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

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

Birmingham

Birmingham is a historic, vibrant, and fun-filled city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Marseille?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Marseille than Birmingham. While Birmingham is larger than Marseille, Marseille has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Marseille is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Birmingham is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, and music. Marseille is more touristy than Birmingham and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port. Birmingham is well known for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Birmingham different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Birmingham 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 Birmingham can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Birmingham or Marseille Better for Theater?

Birmingham is an excellent place to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Marseille is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Birmingham. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Marseille is not a theatre destination.

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

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Birmingham or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Marseille has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Birmingham has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

Is Birmingham or Marseille Better for Music?

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

Birmingham has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Marseille is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is very good for its beaches. However, Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Marseille to enjoy the beach. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Is Birmingham or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Marseille offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Marseille?

If you're looking to go shopping, Birmingham and Marseille both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Birmingham. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

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.

Is Birmingham or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for visiting Christmas markets. However, Birmingham 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.

Birmingham does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Birmingham or Marseille Better for Families?

Birmingham 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 Birmingham. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

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 Birmingham or Marseille Better for Couples?

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

Birmingham is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

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.

Is Birmingham or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Marseille is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Birmingham or Marseille Better for Students?

Birmingham is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Birmingham is a great destination for students. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Students come from all over to stay in Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

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

Birmingham and Marseille both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Birmingham offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

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

Is Birmingham or Marseille a more walkable city?

Birmingham and Marseille are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Birmingham is very walkable. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Birmingham and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than in Marseille. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

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

You'll find museums and theater around the city of Birmingham. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With shopping and nightlife around the energetic city of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Birmingham or Marseille?

You'll find theater and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Birmingham. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the vibrant city of Birmingham. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Marseille, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Birmingham or Marseille?

Birmingham 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Birmingham and Marseille, we can see that Birmingham 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 Birmingham Expensive? and Is Marseille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Marseille?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Marseille. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham 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 Birmingham or Marseille?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Birmingham or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Marseille. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Birmingham is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 17°C (63°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Birmingham usually receives more rain than Marseille. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Birmingham or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Marseille. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Birmingham is cooler than Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the autumn, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Birmingham can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Birmingham is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Birmingham in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Marseille averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Birmingham usually receives more rain than Marseille. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Birmingham or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Birmingham during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Birmingham is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 9°C (48°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in April than Marseille. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Birmingham