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

Should you visit Dresden or Marseille?

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

Should I visit Dresden 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.

Dresden

Dresden is a cultural, park-filled, and friendly 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. 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.

Dresden and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dresden or Marseille?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Dresden than Marseille. While Marseille is larger than Dresden, Dresden has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dresden is very popular for its museums and big city activities, while Marseille attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Dresden is famous for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady). It is also well known for Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

How is Dresden different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dresden. It's rich in culture and baroque architecture. Some of the main sights around town include Dresden Frauenkirche, the Dresden Royal Palace and Museums, the Zwinger and Old Masters Picture Gallery, and the Semper Opera.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Dresden 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 Dresden. The food features a number of Saxon specialties, which are typically hearty and heavy on the meat. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll also appreciate the many sweets that you can find around town. You should make sure you try a Fettbemme (open faced sandwich), Eierschecke (a cake), and Sächsische Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) while you're in town.

Is Dresden or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

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.

The nightlife in Dresden has something for everybody. Head to Neustadt for the highest concentration of bars and clubs. There's a diversity of trendy clubs and casual bars. Bar hopping is easy as most places are accessible by public transit.

Is Dresden or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a popular place for the beach. However, Dresden is not a beach destination.

Marseille is a good option for a beach vacation. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Dresden is not a beach destination.

Is Dresden or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

Marseille offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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 is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Dresden. Much of the city's old town has been rebuilt, but that's not to say it isn't beautiful. The main square and surrounding area are where you'll find the majority of the city's main sights.

Is the Shopping Better in Dresden or Marseille?

Marseille is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Dresden 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 Dresden. Kunsthofpassage Dresden is a network of streets where you'll find crafts, art, and other eclectic items for sale. Prager Strasse is a popular shopping street near old town and Seestrasse is where you'll find all of the trendy brands that are popular throughout Europe. The city also has many shopping malls.

Is Dresden or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for its Christmas markets. However, Dresden 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.

Dresden does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Dresden or Marseille Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Dresden or Marseille as a family destination.

Dresden doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. It doesn't have quite the abundance of activities for kids that you may find in other Germany cities, but that doesn't mean that kids will be bored. There's the Dresden Zoo, the Dresdner Parkeisenbahn (a small steam rail), and the Saxon Folk Art Museum. Families can also take a guided to of the Transparent Factory, which is owned by Volkswagon and provided information on the manufacturing of automobiles.

For families, Marseille is not always the best place to visit. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Dresden or Marseille Better for Couples?

Marseille is a great destination for couples. Also, Dresden is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Dresden is a nice destination for couples. Couples can explore the old town or walk through one of the city's many parks. The city has many cultural activities. In the new town you'll find many great bars and fascinating restaurants.

Is Dresden or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dresden and Marseille are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Dresden. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

Marseille is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Dresden or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a great destination for students. However, Dresden 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.

Dresden is not popular with students.

Is Dresden 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 Dresden and Marseille.

You'll find some public transit in Dresden, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.

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 Dresden or Marseille a more walkable city?

Dresden and Marseille both are very good when exploring on foot.

Dresden is a very walkable destination. Particularly in the compact city center you'll find Dresden to be very walkable.

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 Dresden Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Dresden?

How long in Dresden or Marseille?

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

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

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

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

In Marseille, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Dresden or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the architectural destination of Dresden. 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.

In Marseille, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Marseille has to offer.

Five days in Dresden or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly city of Dresden. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Marseille is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Dresden or Marseille?

Dresden 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Marseille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Dresden and Marseille, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Dresden or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Dresden. When comparing the sizes of Dresden 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 Dresden 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 Dresden or Marseille in the Summer?

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

Dresden is cooler than Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Dresden usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Dresden gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Dresden are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Dresden in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Dresden is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dresden in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In October, Dresden usually receives less rain than Marseille. Dresden gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dresden or Marseille in the Winter?

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

Dresden can be very cold during winter. In January, Dresden is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Dresden average around 1°C (33°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Dresden usually gets less rain in January than Marseille. Dresden gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dresden or Marseille in the Spring?

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

Dresden is cooler than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Dresden averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In April, Dresden usually receives more rain than Marseille. Dresden gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Dresden