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

Should you visit Copenhagen or Marseille?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Copenhagen and Marseille can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen is a happy, welcoming, and relaxed city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. 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. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Copenhagen and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Copenhagen or Marseille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Copenhagen than Marseille, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Copenhagen is more popular for its museums, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Marseille is known for its beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Marseille is more touristy than Copenhagen and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Copenhagen is popular for its colorful buildings, beautiful canals, progressive policies, and happy population. It is also home to Tivoli Gardens.

How is Copenhagen different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many sights and landmarks around town including Tivoli Gardens, Christiansborg Palace, Nyhavn Harbor, and The Round Tower. Some of the most popular museums are the National Museum of Denmark and the National Gallery of Denmark.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at first-rate restaurants in both Copenhagen and Marseille.

Many restaurants in Copenhagen have been singled out for their culinary prowess. In recent years the celebrity food scene has put this city on the map. There are many Michelin star restaurants around town including the world famous Noma. But there's also a diversity of restaurants to choose from, ranging from elegant, award-winning options to cozy local eateries. Danish food includes a lot of pastries and sandwiches. Make sure you try a rød pølse, or local hot dog from one of the many stands around town.

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.

Is Copenhagen or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

The first-rate nightlife scene is relatively similar in Copenhagen and Marseille.

Copenhagen is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The nightlife scene stays active until the early morning hours with many bars and clubs staying open until 5 or 6 in the morning. Some of the most popular areas for nightlife include Istedgade and EnghavePlads in Vesterbro, Sankt Hans Torv in Nørrebro and some areas around Frederiksberg.

Marseille has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Is Copenhagen or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a city with good options for the beache. However, Copenhagen is not a beach destination.

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.

Copenhagen is not a beach destination.

Is Copenhagen or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is renowned for its old town. Also, Copenhagen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Copenhagen. Indre By is the oldest part of the city and where you'll find most of the sights and attractions. This is where most visitors stay and you'll find many great restaurants and activities to enjoy.

Is the Shopping Better in Copenhagen or Marseille?

Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen specifically to go shopping. Design and style is notorious with Danish culture. You'll find many great local boutique or fashion design shops in town. Købmagergade is one of the busiest and most famous shopping streets in town, but you should also visit the street parallel to it, Pilestræde.

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 Copenhagen or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a city with good options for visiting Christmas markets. However, Copenhagen does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille is a nice place to see Christmas markets. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Copenhagen does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Copenhagen or Marseille Better for Families?

Copenhagen is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Copenhagen is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The city almost feels like it was designed with kids in mind. There are countless playgrounds, beaches, and other kid-friendly places to explore. Also make sure you stop by Tivoli Gardens, which has rides and rollercoasters that everyone can enjoy. The city also has an aquarium, zoo, and even a deer park. The Little Mermaid statue may fascinate Disney lovers, and if you want to get out on the water there are boat tours through the canals.

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 Copenhagen or Marseille Better for Couples?

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

Copenhagen has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The city is filled with a positive energy that will rejuvenate any couple. You can hire a bike or hop on a boat to explore town, or simply wander through the cobblestone streets. There are many parks and gardens to explore and culture lovers will appreciate the many museums.

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 Copenhagen or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen. While the city is expensive, there are still plenty of free things to do like simply wandering the neighborhoods. The city has a relaxed and friendly vibe that will almost make you forget all of the money you're spending.

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

Is Copenhagen or Marseille Better for Students?

Both Copenhagen and Marseille are high quality destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Copenhagen. The city has a reputation as the happiest in the world, and students are no exception. There are plenty of activities for students as well as a relaxed, yet productive, atmosphere. It's easy to explore the town on foot or by bike as well.

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

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

Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen can get you around easily. There are metros, s-trains, waterbuses, and regular buses available.

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 Copenhagen or Marseille a more walkable city?

Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but there are also plenty of bikes available as well.

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 Copenhagen Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Copenhagen?

How long in Copenhagen or Marseille?

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

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

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

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

One day in Copenhagen or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Copenhagen. 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.

With shopping and nightlife around the vibrant city of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Copenhagen or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the happy destination of Copenhagen. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Copenhagen or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and food around the beautiful city of Copenhagen. 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. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Marseille, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Copenhagen or Marseille?

Copenhagen 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Denmark, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Copenhagen and Marseille, we can see that Copenhagen is more expensive. And not only is Marseille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Marseille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marseille 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 Copenhagen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Copenhagen than you might in Marseille.

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

Which is Bigger, Copenhagen or Marseille?

Copenhagen has a larger population, and is about 45% larger than the population of Marseille. When comparing the sizes of Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen 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 Copenhagen or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Copenhagen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Copenhagen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Copenhagen is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Copenhagen in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In July, Copenhagen usually receives more rain than Marseille. Copenhagen gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Copenhagen or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Copenhagen during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Copenhagen because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In October, Copenhagen is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Copenhagen average around 10°C (50°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Copenhagen usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Copenhagen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Copenhagen or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Copenhagen and Marseille. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Copenhagen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Copenhagen in the winter. Copenhagen is much colder than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Copenhagen averages around 1°C (33°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In January, Copenhagen usually receives more rain than Marseille. Copenhagen gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Copenhagen or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Copenhagen as well as Marseille. Many travelers come to Copenhagen for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Marseille in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Copenhagen is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Copenhagen in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Copenhagen usually gets less rain in April than Marseille. Copenhagen gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Copenhagen