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

Should you visit Bruges or Marseille?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bruges and Marseille. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bruges

Bruges is a historic, charming, and historic city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. 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.

Bruges and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bruges or Marseille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Bruges. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and christmas markets, while Bruges attracts visitors for its museums, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Bruges is more touristy than Marseille and is known for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port.

How is Bruges different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bruges 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 Bruges can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije Museum.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Marseille, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bruges makes for a great culinary experience. From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.

Is Bruges or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Marseille is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Bruges. It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.

Is Bruges or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a good destination for the beach. However, Bruges is not a beach destination.

Marseille offers a nice beach destination. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Bruges is not a beach destination.

Is Bruges or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the world-class old town areas in both Bruges and Marseille.

Bruges has a world-famous historical area. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

The historic old town of Marseille is revered around the world. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Bruges or Marseille?

Marseille is great for its shopping areas. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

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.

Bruges is a great destination for shopping. The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.

Is Bruges or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Bruges does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Bruges does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Bruges or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Bruges is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy sampling the unique chocolate around town, eating their fill of waffles, and getting their energy out in the park or at a local playground. There are also canal boat tours and horse drawn carriage rides that are fun for the whole family.

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 Bruges or Marseille Better for Couples?

Bruges and Marseille both great destinations for a couple.

Bruges is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. This romantic city has amazing restaurants, charming streets, and impressive architecture. Couples will enjoy exploring the canals by boat or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the old town. There are also a number of cute bed and breakfasts where you can stay.

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 Bruges or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Bruges. There are a few good hostels around town. The city sees its share of tourists, but many arrive as part of tours or river boat cruises. If you stay in a hostel, you shouldn't have trouble meeting other young travelers though. There are also plenty of well known breweries where you can gather with friends.

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

Is Bruges or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges is not popular with students.

Many students visit Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

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

While Bruges offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

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

Is Bruges or Marseille a more walkable city?

Bruges 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 Bruges. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and 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 Bruges Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Bruges?

How long in Bruges or Marseille?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Bruges. 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 Bruges 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 Bruges.

One day in Bruges or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint city of Bruges. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bruges has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bruges or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Bruges. 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.

Marseille is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bruges or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful city of Bruges. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bruges or Marseille?

Bruges 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic destination of Marseille. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Bruges or Marseille?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Marseille. Many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Bruges is cooler than Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Bruges, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Bruges gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bruges usually receives more rain than Marseille. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bruges or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Marseille. Most visitors come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Bruges is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bruges in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the autumn, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Bruges gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Marseille. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bruges or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Bruges because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

The weather in Bruges can be very cold. In January, Bruges is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 3°C (38°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Bruges usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Bruges gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bruges usually receives more rain than Marseille. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bruges or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Bruges during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Bruges is much colder than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Bruges often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Bruges gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Bruges usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Marseille. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Bruges