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

Should you visit Manchester or Marseille?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Marseille can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a diverse, cultural, and vibrant city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Manchester and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Marseille?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Manchester than Marseille. While Marseille is larger than Manchester, Manchester has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Manchester is better known for its museums, music, and big city activities, while Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Marseille is more touristy than Manchester and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. Also, Manchester is famous for The National Football Museum.

How is Manchester different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Manchester is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Manchester can be an interesting and educational experience. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Marseille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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 Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Manchester or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is very popular for nightlife. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Manchester has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Is Manchester or Marseille Better for Music?

Manchester 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, Manchester has diverse options. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Marseille is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is very good for its beaches. However, Manchester is not a beach destination.

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.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is Manchester or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is very popular for its historic old town. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Marseille?

If you're looking to go shopping, Manchester and Marseille both offer plenty of excellent spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

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.

Is Manchester or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for visiting Christmas markets. However, Manchester does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille offers some nice Christmas markets. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Manchester does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Manchester or Marseille Better for Families?

Manchester is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Manchester. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

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 Manchester or Marseille Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and Marseille are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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.

Is Manchester or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Manchester and Marseille are notable places to visit.

Manchester is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

It's common for backpackers to visit Marseille. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Manchester or Marseille Better for Students?

For students, both Manchester and Marseille are excellent places to visit.

Manchester is very popular with students. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Marseille is a great city to visit as a student. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

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

Manchester 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 Manchester can get you to most places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

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 Manchester or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

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

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Marseille?

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

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

People visit Manchester because there is so much to do. 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 shopping and nightlife around the vibrant city of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Manchester or Marseille?

People visit Manchester because there is so much to do. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Manchester or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the dynamic city of Manchester. 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.

Marseille, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Marseille?

Manchester 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.

Marseille is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manchester and Marseille, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Marseille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Marseille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marseille and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Marseille.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manchester Expensive? and Is Marseille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Marseille. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Manchester is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 16°C (62°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives more rain than Marseille. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Marseille. Many travelers come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Manchester is cooler than Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the autumn, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Marseille. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Manchester in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Manchester can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Manchester is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Marseille averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Manchester usually receives more rain than Marseille. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Manchester during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Manchester for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Manchester is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Marseille. Manchester gets 51 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 Manchester