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

Should you visit Faro or Marseille?

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

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

Faro

Faro is a active, popular, and busy resort town. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Faro and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Faro or Marseille?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Marseille than Faro, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Marseille is better known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Faro is more popular for its resorts and scuba diving & snorkeling. Faro is well known for its historical sights and rich culture. Marseille is well known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port.

How is Faro different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Faro is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Faro. It has become a major tourist town, so you have to get a bit creative to find a more traditional restaurant. Look for fresh seafood like cod, monkfish, or shellfish if you want some local flavors.

Is Faro or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town 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.

Faro has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city's bustling party scene thrives along Rua de São Pedro, Rua Conselheiro Bívar, and Rua do Prior.

Is Faro or Marseille Better for Resorts?

Faro is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Marseille is not a resort destination.

Faro offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Popular resorts include Vila Vita Parc Resort and Spa, Conrad Algarve, and Tivoli Carvoeiro.

Marseille is not a resort destination.

Is Faro or Marseille Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Faro is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Faro has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are both snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities in the area. It's possible to snorkel off of several beaches or arrange a scuba diving excursion with a local dive shop.

Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Faro or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Both Faro and Marseille have notable beaches worth visiting.

Faro has a beach worth visiting. The most popular beach in the area is Faro Beach. It can get crowded during the summer months but if you walk a bit you can often get away from the crowds. To reach the beach you'll need a car or you can take the bus as the beach is about 10 km away.

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 Faro or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its 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.

Many people head to Faro to see the old town. You'll find historic buildings and cobblestone streets in the old town. It's a nice place to explore, grab a bite to eat, and do a little shopping.

Is the Shopping Better in Faro or Marseille?

Marseille is great for shopping. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Faro offers some nice shopping areas. The town isn't as big as some others, so it's shopping scene isn't as comprehensive, but you will find the major brands as well as souvenir shops to peruse when you need a break from the beach.

Is Faro or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Faro 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.

Faro does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Faro or Marseille Better for Families?

Neither Faro nor Marseille are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

For families, Faro is not always the best place to visit. There are some nice nature reserves in the area so kids who love wildlife will enjoy a visit.

Marseille is not the most family-friendly destination. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Faro or Marseille Better for Couples?

Marseille is great for romance. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town for its romantic activities.

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.

Faro makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With the beautiful natural areas and historic old town, this seaport makes a nice couples vacation.

Is Faro or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Faro and Marseille are notable places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Faro. The are some good hostels in the area, but it's a bit tricky to get around without a car.

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

Is Faro or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Faro is not popular with students.

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.

Faro is not popular with students.

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

Faro and Marseille both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Faro offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses that connect the city to the beach, the airport, and other outlying areas.

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

Is Faro or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is great for its walkability. Also, Faro is not as popular, but is still a nice resort town 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.

Faro is a somewhat walkable place. The city's old town is particularly walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Faro?

How long in Faro or Marseille?

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

Families should spend more time in Marseille than Faro. 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 Faro. 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 Faro 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 Faro or Marseille?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the resort town of Faro. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

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 Faro or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the popular destination of Faro. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this resort town has to offer. This resort town 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 Faro or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the active resort town of Faro. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this resort town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this resort town has to offer.

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant 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 Faro or Marseille?

Faro is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 energetic 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 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Faro or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro 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 Faro or Marseille?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Faro or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Marseille. The summer months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In July, Faro is generally around the same temperature as Marseille. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 25°C (78°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during summer. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Faro usually receives less rain than Marseille. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Faro or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Faro as well as Marseille. The shopping scene are the main draw to Faro this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Faro is a little warmer than Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Faro this time of the year. In the autumn, Faro often gets more sunshine than Marseille. Faro gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Faro or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Marseille in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Faro is much warmer than Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Marseille averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Faro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during winter. Faro gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Faro usually receives more rain than Marseille. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Faro or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Faro during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Faro in the spring for the beaches. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Faro is generally a little warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Faro. In the spring, Faro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Faro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Faro usually gets less rain in April than Marseille. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Faro