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

Should you visit Marseille or Bordeaux?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Bordeaux, 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 Marseille is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Marseille travel costs.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a charming, romantic, and historical city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, Bordeaux attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Bordeaux travel costs.

Marseille and Bordeaux: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Bordeaux?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bordeaux than Marseille. While Marseille is larger than Bordeaux, Bordeaux has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bordeaux is more popular for its museums and attractions and big city activities, while Marseille is known for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Bordeaux is more touristy than Marseille and is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. It is also home to Cathédrale Saint-André. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

How is Marseille different from Bordeaux?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Marseille and Bordeaux both to be fantastic 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 Bordeaux have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

Is Marseille or Bordeaux Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Bordeaux has a few options to choose from. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

Is Marseille or Bordeaux Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a popular place for the beach. However, Bordeaux 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.

Bordeaux is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Bordeaux Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

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.

Bordeaux has an old town worth visiting. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Bordeaux?

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

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.

Bordeaux is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

Is Marseille or Bordeaux More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of very good scenery and beauty in both Marseille and Bordeaux.

With stunning beauty, Marseille attracts visitors from all around. It's beauty comes from its historic architecture and beautiful neighborhoods.

Bordeaux is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The city is filled with beautiful architecture, parks, and gardens.

Is Marseille or Bordeaux Better for Families?

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

Bordeaux is a family-friendly city. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

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 Bordeaux Better for Couples?

Marseille and Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

Is Marseille or Bordeaux Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Bordeaux 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.

Bordeaux is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Is Marseille or Bordeaux Better for Students?

Both Marseille and Bordeaux are very good destinations for students.

Marseille is a great city to visit as a student. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Students come from all over to stay in Bordeaux. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

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

Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux can get you to most places easily. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

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 Bordeaux a more walkable city?

Marseille and Bordeaux 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.

Bordeaux is very walkable. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

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

Should I spend more time in Bordeaux or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Bordeaux?

In either Marseille or Bordeaux, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Bordeaux than Marseille because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 2-5 days is enough time in Bordeaux.

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux?

The beautiful city of Marseille offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the romantic destination of Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux?

Marseille 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the romantic city of Bordeaux. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Marseille or Bordeaux?

Marseille is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Bordeaux 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Bordeaux?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Bordeaux, 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 Bordeaux?

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 Bordeaux in the Summer?

Both Bordeaux and Marseille during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bordeaux for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Marseille is generally a little warmer than Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 24°C (75°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

In Bordeaux, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the summer, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Bordeaux. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 276 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Bordeaux. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Bordeaux in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Marseille is a little warmer than Bordeaux in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Bordeaux fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Bordeaux during autumn. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 165 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marseille usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marseille or Bordeaux in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux this time of year.

In the winter, Marseille is around the same temperature as Bordeaux. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marseille in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Bordeaux averages at about 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Bordeaux. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bordeaux receives 86 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bordeaux. Marseille usually gets less rain in January than Bordeaux. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Bordeaux in the Spring?

Both Bordeaux and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bordeaux for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Marseille is generally a little warmer than Bordeaux. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 13°C (56°F), and Bordeaux fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Bordeaux during spring. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Bordeaux receives 190 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marseille usually receives less rain than Bordeaux. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bordeaux receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bordeaux and Marseille