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

Should you visit Heraklion 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 Heraklion 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.

Heraklion

Heraklion is a vibrant, accessible, and bustling city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

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.

Heraklion and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Marseille?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Heraklion than Marseille. While Marseille is larger than Heraklion, Heraklion has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Heraklion is more popular for its museums, beaches, and big city activities, while Marseille is known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Heraklion is popular for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. It is also home to The Palace of Knossos. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

How is Heraklion different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Heraklion 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 Heraklion can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. The impressive Palace of Knossos is a must-see, but also make sure you visit the Koules Fortress, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Natural History Museum of Crete.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Heraklion 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.

Dining out in Heraklion is an experience not to be missed. The city is home to countless Cretan restaurants that range in style and budget. There are fine dining restaurants as well as local dives with casual street food. The restaurants reflect the island's multi-cultural past with many styles and flavors available.

Is Heraklion or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Heraklion 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.

Heraklion is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has some of the best nightlife on the island of Crete. There are many all-night clubs as well as bars that stay open until 2 or 3 in the morning. In particular, there are many British tourists hanging out at the clubs and bars.

Is Heraklion or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is an excellent place to visit for the beach. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Heraklion. You'll find world-class beaches just outside of town, if you're willing to explore a little. Agia Pelagia Beach is about half an hour away and Limanakia Beach is also not a bad day trip. If you want to stay closer to town, head to nearby Amnissos Beach.

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 Heraklion or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Heraklion 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.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Marseille?

Marseille is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Marseille is well-known for its shopping. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Many visitors go to Heraklion to go shopping. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.

Is Heraklion or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a city with good options for visiting Christmas markets. However, Heraklion 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.

Heraklion does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Heraklion or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Heraklion is a family-friendly city. In town you'll find many historical and educational sights such as the Palace of Knossos, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Koules Venetian fortress. Kids will also enjoy walking the Venetian Walls that are in town. If you're willing to head a bit outside of town, in about half an hour you can reach the Cretaquarium, Dinosauria Park, or Acqua Plus Water Park.

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 Heraklion or Marseille Better for Couples?

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

Heraklion makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most couples head outside of town to other parts of the island, but those who linger in town for a while will enjoy world-class museums and fascinating archeological sights.

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 Heraklion or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion 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 Heraklion. The city is filled with budget-friendly hostels that often have a social atmosphere and a fun vibe.

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

Is Heraklion or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

Heraklion is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Heraklion and Marseille.

Heraklion has some public transit options. KTEL buses travel both within town and to nearby villages.

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 Heraklion or Marseille a more walkable city?

Heraklion and Marseille are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Heraklion is a very walkable city. Many parts of the town are walkable and doing a walking tour is a great way to see many of the city's sights.

Marseille is a very walkable destination. 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 Heraklion Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Marseille?

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

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

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

One day in Heraklion or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Heraklion. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Heraklion 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 Heraklion or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Heraklion. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Heraklion or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Heraklion. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Heraklion or Marseille?

Heraklion is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Heraklion and Marseille, we can see that Heraklion 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 Heraklion Expensive? and Is Marseille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Marseille?

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

Both Marseille and Heraklion are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Heraklion for the beaches, the city activities, and 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, Heraklion is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Heraklion in July average around 25°C (78°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 Heraklion. Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during summer. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Marseille. Heraklion 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 Heraklion or Marseille in the Autumn?

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

In October, Heraklion is generally a little warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 20°C (68°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Heraklion often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Marseille in the Winter?

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

Heraklion is much warmer than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Heraklion usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Heraklion usually receives more rain than Marseille. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Heraklion or Marseille in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Heraklion is a little warmer than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Heraklion in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Marseille averages at about 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 Heraklion this time of the year. In the spring, Heraklion often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in April than Marseille. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Heraklion