A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marseille vs. Bergen for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Marseille or Bergen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Bergen, 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Bergen

Bergen is a nostalgic, friendly, and laid back city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Bergen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Bergen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bergen attracts visitors for its museums and small town charm. Marseille is more touristy than Bergen and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port. Bergen is famous for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Marseille different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bergen 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 Bergen. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Marseille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bergen. The city's economy has long been centered around the fish trade and even today you'll find cod, shellfish, trout, and salmon on most menus. Sheep and mutton are also popular. Desserts and coffee are also a big part of the local culture.

Is Marseille or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Marseille is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bergen. It's a small city without a huge nightlife district, but there are bars and clubs in Bryggen and Old Bulls Plass. The city has enough students to keep things lively and fun.

Is Marseille or Bergen Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a popular place for the beach. However, Bergen is not a beach destination.

Marseille is a good option for a beach vacation. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Bergen is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is very popular for its historic old town charm. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

Marseille has a world-famous historical area. 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.

Bergen is a good destination for visiting its old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Bergen?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Marseille and Bergen.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Bergen is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city center is filled with specialty boutiques as well as larger department stores. Shopping has long been a large part of the economy and you'll enjoy exploring the diversity of retail options.

Is Marseille or Bergen Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for its Christmas markets. However, Bergen does not offer Christmas markets.

Many visitors go to the Christmas markets in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Bergen does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Bergen Better for Families?

Bergen 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 Bergen. There are some interesting educational opportunities for kids including the Bergen Aquarium, VilVite Science Centre, and Experience Bryggen. Other fun activities include Vannkanten Waterworld and the Fløibanen Funicular.

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 Bergen Better for Couples?

Marseille and Bergen are both very good to visit as a couple.

Marseille makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Couples visit Bergen frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many romantic activities near town like swimming in the fjords and walking through the parks. There are also spas and music concerts to enjoy.

Is Marseille or Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Bergen are both nice destinations for backpackers.

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

Bergen is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Marseille or Bergen Better for Students?

Marseille is notable for students. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Marseille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Plenty of students visit Bergen. It's a very student-friendly city with many activities and a laid back atmosphere. The university facilities are spread out around town and the locals are welcoming and helpful.

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

Bergen is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Bergen can get you to most places easily. For the areas that are outside of the city center, you can take a local bus or the light rail to access them. These services are operated by Skyss.

You'll find some public transit in Marseille, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Marseille or Bergen a more walkable city?

Marseille and Bergen are very good 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.

Bergen is very walkable. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Bergen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Marseille and Bergen. In our opinion, Marseille has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Marseille than Bergen. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bergen.

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

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

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

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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bergen. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bergen has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Bergen?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the nostalgic destination of Bergen. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or Bergen?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back city of Bergen. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic 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.

Bergen is a popular choice for travelers. 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 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Bergen?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Bergen, 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 Bergen?

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 Marseille or Bergen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Bergen. Many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Marseille is much warmer than Bergen in the summer. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Bergen fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Bergen. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Bergen in the Autumn?

Both Bergen and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bergen because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Marseille is much warmer than Bergen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marseille in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Bergen averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In October, Marseille usually receives less rain than Bergen. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marseille or Bergen in the Winter?

Both Bergen and Marseille during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bergen in the winter. In January, Marseille is generally much warmer than Bergen. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 7°C (44°F), and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Marseille usually gets less rain in January than Bergen. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Bergen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Bergen. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the small town charm.

Marseille is much warmer than Bergen in the spring. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Bergen fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Marseille usually receives less rain than Bergen. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Marseille