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.
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.
Since Sanary-sur-Mer is a tender port, the ship's own tender boats will take you directly to the picturesque harbor basin in the heart of the city. This central location provides you with an ideal starting point and allows for a convenient exploration of the surroundings.
On Foot
The charming old town and the award-winning Provençal market are located right at the pier and can be reached in less than five minutes. Thanks to the short distances, you can also easily reach the surrounding boutiques, cafés, and the popular beach Plage de Portissol.
Taxi
Official taxis wait for passengers at Boulevard d'Estiennes d'Orves in the immediate vicinity of the port area. From this central taxi rank, you can easily and quickly reach destinations in the nearby area as well as the Sanary-Ollioules regional train station, which is about two kilometers away.
Bus Connections (Zou! and Réseau Mistral)
The stops for the regional bus line Zou! and the local network Réseau Mistral are just a few steps away from the port. Line 83 also offers a direct and affordable connection towards Toulon and to the surrounding coastal towns in the region.
To make the most of your day in Sanary-sur-Mer, we recommend exploring the picturesque harbor district combined with a detour to the idyllic coastal sections or the historic hinterland.
Le Vieux Port & Old Town
The charming fishing harbor with its traditional, colorful pointus boats invites you to stroll and, thanks to the winding alleys of the old town, offers an abundance of authentic boutiques as well as the famous Provençal weekly market.
Plage de Portissol
This idyllic sandy beach is easily accessible on foot and impresses with crystal-clear water and a protected bay, which is perfect for a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean or an enjoyable break with a direct sea view.
Le Castellet
The hilltop village is ideal for an excursion thanks to a short travel time; moreover, the perfectly preserved medieval architecture together with the small craft shops offers a first-class cultural experience with a wide panoramic view over the region.
Plage de Portissol
The picturesque bay of Plage de Portissol is easily accessible from the port in about fifteen minutes on foot and offers fine sand as well as crystal-clear water in a protected location. This coastal section impresses with its authentic atmosphere and also features an excellent infrastructure with showers and first-class restaurants directly by the sea. Thanks to the high-quality gastronomy on site, you can enjoy freshly caught fish and cold drinks here with a perfect view of the azure Mediterranean Sea. Ideally, visit the beach directly in the morning to enjoy the morning tranquility, and return to the port relaxed in the early afternoon to take a short stroll through the charming alleys of Sanary-sur-Mer before setting sail.
The return journey to the port of Sanary-sur-Mer is particularly straightforward and time-saving thanks to the central location of the tender pier in the heart of the city. Since most sights are located right by the water, you will always get back to your ship safely and on time.
On Foot
From the lively market at Quai Marie Esmenard or the historic old town, you can walk directly to the tender boat pier in just a few minutes. The path along the flat waterfront promenade is very easy to find thanks to the clear view of the colorful fishing boats and the prominent church tower.
Taxi
Central taxi ranks are located directly by the harbor basin near the town hall, as well as at easily accessible locations such as the Office de Tourisme. From destinations further afield, such as Plage de Portissol, you can reach the port area comfortably and safely within a short drive.
Local Buses
Regional bus lines stop at central points like Place de la Libération and bring you reliably back to the immediate vicinity of the port. Due to the tender connection to the ship, please plan a small time buffer and use the waiting time for a last look at the city's picturesque backdrop.
