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

Should you visit Belfast or Marseille?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Belfast 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.

Belfast

Belfast is a authentic, affordable, and under-rated city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife and shopping.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Belfast and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Belfast or Marseille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Marseille than Belfast. Marseille is bigger than Belfast, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Marseille is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Belfast is more popular for its big city activities. Marseille is more touristy than Belfast and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port. Belfast is well known for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles".

How is Belfast different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Belfast or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Marseille is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Is Belfast or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Belfast 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.

Belfast is not a beach destination.

Is Belfast or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Belfast does not have a historic old town.

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.

Belfast does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Belfast or Marseille?

Marseille is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Marseille is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Is Belfast or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Belfast 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.

Belfast does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Belfast or Marseille Better for Families?

Belfast is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Belfast is a family-friendly city. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

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 Belfast or Marseille Better for Couples?

Marseille is a well-known place for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Marseille is a very popular place to visit for couples. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Belfast or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Belfast is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Belfast is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a reasonably affordable destination with a few hostels to choose from, but most backpackers don't make their way to this city.

Is Belfast or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a well-known place for students. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

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

Marseille is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Belfast or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Belfast?

How long in Belfast or Marseille?

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

Families should spend more time in Marseille than Belfast. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Belfast. 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 Belfast 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 Belfast or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the city of Belfast. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Belfast 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 Belfast or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the affordable destination of Belfast. 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.

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 Belfast or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the affordable city of Belfast. 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 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 Belfast or Marseille?

Belfast 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.

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 Budget Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Belfast and Marseille, we can see that Belfast is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Belfast or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Belfast. When comparing the sizes of Belfast 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 Belfast 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 Belfast or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Belfast during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Belfast because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In July, Belfast is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 15°C (59°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Belfast gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Belfast gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Belfast and Marseille. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Belfast this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Belfast is much colder than Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Belfast averages around 9°C (48°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Belfast gets 92 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Belfast usually receives more rain than Marseille. Belfast gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Belfast or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Belfast as well as Marseille. Many travelers come to Belfast for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Marseille in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Belfast. In the winter, Belfast is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Belfast in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Marseille averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Belfast often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Belfast gets 50 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Belfast usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Belfast gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Belfast or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Belfast are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Belfast in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Belfast is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Belfast average around 8°C (46°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Belfast usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Belfast gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Belfast usually receives around the same amount of rain as Marseille. Belfast gets 50 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 Belfast