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

Should you visit Brussels 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 Brussels 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.

Brussels

Brussels is a colorful, multicultural, and historic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Brussels and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brussels or Marseille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Brussels than Marseille. Brussels is bigger than Marseille, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Brussels is better known for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Marseille is more touristy than Brussels and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Brussels is well known for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. Also, Brussels is famous for La Grand Place (Grote Markt).

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Brussels different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Brussels 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 Brussels can be an interesting and educational experience. Popular sights include Saint-Michel Cathedral, Place Royale, and the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts. The city is filled with impressive architecture, fascinating art museums, and innovative science and technology museums.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Brussels has a huge number of terrific restaurants. While the city is most known for its waffles and fries, the diversity of dishes and international restaurant selection continues to grow. There are Lebanese, Japanese, and Indian restaurants among others. Popular local dishes include moules-frites, waterzooi (a stew), and stoemp (made with mashed potatoes and vegetables).

Is Brussels or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is renowned for nightlife. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Marseille is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Brussels has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife is quieter and more mellow than some other major cities around Europe. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of dance clubs and bars where you can hang out. Keep your wits about you after the sun goes down as some areas are a bit rougher than others.

Is Brussels or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a good destination for its beaches. However, Brussels 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.

Brussels is not a beach destination.

Is Brussels or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is renowned for its historic old town. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

The old town of Marseille is one of the most recognized in 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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Brussels. The old town in the city center is where you'll find the greatest concentration of historic sights. The area is surrounded by tree-lined boulevards and is easy to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Brussels or Marseille?

Brussels is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Brussels specifically to go shopping. Although it's famous for diamonds, the city also has many shopping streets where you can find designer brands, vintage shops, and other unique boutiques that are fun to explore.

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 Brussels or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for its Christmas markets. However, Brussels 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.

Brussels does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Brussels or Marseille Better for Families?

Brussels 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 Brussels. The city has a number of unique kid-friendly activities including a Mini-Europe Museum, a Comic Strip Museum, and Train World. The city is also a chocolate lover's dream with many factories and chocolate shops around town.

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 Brussels or Marseille Better for Couples?

Brussels and Marseille both great destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Brussels frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. From beautiful buildings and museums to shopping, dining, and chocolate shops, there are plenty of romantic spots around town. There's a vibrant nightlife scene and many diverse restaurants that couples can enjoy exploring.

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.

Is Brussels or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Brussels 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 Brussels. The city has an active nightlife and a number of hostels that are great for backpackers, but do take note that some areas can get a bit rough at night, so make sure you understand where you are.

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

Is Brussels or Marseille Better for Students?

Brussels and Marseille are great places to visit for students.

Many students visit Brussels. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.

Marseille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

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

Brussels is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Brussels can get you around easily. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

You'll find some public transit in Marseille, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Brussels or Marseille a more walkable city?

Brussels and Marseille both are great when exploring on foot.

Brussels is very walkable. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian areas.

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 Brussels Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Brussels?

How long in Brussels or Marseille?

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

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

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

One day in Brussels or Marseille?

People visit Brussels because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Brussels has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful city of Marseille offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Brussels or Marseille?

People visit Brussels because there is so much to do. 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Marseille, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brussels or Marseille?

People visit Brussels because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Marseille is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Brussels or Marseille?

Brussels 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.

Marseille is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

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

Which is Bigger, Brussels or Marseille?

Brussels has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of Marseille. When comparing the sizes of Brussels 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 Brussels 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 Brussels or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Marseille. Many visitors come to Brussels in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Brussels is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 18°C (65°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the summer, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Brussels for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Brussels is cooler than Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Brussels usually receives less rain than Marseille. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Brussels or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Brussels during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Brussels because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

The weather in Brussels can be very cold. In the winter, Brussels is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brussels in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Marseille averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Brussels usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brussels or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Marseille. The activities around the city are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Brussels is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 10°C (49°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Brussels usually receives more rain than Marseille. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Brussels