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

Should you visit Marseille or Girona?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Girona, 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 this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Girona

Girona is a colorful, medieval, and ancient city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. 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 museums, food, and shopping.

Marseille and Girona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Girona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille than Girona, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and christmas markets, while Girona is known for its museums and small town charm. Marseille is more touristy than Girona and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port. Girona is popular for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

How is Marseille different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Girona 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 Girona can be an interesting and educational experience. Wander the ancient city walls, explore the beautiful Girona Cathedral, and learn about the Church of Sant Feliu. There are also some interesting museums in town including the Museum of Jewish History, the Archaeology Museum, and the Film Museum. Also make sure you walk across the famed Eiffel Bridge.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Girona has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The small city is filled with cafes and restaurants that spill out into the street. There are also markets such as El Lleó Marketplace where you can check out fresh, local items. Many restaurants also have Catalonian style tapas, seafood such as octopus, and garlic shrimp. For breakfast, there are many pastry shops where you can enjoy a European breakfast.

Is Marseille or Girona Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Marseille is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Girona. It's a surprisingly quiet town, especially compared to other nearby party cities, but there are some nightclubs, bars, and music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Marseille or Girona Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a good destination for the beache. However, Girona 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.

Girona is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Girona Better for its Old Town?

Marseille and Girona both have world-class historical old towns that attract visitors.

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.

With a famous historical old-town, Girona offers plenty to see. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Girona?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Marseille and Girona.

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.

Girona is an extremely popular place for shoppers. In and around the old town you'll find modern shops, local eateries, charming markets, and anything you might need to purchase. There's also no shortage of souvenir and trinket shops, but they have a bit of personality and character to them.

Is Marseille or Girona Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for its Christmas markets. However, Girona 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.

Girona does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Girona Better for Families?

Neither Marseille nor Girona are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

Marseille is not always a place people visit with their families. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Girona doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While the old town is beautiful, with charming colorful buildings, the city itself doesn't have a wide number of activities for kids. There are ice cream shops where they can enjoy a sweet treat. There are also several museums and many restaurants have kid-friendly menus.

Is Marseille or Girona Better for Couples?

Marseille and Girona are both great 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 Girona frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The setting is both beautiful and romantic. Couples can enjoy wandering the streets, popping in the many shops, and soaking up the atmosphere. There are also many great restaurants that make for a wonderful night out. Head up the hills towards the cathedral for the best viewpoints, or wander along the river and enjoy the colorful atmosphere.

Is Marseille or Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Girona 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.

Girona is a good city to visit for backpackers. Prices aren't too crazy and it's not hard to find a place to stay for an affordable price, but you won't find the lively backpacker scene that is common in many nearby cities.

Is Marseille or Girona Better for Students?

Marseille is a well-known place for students. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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

Plenty of students visit Girona. It's a smaller city with affordable accommodation and many great restaurants. It has a quintessential European atmosphere that makes it a fun place to spend some time as a student

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Marseille and Girona.

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 Girona, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town is small enough that you can likely walk anywhere you want to go, but if you need transit, there are 10 local bus routes.

Is Marseille or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona 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 Girona. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

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 Girona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Girona or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Marseille or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Marseille than Girona 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 Girona.

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

A weekend in Marseille or Girona?

Marseille is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and food around the beautiful destination of Girona. 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 Girona?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. 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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the medieval city of Girona. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Girona?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic destination of Marseille. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

Girona 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.

When comparing the travel costs between Marseille and Girona, 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 Girona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Girona?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Girona, 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 Girona?

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 Girona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Girona. Many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Girona in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Marseille is generally around the same temperature as Girona. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 24°C (75°F), and Girona fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Girona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the summer, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Girona. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Girona. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Girona in the Autumn?

Both Girona and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Girona for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Marseille is around the same temperature as Girona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Girona during autumn. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marseille usually receives around the same amount of rain as Girona. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marseille or Girona in the Winter?

Both Girona and Marseille during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Girona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Marseille is cooler than Girona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marseille in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Girona averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Marseille often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Girona. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in January than Girona. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Girona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Girona. The spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Girona this time of year.

In April, Marseille is generally around the same temperature as Girona. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 13°C (56°F), and Girona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Girona during spring. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marseille usually receives less rain than Girona. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Girona and Marseille