Things to Do in Cassis: Beaches, Calanques, Wine & More
Cassis ended up being one of my favorite stops in the South of France.
It is small enough that you can walk around the harbor, grab dinner, and feel like you actually got to experience the town, but there is also so much to do around it.
You have the Calanques in one direction, Cap Canaille towering over the other, vineyards surrounding the town, beaches right outside the harbor, and ridiculously blue Mediterranean water basically everywhere you look.
We personally stayed in Cassis because exploring the Calanques was a huge priority for us, and I am really glad we did instead of just coming over from Marseille for the day.
We hiked. We kayaked for six hours. We snorkeled. We cliff jumped.
And we still had time to actually enjoy Cassis itself.
So if you're trying to narrow down the best things to do in Cassis, these are the experiences I would prioritize.
Best Things to Do in Cassis at a Glance
Explore the Calanques by hiking, kayaking, or boat
Walk around the Port of Cassis
Relax at Bestouan Beach
Swim at Plage de la Grande Mer
Drive or explore the Route des Crêtes
Go to the Cassis Market
See Cap Canaille
Stop by Casino Barrière
Go wine tasting
Eat seafood by the harbor
Watch the sunset
Take a day trip to Marseille or Aix-en-Provence
1. Explore the Calanques by Hiking, Kayaking, or Boat
If there is one thing I would tell someone not to miss in Cassis, it is the Calanques.
Calanques National Park stretches along the coastline between Cassis and Marseille and is filled with narrow turquoise coves surrounded by huge white limestone cliffs.
The three most famous calanques closest to Cassis are:
Port-Miou
Port-Pin
En-Vau
But those are really just the beginning. If you're exploring by water, you can continue much farther along the coastline toward l'Oule, L'Eissadon, Devenson, Sugiton, Morgiou, and beyond.
There are three main ways to experience them:
Hiking is best for the views from above. The classic route from Cassis takes you through Port-Miou, Port-Pin, and eventually En-Vau. Just know that the trail gets much more challenging as you continue toward En-Vau, so wear real shoes and bring plenty of water.
Kayaking was personally my favorite. We originally rented our kayaks for four hours and ended up extending them to six hours because we wanted enough time to explore farther down the coast, snorkel, swim, and actually enjoy the different stops. The water was unbelievably clear, we saw a ton of fish, and being able to paddle directly into the calanques was such a different experience from seeing them from land. Just be prepared: six hours of kayaking is a lot of kayaking.
Boat tours are the easiest option if you want to see several calanques without turning the day into a workout. You won't have quite as much freedom to stop and explore as you would with a kayak, but you'll still get incredible views of the coastline.
If you have enough time, I would personally hike one day and kayak another. That's what we did, and I loved getting to see the Calanques from both perspectives.
I have a separate Calanques Cassis guide where I go much deeper into the different calanques, beaches, kayak routes, hiking, caves, fire restrictions, and everything we learned from our trip.
2. Walk Around the Port of Cassis
You really do not need an itinerary for every hour you're in Cassis.
Leave some time to just walk around.
The Port of Cassis is basically the center of town and is lined with colorful buildings, cafes, restaurants, and fishing boats. Cassis Tourism describes it as the heart of the village, and it absolutely feels that way.
This is where I would come back after a day of hiking or kayaking. Walk around. Get dinner. Stop for a drink. Get ice cream. And just enjoy being somewhere that looks aggressively South of France.
I especially liked staying in Cassis because once we were done with our activities for the day, we didn't have to immediately leave.
We could actually enjoy the town at night after a lot of the day-trippers were gone.
3. Spend an Afternoon at Bestouan Beach
If you want an actual beach day without hiking into the Calanques, Bestouan Beach is one of the easiest options.
It's a pebble-and-rock beach with a direct view toward Cap Canaille and extremely clear Mediterranean water. I definitely recommend water shoes.
It's also home to Same Same Beach Club, which provides deckchairs and sunbeds on a private terrace. You'll definitely want to make a reservation though, as it fills up quickly. You can also grab a quick bite to eat.
Another great lunch spot is Le Bestouan Restaurant right on the beach. We had the absolute best ceviche there, made with fish that was caught that morning.
4. Swim at Plage de la Grande Mer
If convenience is the priority, Plage de la Grande Mer is basically impossible to beat. It's right in the center of Cassis next to the port.
You can literally go from wandering around town to swimming within a few minutes.
It's a mix of sand and pebbles and has restaurants and other amenities right nearby.
Would I choose this over En-Vau if scenery were my only priority? No.
But if you're tired from kayaking for six hours and want somewhere you can just walk into the water? Absolutely.
5. Drive the Route des Crêtes
If you have a car, Route des Crêtes is one of the things I would definitely add to your itinerary. It's a panoramic road connecting Cassis and La Ciotat, running high above the Mediterranean along the cliffs.
There are viewpoints where you can stop and look over Cassis, the Calanques, vineyards, and the coastline. It is one of those drives where the actual drive is the attraction.
Important Current Note
The Route des Crêtes is currently reserved for pedestrians and other non-motorized users every Sunday, with shuttle service available from Cassis. Access can also be restricted in summer because of fire risk or during strong winds. So check the current conditions before building your entire day around driving it.
Unfortunately, we were unable to go during our trip due to fire risk.
6. Visit the Cassis Market
If you're in Cassis on a Wednesday or Friday morning, definitely stop by the Provençal market at Place Baragnon.
It runs year-round and is filled with the kind of things you actually want to browse in the South of France: fresh fruit and vegetables, cheeses, olives, honey, herbs, local wines, flowers, textiles, and Provençal specialties.
Ryan and I thought we bought so much meat and cheese when we went. Apparently not. It was so good that we somehow finished almost all of it within two days.
So if you're staying in Cassis for more than a couple of nights, my advice is to buy more than you think you need. It is very easy to underestimate how quickly a pile of good French cheese, charcuterie, bread, and wine disappears when you're snacking on it every afternoon.
I would absolutely stock up here for beach days, picnics, or just to keep something in your hotel or vacation rental.
If you're visiting during summer, Cassis also has an evening artisan market. In 2026, it ran nightly from late June through August from around 7 p.m. to midnight, with local jewelry, clothing, home decor, and other handmade goods.
7. See Cap Cannaille
You will probably notice Cap Canaille before you even intentionally go looking for it. It absolutely towers over Cassis. The cliffs rise nearly 400 meters above the Mediterranean, and the views from the Route des Crêtes are incredible.
The contrast is also really pretty because the cliffs around Cap Canaille have much warmer red and orange tones compared with the bright white limestone around the Calanques. If you're staying in Cassis, I would try to see it around sunset.
8. Stop by Casino Barrière Cassis
This is definitely not the first thing people think of when they picture Cassis, which is probably why I think it's kind of fun.
Cassis has its own Casino Barrière right in town. It has slot machines, table games, a bar, restaurant, and occasional events and entertainment. It is open late every night.
If you're staying for a few nights and want something different to do after dinner, I would stop by for a little while. Ryan happened to go every night of our Cassis trip. I did join him for a night and spent most of my time at the blackjack table. The dealers were so friendly, especially compared with some of the dealers we've encountered back in the States. The casino was also a great place to meet locals and other visitors.
DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR PASSPORT.
9. Go Wine Tasting in Cassis
This is something I think gets overshadowed by the Calanques.
Cassis has its own wine appellation. It currently has 10 wine estates covering roughly 215 hectares.
And white wine is the star here. Cassis whites tend to be fresh, mineral, and citrusy, which obviously works pretty perfectly with seafood and Mediterranean food.
You can visit wineries for tastings, tour vineyards, or even book experiences that combine the vineyards with biking or buggy tours. However, if you don’t have time for a full wine tour, don’t worry, you’ll still have plenty of opportunities to try local Cassis wines at restaurants around town.
10. Take a Boat Tour of the Calanques
If you read my kayaking section and thought: Absolutely not. Take the boat.
Boat tours leave directly from Cassis and offer routes covering different numbers of calanques. This is probably the easiest way to see a lot of the coastline without turning the day into a workout.
There are sightseeing routes beginning with the classic Port-Miou, Port-Pin, and En-Vau circuit, with longer routes continuing deeper toward Marseille.
Would I personally choose this over kayaking? No.
But kayaking was also one of the more physically demanding things we did. If you just want the views, take the boat and enjoy yourself.
11. Eat Seafood by the Harbor
This is an obvious one. Most of the seafood is caught fresh that morning.
I would leave some room to walk around the harbor and choose somewhere that looks good. Cassis is not the place where I would schedule every single meal in advance.
Order seafood. Drink a glass of Cassis white wine. Sit outside. And enjoy.
12. Use Cassis as a Base for Exploring More of Provence
Another reason I like staying in Cassis is that you don't have to treat it as an isolated destination. You can easily build it into a larger South of France route.
Some places I would pair it with include:
Marseille
Aix-en-Provence
La Ciotat
Or continue farther west toward Montpellier and Étang de Thau.
Ryan and I actually spent a lot of time researching Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and La Ciotat, but ultimately decided to keep moving west and spend a few days around Montpellier and Étang de Thau instead.
Why? More oysters and wine. Two of our favorite things.
If this is your first trip to the South of France and you’re short on time, though, I wouldn’t try to squeeze in too many day trips. Cassis is worth slowing down for and deserves at least a couple of days on its own.
Best Beaches in Cassis
If you're trying to decide where to swim, I would break it down like this:
Bestouan Beach
Best for: a relaxed beach afternoon and Cap Canaille views.
Plage de la Grande Mer
Best for: convenience and being right in town.
Port-Pin
Best for: combining hiking with swimming.
En-Vau
Best for: the most dramatic scenery.
Anse de l'Arène
Best for: a quieter natural setting beneath Cap Canaille.
How Many Days Do You Need in Cassis?
I would stay at least two nights. Personally, I think three nights is even better if the Calanques are a major priority.
A simple itinerary could look like:
Day 1: Arrive → explore the harbor → Grande Mer or Bestouan → dinner in town
Day 2: Market (if open) → Hike Port-Miou → Port-Pin Beach → En-Vau
Day 3: Kayak the Calanques → swim/snorkel → relaxed dinner in Cassis → Casino
If you have a fourth day, add wine tasting or the Route des Crêtes.
Cassis or Marseille: Where Should You Stay?
If you're specifically coming to experience the Calanques, I would choose Cassis. That's what we did, and I would do it again.
Marseille makes more sense if you want:
nightlife
museums
a bigger restaurant scene
a larger city experience
Cassis makes more sense if you want:
easy access to the Calanques
beaches
kayaking
a smaller coastal town
a more relaxed atmosphere
somewhere you can walk around after your day of exploring
You can absolutely visit Cassis as a day trip. I just think you miss some of its appeal if you show up, see the Calanques, and immediately leave. I'd rather do a day trip to Marseille instead.
Top 3 Hotels in Cassis
1. Hôtel Les Roches Blanches — Click here for rates & availability.
If you're looking for the splurge, Hôtel Les Roches Blanches would be my top luxury pick.
It gives you a more resort-like experience with incredible Mediterranean views while still keeping you close to central Cassis.
Best for: couples, honeymoons, luxury, and travelers who want the hotel to be part of the trip.
2. Hotel de La Plage Mahogany — Click here for rates & availability.
If staying near the water is the priority, I would look at Hotel de La Plage – Mahogany. I like this one for someone who wants easy access to both the beach and town without committing to the price point of Les Roches Blanches.
Best for: couples, beach access, sea views, and location.
3. Hôtel Liautaud Cassis — Click here for rates & availability.
If you want to be right in the middle of everything, I would look at Hôtel Liautaud.
The big appeal here is the location. You're right around the harbor, restaurants, shops, and the center of town.
Best for: first-time visitors, walkability, and shorter stays.
Things to Know Before Visiting Cassis
Summer Is Busy
Cassis is not exactly a secret.
Expect crowds during July and August, especially around the beaches and Calanques.
Parking Can Be Difficult
If you're driving, do not assume you're going to pull directly into town and find a perfect parking space. The Gorguettes park-and-ride can be a much easier option during busy periods.
Check Fire Restrictions
This is extremely important if you're hiking. Summer access to the Calanques and surrounding massifs can change daily based on fire risk. Port-Pin, for example, remains accessible year-round except when surrounding areas are closed because of fire danger.
Check the My Calanques app or official National Park information before heading out.
Bring Real Shoes
If you're hiking beyond Port-Miou, please do not wear flip-flops.
Give Yourself More Time Than You Think for the Calanques
Especially if you're kayaking. Our four-hour rental became six hours very quickly.
Is Cassis Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. I think Cassis sometimes gets treated as simply the place you pass through to visit the Calanques. And the Calanques are definitely the highlight.
But Cassis itself deserves time too. You have beautiful beaches, a colorful harbor, vineyards, wine, Cap Canaille, seafood restaurants, and one of the prettiest stretches of coastline in the South of France all packed into a very small area.
If I were planning our trip again, I would still stay here rather than making Cassis a rushed day trip from Marseille.
Ready to Plan Your Cassis Trip?
If you're planning a trip to Cassis and want help figuring out where to stay, how many days you need, or which kayak rentals, boat tours, and experiences are actually worth booking, or where to eat, Ryan and I would be happy to help. We're travel advisors, and Cassis is exactly the kind of destination where doing a little research beforehand can make a huge difference.
When we were planning our own trip, Ryan spent hours researching the different kayak rental companies, routes, tours, and logistics to figure out which option would actually let us see what we wanted without wasting half the day. So if you don't want to spend hours comparing kayak companies and tour operators yourself, reach out to us.
We can help with your hotel, activities, transportation, restaurant recommendations, and the rest of your South of France itinerary, whether Cassis is your main destination or one stop on a longer trip.
Reach out to us about planning your trip, and we'll help you put everything together.
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