A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marbella vs. Montpellier for Nightlife, Beaches, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Marbella or Montpellier?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Montpellier, 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.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a friendly, historic, and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marbella and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Montpellier?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Marbella than Montpellier. While Montpellier 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 shopping, while Montpellier is known for its museums and historical sights. Marbella is more touristy than Montpellier and is popular for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. It is also home to Plaza de los Naranjos. Montpellier is popular for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.

How is Marbella different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Montpellier 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 Montpellier?

Montpellier is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Montpellier can be an interesting and educational experience. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Marbella or Montpellier? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Marbella and Montpellier offer good local cuisine and restaurants.

Marbella has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Montpellier area. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Marbella or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in Marbella is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Montpellier has a few options to choose from. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Marbella or Montpellier Better for Music?

Marbella is a great destination for its music scene. However, Montpellier is not a live music destination.

Marbella has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Montpellier is not a live music destination.

Is Marbella or Montpellier Better for Resorts?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Montpellier is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Marbella for its luxury resorts. 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.

Montpellier is not a resort destination.

Is Marbella or Montpellier Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Montpellier is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Marbella. 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.

Montpellier is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marbella or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for the beach. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Marbella offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Montpellier is considered a top beach destination. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Is Marbella or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier is very popular for its old town. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

Montpellier has a world-famous historical area. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Marbella or Montpellier?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Marbella is a world class destination for shoppers. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Marbella or Montpellier Better for Families?

Marbella is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Montpellier offers lots of family activities. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Marbella or Montpellier Better for Couples?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Marbella is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Montpellier is a great resort town if you're traveling as a couple. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Is Marbella or Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Montpellier. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Marbella is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Is Marbella or Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Marbella is not popular with students.

Montpellier is a great destination for students. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

Marbella is not popular with students.

Is Marbella or Montpellier Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Montpellier is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Marbella is lacking in good options for its public transit.

The public transit in Montpellier can get you around easily. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

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 Montpellier a more walkable city?

Marbella and Montpellier are great 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.

Montpellier is a very walkable destination. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

For even more information, also check out Is Marbella Worth Visiting? and Is Montpellier Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Montpellier?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Marbella and Montpellier. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Marbella than in Montpellier. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Marbella, and 1-3 days is enough time in Montpellier.

Families should spend more time in Marbella than Montpellier. 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 Montpellier. 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 Montpellier than Marbella 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 Montpellier.

One day in Marbella or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the glamorous resort town of Marbella. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The beautiful city of Montpellier offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Marbella or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the ritzy destination of Marbella. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This resort town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Montpellier is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Montpellier, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marbella or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the fun-filled resort town of Marbella. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Montpellier 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 Montpellier?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting Marbella. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Montpellier is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city 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, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Marbella and Montpellier, we can see that Montpellier 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 Marbella Expensive? and Is Montpellier Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Montpellier?

Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Marbella and Montpellier, 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 Montpellier?

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 Montpellier in the Summer?

Both Montpellier and Marbella during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Marbella for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Montpellier in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Marbella is around the same temperature as Montpellier. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marbella in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Montpellier averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Montpellier, 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 Montpellier. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Montpellier. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Montpellier in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Montpellier. Many visitors come to Marbella in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Montpellier for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Marbella is generally a little warmer than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 19°C (67°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Montpellier during autumn. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Montpellier receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Marbella usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marbella or Montpellier in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Montpellier. Most visitors come to Marbella for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In the winter, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Montpellier. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets more rain in January than Montpellier. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Montpellier in the Spring?

Both Montpellier and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Marbella because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

In the spring, Marbella is a little warmer than Montpellier. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marbella in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Montpellier averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Montpellier. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. Marbella usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier during spring. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marbella usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Marbella