A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marseille vs. Como for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Marseille or Como?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Como, 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. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Como

Como is a trendy, fun, and vibrant lake area. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Marseille and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Como?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Como. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marseille is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Como attracts visitors for its museums, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Como is more touristy than Marseille and is known for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port.

How is Marseille different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Como is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Como specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Marseille and Como both to be amazing 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 Como have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

Is Marseille or Como Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

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.

Como has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Marseille or Como Better for Beaches?

Both Marseille and Como have nice beaches worth visiting.

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Como. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Is Marseille or Como Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Como 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.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Marseille or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Como. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Como?

Como is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Como specifically to go shopping. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

Marseille is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Is Marseille or Como Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Como does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille has Christmas markets worth visiting. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Como does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Como Better for Families?

Como 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 Como. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

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 Como Better for Couples?

Como is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Como has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

Couples visit Marseille frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is Marseille or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Como 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 Como. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

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 Como Better for Students?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with 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.

Como is not popular with students.

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

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

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 Como, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Marseille or Como a more walkable city?

Marseille and Como are superb 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.

Como is very walkable. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Marseille or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Como due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Como 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 Como.

One day in Marseille or Como?

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 shopping around the lake area of Como. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Como?

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 shopping and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Como. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this lake area has to offer. This lake area offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or Como?

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant 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 trendy lake area of Como. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Como?

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.

Como is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Como?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Como, 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 Como?

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 Como in the Summer?

Both Como and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Como this time of year.

Marseille is around the same temperature as Como in the summer. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Como. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Como during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Como. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or Como in the Autumn?

Both Como and Marseille during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Marseille is around the same temperature as Como. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marseille in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Como averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the autumn, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Como. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

Como gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Marseille usually gets less rain in October than Como. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Como in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Como. Many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Como in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Como can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Marseille is generally a little warmer than Como. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 7°C (44°F), and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Como during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marseille usually receives less rain than Como. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or Como in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Como. Many visitors come to Marseille in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Como for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Marseille is around the same temperature as Como in the spring. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°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 Como. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in April than Como. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Marseille