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

Should you visit Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a historical, less touristy, and undiscovered 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Bucharest and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Marseille?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Marseille than Bucharest. While Bucharest is larger than Marseille, Marseille has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bucharest is known for its museums and big city activities. Marseille is more touristy than Bucharest and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port. Bucharest is popular for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions.

How is Bucharest different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bucharest is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bucharest. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Bucharest 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.

Bucharest is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

Is Bucharest or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

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 Bucharest has a few options to choose from. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

Is Bucharest or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a good destination for the beache. However, Bucharest 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.

Bucharest is not a beach destination.

Is Bucharest or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Bucharest has an old town worth visiting. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Marseille?

Marseille is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

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.

Bucharest has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Is Bucharest or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

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

Bucharest does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Bucharest or Marseille Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Bucharest or Marseille as a family destination.

Bucharest doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

For families, Marseille is not always the best place to visit. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Bucharest or Marseille Better for Couples?

Marseille is well known for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Couples visit Marseille frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bucharest and Marseille are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Marseille. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Bucharest or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is well known for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

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

Bucharest is not popular with students.

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

Bucharest is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Bucharest can get you to most places easily. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

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 Bucharest or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Marseille?

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

Families should spend more time in Marseille than Bucharest. 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 Bucharest. 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Marseille?

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

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint city of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the less touristy destination of Bucharest. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the energetic destination of Marseille. 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.

Five days in Bucharest or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming city of Bucharest. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the energetic city of Marseille. 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.

A week in Bucharest or Marseille?

Bucharest 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 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Marseille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Marseille?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Marseille. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Marseille. Many visitors come to Bucharest 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 the summer, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bucharest this time of the year. In the summer, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bucharest 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.

In October, Bucharest is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Marseille. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bucharest or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Bucharest during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Bucharest 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 Bucharest can be very cold. Bucharest is much colder than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around -1°C (29°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in January than Marseille. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Marseille in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bucharest usually receives around the same amount of rain as Marseille. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Bucharest