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

Should you visit Dingle or Marseille?

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

Should I visit Dingle or Marseille? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Dingle

Dingle is a picturesque, serene, and natural peninsula. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, food, 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.

Dingle and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dingle or Marseille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille. Although Dingle and Marseille are popular destinations, Marseille has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Dingle attracts visitors for its museums, beaches, and hiking. Dingle is famous for its traditional pubs, stunning coastline, and rugged cliffs. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port.

How is Dingle different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Dingle 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 Dingle specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people visit for the natural beauty, but there are a couple of landmarks in the area including the Eask Tower, Gallarus Oratory, and the Blasket Centre.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Dingle is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Marseille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dingle. You'll find great seafood throughout the peninsula. There's also traditional Irish food available including Irish stew or cabbage and bacon.

Is Dingle or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for nightlife.

The nightlife in Marseille is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Dingle doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The area's not known for its nightlife but you can visit The Hillgrove, which is the peninsula's only nightclub. It's in a hotel and there is weekly entertainment.

Is Dingle or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Dingle 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 Dingle. It's not hard to find a quiet beach with scenic views and a serene setting. Some of the best beaches in the area include Coumeenole, Brandon Bay, and Ventry.

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 Dingle or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Dingle does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Marseille offers plenty to see. 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.

Dingle does not have a historic old town.

Is Dingle or Marseille Better for Hiking?

Dingle 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 Dingle. There are a variety of walking paths and hiking trails that take you through the coastal setting, rolling mountains, and remote nature. Some of the best trails in the area include the long distance hiking trail the Dingle Way, Mount Brandon, and Glenteenassig Forest Park.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dingle or Marseille?

Marseille is a great destination for its shopping areas. However, Dingle is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Dingle is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dingle or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for its Christmas markets. However, Dingle does not offer Christmas markets.

Many visitors go to the Christmas markets in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Dingle does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Dingle or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Dingle is a family-friendly peninsula. There are coastal walks and beaches that are perfect for kids. You can also visit the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, do a dolphin tour, or enjoy some watersports. Horseback riding and Sandy Feet Farm are both fun as well.

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 Dingle or Marseille Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Dingle and Marseille make for a very good place to visit.

Couples visit Dingle frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Boat rides, sunset walks, and natural beauty all make this a fun place to explore with your significant other.

Marseille is a great peninsula 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 Dingle or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dingle 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 Dingle. There are a good number of hostels on the peninsula and there are interesting music festivals and other events that make this a good backpacker destination.

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

Is Dingle or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a great destination for students. However, Dingle is not popular with students.

Marseille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Dingle is not popular with students.

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

Marseille is a popular place for its public transit. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dingle. Bus Eireann offers buses daily to Tralee and then there are connections to other destinations.

Is Dingle or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for its walkability.

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.

Dingle is generally not a very walkable peninsula. If you have enough time, there are countless walking trails throughout the peninsula.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Dingle?

How long in Dingle or Marseille?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Dingle. 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.

One day in Dingle or Marseille?

You'll find food around the peninsula of Dingle. 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 Dingle or Marseille?

You'll find food around the picturesque destination of Dingle. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this peninsula has to offer. This peninsula 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 Dingle or Marseille?

You'll find food around the picturesque peninsula of Dingle. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this peninsula makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this peninsula has to offer.

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 Dingle or Marseille?

Dingle 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 10-Day Tours in Ireland, The Best One Week (7-Day) 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 Dingle and Marseille, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Dingle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dingle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dingle 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 Dingle.

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

Which is Bigger, Dingle or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 400 times larger than the population of Dingle. When comparing the sizes of Dingle 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 Dingle 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 Dingle or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dingle as well as Marseille. Many travelers come to Dingle for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Dingle is much colder than Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Dingle averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the summer, Dingle often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Dingle gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Dingle usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Dingle gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dingle or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Dingle are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Dingle in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Dingle is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dingle in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Dingle usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Dingle gets 79 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Dingle. In October, Dingle usually receives more rain than Marseille. Dingle gets 156 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dingle or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Dingle during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Dingle for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Dingle is generally around the same temperature as Marseille. Daily temperatures in Dingle average around 7°C (44°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Dingle often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Dingle gets 44 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 Dingle. Dingle usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Dingle gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dingle or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dingle and Marseille. The spring months attract visitors to Dingle because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

Dingle is cooler than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Dingle averages around 9°C (48°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. Dingle usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Dingle gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dingle usually receives more rain than Marseille. Dingle gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Dingle