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

Should you visit Bali 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 Bali and Marseille can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a frequented, spiritual, and cultural island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, 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. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Bali and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Marseille?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bali than Marseille. While Marseille is larger than Bali, Bali has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bali is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Marseille is known for its historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Bali is more touristy than Marseille and is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. It is also home to Pura Lempuyang. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

How is Bali different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Bali and Marseille offer a number of terrific restaurants to choose from.

Bali has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

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.

Is Bali or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Both Bali and Marseille are terrific when it comes to partying.

Bali is a world class party destination. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

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.

Is Bali or Marseille Better for Resorts?

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

Bali offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Marseille is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Marseille Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Bali specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Bali 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 Bali are among the best in the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

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 Bali or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Bali does not have a 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.

Bali does not have a historic old town.

Is Bali or Marseille Better for Hiking?

Bali 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 Bali. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Marseille?

Both Bali and Marseille are excellent shopping destinations.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

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 Bali or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for its Christmas markets. However, Bali 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.

Bali does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Bali or Marseille Better for Families?

Bali 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 Bali. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

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 Bali or Marseille Better for Couples?

Bali is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Bali has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Couples visit Marseille frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is Bali or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali 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 Bali, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

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

Is Bali or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a well-known place for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

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

Bali is not popular with students.

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

Both Bali and Marseille offer good public transit options.

Bali has a few public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Marseille has some public transit options. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Bali or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island 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.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Bali?

How long in Bali or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bali and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Marseille. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

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

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

One day in Bali or Marseille?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the island of Bali. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the lush destination of Bali. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Marseille is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and food around the spiritual island of Bali. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

You'll find food and shopping around the energetic destination of Marseille. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Bali or Marseille?

Bali is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bali, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The vibrant city of Marseille offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Marseille, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Marseille is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Bali.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali 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 Bali or Marseille?

Marseille has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Bali during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bali is a little warmer than Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bali in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bali. In the summer, Bali often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year. April to September is the dry season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Marseille. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bali is generally much warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bali usually receives less rain than Marseille. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bali as well as Marseille. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Bali is much warmer than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Bali often gets more sunshine than Marseille. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Bali is the rainy season.

Should I visit Bali or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bali is much warmer than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bali in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bali usually receives more rain than Marseille. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Bali