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

Should you visit Dundee or Marseille?

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

Should I visit Dundee 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.

Dundee

Dundee is a historic, coastal, and cultural 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 food.

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.

Dundee and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Fun shopping
  • Known for Christmas markets
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly


Is there more to do in Dundee or Marseille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Marseille than Dundee. Marseille is bigger than Dundee, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Marseille is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Dundee is more popular for its museums and big city activities. Marseille is more touristy than Dundee and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port. Dundee is well known for its maritime and manufacturing history as well as its focus on design.

How is Dundee different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Dundee
Marseille

Dundee 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 Dundee. On the waterfront you'll find a couple of nautical museums such as RRS Discovery, and HM Frigate Unicorn. Other museums and sights include V&A Dundee, Tay Rail Bridge, Camperdown Wildlife Centre, and Glamis Castle.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Dundee
Marseille

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Dundee has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a few local dishes that the city is known for. These include Dundee Cake, Dundee marmalade, and Angus beef.

Is Dundee or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Dundee
Marseille

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Dundee. The vibrant student population heavily influences the city's nightlife. There are a number of clubs and bars where you can hang out late into the night.

Is Dundee or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Dundee
Marseille

Marseille is a popular place for its beaches. However, Dundee 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.

Dundee is not a beach destination.


Is Dundee or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Dundee
Marseille

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Dundee does not have a 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.

Dundee does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dundee or Marseille?

Dundee
Marseille

Marseille is a well-known place for shopping. However, Dundee is not a good city for its shopping opportunities.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Dundee has some nice offerings. There are shopping centers and a few independent shops that are worth checking out. Head to Overgate Shopping Centre for the standard brands or Dundee's Farmer's Market for some local produce.

Is Dundee or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Dundee
Marseille

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

Dundee does not offer Christmas markets.


Is Dundee or Marseille Better for Families?

Dundee
Marseille

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

Dundee is a family-friendly city. Head to the Dundee Science Center or check out Discovery Point. There's also the Dundee Treasure Trail as well as climbing walls and other outdoor activities for when the weather's nice.

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 Dundee or Marseille Better for Couples?

Dundee
Marseille

Marseille is a well-known place for romance. However, Dundee is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Marseille is a very popular place to visit for couples. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Most people don't think of Dundee as a couple's destination. The coastal city has some nice outdoor spaces and interesting restaurants that couples can enjoy.

Is Dundee or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dundee
Marseille

Marseille is a popular place for backpackers. However, Dundee is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Dundee is not a backpacker-friendly destination.


Is Dundee or Marseille Better for Students?

Dundee
Marseille

Marseille is a well-known place for students. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Dundee. Its affordability and authenticity make this a nice option for students. It's also a very safe city.

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

Dundee
Marseille

Both Dundee and Marseille offer notable public transit options.

Dundee has a few public transit options. The city has a public bus system.

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

Is Dundee or Marseille a more walkable city?

Dundee
Marseille

Marseille is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Dundee 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.

Dundee is a somewhat walkable place. There are a number of walks through the town.


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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Dundee?

How long in Dundee or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dundee and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Marseille than in Dundee. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Dundee, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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


  • How many days in Dundee or Marseille? Ideal Length of Stay
    Dundee 1-2 
    Marseille 2-3

One day in Dundee or Marseille?

You'll find food and museums around the city of Dundee. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dundee has to offer. 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 Dundee or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Dundee. 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 Dundee or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal city of Dundee. 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.

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 Dundee or Marseille?

Dundee 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.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.


Which place is cheaper, Marseille or Dundee?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dundee is £234, while the average daily cost in Marseille is £126. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dundee and Marseille in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dundee £149
    Marseille £61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dundee £298
    Marseille £122
Compare Hotels in Dundee and Marseille

Looking for a hotel in Dundee or Marseille? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Dundee


Hotels in Marseille


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Dundee Hotel Prices and Marseille Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dundee £16
    Marseille £24

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Marseille

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Marseille:


  • Metro Pass
    £2.57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marseille

Also for Marseille, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Marseille to Marseille Provence Terminal Private Transfer: $34
  • Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal to Marseille - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
  • Marseille Terminal to Marseille Airport Departure Transfer: $35
  • Marseille Port (MPCT) to Marseille Airport (MRS) - Departure Private Transfer: $35
  • Private Transfer to Gare St Charles: $53
  • Private Airport Transfer in Marseille from Marseille Provence airport, Marignane: $65
  • Private Transfer: Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) to Marseille: $69
  • Marseille Airport (MRS) to Marseille- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $70
  • Marseille Airport (MRS) to (MPCT) Marseille Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $70
  • Private Transfer from Marseille Airport to Aix-en-Provence: $74
  • Marseille Airport transfers: $75
  • Private Transfer With an Electric Car in Marseille: $76

Is it cheaper to fly into Dundee or Marseille?

Prices for flights to both Marseille and Dundee change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Dundee £47
    Marseille £36
Typical Food Prices in Dundee

Some typical examples of dining costs in Dundee are as follows:


  • Moroccan Sandwich
    £2.70
  • Drinks and Scottish Shortbread at Discovery
    £4.70
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    £8.80

Typical Food Prices in Marseille

For Marseille, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Orangina
    £2.14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marseille

For Marseille, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Web-cooking workshop / French cuisine or French pastry: $35
  • No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Marseille! (Cours Julien): $63
  • Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $74
  • Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Drinks: $86
  • Sunset Boat Cruise with Dinner and Drinks: $86
  • Bakeries, Chocolate & Patisseries Food Tour: $93
  • Sunset Apéro Food tour: $95
  • Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $97
  • Marseille Sunset Apéro Food tour: $97
  • Evening Food Tour with Tastings: $102
  • Sunset Sailing Dinner in the Frioul Archipelago: $102
  • Marseille Miam Miam Food tour: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dundee £106
    Marseille £32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dundee

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Dundee are as follows:


  • Newspaper
    £0.85

Tours and Activities in Dundee

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dundee are as follows:

  • Boat Seafari Adventure: $34
  • Dundee Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK: $19
  • Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Made in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Original Dundee Photoshoot Tour: $83
  • Skip-the-Line: Botanic Garden Entry Ticket: $6.36

Tours and Activities in Marseille

For Marseille, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
  • Marseille:Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $4.28
  • Marseille Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.36
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Marseille Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Self-guided Like a Local Highlights Day Tour: $9.52
  • Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Game & Sightseeing: $9.84
  • Panier District Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Humorous and Informative Tour of the Historic Center of La Ciotat: $11
  • Mucem Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dundee £13
    Marseille £23

Sample the Local Flavors in Marseille

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marseille:

  • Marseille Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $21
  • Marseille Riviera Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $22
  • Marseille Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $43
  • New Year's Eve Bar Crawl Marseille France: $96
  • Delicious Food and Wine Tour: $117
  • Bandol and Cassis: Full Day Wine Tour from Marseille: $143
  • Luberon: Full-Day Wine Tour from Marseille: $143
  • Full-day Wine Tour around Bandol & Cassis from Marseille: $146
  • Full-Day Wine Tour around Luberon from Marseille: $146
  • Côtes du Rhône Wine tour: Avignon, Palace of the Popes: $163
  • Small Group Marseille Shore Excursion : Avignon & Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tour: $164
  • Marseille Shore Excursion - Full Day Wine Tour in Provence: $164


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dundee and Marseille, we can see that Dundee 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 Dundee would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dundee 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 Dundee Expensive? and Is Marseille Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dundee or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Dundee. When comparing the sizes of Dundee 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 Dundee 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 Dundee or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Dundee during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dundee for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Dundee is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 14°C (58°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Dundee often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Dundee gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Dundee gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dundee 14°C (58°F) 
    Marseille 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Dundee or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dundee and Marseille. Many visitors come to Dundee in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Dundee is much colder than Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dundee averages around 10°C (49°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. Dundee usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Dundee gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dundee usually receives less rain than Marseille. Dundee gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dundee 10°C (49°F) 
    Marseille 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Dundee or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dundee as well as Marseille. Most visitors come to Dundee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Dundee can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Dundee is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dundee in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Marseille averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Dundee often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Dundee gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Dundee gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dundee 3°C (38°F) 
    Marseille 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Dundee or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Dundee are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Dundee because of the activities around the city. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In April, Dundee is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 7°C (45°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Dundee usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Dundee gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dundee usually receives less rain than Marseille. Dundee gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dundee 7°C (45°F) 
    Marseille 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Marseille and Dundee

Dundee Marseille
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 10°C (49°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) 21°C (69°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 52 mm (2 in) 24°C (75°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 14°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 20°C (69°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)