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

Should you visit Marseille or Bologna?

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

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

Bologna

Bologna is a culinary, beautiful, and fun city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Bologna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Bologna. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marseille is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Bologna attracts visitors for its museums. Marseille is more touristy than Bologna and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port. Bologna is famous for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta.

How is Marseille different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bologna 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 Bologna. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Marseille and Bologna 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 Bologna have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

Is Marseille or Bologna Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

People head to Marseille just to party. 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.

Bologna has a large number of nightlife venues. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

Is Marseille or Bologna Better for Beaches?

Marseille is very good for the beach. However, Bologna 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.

Bologna is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

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.

Many visitors go to Bologna to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Bologna?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Marseille and Bologna.

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.

Bologna is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

Is Marseille or Bologna Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for its Christmas markets. However, Bologna 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.

Bologna does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Bologna Better for Families?

Bologna is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Bologna is a family-friendly city. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

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 Bologna Better for Couples?

Marseille is a well-known place for couples. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Marseille is a very popular place to visit for couples. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Bologna is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

Is Marseille or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bologna is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Bologna. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

Marseille is a good city to visit for backpackers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Marseille or Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Bologna is a great destination for students. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

Students come from all over to stay in Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Marseille and Bologna.

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 Bologna, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is Marseille or Bologna a more walkable city?

Marseille and Bologna 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.

Bologna is very walkable. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Bologna?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Bologna. 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 Bologna than Marseille 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 Bologna.

One day in Marseille or Bologna?

In Marseille, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Marseille or Bologna?

In Marseille, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Marseille has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Bologna. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Bologna?

Marseille is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the culinary city of Bologna. 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 Bologna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Marseille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Bologna 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 Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Bologna?

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

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 Bologna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Bologna. Most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bologna because of the family-friendly experiences.

Marseille is around the same temperature as Bologna in the summer. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bologna. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the summer, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Bologna. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Bologna. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Bologna in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Marseille is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marseille in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Bologna averages at about 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bologna. In October, Marseille usually receives less rain than Bologna. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marseille or Bologna in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bologna. In January, Marseille is generally much warmer than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 7°C (44°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Bologna. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Bologna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Bologna. Many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bologna in the spring for the natural beauty.

Marseille is around the same temperature as Bologna in the spring. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Bologna during spring. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marseille usually receives less rain than Bologna. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Marseille