A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alicante vs. Marseille for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Alicante or Marseille?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alicante and Marseille can help you decide which place is right for you.

Alicante

Alicante is a cultural, colorful, and authentic city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Alicante and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Marseille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille than Alicante, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Alicante is known for its museums. Marseille is more touristy than Alicante and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port. Alicante is popular for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants.

How is Alicante different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Marseille and Alicante. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alicante or Marseille?

Alicante is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Alicante can be an interesting and educational experience. This port city has a number of cultural and historical sights that are worth checking out. Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Alicante, and Basilica de Santa María are among the most well known.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Alicante or Marseille? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Marseille is terrific for its restaurant scene. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Marseille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Alicante has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's by the sea, so you'll find plenty of seafood. Rice is the main staple for many dishes in town. This is also a vegetable growing region, so many recipes incorporate fresh vegetables. Popular dishes include arroz a banda, arroz con costra, and olleta alicantina.

Is Alicante or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Marseille is a must-see party destination. Much of the city's nightlife is centered around being outdoors. Whether you're on the beach or hanging out at a rooftop bar, Marseille is a magical place.

If you're looking for night time activities Alicante has a few options to choose from. For the city's best nightlife, head to El Barrio Antiguo, which is the old district. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars and clubs, many of them having live music.

Is Alicante or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Alicante and Marseille are good choices for a beach vacation.

Many people head to Alicante to enjoy the beach. If you step away from the touristy areas, you'll find some nice sandy beaches with blue water. Playa la Fustera is northeast of the city and popular with families and couples. If you have a car you can drive to the town of Moraira, which is near several nice beaches as well.

Marseille has a beach worth visiting. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Is Alicante or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is terrific for its old town. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Marseille has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The Old Port is filled with shops and boutiques, and is the most scenic part of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with history and character.

Alicante has an old town worth visiting. The old district is filled with charming streets and some interesting museums. There are also a number of good restaurants in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or Marseille?

Marseille is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Marseille is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Alicante has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city is known for its leather goods, but you'll also find international brands and shopping streets with fashion and different European names.

Is Alicante or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for its Christmas markets. However, Alicante does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille offers some nice Christmas markets. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Alicante does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Alicante or Marseille Better for Families?

Alicante is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Alicante. This seaside city has many kid-friendly resorts, long sandy beaches, and adrenaline-filled theme parks. There's the Terra Mitica Park as well as a waterpark - Aqua Natura. Tabarca Island is also well worth a visit.

Marseille doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Alicante or Marseille Better for Couples?

Both Alicante and Marseille are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Alicante frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Nice resorts, long sandy beaches, and nearby vineyard tours make this a wonderful place for a couple's getaway. There are good restaurants and nice places where couples can take a stroll, hand in hand.

Marseille is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is Alicante or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alicante and Marseille are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Alicante is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels around town, as well as many budget-friendly hotels, so this is an affordable oceanfront destination for the budget-minded.

It's common for backpackers to visit Marseille. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Alicante or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is well known for students. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Marseille is very popular with students. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

It's common for students to visit Alicante. It's by the water and it's an affordable city, making it a good option for students. The beaches and active nightlife will keep you entertained when you take a break from your studies.

Is Alicante or Marseille Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Alicante and Marseille.

You'll find some public transit in Alicante, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive bus system through the city and region.

While Marseille offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Alicante or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Marseille is a very walkable city. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.

Alicante is a somewhat walkable city. There are many parts of the city that can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Alicante Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Alicante and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Alicante than in Marseille. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alicante, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

Families should spend more time in Alicante than Marseille. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Alicante, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Alicante. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Marseille that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marseille than Alicante if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Marseille.

One day in Alicante or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Alicante. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful city of Marseille offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Alicante or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colorful destination of Alicante. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Marseille is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Marseille, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Alicante or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colorful city of Alicante. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Marseille is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Alicante or Marseille?

Alicante is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Marseille is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alicante and Marseille, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Alicante much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alicante would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alicante and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Marseille would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marseille than you might in Alicante.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alicante Expensive? and Is Marseille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Alicante. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Marseille, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Alicante or Marseille?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Alicante or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Marseille. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Alicante is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alicante in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In the summer, Alicante often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in July than Marseille. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Alicante for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Alicante is generally a little warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 20°C (68°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Alicante usually receives less rain than Marseille. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alicante or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Alicante during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Alicante in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Alicante is much warmer than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Marseille. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in January than Marseille. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Marseille. Most visitors come to Alicante for the beaches during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Alicante is a little warmer than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alicante in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during spring. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Alicante usually receives less rain than Marseille. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Alicante