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

Should you visit Granada or Marseille?

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

Should I visit Granada 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.

Granada

Granada is a beautiful, charming, and cultural city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. 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. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Granada and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Marseille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Marseille than Granada. Marseille is bigger than Granada, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Marseille is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Granada is more popular for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Granada is well known for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. Marseille is well known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port.

How is Granada different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Granada is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Granada has many famous sights for visitors. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Granada. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.

Is Granada or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

People head to Marseille just to party. 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 Granada know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.

Is Granada or Marseille Better for Beaches?

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

Granada is not a beach destination.

Is Granada or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the fantastic old towns in both Granada and Marseille.

The historic old town of Granada is revered around the world. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

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.

Is Granada or Marseille Better for Hiking?

Granada is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Granada. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Marseille?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Granada offers some nice shopping areas. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.

Is Granada or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Granada 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.

Granada does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Granada or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Granada is a family-friendly city. While the highlight of the city is the Alhambra, kids will likely enjoy exploring the shops or seeing a Flamenco show a bit more. Just outside of town is a wonderful hike, Ruta de Los Cahorros. It begins near the town of Monachil which is easily accessible by taxi or public bus. The hike goes through canyons and across bridges and its a wonderful activity for the whole family.

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 Granada or Marseille Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Granada and Marseille make for a very good place to visit.

Granada makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a beautiful city that is filled with charm and history. Couples will enjoy exploring the Alhambra, taking in a Flamenco show, or sipping Sangria with tapas. The city is incredibly beautiful with stunning views and many great restaurants.

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.

Is Granada or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada 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 Granada. It's a touristy city and it's a popular destination for backpackers as well. There are plenty of hostels around town and the city has social atmosphere with many opportunities to meet other travelers.

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

Is Granada or Marseille Better for Students?

Both Granada and Marseille are very good destinations for students.

Granada is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a popular study abroad destination. Accommodation for students is usually affordable and this is also a great city for integrating into the local culture. You may even end up with a Spanish roommate.

Marseille is very popular with students. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Granada and Marseille.

Granada has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.

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 Granada or Marseille a more walkable city?

Granada and Marseille are very good when it comes to walkability.

Granada is very walkable. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.

Marseille is a very walkable city. 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 Granada Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Granada?

How long in Granada or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Granada and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Granada than in Marseille. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Granada, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

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

One day in Granada or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Granada. 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.

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 Granada or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Granada. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Granada or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Granada. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. 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 Granada or Marseille?

Granada 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 Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Granada or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Granada 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 Granada 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 Granada or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Granada for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Marseille. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 25°C (77°F), 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 Granada. Granada usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during summer. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Granada usually receives less rain than Marseille. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Granada or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Granada during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Granada in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Granada is a little warmer than Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Granada. In the autumn, Granada often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Marseille. Most visitors come to Granada 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.

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

Granada usually receives more sunshine than Marseille during winter. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Granada usually receives more rain than Marseille. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Granada or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Granada as well as Marseille. The spring months attract visitors to Granada because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In April, Granada is generally a little warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 16°C (60°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the spring, Granada often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in April than Marseille. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Granada