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

Should you visit Howth or Marseille?

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

Should I visit Howth 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.

Howth

Howth is a beautiful, picturesque, and scenic fishing village. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, 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. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Howth and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Howth or Marseille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille. Although Howth and Marseille are both popular with visitors, Marseille has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Howth is known for its museums, beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Howth is popular for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port.

How is Howth different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Howth is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Howth. The surrounding coastline is the main draw to this picturesque town but there is also a nice harbor, pier, and lighthouse that you can visit.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Howth is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Is Howth or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Howth is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

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.

Howth doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a few pubs around town but if you're looking for a real nightlife scene then your best bet is to head into Dublin.

Is Howth or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Howth 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 Howth. Many people head to this coastal town specifically to hang out on the beach. There's also the Howth Cliff Path which is fun to explore. Some of the top beaches in the area include Red Rock Beach, Claremont Beach, and Balscadden Bay Beach. The beaches can be rocky and rough so make sure you understand the water conditions before heading to the 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 Howth or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Howth does not have a historic old town.

Marseille offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Howth does not have a historic old town.

Is Howth or Marseille Better for Hiking?

Howth 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 Howth. The best way to experience Howth is to explore the The Howth Cliff Walk. There are several versions of the hike that cater to different experience and skill levels.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Howth or Marseille?

Marseille is well known for its shopping opportunities. However, Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Marseille is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Howth or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for its Christmas markets. However, Howth 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.

Howth does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Howth or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Howth is a family-friendly fishing village. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

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 Howth or Marseille Better for Couples?

Marseille is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Howth is a good fishing village for couples to visit. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

Is Howth or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille is a popular place for backpackers. However, Howth is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Howth is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It a small village outside of Dublin so most backpackers don't make it this way.

Is Howth or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is well known for students. However, Howth is not popular with students.

Marseille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Howth is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Howth and Marseille.

You'll find some public transit in Howth, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

While Marseille offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Howth or Marseille a more walkable city?

Howth and Marseille both are very good when exploring on foot.

Howth is a very walkable fishing village. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot. There are also many walks through the cliffs.

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 Howth Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Howth?

How long in Howth or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Howth and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Marseille than in Howth. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Howth, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

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

You'll find food and museums around the fishing village of Howth. 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 Howth has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Marseille, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this vibrant destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Howth or Marseille?

You'll find museums and food around the picturesque destination of Howth. 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 fishing village has to offer. This fishing village offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Howth or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the beautiful fishing village of Howth. 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.

Marseille is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Howth or Marseille?

Howth 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the vibrant destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Ireland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

When is the best time to visit Howth or Marseille?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Howth or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Howth as well as Marseille. Many travelers come to Howth for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Howth is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Howth in July average around 16°C (60°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the summer, Howth often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Howth gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Howth usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Howth gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Howth or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Howth are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Howth in the autumn for the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Howth is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Howth average around 11°C (52°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Howth usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Howth gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Howth usually receives less rain than Marseille. Howth gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Howth or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Howth during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Howth for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Howth is cooler than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Howth averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Howth often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Howth gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Howth usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Howth gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Howth or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Howth and Marseille. The spring months attract visitors to Howth because of the beaches and the small town charm. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In the spring, Howth is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Howth in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Howth usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Howth gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Howth usually receives around the same amount of rain as Marseille. Howth gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Howth