21 local experiences

Crime index

2.7 /5

Based on 21 local experiences

Marseille is a big city, but where I live, in the 9th district and around, I feel safe. At night as everywhere I don't feel safe, but no more than anywhere else. It is okay to walk alone at night but personally I have a small weapon.

Posted: April 8, 2025
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Clem

Clem

I lived there all my life and I never had any problems. I think the interesting places in Marseille are safe as it’s either touristic or full of people that are just going on normally on their days (so they don’t care about you). Still, if you don’t know the city and where to go, I’ll avoid going back home at night alone taking random streets showed by google maps. It really depends on the neighborhood tho, and if you’re 2 girls maybe that are used of big cities, then there is no problem.

Posted: March 6, 2025
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Meet locals in Marseille

Anne-Astrid

Anne-Astrid

About Me

Traveling solo can be pretty intimidating, especially when you're young. And when you're a woman, it adds another layer of challenge with everything happening in the world today. That’s why I’m hoping to find good advice from fellow travelers, a sense of hospitality, and maybe even create some great memories along the way. Traveling brings me so much joy—it’s turned me from a shy girl into someone full of confidence. I can’t wait to repeat the experience!!!

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Eva

Eva

About Me

Hello ! I'm Eva, I'm french and I live in Marseille 🌞 I'm in second year of a Life Sciences degree. Next year I'm going to live in Germany, on an educational farm, as part of a civic service program 🌾 Vanlife is my dream life, after traveling around the world with a backpack. I would live new inspiring experiences, and developing my awareness. ✨

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Stay with locals in Marseille

Anne-Astrid

Anne-Astrid

Marseille

Can host for:

1 day

About me

Traveling solo can be pretty intimidating, especially when you're young. And when you're a woman, it adds another layer of challenge with everything happening in the world today. That’s why I’m hoping to find good advice from fellow travelers, a sense of hospitality, and maybe even create some great memories along the way. Traveling brings me so much joy—it’s turned me from a shy girl into someone full of confidence. I can’t wait to repeat the experience!!!

Speaking

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Eva

Eva

Marseille

Can host for:

4 days

About me

Hello ! I'm Eva, I'm french and I live in Marseille 🌞 I'm in second year of a Life Sciences degree. Next year I'm going to live in Germany, on an educational farm, as part of a civic service program 🌾 Vanlife is my dream life, after traveling around the world with a backpack. I would live new inspiring experiences, and developing my awareness. ✨

Speaking

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Safety in France