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

Should you visit Cefalu 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 Cefalu 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.

Cefalu

Cefalu is a coastal, historic, and touristy fishing village. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, and beaches.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Cefalu and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cefalu or Marseille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille. Although Cefalu and Marseille are both popular with visitors, Marseille has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Cefalu is known for its museums, resorts, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Cefalu is popular for its beautiful blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and great local food. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port.

How is Cefalu different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

While most people don't head to Cefalu specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most visitors spend their time on the beach or getting lost in the town's charm, but if you're looking for specific sights and museums you can check out the Cathedral, Museo Mandralisca, or Tempio di Diana.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Cefalu is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Dining out in Cefalu is an experience not to be missed. Despite being a popular tourist hot spot, there are still charming restaurants around town that serve up local dishes made with local ingredients. Many seaside restaurants have a charming atmosphere and a unique Sicilian flare.

Is Cefalu or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

People head to Marseille just to party. 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.

Cefalu is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The town is small and mellow without a huge party scene. There are some beach resorts with bars and clubs attached where you can enjoy a drink by the water.

Is Cefalu or Marseille Better for Resorts?

Cefalu is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Marseille is not a resort destination.

Cefalu is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. There's a wide range of resorts to choose from including Club Med and even a nature hotel.

Marseille is not a resort destination.

Is Cefalu or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Cefalu is an excellent place to visit for the beach. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Cefalu. The town has nice beaches with good swimming and kayaking opportunities. Some of the beaches can get quite crowded but the water is blue and the views are nice. Some of the best beaches near town include Cefalu Beach, Kalura Beach, and Lido Angeli Del Mare.

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.

Is Cefalu or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Cefalu is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Cefalu. The town is charming and small, making it a nice place to explore.

Is Cefalu or Marseille Better for Hiking?

Cefalu is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Cefalu has hiking trails worth exploring. There are a few walking trails outside of town but the most popular is hiking to the top of La Rocca. It's at least an hours walk to the top but from there you can enjoy one of the best views of the harbor.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cefalu or Marseille?

Marseille is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.

Marseille is well-known for its shopping. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Cefalu has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. It's a small, touristy town, so shopping isn't the main attraction. There are some interesting shops that are fun to pop into though.

Is Cefalu or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Cefalu 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.

Cefalu does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cefalu or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Cefalu is a family-friendly fishing village. Kids will enjoy beach time or wandering down the promenade, Lungomare. You can swim or simply relax by the water. Another fun activity is to climb the nearby mountain of La Rocca. The kids might even spot a local animal.

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 Cefalu or Marseille Better for Couples?

Cefalu is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Cefalu has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's natural beauty and Italian atmosphere make this a perfect couples destination. There are water activities for the adventurous as well as beautiful beaches and great restaurants.

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.

Is Cefalu or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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

Cefalu is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's not a big backpacker vibe to the town, and you won't find tons of hostels, but there are affordable places that budget travelers can stay.

Is Cefalu or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Cefalu is not popular with students.

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

Cefalu is not popular with students.

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

Marseille is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Cefalu is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Cefalu. Public transit is limited but taxis are a good alternative for getting out of town and into the surrounding areas.

Is Cefalu or Marseille a more walkable city?

Cefalu and Marseille are great when it comes to walkability.

Cefalu is a very walkable fishing village. The town is small enough to explore on foot.

Marseille is a very walkable destination. 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 Cefalu Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Cefalu?

How long in Cefalu or Marseille?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Cefalu than Marseille. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cefalu that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marseille than Cefalu 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 Cefalu or Marseille?

Even though Cefalu is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cefalu 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 Cefalu or Marseille?

Cefalu is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. 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 fishing village has to offer. This fishing village 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 Cefalu or Marseille?

Cefalu is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Cefalu or Marseille?

Cefalu is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Adventure Tours to Italy, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Cefalu or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Cefalu. When comparing the sizes of Cefalu 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 Cefalu 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 Cefalu or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Cefalu are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cefalu in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, 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, Cefalu is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cefalu in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cefalu. Cefalu usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Cefalu gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cefalu usually receives less rain than Marseille. Cefalu gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cefalu or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Cefalu during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cefalu for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Cefalu is generally a little warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Cefalu average around 19°C (67°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Cefalu often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Cefalu gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Cefalu usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Marseille. Cefalu gets 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cefalu or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cefalu and Marseille. The winter months attract visitors to Cefalu 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.

Cefalu is much warmer than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Cefalu averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Cefalu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during winter. Cefalu gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cefalu usually receives more rain than Marseille. Cefalu 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 Cefalu or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cefalu as well as Marseille. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cefalu this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Cefalu is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cefalu in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cefalu this time of the year. In the spring, Cefalu often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Cefalu gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Cefalu usually gets less rain in April than Marseille. Cefalu gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Cefalu