What's the Weather like in Marseille in April
Marseille in France, boasts a prime location overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It is a huge city, not only being the second largest in France, but also being the largest city and the largest commercial port along the Mediterranean coastline. The port is one of the busiest in Europe, and many imported products throughout the country will have arrived via the Port of Marseille.
Temperature
Spring well and truly arrives into Marseille during April, bringing both good and bad news in terms of weather. The good news is that temperatures start to heat up, and highs of up to 19°C aren't uncommon. Low temperatures average around 8°C or slightly higher, so it is not quite summer yet.
Those average highs and lows increase significantly in the course of the month, respectively from 17°C to 20°C and from 8°C to 11°C. The overall average temperature this month is a pleasant 14°C. The sea temperature is exactly the same as the air temperature, 14°C. April is the first month of the year that sees the sea temperature rise since Christmasummer is finally on its way.
Rainfall
The bad news is that Marseille is particularly vulnerable to the April showers, and rainfall picks up this month, with levels similar to those in mid-winter, around 50mm. These rains stick around until June, when the dry summer season kicks off. There are 10 days with some kind of rainfall in April. The chance that you will experience rainfall this month is about 32%, which is a couple of digits higher than the previous months. There are three main types of rainfall. Moderate is the most common one, being recorded on 62% of the rainy days. Light rain comes in second, occurring on 20% of those days, while thunderstorms are third and happen on 16% of the days with rainfall.
Cloud Cover
Cloud cover also is a little bit higher than the months before, now averaging 42% (compared with 40% in March). This is obviously related to the slight increase in rainfall. Nonetheless, the length of the days increases greatly throughout the month, from 12.45 hours of daylight on April 1 to 14.07 daylight hours on April 30. This means that, in April, each day is 2.7 minutes longer than the previous day.
Day Length
Longer days result in more time for sunshine. Now, there are 8 hours of sunshine per day on average, a two-hour increase since March. In June, there will be one more hour of sunshine per day.
If you're planning an April getaway to Marseille, you can check our up-to-date weather forecast to see what kinds of clothes you should pack.
Marseille Hotels in April
Hotel Lutia
The two-star Hotel Lutia offers some of the most value-for-money accommodations in the city centre, with rooms undoubtedly more affordable than many other central accommodations. The hotel is reasonably small, with just 27 rooms, all designed in a contemporary and minimalist style. Rooms include LCD TVs and fridges, making them far more luxurious than other two-star hotels in the area.
Hotel La Residecne du Vieux Port
Hotel La Résidence du Vieux Port lies on the north bank of the renowned Old Port. It offers incredible views of the waterfront and Marseille's Basilica, making it a wonderful place to stay in April, and any other month of the year, for that matter. The rooms are decorated in a retro-style, reminiscent of the 50she majority of them have balconies overlooking the harbour. In addition to its excellent amenities, it's the location and spectacular views that guests rave about.
Mercure Marseille Centre Prado Hotel Velodrome
The elaborately named Mercure Marseille Centre Prado Hotel Vélodrome lies mere minutes from the métro, which brings you straight to the Old Port and the city's TGV station. Its location near the Exhibition and Conference Centre makes it a preferred place to stay among business travellers, while sports fans might choose it because of its proximity to the Vélodrome Stadium.
Eating and Drinking Out
One of the greatest restaurants in the city is Restaurant Peron. Located on top of a rock on the very shore of the Mediterranean Sea, this wonderful eating venue has a setting that's hard to beat. Offering romantic dinners and casual snacks, and everything in between, this is definitely a strongly recommended place to check out during your visit to Marseille.
The Alcyone Restaurant is part of the Intercontinental Hotel Dieu. This classy, gastronomic restaurant serves exquisite dishes that aren't only tasty, but look good as well. Its creative menu changes often, according to the seasons and depending on the availability of fresh produce. If you can splurge on a great meal, head to Alcyonet's a Michelin-starred restaurant!
Things to Do in Marseille in April
If you have the misfortune to visit Marseille during a spell of rain in April, you need not worry. The city is home to no fewer than 21 museums where you can both shelter from the rain and immerse yourself in history, art and culture.
Most of those museums are housed in striking old buildings, almost monuments which are an attraction in their own right. This applies in particular to the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, which are both housed in the Longchamp Palace. A fascinating collection of Egyptian antiquities can be admired in a 17th-century hospice, while a so-called "bastide" in Borély Park features the Porcelain Museum.
While many people associate Marseille with beaches, harbours filled with yachts and the Mediterranean Sea, it is, in fact, also a city with a fantastic cultural heritage. Take advantage of this during your spring visit.
