A Travel Price Comparison for France Marseille vs. Annecy for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Marseille or Annecy?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Annecy, 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.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Annecy

Annecy is a charming, stunning, and breathtaking alpine town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marseille and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Annecy?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille. Although Marseille and Annecy are both popular with visitors, Marseille has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Marseille is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Annecy is known for its museums, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Annecy is more touristy than Marseille and is known for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port.

How is Marseille different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Annecy. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Marseille and Annecy both to be terrific destinations.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Marseille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Many restaurants in Annecy have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Is Marseille or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its evening party scene.

Marseille is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Annecy. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Marseille or Annecy Better for Beaches?

Marseille is very good for the beache. However, Annecy 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.

Annecy is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

Marseille and Annecy both have terrific historical old towns that attract visitors.

The historic old town of Marseille is revered around the world. 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.

With a famous historical old-town, Annecy offers plenty to see. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Is Marseille or Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Annecy. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Annecy?

Marseille is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its shopping areas.

Marseille is well-known for its shopping. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Many visitors go to Annecy to go shopping. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Marseille or Annecy Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for visiting Christmas markets. However, Annecy 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.

Annecy does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Annecy Better for Families?

Annecy 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 Annecy. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

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 Marseille or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Annecy has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Couples visit Marseille frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is Marseille or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Annecy are both good destinations for backpackers.

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

Annecy is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Marseille or Annecy Better for Students?

Marseille is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Annecy is not popular with students.

Marseille is very popular with students. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Annecy is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Marseille and Annecy.

Marseille has some public transit options. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

You'll find some public transit in Annecy, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Marseille or Annecy a more walkable city?

Marseille and Annecy are excellent when it comes to walkability.

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

Annecy is very walkable. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Marseille or Annecy. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Annecy due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 2-4 days is enough time in Annecy.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marseille than Annecy 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 Marseille or Annecy?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Even though Annecy is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Marseille or Annecy?

Marseille 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.

Annecy is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this alpine town has to offer. This alpine town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or Annecy?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Annecy is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Annecy?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Marseille. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Annecy is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marseille and Annecy, we can see that Annecy 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 Annecy would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Annecy 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 Marseille Expensive? and Is Annecy Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Annecy?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Annecy, 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 Marseille or Annecy?

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 Marseille or Annecy in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Annecy. Most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Annecy because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Marseille is generally around the same temperature as Annecy. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 24°C (75°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Annecy this time of the year. In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Annecy during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Annecy. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or Annecy in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Annecy. The autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Annecy this time of year.

Marseille is a little warmer than Annecy in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Annecy fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the autumn, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Annecy. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Marseille or Annecy in the Winter?

Both Annecy and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Annecy for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Annecy. In the winter, Marseille is much warmer than Annecy. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marseille in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Annecy averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Annecy during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marseille usually receives less rain than Annecy. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or Annecy in the Spring?

Both Annecy and Marseille during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Annecy in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Marseille is generally a little warmer than Annecy. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 13°C (56°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the spring, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Annecy. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in April than Annecy. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Marseille