Calanques National Park is a hidden hiking gem on the southern coast of France, with dramatic white limestone cliffs, turquoise blue bays and numerous hiking trails weaving through it all. It’s a small but mighty region, located on the Mediterranean coast between Marseille and Cassis, making it the perfect location for an active long weekend. If you want to plan a visit to Calanques National Park, this guide has everything you need to know, including where to stay, the best routes and insider tips.
There are regular flights into Marseille Provence Airport, which is around a 45-minute drive from the national park.
You can either base yourself in Cassis if you want a small coastal town feel (my personal recommendation), or you can opt for Marseille if you fancy a metropolitan city energy. There are plenty of hotels and Airbnbs available in both locations.
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are the best times to visit for warm weather (but not scorching) and having all the trails open. Summer can be too intense, with many trails closing during heatwaves due to fire risks – if you do go during this time, make sure you check official websites for access updates before heading out, and you need to pre-book park passes too.
I recommend a minimum of three full days in the region to truly be able to experience the best of Calanques National Park.
I strongly advise hiring a car to give you flexibility and ease of accessing the trailheads. Although there is a well-established public transport system, this national park could be explored without a car with a little foreplanning.
It is worth noting that parking is very limited, so I recommend arriving for your hikes early in the day.
Distance: 9.3km
Elevation: 400m
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Map: Here
This is perhaps the most famous hike in the national park and for good reason. You pass three stunning calanques: Port-Miou (a long, narrow inlet lined with boats and offering great cliff-jumping spots), Port-Pin (a gorgeous rocky beach which is perfect for a swim), and the iconic En-Vau (a dramatic fjord-like cove with bright blue water). The trail is a little rocky with some steep ascents, but the views are absolutely incredible along the way.
Distance: 8km
Elevation: 300m
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Map: Here
This trail is perhaps my personal favourite purely because of the views – they are absolutely mind-blowing! It’s a more gentle route with a wide path and scenic descent to the twin coves of Sugiton, which are perfect for a swim. Make sure you follow the specific map I have linked, as it loops you past the Belvédère de Sugiton viewpoint (which gives epic views over neighbouring Calanques de Morgiou) and also up to an additional gorgeous viewpoint near the water which most people miss (this requires climbing up a short, easy ladder and using a couple of chains).
Distance: 8.2km
Elevation: 400m
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Map: Here
If you want to escape some of the Calanques crowds, head to this lesser-known cove only accessible by boat or on foot. This loop trail starts at the port of Callelongue and climbs into the park, rewarding you with stunning views along the way. It then descends through the Malvalon Valley to the gorgeous Calanque de Marseilleveyre, a small sand and pebble beach with beautiful views of the Riou Archipelago, before looping back along the coastline.
If you want to rest your legs in between hikes, there are numerous other ways you can explore this gorgeous national park. I highly recommend renting a self-drive boat from Cassis and sailing to Calanques de Sugiton – we used JCF Boats and it was a personal highlight of my trip! You can also kayak, paddleboard, scuba dive and even rock climb – with providers for all these activities in Cassis and Marseille. And if you really want to kick back, it is also just a gorgeous place to relax, sunbathe and swim in the many famous coves of the Calanques.
Cassis itself is a gorgeous town and it is well worth a wander through its narrow side streets – I highly recommend dinner at O Rev and La Storia di Vincenzo, coffee and lunch from Mamhe Cafe, and ice cream from Maison Cassalini Gelato.
Safe travels!
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