What's the Weather like in Marseille in July
Marseille, France, enjoys strong connections with other cities dotted along the Mediterranean coastline, and much of the population is originally from Spain, Portugal, and Italy. This rich cultural diversity, coupled with the city's abundance of theatres, galleries, museums and dedication to the arts in general has led to the prestigious honour of Marseille being crowned European Capital of Culture 2013, joining the likes of Liverpool in UK, Stockholm in Sweden, and Berlin in Germany.
Temperature
July is one of the most popular times for travelling to Marseille due to the extraordinarily great weather. As the summer arrives in the city, it brings both the hottest temperatures and the driest conditions of the year. Heats range from a pleasant 19°C overnight to a warm 29°C during the day, sometimes hitting the low 30s. Those temperatures increase by about two degrees each in the course of the month.
July 30 is historically the warmest day of the whole year, with a low of 20°C and a high of 30°C. The overall average temperature is a delightful 24°C. Averaging 21°C, the sea water provides welcome relief from the high afternoon temperatures.
Rainfall
Rainfall is a minimal 10mm, although is expected to increase slightly towards the very end of the month. July is without question the driest and sunniest month of the whole yearhe very peak of the tourist season in Marseille. There are merely 3 days with some rainfall. The likelihood that rainfall occurs ranges between 14% and 17% throughout July, the lowest percentages of any month. The two most common precipitation types are thunderstorms and moderate rain, respectively observed on 39% and 38% of the days with rainfall. Light rain might occur as well. That said; those showers tend to be very brief.
Cloud Cover
Cloud cover is also at its annual low this time of year, averaging about 19%. This means that the sky is mostly clear throughout the month. This logically results in plenty of sunshine. Each day in July has 11 beautiful hours of sunshine.
Visiting Marseille in the near future? Don't forget to take a look at our detailed and up-to-date weather forecast.
Marseille Hotels in July
Ibis Marseille Gare Saint Charles
The Ibis Marseille Gare Saint Charles is perfect for those arriving by train, as it is situated close to the station. This is a three-star accommodation and room prices are reasonable for the city. An all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet is served each morning, and there is a fully equipped business centre onsite, making it a good choice for both business and leisure travellers. This central location allows easy access to all of Marseille's attractions and landmarks.
Pullman Marseille Palm Beach
A downright fabulous accommodation in a spectacular Mediterranean bay just outside the city centre is the luxurious four-star Pullman Marseille Palm Beach. This hotel and resort offers magnificent sea views and lies close to major attractions in the area, including Calanques National Park and Château d'If. It features a magnificent outdoor pool, a restaurant serving Mediterranean food and a terraced bar.
Radisson Blu Hotel Vieux Port
Another excellent hotel is the Radisson Blu Hotel Vieux Port. It lies right next to the Old Port, arguably the best location in the entire city, and therefore only a few steps away from the ferries that commute to popular places such as Calanques National Park and the Frioul Islands. Its 189 rooms are housed in two separate buildings. Amenities include a great restaurant, a French brasserie, a vintage bar, a pool and a gym.
Beaches in Marseille for July
The 21°C waters in July are perfect for seeking refuge from the afternoon heat. Definitely visit Plage du Prado during your stay. This is the most popular beach in Marseille, so don't count on peace and quiet there. On the other hand, there are plenty of facilities, ranging from accommodations to restaurants and bars. Various events take place at and around the beach, including both sporting events and cultural happenings. There are two other, smaller beaches in between Prado and the Old Port: Plage des Catalans and Prophète.
Eating and Drinking Out
For some traditionally French cuisine, stop by Le Julien for dinner. Fresh fruit salads, duck foie gras and cheese platters are some of the most popular menu items here, and some of the menu favourites are even available to take away as gifts or to enjoy afterward, such as the spring salad and cases of wine. If you're travelling with a large group, the restaurant is also available for private events.
For fish and seafood, you are advised to pay a visit to Chez Fonfon. This is a wonderful place to try one of the region's most famous dishes: bouillabaisse, a dish that is both a soup and a main course. This family-owned dining venue serves great food in a cosy and modern dining room-like setting.
Things to Do in Marseille in July
Enjoy the great summer weather and take a trip to the eastern outskirts of Marseille, to OK Corral. This theme park, loosely based on a Wild West theme, offers pant-wetting rides for adults and older kids, and calmer activities for the younger ones such as canoe trips and pony treks. The area known as "Silver Dollar City" is designed with the traditional Wild West saloons, and there are regular show downs and horse shows.
Due to its coastal location and the hot weather in July, Marseille is a top diving and snorkelling destination in the Mediterranean this time of year. Plongee Phoceenne offers both of these water-based activities, providing the chance to discover the unique and colourful sea life off the coast. Trips include refreshments and underwater photographs to keep as souvenirs. For those who aren't qualified to dive, this company also offers open water diving courses.
