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

Should you visit Chania or Marseille?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or Marseille, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Chania

Chania is a idyllic, charming, and picturesque 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, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Chania and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chania or Marseille?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Chania than Marseille. While Marseille is larger than Chania, Chania has more sights and attractions for tourists. Chania is very popular for its museums, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and big city activities, while Marseille attracts visitors for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Chania is famous for its beautiful beaches, impressive historic sights, and diverse local cuisine. It is also well known for The Venetian Harbor. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

How is Chania different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Chania 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 Chania can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historic sights such as the Venetian Lighthouse, the Castle of Gramvoussa, the Ottoman Baths, and the Clock Tower. There's also the Archeological Museum, where you can learn about the history of the area.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Chania and Marseille both to be amazing destinations.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Chania is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is filled with traditional and modern restaurants that serve fresh and delicious dishes. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the many invaders of the island. You'll note culinary influences from the Venetians, Egyptians, and Ottomans. The island also traded with the Jewish, Arab, and European populations, so they have also influenced the cuisine.

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.

Is Chania or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Chania is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Chania has a few options to choose from. The town is more known for its relaxed vibe in the evening than its all-night parties. Many visitors enjoy a laid back night in one of the town's many local pubs. You'll find the most charming places tucked away down side alleys in the old town.

Is Chania or Marseille Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Chania is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Chania has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are snorkeling trips from town that take you to some of the better snorkeling sights in the area.

Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chania or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Chania is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

The beaches in Chania are among the best in the world. You'll find picturesque beaches near town that have white sand or colored pebbles. The beaches range from urban and crowded to hidden gems, but each has striking blue water and the atmosphere of paradise. Favorite beaches in the area include Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi.

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 Chania or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Chania is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Surrounding the Venetian Harbor is the town's old town. It's filled with restaurants, shops, and cafes that offer a quaint atmosphere for visitors.

Is Chania or Marseille Better for Hiking?

Chania is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Chania. Outside of town there are many hikes that take you through beautiful gorges, along the scenic coastline, or through the unique countryside.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chania or Marseille?

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

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chania. Head to the old town to browse shops selling local favorites such as traditional island knives and locally made ceramics. There are also jewelry boutiques and other clothing shops around town.

Is Chania or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Chania does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille has Christmas markets worth visiting. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Chania does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Chania or Marseille Better for Families?

Chania 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 Chania. Kids will enjoy exploring the old town, with its many markets and shops. Wandering around the harbor is also a highlight for many families. There are also several kid-friendly museums such as the Minoan's World 3D Museum and 9D Cinema, the Maritime Museum, and the Archaeological Museum of Chania. There are also kid-friendly activities just outside of town like a visit to Lake Kournas or any of the nearby archeological sites.

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 Chania or Marseille Better for Couples?

Chania and Marseille are both superb to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Chania frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The old town, waterfront harbor, and outstanding restaurants make this a great place to stop on any romantic trip.

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 Chania or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chania 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 Chania. There is no shortage of hostels around town that make this an affordable place to stay for backpackers.

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

Is Chania or Marseille Better for Students?

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

Marseille is a great city to visit as a student. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Chania is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Chania and Marseille.

You'll find some public transit in Chania, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KTEL bus service operates routes both within town and to nearby localities.

While Marseille offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Chania or Marseille a more walkable city?

Chania and Marseille both are superb when exploring on foot.

Chania is a very walkable destination. The historic center and harbor areas are compact and walkable. There are some beaches outside of town that can be walked to as well if necessary.

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 Chania Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Chania?

How long in Chania or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chania and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chania than in Marseille. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Chania, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chania 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 Chania.

One day in Chania or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Chania. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

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 Chania or Marseille?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the picturesque destination of Chania. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. 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 Chania or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the historic city of Chania. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Chania or Marseille?

Chania is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 vibrant 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 Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Chania or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Chania. When comparing the sizes of Chania 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 Chania 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 Chania or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chania as well as Marseille. The summer months attract visitors to Chania because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

Chania is a little warmer than Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 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 Chania this time of the year. In the summer, Chania often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Chania usually gets less rain in July than Marseille. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Chania this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Chania is a little warmer than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chania in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Chania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during autumn. Chania gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chania usually receives around the same amount of rain as Marseille. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chania or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Chania during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chania for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marseille in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Chania is generally much warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 12°C (54°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Chania often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Chania gets 118 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chania. Chania usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chania or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Marseille. Many visitors come to Chania in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Chania is a little warmer than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Chania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chania usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during spring. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chania usually receives less rain than Marseille. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Chania