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

Should you visit Bristol or Marseille?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bristol and Marseille can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Bristol

Bristol is a authentic, historic, and diverse city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Bristol and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bristol or Marseille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Bristol. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bristol attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Marseille is more touristy than Bristol and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port. Bristol is famous for its laid-back atmosphere and progressive environmental policies.

How is Bristol different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bristol 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 Bristol can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has some great museums and landmarks such as the SS Great Britain, M Shed, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and Cabot Tower.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Marseille have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Bristol offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find all of the classic British specialties such as bangers and mash or fish and chips. There are many restaurants, markets, and pubs where you can grab a relaxing meal and enjoy the British ambiance.

Is Bristol or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

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.

Bristol has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is diverse and inclusive. There are huge clubs that host well known DJs. There is also an underground music scene as well as local bars and even traditional speakeasies. Whether your interest is live jazz or upscale cocktail bars, there really is something for everyone.

Is Bristol or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a city with good options for the beach. However, Bristol is not a beach destination.

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.

Bristol is not a beach destination.

Is Bristol or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Bristol 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.

Bristol does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bristol or Marseille?

If you're looking to go shopping, Bristol and Marseille both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bristol. Head to Clifton Village for the most upscale boutiques or the Bristol Shopping Quarter for a diversity of budgets and brands. Gloucester Street is famous for its independent shops or there are the student neighborhoods of Park Street and the Triangle which have a number of trendy shops.

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.

Is Bristol or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a city with good options for visiting Christmas markets. However, Bristol does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille is a nice place to see Christmas markets. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Bristol does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Bristol or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Bristol is a family-friendly city. The city has a number of kid-friendly museums, activities, and playgrounds. For museums, check out the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, the M Shed, or Aerospace Bristol. There are also boat rides and the Bristol Aquarium among other unique activities.

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 Bristol or Marseille Better for Couples?

Marseille is great for couples. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

Bristol is a nice destination for couples. There are romantic restaurants, fun bars, and unique museums that make for a variety of different date options.

Is Bristol or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Bristol is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Bristol is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Bristol or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Bristol is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

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

Bristol is a good city to visit for students. It's a small and friendly city with enough diversity that it stays interesting and dynamic.

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

Bristol and Marseille both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Bristol offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Metrobus serves the greater Bristol area.

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

Is Bristol or Marseille a more walkable city?

Bristol and Marseille are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Bristol is a very walkable destination. The city center is well designed for walking.

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 Bristol Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Bristol?

How long in Bristol or Marseille?

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

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

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

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Bristol. 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 Bristol or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Bristol. 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 Bristol or Marseille?

Bristol 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bristol or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Bristol. When comparing the sizes of Bristol 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 Bristol 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 Bristol or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bristol and Marseille. Most visitors come to Bristol for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Bristol is cooler than Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Bristol averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In July, Bristol usually receives more rain than Marseille. Bristol gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bristol or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bristol as well as Marseille. The autumn months attract visitors to Bristol because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In the autumn, Bristol is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bristol in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Bristol usually gets more rain in October than Marseille. Bristol gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bristol or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Bristol are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bristol this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Bristol is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Bristol average around 6°C (43°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In January, Bristol usually receives more rain than Marseille. Bristol gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bristol or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Bristol during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bristol for the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marseille in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Bristol is cooler than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Bristol averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Bristol usually gets less rain in April than Marseille. Bristol gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Bristol