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

Should you visit Malaga or Marseille?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Malaga and Marseille. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Malaga

Malaga is a welcoming, historic, and beautiful port city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Malaga and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Marseille?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Malaga than Marseille. While Marseille is larger than Malaga, Malaga has more sights and attractions for tourists. Malaga is more popular for its music and scuba diving & snorkeling, while Marseille is known for its food, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Malaga is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. It is also home to The Alcazaba. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

How is Malaga different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Malaga has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to any of the local food markets and seafood shops to try local cuisine. Also make sure you try tapas and a filling Andalusian breakfast.

Is Malaga or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Both Malaga and Marseille are world-class when it comes to partying.

Malaga is a world class party destination. The city has some of the most active nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of opportunities to party in Malaga and you'll find the most vibrant nightlife in the Centro Historico.

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.

Is Malaga or Marseille Better for Music?

Malaga is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Marseille is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Malaga has diverse options. The city has venues that offer pop, rock, blues, soulful, and more. Some of the most popular include ZZ club, Clarence Jazz Club, and Velvet Club.

Marseille is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or Marseille Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Malaga has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. Water temperatures are mild enough for diving or snorkeling near Malaga. For the best diving, head to Cala del Canuelo Beach. Closer by, Penon del Cuervo Beach offers diving and snorkeling as well.

Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Malaga and Marseille both offer good beaches.

Malaga offers a nice beach destination. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

Marseille is a good option for a beach vacation. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Is Malaga or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its old town. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its historic old town charm.

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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Malaga. The city's old town is compact and small, making it a fun place to walk. There are historic buildings, museums, churches, and squares, as well as many restaurants and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Marseille?

Marseille is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit 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.

Malaga has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of shopping areas in the city with both local boutiques and name brands.

Is Malaga or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for its Christmas markets. However, Malaga does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Malaga does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Malaga or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Malaga is a family-friendly port city. The city has castles that you can explore as well as a waterpark.

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 Malaga or Marseille Better for Couples?

Marseille is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for couples.

Marseille is a very popular place to visit for couples. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Malaga is a good port city for couples to visit. It has a beautiful coastline and a rich history that makes it unique.

Is Malaga or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Malaga, as it is a very popular port city for budget travelers. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

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

Is Malaga or Marseille Better for Students?

Malaga and Marseille are both great destinations for students and younger travelers.

Many students visit Malaga. The city has many opportunities to learn Spanish. It's also an affordable city with a young population and a lively atmosphere that appeals to international students.

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

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

Both Malaga and Marseille offer good public transit options.

Malaga has a few public transit options. There is an efficient bus system as well as a light metro system.

Marseille has some public transit options. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Malaga or Marseille a more walkable city?

Malaga and Marseille both are great when exploring on foot.

Malaga is a very walkable port city. It has a very compact and walkable historic center with most of the tourist attractions easily accessible on foot.

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 Malaga Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Malaga and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Malaga than in Marseille. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

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

One day in Malaga or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the port city of Malaga. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Malaga or Marseille?

You'll find live music and food around the historic destination of Malaga. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Marseille is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Malaga or Marseille?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the friendly port city of Malaga. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this port city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Malaga or Marseille?

Malaga is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Malaga, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic destination of Marseille. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Malaga 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 Malaga 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 Malaga or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Malaga during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Malaga in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Malaga is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the summer, Malaga often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Marseille. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Marseille. Most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Malaga is generally a little warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Marseille. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Malaga or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Marseille. The winter months attract visitors to Malaga because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

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

In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Marseille. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Malaga is a little warmer than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Marseille. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Malaga