A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marrakech vs. San Francisco for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Marrakech or San Francisco?

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

Should I visit Marrakech or San Francisco? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Marrakech

Marrakech is a fascinating, ancient, and cultural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a outdoorsy, quirky, and eccentric coastal city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and theater.

Marrakech and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marrakech or San Francisco?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Francisco. Although Marrakech and San Francisco are popular destinations, San Francisco has more sights and attractions for tourists. San Francisco is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, music, beaches, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Marrakech attracts visitors for its historical sights. Marrakech is famous for its colorful medina, festive night market, and beautiful palaces. San Francisco is famous for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. It is also well known for The Golden Gate Bridge.

How is Marrakech different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Marrakech or San Francisco?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Marrakech is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, San Francisco has many famous sights for visitors. The city's landmarks are as diverse as the people who live there. The most recognizable landmark is the famous Golden Gate Bridge, but visitors also enjoy seeing Alcatraz Island, the Legion of Honor, the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as the small but fascinating Cable Car Museum.

Many visitors head to Marrakech specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. While wandering the medina is an attraction in and of itself, there are also several sights that you should specifically check out. The iconic Djemaa el-Fnaa, or the city's main square, is best visited as the sun goes down. Other notable landmarks include Koutoubia Mosque, Majorelle Gardens, and Medersa Ben Youssef.

Is Marrakech or San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a popular place for its shows and theatre. However, Marrakech is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in San Francisco. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.

Marrakech is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Marrakech or San Francisco? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Marrakech is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, San Francisco is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are local dives as well as five star restaurants, with everything in between. Popular local dining experiences include sourdough bread bowls and Dungeness crab at Fisherman's Wharf, and dim sum in Chinatown. Head away from the touristy neighborhoods if you want to sample some of the more local restaurants around town.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Marrakech makes for a great culinary experience. Moroccan food is amazing and you'll enjoy grilled meats, tagines, couscous, and more. The city is more touristy than some parts of Morocco so you'll find the quality of the food can vary a bit, but it's still a culinary delight. Marrakesh is also a great city for taking a cooking class.

Is Marrakech or San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

Both Marrakech and San Francisco have nice vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Marrakech. Although alcohol is hard to come by, you'll find it in most western style restaurants and high end hotel chains. The city has more bars and nightclubs than you'd expect. There's also a great nighttime energy with many locals heading outside in the evening. Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square, comes to life with street vendors, performers, and people during the nighttime hours.

San Francisco has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It has a great nightlife with many local bars and trendy clubs. For the best nightlife away from the tourists, head to Valencia Street or Polk Street. If you want to be in a more touristy area, check out Union Square. Popular clubs in the city include Temple San Francisco, Monarch, and Audio Nightclub.

Is Marrakech or San Francisco Better for Music?

San Francisco is a popular place for its music scene. However, Marrakech is not a live music destination.

The music scene in San Francisco is active and vibrant. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.

Marrakech is not a live music destination.

Is Marrakech or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Marrakech is not a beach destination.

San Francisco is considered a top beach destination. Whether you're interested in surfing or simply taking in the dramatic views, the beaches of San Francisco will take your breath away. Some of the best beaches include Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, and Muir Beach.

Marrakech is not a beach destination.

Is Marrakech or San Francisco Better for its Old Town?

Marrakech is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Marrakech offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The historic medina is filled with spices, antiques, art, and pottery. The culture and experience of wandering the medina will have you feeling like you stepped back in time.

San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Is Marrakech or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, Marrakech is not a hiking destination.

People visit San Francisco specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The city's hikes take in the dramatic views of the bay and city. Just outside of town there are also countless hikes through the Redwoods and along the coastline. Popular hikes in the area include Lands End, Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore, and Muir Woods.

Marrakech is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marrakech or San Francisco?

Shoppers can find a variety of fantastic stores in both Marrakech and San Francisco.

Many people travel to Marrakech specifically to go shopping. Shop your way through the street stalls and sample perfumes, spices, produce, and more. You'll find everything from souvenir trinkets to local items and authentic antiques.

San Francisco is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has excellent shopping from local vendors to recognizable brands. Union Square, Embarcadero, Fillmore Street and Haight Street are some of the best neighborhoods for shopping.

Is Marrakech or San Francisco Better for Families?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Marrakech is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, San Francisco is a very family-friendly destination. With its many outdoor parks, hiking trails, beaches, and kid-friendly museums, this city makes a great family-friendly destination. There are also many amazing playgrounds with stunning views of the bay and city. Head to Chinatown for some unique and kid-friendly food, or down to Pier 39 for fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Marrakech is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy exploring a new culture and wandering through the medina. The food is very kid-friendly and during the evening the main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa, comes to life with street performers, vendors, and entertainment. Families can also take cooking classes or head into the desert for a camel trek.

Is Marrakech or San Francisco Better for Couples?

Marrakech is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

Marrakech has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. There are many wonderful restaurants and fascinating places for couples to explores. Wandering the medina or visiting the gardens make for a romantic and adventurous getaway.

San Francisco is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy the romantic backdrop of this beautiful city. There are world-class restaurants and plenty of spas that couples can enjoy during a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are also many scenic walks and breathtaking views that couples can appreciate.

Is Marrakech or San Francisco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marrakech is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Marrakech, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city is very affordable and there are countless riads that are budget-friendly. There are enough backpackers around town that it's not hard to meet fellow travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit San Francisco. The city is one of the more backpacker friendly cities in the United States. There are a handful of hostels throughout, many concentrated in the popular Union Square and Downtown neighborhoods of the city.

Is Marrakech or San Francisco Better for Students?

San Francisco is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Marrakech is not popular with students.

San Francisco is a very popular coastal city for students and younger travelers. As a large and dynamic city, the area is popular with international students who want to experience this unique side of the United States. Major universities in the area include University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and nearby, the University of California, Berkeley.

Marrakech is not popular with students.

Is Marrakech or San Francisco Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

San Francisco is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. However, Marrakech is lacking in options for its public transit.

Visitors in San Francisco can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Marrakech. While there are local buses, most people take taxis around town when they can't walk. Taxis are affordable and convenient.

Is Marrakech or San Francisco a more walkable city?

Marrakech and San Francisco are very good when it comes to walkability.

Marrakech is a very walkable destination. The medina is the best area to walk around but it's very easy to get lost. Outside of the medina you'll want to keep your eyes open for motorbikes and the occasional donkey.

San Francisco is very walkable. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but given the large hills, it's a bit of a challenge, even for the most fit among us.

For even more information, also check out Is Marrakech Worth Visiting? and Is San Francisco Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or Marrakech?

How long in Marrakech or San Francisco?

Both Marrakech and San Francisco have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, San Francisco has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in San Francisco than Marrakech. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in San Francisco than Marrakech. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Francisco that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Francisco than Marrakech 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 San Francisco.

One day in Marrakech or San Francisco?

Marrakech is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find museums and theater around the coastal city of San Francisco. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

A weekend in Marrakech or San Francisco?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marrakech. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find theater and nightlife around the eccentric big city of San Francisco. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marrakech or San Francisco?

Marrakech is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the eccentric coastal city of San Francisco. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer.

A week in Marrakech or San Francisco?

Marrakech is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Visiting the old town is also a must. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

San Francisco is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in San Francisco, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marrakech and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco is more expensive. And not only is Marrakech much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Marrakech is in Africa and San Francisco is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Marrakech would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marrakech 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 San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco than you might in Marrakech.

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

Which is Bigger, Marrakech or San Francisco?

Marrakech has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of San Francisco. When comparing the sizes of Marrakech and San Francisco, 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.