A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marbella vs. Aix-en-Provence for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Marbella or Aix-en-Provence?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Aix-en-Provence, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Marbella

Marbella is a fun-filled, high energy, and ritzy resort town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a vibrant, laid-back, and relaxing town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Marbella and Aix-en-Provence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Aix-en-Provence?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Marbella than Aix-en-Provence. While Aix-en-Provence is larger than Marbella, Marbella has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marbella is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights, while Aix-en-Provence is known for its museums and food. Marbella is more touristy than Aix-en-Provence and is popular for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. It is also home to Plaza de los Naranjos. Aix-en-Provence is popular for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square.

How is Marbella different from Aix-en-Provence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Aix-en-Provence and Marbella. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Marbella or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

Aix-en-Provence offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Marbella or Aix-en-Provence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aix-en-Provence is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Aix-en-Provence is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Marbella area. The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.

Is Marbella or Aix-en-Provence Better for Nightlife?

Marbella is terrific for its evening party scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for nightlife.

Marbella is a must-see party destination. European tourists flock to the town for its beaches and resorts. The town has a glamorous nightlife scene with exclusive clubs and ritzy cocktail bars, particularly in Puerto Banus and along the Golden Mile.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Is Marbella or Aix-en-Provence Better for Music?

Marbella is well known for its music scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Marbella. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Aix-en-Provence is not a live music destination.

Is Marbella or Aix-en-Provence Better for Resorts?

Marbella is terrific for its resorts. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a resort destination.

Marbella offers an unforgettable resort vacation. From luxury to family-friendly, this area has plenty of resorts to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Marbella Club Hotel, Puente Romano Marbella, and Don Carlos Resort and Spa.

Aix-en-Provence is not a resort destination.

Is Marbella or Aix-en-Provence Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is terrific for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Marbella specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. There are more than 100 dive sights and endless snorkeling opportunities in the area. There are deep offshore reefs that you can explore as well as shallower wrecks and caves.

Aix-en-Provence is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marbella or Aix-en-Provence Better for Beaches?

Marbella is terrific for the beach. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Marbella are among the best in the world. The area boasts some of the best beaches in Europe. They are hubs of activity with lots of energy, and there are more than 18 miles of sandy beach in the area. Popular options include Guadalmina Beach, San Pedro de Alcántara Beach, and Nueva Andalucía Beach.

Aix-en-Provence is not a beach destination.

Is Marbella or Aix-en-Provence Better for its Old Town?

Marbella is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Marbella offers a nice historic old town area. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marbella or Aix-en-Provence?

Shoppers can find a variety of amazing stores in both Marbella and Aix-en-Provence.

Known for shopping, Marbella draws large crowds to its stores. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

Aix-en-Provence is a world class destination for shoppers. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

Is Marbella or Aix-en-Provence Better for Families?

Marbella is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Marbella is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The area has beautiful, family-friendly beaches and many resorts with pools that are great for kids.

For families, Aix-en-Provence is not always the best place to visit. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Marbella or Aix-en-Provence Better for Couples?

Marbella is terrific for couples. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Marbella has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The area has luxury resorts, nice beaches, water sports, golf, and water activities that are perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic weekend or a honeymoon.

Aix-en-Provence is a great resort town if you're traveling as a couple. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Is Marbella or Aix-en-Provence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marbella and Aix-en-Provence are both good destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Marbella. There are a few good hostels in the area for backpackers who want to enjoy this part of Spain's cost. There's also a lively nightlife scene and plenty of opportunities to meet others.

Aix-en-Provence is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Is Marbella or Aix-en-Provence Better for Students?

Aix-en-Provence is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Marbella is not popular with students.

Aix-en-Provence is a great town to visit as a student. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

Marbella is not popular with students.

Is Marbella or Aix-en-Provence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Aix-en-Provence is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Marbella is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Aix-en-Provence has some public transit options. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

Public transit is generally limited in Marbella. There is a bus system through the area, but most visitors prefer to get around by car.

Is Marbella or Aix-en-Provence a more walkable city?

Marbella and Aix-en-Provence are superb when it comes to walkability.

Marbella is a very walkable resort town. The old town is particularly walkable and there are a number of hotels and nice resorts within a short walk of the town along a nice promenade.

Aix-en-Provence is a very walkable destination. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Marbella Worth Visiting? and Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aix-en-Provence or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Aix-en-Provence?

It's fun to spend time in either Marbella or Aix-en-Provence. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Marbella due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Marbella, and 2-4 days is enough time in Aix-en-Provence.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marbella than Aix-en-Provence 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 Marbella.

One day in Marbella or Aix-en-Provence?

The fun-filled destination of Marbella offers live music and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The beautiful town of Aix-en-Provence offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Marbella or Aix-en-Provence?

The resort town of Marbella offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Aix-en-Provence is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Aix-en-Provence, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marbella or Aix-en-Provence?

Marbella is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Aix-en-Provence is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Marbella or Aix-en-Provence?

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Marbella. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Aix-en-Provence is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marbella and Aix-en-Provence, we can see that Aix-en-Provence is more expensive. And not only is Marbella much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Marbella would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marbella 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 Aix-en-Provence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aix-en-Provence than you might in Marbella.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Marbella Expensive? and Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Marbella and Aix-en-Provence, 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 Marbella or Aix-en-Provence?

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 Marbella or Aix-en-Provence in the Summer?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Marbella during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Marbella because of the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year.

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

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

Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Aix-en-Provence. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Aix-en-Provence in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Aix-en-Provence. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Marbella this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Aix-en-Provence for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Marbella is generally a little warmer than Aix-en-Provence. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 19°C (67°F), and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

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

In October, Marbella usually receives less rain than Aix-en-Provence. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marbella or Aix-en-Provence in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Aix-en-Provence. Many travelers come to Marbella for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Aix-en-Provence in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Marbella is much warmer than Aix-en-Provence in the winter. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 150 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets more rain in January than Aix-en-Provence. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Aix-en-Provence in the Spring?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Marbella in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Aix-en-Provence for the natural beauty during these months.

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

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

In April, Marbella usually receives less rain than Aix-en-Provence. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Aix-en-Provence and Marbella