A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mainz vs. Marseille for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Mainz 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 Mainz 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.

Mainz

Mainz is a beautiful, peaceful, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

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.

Mainz and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Marseille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Marseille than Mainz. Marseille is bigger than Mainz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Marseille is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Mainz is more popular for its museums. Mainz is well known for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Marseille is well known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port.

How is Mainz different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Mainz 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 Mainz. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Mainz 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Mainz. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

Is Mainz or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is terrific for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

Marseille is a must-see 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Mainz or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Mainz 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.

Mainz is not a beach destination.

Is Mainz or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is terrific for its historic old town. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

Marseille has a unique history which comes to life in its historic 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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Mainz. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

Is the Shopping Better in Mainz or Marseille?

Marseille is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Mainz 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.

Mainz offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Is Mainz or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

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

Mainz does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Mainz or Marseille Better for Families?

Neither Mainz nor Marseille are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

Mainz is not always a place people visit with their families. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

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 Mainz or Marseille Better for Couples?

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

Mainz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

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 Mainz or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mainz and Marseille are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Mainz is a good town to visit for backpackers. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

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

Is Mainz or Marseille Better for Students?

Both Mainz and Marseille are high quality destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Mainz. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

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

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

Mainz 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 Mainz can get you to most places easily. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

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 Mainz or Marseille a more walkable city?

Mainz is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Mainz. The town is easily explored on foot.

Marseille is very walkable. 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 Mainz Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Marseille?

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

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Mainz. 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.

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 Mainz or Marseille?

You'll find museums and food around the beautiful destination of Mainz. 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 town has to offer. This town 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 Mainz or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint town of Mainz. 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.

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 Mainz or Marseille?

Mainz 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the energetic 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Mainz. When comparing the sizes of Mainz 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 Mainz 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 Mainz or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Mainz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Mainz 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 July, Mainz is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 19°C (66°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mainz. Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mainz usually receives more rain than Marseille. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mainz or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Mainz during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Mainz 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.

Mainz is cooler than Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Marseille in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Mainz in the winter. In the winter, Mainz is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mainz in January average around 2°C (35°F), and Marseille averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mainz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Marseille. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mainz or Marseille in the Spring?

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

In April, Mainz is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 11°C (51°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the spring, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Marseille. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Mainz