A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cork vs. Marseille for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Cork 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 Cork 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.

Cork

Cork is a energetic, cultural, and seaside 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Cork and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cork or Marseille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Marseille than Cork. Marseille is bigger than Cork, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Marseille is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Cork is more popular for its museums and big city activities. Marseille is more touristy than Cork and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port. Cork is well known for its friendly personality, its thriving art scene and its local craft beer.

How is Cork different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cork 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 Cork can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historic sights and landmarks. Most notable is the Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone, but also make sure you check out St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Cork Public Museum, Cork City Gaol Heritage Centre, and St. Anne's Church.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Cork has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find charming seaside cafes and award winning restaurants. Also make sure you check out the English Market, which is among the best in Ireland.

Is Cork or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Marseille is a world class party destination. 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.

Cork has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a university city, so you'll find plenty of students, bars, clubs, and cheap beer. Many pubs also have live music with everything from rock to Irish folk music.

Is Cork or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Cork 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.

Cork is not a beach destination.

Is Cork or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. However, Cork does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Marseille can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Cork does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cork or Marseille?

Both Cork and Marseille are high quality shopping destinations.

Cork is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It offers a mix of high street shops and boutique vendors. Head to St. Patrick’s Street for some of the city's best shopping. Also check out Opera Lane and Oliver Plunkett Street.

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.

Is Cork or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a city with good options for its Christmas markets. However, Cork 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.

Cork does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Cork or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Cork is a family-friendly city. For a bit of outside time, head to Fota Wildlife Park, Regional Park Ballincollig, or Inchydoney Beach. Kids will also enjoy exploring Cork City Gaol which is a heritage museum, or the Toy Soldier Factory. And of course, there's the Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone.

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 Cork or Marseille Better for Couples?

Both Cork and Marseille are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Cork is a very popular place to visit for couples. Visiting Blarney Castle is a highlight, but you can also wander along the river or do the Ballycotton Cliff Walk. There are also several gardens to explore or small theaters where you can see a play.

Marseille makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is Cork or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Cork and Marseille are notable destinations for backpackers.

Cork is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels as well as a large student population and an active nightlife.

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

Is Cork or Marseille Better for Students?

Cork and Marseille are both high quality destinations for students and younger travelers.

Students come from all over to stay in Cork. It's a university town with many students and plenty to do. The city plays host to many international students.

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

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

Marseille is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Cork is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Cork. In town you'll find bus service but if you want to explore anywhere else in the county you really need your own vehicle.

Is Cork or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is notable for its walkability. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Marseille is very walkable. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.

Cork is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is compact and easy enough to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Cork?

How long in Cork or Marseille?

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Cork. 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 Cork 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 Cork or Marseille?

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

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Cork or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the energetic destination of Cork. 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 fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Cork or Marseille?

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

You'll find food and shopping around the energetic destination of Marseille. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Cork or Marseille?

Cork 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.

The vibrant city of Marseille offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Cork or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cork. When comparing the sizes of Cork 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 Cork 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 Cork or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Cork during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cork 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 July, Cork is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Cork average around 16°C (60°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Cork often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Cork gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Cork usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Cork gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cork or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cork and Marseille. The autumn months attract visitors to Cork because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

Cork is cooler than Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cork averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Cork usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Cork gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cork usually receives more rain than Marseille. Cork gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cork or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cork as well as Marseille. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cork this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Cork is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cork in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Marseille averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Cork often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Cork gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Cork receives a lot of rain in the winter. Cork usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Cork gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cork or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Cork are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cork for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Marseille in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Cork is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Cork average around 9°C (48°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Cork usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Cork gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cork usually receives more rain than Marseille. Cork gets 55 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 Cork