A Travel Price Comparison for France Marseille vs. Caen for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Marseille or Caen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Caen, 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Caen

Caen is a important, historic, and park-filled city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marseille and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Caen?

You'll generally find more things to do in Marseille than Caen. Marseille is bigger than Caen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Marseille is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Caen is more popular for its museums and big city activities. Marseille is more touristy than Caen and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port. Caen is well known for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Marseille different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Caen is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Caen can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Marseille, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Caen. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Is Marseille or Caen Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is renowned for nightlife. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Caen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Marseille or Caen Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a good destination for its beaches. However, Caen is not a beach destination.

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

Caen is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is renowned for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Marseille is one of the most recognized in 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.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Caen?

Marseille is a very popular place for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Marseille or Caen Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Caen does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Caen does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Caen Better for Families?

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

Caen is a family-friendly city. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

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 Caen Better for Couples?

Marseille is a very popular place for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Marseille or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Caen are both notable destinations for backpackers.

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

Caen is a good city to visit for backpackers. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Is Marseille or Caen Better for Students?

Marseille is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Caen is not popular with students.

Many students visit Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Caen 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 Caen can get you to most places easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

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 Caen a more walkable city?

Marseille is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Caen?

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

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

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and museums around the city of Caen. 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 Caen?

Marseille is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Caen. 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 Caen?

You'll find food and shopping around the energetic destination of Marseille. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Caen. 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 Caen?

The energetic city of Marseille offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Caen 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marseille and Caen, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Caen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Caen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Caen 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 Caen.

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Caen?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Caen, 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 Caen?

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 Caen in the Summer?

Both Caen and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Caen in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Marseille is a little warmer than Caen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marseille in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Caen averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Caen. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Caen during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Caen. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or Caen in the Autumn?

Both Caen and Marseille during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions during these months.

In October, Marseille is generally a little warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 16°C (61°F), and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the autumn, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Caen. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets more rain in October than Caen. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Caen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Caen. Most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Caen because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Caen can be very cold. Marseille is a little warmer than Caen in the winter. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Caen during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marseille usually receives less rain than Caen. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or Caen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Caen. The spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, the activities around the city are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

In the spring, Marseille is a little warmer than Caen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marseille in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Caen averages at about 9°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the spring, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Caen. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Caen. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Caen and Marseille