A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marbella vs. Toulon for Nightlife, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Marbella or Toulon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Toulon, 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 ritzy, glamorous, and fun-filled resort town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Toulon

Toulon is a off-the-beaten-path, real world, and industrial port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marbella and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Toulon?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Marbella than Toulon. While Toulon is larger than Marbella, Marbella has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marbella is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Toulon attracts visitors for its museums. Marbella is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. It is also well known for Plaza de los Naranjos. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Marbella different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Toulon is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Marbella and Toulon offer nice 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 Toulon area. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Marbella or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Marbella or Toulon Better for Music?

Marbella is a well-known place for live music. However, Toulon is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Marbella is very popular with diverse venues. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Toulon is not a live music destination.

Is Marbella or Toulon Better for Resorts?

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

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Marbella is a perfect choice. 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.

Toulon is not a resort destination.

Is Marbella or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its diving and snorkeling.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Marbella is not to be missed. 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.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Is Marbella or Toulon Better for Beaches?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for its beaches. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for the beache.

With world-famous beaches, Marbella is a very popular vacation destination. 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.

Toulon has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Is Marbella or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Marbella is very good for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its old town.

Many visitors go to Marbella to see the historical old town. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is the Shopping Better in Marbella or Toulon?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Marbella is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

Toulon is well-known for its shopping. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Is Marbella or Toulon Better for Families?

Marbella is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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

Toulon is a family-friendly resort town. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Marbella or Toulon Better for Couples?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Marbella has plenty to offer. 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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Marbella or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marbella and Toulon are both nice 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.

Toulon is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

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

Toulon 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.

Toulon has some public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

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 Toulon a more walkable city?

Marbella and Toulon are excellent 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.

Toulon is a very walkable destination. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Toulon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Marbella or Toulon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Marbella than Toulon because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Marbella, and 1-2 days is enough time in Toulon.

Families should spend more time in Marbella than Toulon. 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 Toulon. 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 Toulon 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 Toulon?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Marbella. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The port city of Toulon offers food and shopping. 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 Toulon?

Marbella 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.

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

Five days in Marbella or Toulon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marbella. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Toulon 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 Toulon?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the ritzy destination of Marbella. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Toulon 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 port 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 Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Toulon?

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

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 Toulon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Toulon. Most visitors come to Marbella for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Toulon because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Marbella is generally around the same temperature as Toulon. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 25°C (77°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marbella this time of the year. In the summer, Marbella often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Toulon. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Toulon. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Toulon in the Autumn?

Both Toulon and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Marbella because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Toulon this time of year.

Marbella is a little warmer than Toulon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Toulon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. Marbella usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Toulon during autumn. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marbella usually receives less rain than Toulon. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marbella or Toulon in the Winter?

Both Toulon and Marbella during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marbella this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toulon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Marbella is much warmer than Toulon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marbella in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Toulon averages at about 7°C (44°F).

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

Marbella usually gets more rain in January than Toulon. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Toulon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Toulon. Many travelers come to Marbella for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Toulon in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Marbella is generally a little warmer than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 16°C (60°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marbella usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during spring. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marbella usually receives less rain than Toulon. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Marbella