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

Should you visit Frankfurt or Marseille?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Frankfurt and Marseille can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a diverse, accessible, and modern city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. 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. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Frankfurt and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Frankfurt or Marseille?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Frankfurt than Marseille. While Marseille is larger than Frankfurt, Frankfurt has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Frankfurt is very popular for its museums and big city activities, while Marseille attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Marseille is more touristy than Frankfurt and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Frankfurt is famous for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also well known for The Old Town Center.

The Old Town Center

How is Frankfurt different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt can be an interesting and educational experience. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Marseille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Frankfurt makes for a great culinary experience. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Frankfurt or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

The people in Frankfurt know how to have a good time. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Frankfurt or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is very good for the beach. However, Frankfurt is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Marseille to enjoy the beach. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Frankfurt is not a beach destination.

Is Frankfurt or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or Marseille?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Frankfurt and Marseille.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

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.

Is Frankfurt or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for visiting Christmas markets. However, Frankfurt does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille offers some nice Christmas markets. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Frankfurt does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Frankfurt or Marseille Better for Families?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt or Marseille Better for Couples?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Marseille makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Frankfurt or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

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

Is Frankfurt or Marseille Better for Students?

Frankfurt is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Frankfurt is a great destination for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Students come from all over to stay in Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

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

Frankfurt is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Frankfurt can get you around easily. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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.

Is Frankfurt or Marseille a more walkable city?

Frankfurt and Marseille are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Frankfurt is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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 Frankfurt Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or Marseille?

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

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

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

One day in Frankfurt or Marseille?

People visit Frankfurt because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Frankfurt has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint city of Marseille. 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.

A weekend in Frankfurt or Marseille?

People visit Frankfurt because there is so much to do. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the energetic destination of Marseille. 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.

Five days in Frankfurt or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the dynamic city of Frankfurt. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Marseille. 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.

A week in Frankfurt or Marseille?

Frankfurt 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.

Marseille 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Frankfurt and Marseille, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Frankfurt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Frankfurt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

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

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Frankfurt. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Frankfurt is cooler than Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Frankfurt. Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Frankfurt gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Frankfurt usually receives more rain than Marseille. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Frankfurt during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Frankfurt gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and Marseille. Many visitors come to Frankfurt in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Frankfurt can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Frankfurt is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 1°C (34°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Frankfurt gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Frankfurt usually receives around the same amount of rain as Marseille. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as Marseille. Most visitors come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the spring, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Frankfurt gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Marseille. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Frankfurt