A Travel Price Comparison for France Marseille vs. Carcassonne for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Marseille or Carcassonne?

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

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

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a fairytale, medieval, and historical town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Marseille and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Carcassonne?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Marseille than Carcassonne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Marseille is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Carcassonne is more popular for its museums and small town charm. Marseille is well known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port. Carcassonne is well known for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle.

How is Marseille different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne can be an interesting and educational experience. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Is Marseille or Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is very popular for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy 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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Marseille or Carcassonne Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a good destination for its beaches. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Many people head to Carcassonne to see the old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Carcassonne?

Marseille is a very popular place for shopping. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Marseille or Carcassonne Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Carcassonne Better for Families?

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

Carcassonne is a family-friendly town. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

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 Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Marseille is a very popular place for romance. Also, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Marseille or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

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 Carcassonne Better for Students?

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

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

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Marseille and Carcassonne.

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 Carcassonne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Marseille or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Carcassonne is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Carcassonne. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Carcassonne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Marseille or Carcassonne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Marseille than Carcassonne because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 1-2 days is enough time in Carcassonne.

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Carcassonne. 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.

One day in Marseille or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the energetic city of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A weekend in Marseille or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic destination of Marseille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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

Five days in Marseille or Carcassonne?

The energetic city of Marseille offers shopping and nightlife. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the historical town of Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Marseille. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Carcassonne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carcassonne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne.

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Carcassonne?

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

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 Carcassonne in the Summer?

Both Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Marseille is around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marseille in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Carcassonne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

Both Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Marseille is generally around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 16°C (61°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the autumn, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in October than Carcassonne. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Carcassonne in the Winter?

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

Marseille is cooler than Carcassonne in the winter. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marseille usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or Carcassonne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Carcassonne. The spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

In the spring, Marseille is around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marseille in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 14°C (56°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 Carcassonne. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in April than Carcassonne. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Marseille