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

Should you visit Almeria or Marseille?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Almeria and Marseille. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Almeria

Almeria is a breathtaking, pristine, and cultural region. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and hiking.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Almeria and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Almeria or Marseille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Almeria. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marseille is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Almeria attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Almeria is famous for its stunning beaches that feel pristine despite their popularity. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port.

How is Almeria different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Almeria and Marseille offer a number of world-class restaurants to choose from.

Eat your way through Almeria, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The food is focused on local, fresh ingredients with many traditional recipes that have been passed down for centuries. Popular dishes change with the seasons because they rely so heavily on local produce. Particularly during the winter months you'll find hearty stews like patatas en ajopollo and gurullos con conejo, which is prepared with rabbit. Sardines are also popular year round.

For foodies, Marseille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Is Almeria or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Almeria is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Marseille is a world class 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 Almeria has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife vibe is about enjoying a cold beer on a terrace with friends. The city has a laid back Mediterranean atmosphere and plenty of terraced bars along the main streets, particularly in old town. With mild temperatures year around, you'll find yourself spending time outside most evenings while you enjoy tapas and drinks with friends. Flamenco and bullfighting are also popular in the evenings.

Is Almeria or Marseille Better for Resorts?

Almeria is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Marseille is not a resort destination.

Almeria offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Stretched along the coastline you'll find many high end resorts with pools and nice atmospheres. There are all inclusive resorts as well as family-friendly and romantic options to choose from.

Marseille is not a resort destination.

Is Almeria or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Almeria is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

The beaches in Almeria are among the best in the world. Outside of town you'll find kilometers of stunning coastline and beaches. There are pristine natural beaches that still feel undiscovered with beautiful long stretches of sand. One of the biggest resort areas is Roquetas de Mar.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Marseille. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Is Almeria or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Almeria is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

The rich history of Marseille can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Almeria. The old town is at the cultural heart of the city. It has the most energy during the evenings, as well as many museums and sights worth visiting.

Is Almeria or Marseille Better for Hiking?

Almeria is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Almeria. The area has stunning hikes that run along the coastline or into the beautiful interior countryside. For some of the area's best hikes head into Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Almeria or Marseille?

Marseille is a great destination for its shopping areas. However, Almeria is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Almeria is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Almeria or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for its Christmas markets. However, Almeria does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Almeria does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Almeria or Marseille Better for Families?

Almeria 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 Almeria. The area has many beautiful beaches as well as waterparks, amusement parks, and fun activities like sailing and water sports. There's also a very impressive fort that the kids will enjoy exploring.

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 Almeria or Marseille Better for Couples?

Almeria and Marseille both great destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Almeria frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Nature lovers and beach enthusiasts will find this to be the perfect romantic getaway. There are many outdoor activities and places to immerse yourself in nature. A highlight of a trip is a visit to Crystal Cave.

Marseille is a great region 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 Almeria or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Almeria is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Almeria. There's plenty of affordable accommodation to choose from as well as all kinds of activities that backpackers will enjoy. If you like nature and enjoy spending time outside, then this is your place.

Marseille is a good region to visit for backpackers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Almeria or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a great destination for students. However, Almeria is not popular with students.

Many students visit Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Almeria is not popular with students.

Is Almeria 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 Almeria and Marseille.

You'll find some public transit in Almeria, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are a number of bus lines that run through Almeria city and to Cabo de Gata.

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 Almeria or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Almeria is a region with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Almeria is generally not a very walkable region. While there are many beautiful walks in the area, if you want to truly explore, you'll likely want to have access to a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Almeria?

How long in Almeria or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Almeria and Marseille. In our opinion, Marseille has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Marseille than Almeria. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Almeria, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Almeria. 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 Almeria than Marseille 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 Almeria.

One day in Almeria or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and food around the region of Almeria. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Almeria has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Marseille, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Almeria or Marseille?

You'll find food and nightlife around the breathtaking destination of Almeria. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this region has to offer. This region offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Marseille, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Marseille has to offer.

Five days in Almeria or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the breathtaking region of Almeria. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Marseille is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Almeria or Marseille?

Almeria is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Marseille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Almeria and Marseille, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Almeria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Almeria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Almeria 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 Almeria.

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

Which is Bigger, Almeria or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Almeria. When comparing the sizes of Almeria 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 Almeria 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 Almeria or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Almeria as well as Marseille. Many visitors come to Almeria in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Almeria is around the same temperature as Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Almeria averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 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 Almeria this time of the year. In the summer, Almeria often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Almeria gets 343 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Almeria usually gets less rain in July than Marseille. Almeria gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Almeria or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Almeria are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Almeria for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Almeria is a little warmer than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Almeria in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Almeria. Almeria usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during autumn. Almeria gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Almeria usually receives less rain than Marseille. Almeria gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Almeria or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Almeria during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Almeria because of the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In January, Almeria is generally much warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Almeria average around 13°C (55°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Almeria often gets more sunshine than Marseille. Almeria gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Almeria usually gets less rain in January than Marseille. Almeria gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Almeria or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Almeria and Marseille. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Almeria this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Almeria is a little warmer than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Almeria averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Almeria, it's very sunny this time of the year. Almeria usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during spring. Almeria gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Almeria usually receives less rain than Marseille. Almeria gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Almeria