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

Should you visit Dublin or Marseille?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dublin 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.

Dublin

Dublin is a welcoming, fun, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Dublin and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dublin or Marseille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dublin than Marseille, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dublin is more popular for its museums, music, and big city activities, while Marseille is known for its food, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Dublin is popular for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. It is also home to The Guinness Storehouse. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

How is Dublin different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Dublin 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 Dublin can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is terrific for its restaurant scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Marseille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Dublin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Dublin or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Dublin or Marseille has a better nightlife scene.

Dublin is a must-see party destination. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Marseille is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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 Dublin or Marseille Better for Music?

Dublin is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Marseille is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Dublin has diverse options. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Marseille is not a live music destination.

Is Dublin or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Dublin is not a beach destination.

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

Dublin is not a beach destination.

Is Dublin or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is terrific for its old town. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Marseille has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Dublin is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Is the Shopping Better in Dublin or Marseille?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Marseille and Dublin.

Dublin is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Is Dublin or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Dublin 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.

Dublin does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Dublin or Marseille Better for Families?

Dublin 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 Dublin. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

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 Dublin or Marseille Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Dublin frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

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 Dublin or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dublin 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 Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

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

Is Dublin or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a great destination for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

Is Dublin 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 Dublin and Marseille.

You'll find some public transit in Dublin, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system 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 Dublin or Marseille a more walkable city?

Dublin 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 Dublin. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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 Dublin Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Dublin?

How long in Dublin or Marseille?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Dublin. 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 Dublin 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 Dublin.

One day in Dublin or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Dublin. 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.

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 Dublin or Marseille?

You'll find live music and food around the laid-back destination of Dublin. 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.

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 Dublin or Marseille?

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly city of Dublin. 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. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city 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 Dublin or Marseille?

Dublin 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Dublin 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 Dublin Expensive? and Is Marseille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dublin or Marseille?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Marseille. When comparing the sizes of Dublin 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 Dublin 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 Dublin or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dublin as well as Marseille. The summer months attract visitors to Dublin because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In the summer, Dublin is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dublin in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the summer, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Dublin gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Dublin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dublin or Marseille in the Autumn?

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

In October, Dublin is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 11°C (52°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Dublin gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dublin usually receives less rain than Marseille. Dublin gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dublin or Marseille in the Winter?

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

Dublin is cooler than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Dublin gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Dublin usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Dublin gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dublin or Marseille in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Dublin is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dublin in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Dublin gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dublin usually receives around the same amount of rain as Marseille. Dublin gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Dublin