Port information & tips for Sanary-sur-Mer
Sanary-sur-Mer is a picturesque jewel on the French Riviera and is considered one of the most charming coastal towns in Provence. The sun-drenched port city captivates with its authentic atmosphere, colorful Provencal rows of houses, and traditional "Pointus" wooden boats in the azure blue water. Cultural highlights include the neo-Gothic Église Saint-Nazaire, the historic Tour Romane with its diving museum, and the award-winning Provencal weekly market right on the quay. Since Sanary is a tender port, the ship's tenders dock at Quai Marie Esmenard in the heart of the Port de Sanary. Thanks to this prime location, visitors can directly access the lively town center and easily reach the cozy cafes and boutiques on foot within a few minutes' walk.
Sanary-sur-Mer welcomes its cruise guests as a charming Provençal fishing village, whose picturesque harbor is located right in the town center. As it is a tender port, ships are anchored in the bay and passengers are comfortably transferred ashore by tender boats, allowing immediate exploration of the charming town center.
Car
Thanks to good transport links, you can easily reach Sanary-sur-Mer via the French A50 motorway. Take exit No. 12 (Bandol/Sanary) and then follow the coastal road D559 directly to the harbor. Several parking options are available on site: The "Parking de l'Esplanade" is located directly opposite the pier and offers 815 spaces, with the first hour of parking often being free. Daily rates are around £15 (approx. €17.50), weekly prices around £85 (approx. €99). Other parking lots such as P2 and P3 are only about a five-minute walk away and also offer short- and long-term parking options.
Train
Arriving by train takes you to the nearby SNCF railway station Ollioules-Sanary-sur-Mer, located about 2 kilometers outside the town center. This station is regularly served by TER regional trains, providing a direct connection to Marseille-Saint-Charles (approx. 45-50 minutes travel time) as well as to Toulon (approx. 10 minutes) and Hyères (approx. 35 minutes). From Ollioules-Sanary-sur-Mer station, you can easily reach the town center of Sanary using local bus lines. Alternatively, you can use the main railway station in Toulon, which is about 12 kilometers away, also served by TGV trains and offering good bus connections to Sanary.
Airplane
For arrivals from the DACH region, two main airports are suitable: The larger Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) is located about 70 to 80 kilometers northwest of Sanary-sur-Mer. The travel time by car or private transfer is around one hour. Another option is Toulon-Hyères Airport (TLN), which is significantly closer at a distance of about 31 to 40 kilometers. From Toulon-Hyères, you can reach Sanary-sur-Mer by car or taxi in about 30 to 45 minutes. In addition, public bus connections and shuttle services are available from both airports, enabling a flexible onward journey.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that you will generally receive a fixed time slot for check-in with your travel documents, which is binding for your embarkation. Please plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and consider that the latest embarkation time - depending on the cruise line and destination area - is usually scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the cruise: For shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the current announcements and notices on board, as berthing and departure times can change at short notice.
