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

Should you visit Kos 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 Kos 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.

Kos

Kos is a beautiful, ancient, and cultural island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Kos and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kos or Marseille?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Kos than Marseille, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Kos is better known for its museums, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Marseille is more popular for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Marseille is more touristy than Kos and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Kos is well known for its sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. Also, Kos is famous for Asklepieion Archeological Site.

How is Kos different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Kos is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Kos has many famous sights for visitors. The small island is packed with archaeological sites and interesting history. Famous places worth visiting include the ruins of Asklepion, the ancient Agora, Roman Odeon, Neratzia Castle, and so many more!

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Kos and Marseille offer first-rate local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Kos have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The cuisine relies heavily on locally harvested ingredients with many dishes featuring cheese, seafood, vegetables, olive oil, and potatoes. The dishes are influenced by Italian and Turkish cuisines and common dishes include moussaka, souvlaki and tzatziki. Popular seafood options are prawns, squid, lobster and octopus. A great way to enjoy a sampling of local dishes is to visit an ouzeri, which is a Greek taverna that serves mezza style meals with small dishes that you can share.

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.

Is Kos or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is very popular for nightlife. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Marseille is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

The people in Kos know how to have a good time. For such a small island you'll find a huge party scene during the peak summer months. There are almost nightly parties, beach raves, and late night clubs throughout the summer months. The bars and clubs are mostly concentrated around a couple of streets in the center of Kos Town, but Kardamena is also a lively party area. It's popular with British tourists who head here for the all-night clubs.

Is Kos or Marseille Better for Resorts?

Kos is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Marseille is not a resort destination.

Kos has a few great resort options. It's a smaller island and there aren't as many resorts here as there are on some of the larger Greek islands. Some of the best resort areas include Lamp and Psalidi to the northwest, Tigaki on the west coast (a good option for families), as well as Mastihari and Marmari which both have relaxed atmospheres. The younger crowd often hangs out around Kardemena on the east coast.

Marseille is not a resort destination.

Is Kos or Marseille Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kos is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Kos specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. There are countless snorkeling sports around the island where you can immerse yourself in the undersea world. Popular snorkeling areas include Camel Beach and Limnionas Beach. Make sure you understand the water conditions before heading into the water.

Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kos or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Kos is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

The beaches in Kos are among the best in the world. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches, many of which are sandy with various shades of color. There are touristy beaches with plenty of amenities as well as less frequented beaches that offer a quieter and more remote atmosphere. Some of the most visited beaches on the island include Agios Stefanos, Kardamena, Kefalos and Lambi while some of the more peaceful areas are Cavo Paradiso and Helona 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 Kos or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is very popular for its historic old town. However, Kos does not have a historic old town.

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.

Kos does not have a historic old town.

Is Kos or Marseille Better for Hiking?

Kos is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Kos has hiking trails worth exploring. This is a great walking island with a number of easy walks or hikes that take you along the coastline or through interesting landscapes.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kos or Marseille?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Kos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Kos offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of traditional items that you can pick up while you're in town. Fun souvenirs include jewelry, leather items, and perfumes.

Is Kos or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

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

Kos does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Kos or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Kos is a family-friendly island. It's comparable to other Greek islands when it comes to kids' activities. Kos Town can get a bit lively at night so if you want to avoid the party crowds, then those areas are easily avoided. Popular activities include exploring ancient ruins, going to the Kos Archaeological Museum, visiting The Castle of the Knights, and of course, hanging out at the beach. One of the best family-friendly resort areas is Tigaki along the west coast.

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 Kos or Marseille Better for Couples?

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

Kos makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This small island offers beautiful beaches and plenty of ancient ruins to explore. Kos Town is where you'll find the liveliest atmosphere but for some of the best resorts you'll want to stay in one of the resort suburbs like Lampi or Psalidi.

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 Kos or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kos 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 Kos. It's a small island but has a few hostels and a variety of apartments available for rent. Despite its small size, there are areas where you'll want to have a car if you wish to explore, but if you stay in town you'll find getting around fairly easy. The island attracts its share of young travelers and you'll find plenty of people to hang out with.

Marseille is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Kos or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Kos 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.

Kos is not popular with students.

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

Kos 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 Kos can get you to most places easily. Buses connect many of the tourist destinations including beaches, cultural sights, are resort areas.

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 Kos or Marseille a more walkable city?

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

Kos is very walkable. It's small size means it's possible to explore parts of the island on foot or bicycle. There are some beautiful walks on the island, but some areas will require a car or bus.

Marseille is a very walkable island. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Kos?

How long in Kos or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kos and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Kos than in Marseille. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Kos, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

Couples should spend more time in Kos than Marseille. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kos that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kos 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 Kos.

One day in Kos or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and food around the island of Kos. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

With food and shopping around the energetic destination of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Kos or Marseille?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the cultural destination of Kos. 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 island has to offer. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Many people visit Marseille for a weekend. With shopping and nightlife around the energetic city of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Kos or Marseille?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the cultural island of Kos. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

The destination of Marseille offers nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. 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.

A week in Kos or Marseille?

Kos 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, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Which is Bigger, Kos or Marseille?

Marseille is bigger, and its population is about 41.3 times larger than the population of Kos. When comparing the population of Kos vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.