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

Should you visit Amsterdam or Marseille?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Marseille, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a canal-lined, party-oriented, and laid-back city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the live music, shopping, and museums.

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.

Amsterdam and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Amsterdam or Marseille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Amsterdam. Although Amsterdam and Marseille are both popular with visitors, Amsterdam has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Amsterdam is more popular for its museums, music, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Marseille is known for its food, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Amsterdam is more touristy than Marseille and is popular for its scenic canals, huge biking culture, and its wild nightlife scene. It is also home to The Rijksmuseum. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

How is Amsterdam different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a number of sights and museums including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Royal Palace. The world renowned Rijksmuseum is a must see for any art enthusiast. There are also many smaller, lesser known museums that are well worth a visit.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. However, Amsterdam is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Marseille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Amsterdam may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Food is expensive in this city, particularly in the touristy areas. There are some markets that sell great local items and the dessert cafes are awesome!

Is Amsterdam or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Amsterdam and Marseille.

The nightlife in Amsterdam is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of bars, dance clubs, and other activities that you can enjoy throughout the night.

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.

Is Amsterdam or Marseille Better for Music?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Marseille is not a live music destination.

Amsterdam has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city attracts its share of world renowned DJs and musicians. Popular music venues include Paradiso, De Melkweg, and Chicago Social Club.

Marseille is not a live music destination.

Is Amsterdam or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

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.

Amsterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Amsterdam or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Amsterdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

With a famous historical old-town, Marseille offers plenty to see. 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.

Amsterdam is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old city center is one of the best preserved in Europe. It's enclosed by canals and has many historic churches, plazas, and buildings.

Is the Shopping Better in Amsterdam or Marseille?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Marseille and Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. For the best shopping in town, head to the Nine Streets area in the historic district and the two main shopping streets of The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Is Amsterdam or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Amsterdam does not offer Christmas markets.

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

Amsterdam does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Amsterdam or Marseille Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Amsterdam or Marseille as a family destination.

Amsterdam doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. The city does it's share of partying, and there are some areas, like the red light district, that aren't exactly kid-friendly, but there are some nice parks, playgrounds, and the impressive NEMO Science Museum that you can explore.

For families, Marseille is not always the best place to visit. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Amsterdam or Marseille Better for Couples?

Amsterdam and Marseille are both superb to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Amsterdam frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For many, a visit to this city is all about the party, but for couples who enjoy history, architecture, or boat rides along the scenic canals, the city also makes a great getaway. It's also fun to stay in a houseboat and have a unique experience.

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 Amsterdam or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Amsterdam, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. With it's party-hard personality and countless low price hostels, this city attracts its share of backpackers. Do note that many of the hostels aren't focused on quality, so make sure you understand what you're paying for. It may be worth booking a slightly more expensive room in a hotel.

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

Is Amsterdam or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is well known for students. However, Amsterdam is not popular with students.

Marseille is a great city to visit as a student. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Amsterdam is not popular with students.

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

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Amsterdam can get you around easily. The city has metros, trams, buses, and ferries that help you get around. Since this is the Netherlands, getting around by bike is very popular.

You'll find some public transit in Marseille, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Amsterdam or Marseille a more walkable city?

Amsterdam is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Amsterdam. The historic parts of the city are very walkable and much of the city is best explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Amsterdam?

How long in Amsterdam or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Amsterdam and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amsterdam than in Marseille. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Amsterdam, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam.

One day in Amsterdam or Marseille?

People visit Amsterdam because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint city of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

A weekend in Amsterdam or Marseille?

People visit Amsterdam because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the energetic destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Five days in Amsterdam or Marseille?

People visit Amsterdam because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Marseille. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Amsterdam or Marseille?

Amsterdam is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Amsterdam, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Marseille is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Marseille, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Marseille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Marseille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marseille 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam than you might in Marseille.

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

Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Marseille. The summer months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In the summer, Amsterdam is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°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 Amsterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Marseille. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Amsterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marseille in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is much colder than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Amsterdam or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Marseille. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Amsterdam is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°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. Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Marseille. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Amsterdam