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

Should you visit Helsinki or Marseille?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Marseille can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a active, nature-focused, and coastal city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Helsinki and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Marseille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille than Helsinki, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Helsinki is known for its museums and impressive beauty. Marseille is more touristy than Helsinki and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port. Helsinki is popular for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene.

How is Helsinki different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Helsinki 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 Helsinki can be an interesting and educational experience. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Many restaurants in Marseille have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Helsinki area. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

Is Helsinki or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

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.

Helsinki has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Is Helsinki or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a city with good options for the beache. However, Helsinki is not a beach destination.

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.

Helsinki is not a beach destination.

Is Helsinki or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Marseille is revered around the world. 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.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Marseille?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Helsinki and Marseille.

Helsinki is well-known for its shopping. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Is Helsinki or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a city with good options for visiting Christmas markets. However, Helsinki does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille is a nice place to see Christmas markets. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Helsinki does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Helsinki or Marseille Better for Families?

Helsinki 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 Helsinki. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

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 Helsinki or Marseille Better for Couples?

Both Helsinki and Marseille are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Helsinki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

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 Helsinki or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki and Marseille are both good destinations for backpackers.

Helsinki is a good city to visit for backpackers. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

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

Is Helsinki or Marseille Better for Students?

Both Helsinki and Marseille are high quality destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Helsinki. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

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

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

Helsinki 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 Helsinki can get you to most places easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

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 Helsinki or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Marseille?

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Helsinki. 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 Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Marseille?

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

The beautiful city of Marseille offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Helsinki. 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Marseille, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Marseille?

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

Marseille is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Marseille?

Helsinki 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 great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 42% larger than the population of Helsinki. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Helsinki is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Helsinki in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Helsinki. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Marseille. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Helsinki or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Helsinki during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In October, Helsinki is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 6°C (42°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Marseille. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Helsinki in the winter. Helsinki is much colder than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around -6°C (21°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Marseille. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Helsinki or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Marseille. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Marseille in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. In the spring, Helsinki is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Helsinki in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the spring, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in April than Marseille. Helsinki gets 41 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 Helsinki