A Travel Price Comparison for France Marseille vs. Honfleur for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Beaches

Should you visit Marseille or Honfleur?

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

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

Honfleur

Honfleur is a historic, peaceful, and serene city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marseille and Honfleur: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Honfleur?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Marseille than Honfleur, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Marseille is better known for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Honfleur is more popular for its museums. Marseille is more touristy than Honfleur and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port. Honfleur is well known for its influence over Impressionist art, its stunning harbor, and its beautiful buildings.

How is Marseille different from Honfleur?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Honfleur 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 Honfleur. Some of the most notable sights around the town include Saint Catherine's Church, Le Vieux Bassin, Notre-Dame de Grace, and the Normandy Bridge.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Marseille and Honfleur both to be terrific 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 Honfleur have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Located on the coast of Normandy along the English Channel, seafood is a defining element for most dishes here. Foodies flock to this town for its Michelin starred restaurants as well as its local cafes and quaint eateries. For land-lovers, there's a popular local cider-braised pork that you must-try. And for dessert make sure you try the Tarte Tatin.

Is Marseille or Honfleur Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Honfleur is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Honfleur has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Restaurants come to life at night when music flows out onto the streets. The town is not known for its partying, but that doesn't mean that it's a sleepy place that shuts down when the sun sets.

Is Marseille or Honfleur Better for Beaches?

Marseille is very good for its beaches. However, Honfleur is lacking in options for the beache.

Many people head to Marseille to enjoy the beach. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

You can check out the beach in Honfleur. The town sits by the estuary of the Seine and there are two beaches not far from town. Butin Beach is the closest to town and the most popular, but Vasouy Beach is more relaxed and natural.

Is Marseille or Honfleur Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Honfleur does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Marseille offers plenty to see. 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.

Honfleur does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Honfleur?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, Honfleur is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Honfleur has some nice offerings. It's a charming town with boutique shops, chocolate shops, and the standard tourist places that sell souvenirs and t-shirts.

Is Marseille or Honfleur Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for visiting Christmas markets. However, Honfleur does not offer Christmas markets.

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

Honfleur does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Honfleur Better for Families?

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

Honfleur is a family-friendly city. Located on the coast of Normandy, the town has boat rides, quirky museums, and Vieux Bassin, which is a beautiful and lively harbor. For kids who need to stretch their legs, there are many parks and outdoor spaces to enjoy.

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 Honfleur Better for Couples?

Marseille and Honfleur are both excellent 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 Honfleur frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It has, arguably, one of the area's most beautiful harbors. There are also many great seafood restaurants, relaxing gardens, and spas that are perfect for couples.

Is Marseille or Honfleur Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Honfleur is lacking in options for backpackers.

Marseille is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Honfleur is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll likely have more luck looking for an apartment than a hostel, so if you're looking for a place to stay with a social setting, you may be out of luck.

Is Marseille or Honfleur Better for Students?

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

Marseille is very popular with students. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Honfleur is not popular with students.

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

Marseille is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Honfleur is lacking in options for its public transit.

Marseille has some public transit options. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Public transit is generally limited in Honfleur. HO Buses travel from the outskirts or town into the center and are used mainly by locals. If you plan to head into Normandy to see the countryside, you'll want to have a car.

Is Marseille or Honfleur a more walkable city?

Marseille and Honfleur are excellent 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.

Honfleur is very walkable. The city center is compact and easy to explore on foot. There are also many coastal walks leading out of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Honfleur or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Honfleur?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Marseille and Honfleur. In our opinion, Marseille has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Marseille than Honfleur. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 1-3 days is enough time in Honfleur.

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

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

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 food and museums around the city of Honfleur. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Honfleur has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Honfleur?

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 picturesque destination of Honfleur. 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 Honfleur?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Honfleur. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Honfleur?

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.

Honfleur 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 Honfleur, we can see that Honfleur 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 Honfleur Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Honfleur?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Honfleur. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Honfleur, 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.