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

Should you visit Heidelberg or Marseille?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Heidelberg and Marseille. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a scenic, character-filled, and historic town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Heidelberg and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Marseille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Heidelberg. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and christmas markets, while Heidelberg attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Heidelberg is famous for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port.

How is Heidelberg different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Marseille, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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, Heidelberg makes for a great culinary experience. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

Is Heidelberg or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

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.

Heidelberg offers plenty to do in the evening. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

Is Heidelberg or Marseille Better for Beaches?

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

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

Heidelberg is not a beach destination.

Is Heidelberg or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the world-class old town areas in both Heidelberg and Marseille.

Heidelberg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

Marseille has a world-famous historical 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Heidelberg or Marseille?

Marseille is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

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.

Heidelberg is a great destination for shopping. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Is Heidelberg or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Heidelberg does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Heidelberg does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Heidelberg or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Heidelberg is a family-friendly town. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

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 Heidelberg or Marseille Better for Couples?

Heidelberg and Marseille both great destinations for a couple.

Heidelberg is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

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.

Is Heidelberg or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

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

Is Heidelberg or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for students.

Many students visit Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Heidelberg is a good town to visit for students. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

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

Heidelberg is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Heidelberg can get you to most places easily. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

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 Heidelberg or Marseille a more walkable city?

Heidelberg and Marseille are great when it comes to walkability.

Heidelberg is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable.

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 Heidelberg Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Marseille?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Heidelberg. 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.

One day in Heidelberg or Marseille?

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint town of Heidelberg. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Heidelberg has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With shopping and nightlife around the vibrant city of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the charming destination of Heidelberg. 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Heidelberg or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the character-filled town of Heidelberg. 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.

Marseille, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Heidelberg or Marseille?

Heidelberg 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.

Marseille is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Heidelberg. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Marseille. Many visitors come to Heidelberg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Heidelberg is cooler than Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Heidelberg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Marseille. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Marseille. Most visitors come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Heidelberg is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heidelberg in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the autumn, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Heidelberg because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

The weather in Heidelberg can be very cold. In January, Heidelberg is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 3°C (37°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Heidelberg usually receives more rain than Marseille. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Heidelberg during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Heidelberg is cooler than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in April than Marseille. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Heidelberg