France’s oldest city offers more than a few fascinating sights. Discover what to see in Marseille on your next trip.

With a rich history and a vibrant urban scene, Marseille is a truly unique city. You rarely get a chance to see such a perfect blend of cultural influences. If you’ve decided to visit, you can rest assured you’ve made an excellent decision.

If you have the time, you should explore everything that Marseille has to offer. Still, there are a few things that you must visit before you move on to the smaller and less famous sights. Here’s what to see in Marseille first.

1. Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde

Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde is a monument that you couldn’t miss even if you wanted to. It stands proudly at the hilltop, showcasing the opulence of the neo-byzantine architecture. The lavish gilded Madonna crowns the belfry and this is the first thing that will catch your eye from afar.

Of course, the interior of the Basilique is nothing less impressive. Light and dark arches contrast one another in a mesmerizing fashion. There are also many artifacts that you can see once inside.

When you reach the terrace, you’ll get to enjoy a marvelous panoramic view of Marseille. The view extends from the nearby red rooftops to as far as the Frioul Islands. With all of this in mind, you’ll want to set aside at least a couple of hours for the Basilique.

2. Old Port of Marseille

For more than 2,600 years, Marseille’s enormous port has been the epicenter of trade. Due to its size, it’s not really a sight as much as a district of its own.

You can take a stroll down the many broad promenades surrounded by 18^th-century warehouses. On the ground floor of just about all of them, you’ll see cafés, shops, or fish restaurants. Old Port of Marseille restaurants are as charming as you imagine them to be, and the Marseille food will leave you wanting more.

Today, the majority of the boats that you’ll see are for enthusiasts rather than traders. That’s because the local fishing industry modernized and moved to the many docks in the north. Still, you might stumble upon a fisherman carrying away fish to sell at a local market.

3. Musée d’Histoire de Marseille

What is Marseille famous for?

How about a 2,600-year-long history?

It’s tough to grasp everything that the city’s been through on your own. Because of this, you don’t want to miss the Musée d’Histoire de Marseille. As you can imagine, the museum that contains so much history has to be the largest in the country. So if you’re a fan of history, you’re in for a unique treat.

Do you want to see all the artifacts from the time of the Ancient Greeks to the 20^th century? Or models and maps of Marseille throughout history? These are just the tip of the iceberg.

Plus, the museum is very close to the Old Port, so you can get to it in no time after you’ve finished browsing the shops and bars.

4. Le Panier

Speaking of history, you must visit the Old Town where the Greeks settled in 600 BC. Le Panier is the cultural and historical center of Marseille, so you shouldn’t leave town before you get a chance to check it out.

What you’ll see are colorful pastel buildings, boutique shops, art galleries, and many unique spots. The entire area has a very artistic vibe, and even the gentrification hasn’t removed its charm.

As hard as it may be to believe once you get there, Le Panier is also a residential area. High lines of laundry breathe even more life into the area, making it even more appealing than it already is.

Naturally, the area has a few notable landmarks that you’ll want to visit. These include the Vieille Charité, Cathédrale de la Major, and Hôtel de Ville. And if you’re to explore Marseille’s heart and soul, be sure to take a walk through La Panier.

5. Calanques National Park

If you’re up for a Marseille adventure, don’t forget to stop by the Calanques National Park. You can either hike or take a boat if you’re more into a relaxing trip. But even if you do decide to hike, the scenery will be well worth the effort.

The sight of the limestone rock walls over the mesmerizing turquoise water may be enough to tempt you to jump into it. Of course, you’re free to do so and you can enjoy many other activities as well. These include board cruises, yachting, and kayaking, to name a few.

If you have the time, you should certainly book a guided boat tour or even a private tour. That’s how you’ll get the chance to see some of the majestic fjord-like coves like Port-Pin and En-Vau.

And if you get tired of exploring, you can enjoy savory meals and drinks surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery.

Don’t Leave Too Soon

What you see here is only a sample of Marseille. This is a destination that deserves a lot of attention, so be sure to leave enough time to visit all the major sights.

Of course, Marseille also has many forts and castles that you may want to check out later. You can stand on the same spot as the Ancient Greeks of more than two and a half millennia ago, for example. 

You won’t get many opportunities to do so, which is why you should take full advantage of everything that Marseille has to offer.

Traveling to Punta Cana? Check Out These Resorts

There’s no reason to not enjoy some pampering on your Punta Cana trip. Pick the best resort to suit your needs and let go of your troubles even for a few days.

It’s easy to find exactly what you want in your perfect resort when traveling to Punta Cana. After all, there’s a good selection of family-friendly, pet-friendly, and adult-only resorts.

This means that you can never end up in a place you might not feel comfortable in, no matter how little research you do. 

The majority of Punta Cana’s resorts offer high-end services and accommodations, but many of them are affordable, too. Here’s a shortlist of some of the best options available for your next trip.

Secrets Cap Cana Resort

The Secrets Cap Cana is among the best resorts in Punta Cana. It’s a superb Caribbean location equipped with water sports facilities, a spa, and even a casino.

Although it features an outdoor pool, you can also check out some freshwater lagoons close by. Feel free to ask about it with the hotel’s entertainment team – they’re very friendly and knowledgeable about the area.

You can also ask the staff for fun things to do and exciting sites to visit in Punta Cana. The resort is also adjacent to the renowned Playa Juanillo, which is a great place to mingle with locals and other tourists.

Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana

Some of the best resorts in Punta Cana are, in fact, in Cap Cana. Similar to Secrets, the Hyatt Ziva resort offers excellent service and accommodations all year round.

The Hyatt Ziva offers quick access to one of the region’s best beaches and is located less than half a mile from Playa Juanillo.

You can also have fun in the resort’s water park, dine at the restaurant, or take the young ones to the kids’ club. And you can likewise stay in shape at the fitness center, relax in the gorgeous garden, or sip cocktails at the bar.

Radisson Blu Resort & Residence

For an unforgettable all-inclusive Punta Cana experience, check out the Radisson Blu Resort. It offers easy access to the gorgeous Cabeza de Toro Beach and 5-star accommodations the brand is known for.

It’s also a family-friendly resort, which is a big plus considering some of the best resorts in Punta Cana only cater to adults. You can also benefit from a high-end concierge service, airport transfers, and room service.

The resort also has its own bar, pool, and a fine restaurant, so you can still have a blast even without leaving the premises.

Tortuga Bay Resort

If you want something closer to the airport without compromising on service, try Tortuga Bay Resort. It has a private beach, rooms with hot tubs, and VIP packages.

The staff is very welcoming and does a great job of making guests feel relaxed and pampered. It doesn’t have many rooms, compared to other Punta Cana resorts.

But it’s a great place to book a stay if you don’t care for large crowds.

La Piazzetta Villas

For a different experience, you can head over to Bavaro, Punta Cana where you’ll find La Piazzetta Villas. The resort is a complex of villas and apartments occupying a private stretch of the Caribbean coast.

The resort has multiple swimming pools, stunning views, and excellent service. You also take yoga classes, spend time at the dance studio, and taste a variety of local and international dishes.

There’s even a golf course nearby if you want to get some swings in. Don’t forget to pay a visit to the massage pavilions, as getting a massage is always a great way to relax.

Another draw here is the pet-friendly resort policy.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

The Hard Rock Punta Cana is one of the most popular and best resorts in Punta Cana. It has its own golf course, luxurious rooms and amenities, a fitness center, and even a kids’ club.

You may appreciate the family-friendly atmosphere and plenty of entertainment for the kids that the hotel offers. The Arcade Center or the mini-golf course, for example, can keep them perfectly content and occupied.

Although it’s a beachfront property, the resort also has 13 pools for the guests, three of which are for the little ones.

The casino always comes up with its own brand of entertainment. You can also enjoy any of the 17 different lounges and bars for a wide selection of drinks and food.

Bahia Principe Luxury Ambar

If you don’t mind going a bit further from downtown Punta Cana, this resort might be a great pick. It’s an adult-only complex that’s minutes away from the renowned Cana Bay Golf Course.

The resort offers a restaurant, nightclub, tennis courts, and fitness center. It’s also quite close to Splash Park if you’re ever in the mood for water rides and activities. 

While it doesn’t offer as many amenities as other accommodations in the region, it still offers excellent service and room conditions. 

The fact that it caters to couples is another plus, as it has a calmer and more romantic atmosphere, especially when compared to the larger family-friendly resorts.

The Excellence Punta Cana

Would you believe that one of the best resorts in Punta Cana sits on a remote piece of shoreline? 

The white sand beach and gorgeous palms place the Excellence Resort in an idyllic location.

This resort offers guests a world-class spa, a fitness center, and round-the-clock service. Most visitors tend to be couples, so the hotel staff knows how to make certain preparations.

It’s simply a perfect spot for a romantic getaway in one of Punta Cana’s more secluded and relaxing areas. The private beach, balcony, and ocean views may be just what you need to recharge your batteries and reconnect with your partner.

An Idyllic Destination

It’s not hard to see why so many people visit Punta Cana all year round. The Dominican Republic, after all, is gorgeous and offers an overwhelming number of accommodations and entertainment venues.

This area is famous for its all-inclusive resorts and for catering to very specific guest requirements. But it’s just as easy to find a family-friendly resort with playgrounds as it is a secluded resort with a focus on romantic getaways.

A Dreamy Getaway – How to Get the Most Out of Punta Cana

If you make the right choices, you can make your Punta Cana stay even better. Here’s what you have to know to have the best experience.

It doesn’t take much time after you land to see why Punta Cana appeals to so many tourists. After all, it’s a Caribbean paradise in every sense of the term.

It’s a place you can escape to with your partner, leave your worries behind, and enjoy some island pampering. 

Perhaps it’s not the most economical vacation destination, but the scenery, service, and weather conditions make it worth every penny. 

Here are a few tips to make your trip better than you could ever imagine.

Spend More Time Planning Things

The last thing you want to do when visiting Punta Cana is to waste time. It’s a gorgeous place with lots of things to see, but chances are that you’re not relocating there permanently. So your time here is limited.

Keep in mind that most resorts in the region aren’t close to the airport. There’s also a good bit of distance between Punta Cana’s most popular beaches and tourist hotspots. This means you can expect to do some traveling to get to your intended destination.

That’s why one of the best things to do in Punta Cana is to plan your ground transportation. Book your airport shuttle, plan some trips, and get tour tickets ahead of time.

Here’s something you should know: taking a random taxi can cost you dearly and may even mess up your whole itinerary.

Step Outside Your Resort for a Taste of Local Cuisine

Like most hotel restaurants, you can expect very diverse menus if you choose to dine at your accommodation of choice.

American, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisine are the most popular among Punta Cana’s resorts. But the local Dominican food is also fantastic. It’s a unique blend of African and Spanish influences mixed with Taino vibes that results in a feast for your tastebuds.

However, most restaurants and small eateries that offer authentic Dominican food aren’t on the grounds of all-inclusive Punta Cana resorts. So don’t forget to try your luck at dining out if you want to experience everything local.

While trying out the local food, give the local beverages a taste, too. Mamajuana is a unique native concoction that’s often referred to as an aphrodisiac. You can buy it from stores, but a freshly mixed one is the real deal.

Pick an Adult-Only Resort for a True Romantic Getaway

The lodging offering in Punta Cana is overwhelming. There are so many resorts and properties to choose from. 

But if you want a real couple’s vacation, look for an adult-only resort.

Most of them offer all-inclusive packages and don’t allow kids. This means that you can enjoy some seclusion and dine in romantic settings, all without having to worry about young ones making noise all day long.

Remember to do your due diligence, as not all resorts rated 5-star in Punta Cana are the same. Some of them offer more facilities and amenities than others.

For example, you’re not going to find a Jacuzzi in every room or an ocean view at all of them. At the same time, not all resorts can house guests in private villas or cabanas.

Be more thorough in your searches to find the perfect accommodations for your getaway.

Go on Some Tours and Culture Trips

Taking a tour and exploring the region is one of the best things to do in Punta Cana. 

To start with, it has a world-famous chocolate tour. You can also go on cocoa plantation tours, which aren’t exactly an everyday activity in other tourist hotspots.

The calm waters rich in aquatic life also make Punta Cana excellent for scuba diving and snorkeling. It’s easy enough to get a few lessons on the beach, join a tour, or rent gear and explore the underwater world on your own.

You may also enjoy attending the Dominican Carnival in February. The two-day parade, complete with costumes, music, and partying, is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture.

Going on a few excursions, whether to learn about the culture, taste the food, or interact with nature, is a great way to keep things interesting.

Don’t Overthink It, Just Go

Whenever people plan a vacation, they tend to overthink about the seasons. So when is the best time to visit? Also, when is the cheapest period?

With Punta Cana, you don’t have to worry about any of that. The Dominican Republic gets great weather all year round. This means traveling to Punta Cana any day of the year will give you warm weather and good water conditions, too. 

Of course, you should still hunt some bargain deals. And here’s one of the great things about Punta Cana. 

Since it has 365 days of peak tourist activity, you can find a great deal on a resort and airplane tickets anytime.

Spend Some Time at a Spa

As amazing as sightseeing is, don’t forget to take some time and relax. Most Punta Cana hotels and resorts, fortunately, have excellent spa facilities.

There’s no reason you shouldn’t enjoy a professional massage, experience some of the local oils, and recharge your batteries. Besides, a day at the spa is a couples-favorite activity and one of the best things to do in Punta Cana.

Enjoy the Full Offer

No matter when you visit, you’re guaranteed a great time. Punta Cana’s beautiful weather and ridiculously short occasional showers make for perfect vacations.

The region’s nightlife is also something everyone should get to experience at least once. After all, the island setting and contemporary venue vibes are ideal for young couples out to have fun.

The local cuisine and culture trips are also worth experiencing if you want to get everything out of your dreamy getaway. 

Don’t forget to find a good deal and have some cash on you when you land to avoid any issues with airport tourist fees.