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

Should you visit Kiel or Marseille?

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

Should I visit Kiel 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.

Kiel

Kiel is a maritime, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path 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. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Kiel and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kiel or Marseille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille than Kiel, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Kiel is known for its museums and big city activities. Marseille is more touristy than Kiel and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port. Kiel is popular for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival.

How is Kiel different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kiel 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 Kiel. You'll find museums and landmarks that focus on the city's maritime past. These include Submarine U-995, the Naval Memorial, Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel, and Leuchtturm Bülk.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Kiel 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.

Kiel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The local cuisine, Schleswig-Holstein cuisine, is similar to much of Germany in that the dishes are hearty and filling. There are many British and Scandenavian influences. Local dishes that you should try include Kieler Sprotte (herring-like fish), Schnüüsch (veggie stew), and Mehlbüdel (bread dumpling with pork belly)

Is Kiel or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Marseille is a world class party destination. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Kiel has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is low key and relaxing. You can sip a cocktail at a trendy bar or enjoy a beer on a floating beach bar.

Is Kiel or Marseille Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Kiel and Marseille are good choices.

Kiel is a good option for a beach vacation. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Many people head to Marseille to enjoy the beach. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Is Kiel or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Kiel does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Marseille can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kiel or Marseille?

Marseille is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

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.

Kiel has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Kiel or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

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

Kiel does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Kiel or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Kiel is a family-friendly city. The U-Boot U 995 is a museum on an actual submarine. Kids will love exploring this unique setting. The Kiel Botanical Gardens is another beautiful and fun place to explore. Also make sure you check out the city's aquarium, the Zoologisches Museum, and Computermuseum der Fachhochschule Kiel.

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 Kiel or Marseille Better for Couples?

Marseille is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Kiel 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.

Kiel is a good city for couples to visit. The old port city sits along Germany’s Baltic Sea and couples can enjoy learning about the city's maritime past and shopping along the shopping streets of Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Kiel or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille is a popular place for backpackers. However, Kiel 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.

Kiel is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not on the main backpacker circuit, there is a hostel or two in town.

Is Kiel or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is well known for students. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

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

Marseille is a popular place for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kiel. There is a bus system around town.

Is Kiel or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Kiel is a somewhat walkable city. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Kiel?

How long in Kiel or Marseille?

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

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Kiel. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kiel has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Kiel or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Kiel. 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 fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Kiel or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the maritime city of Kiel. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the energetic destination of Marseille. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Kiel or Marseille?

Kiel 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.

The vibrant city of Marseille offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Kiel or Marseille?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Kiel as well as Marseille. Many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, 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, Kiel is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kiel in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. In the summer, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Kiel gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Kiel gets 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Kiel are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kiel in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Kiel is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Kiel average around 10°C (50°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Kiel gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kiel usually receives less rain than Marseille. Kiel gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kiel or Marseille in the Winter?

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

Kiel can be very cold during winter. Kiel is much colder than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Kiel averages around 0°C (33°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Kiel often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Kiel gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Kiel usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Kiel gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kiel or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiel and Marseille. The spring months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In the spring, Kiel is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kiel in April average around 7°C (44°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. Kiel usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Kiel gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kiel usually receives around the same amount of rain as Marseille. Kiel gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Kiel