A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marseille vs. Lake Garda for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Beaches

Should you visit Marseille or Lake Garda?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Lake Garda, 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. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a playful, fun, and energetic lake. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marseille and Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Lake Garda?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille. Although Marseille and Lake Garda are both popular with visitors, Marseille has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Lake Garda is known for its museums, beaches, and hiking. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port. Lake Garda is popular for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks.

How is Marseille different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Marseille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Dining out in Lake Garda is an experience not to be missed. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

Is Marseille or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Marseille is a must-see party destination. 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.

The people in Lake Garda know how to have a good time. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

Is Marseille or Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is an excellent place to visit for the beach. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Lake Garda. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Marseille. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Is Marseille or Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is terrific for its old town. However, Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Marseille has a unique history which comes to life in its historic 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.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Marseille or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Lake Garda?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Marseille is well-known for its shopping. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Many visitors go to Lake Garda to go shopping. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Marseille or Lake Garda Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Lake Garda does not offer Christmas markets.

Many visitors go to the Christmas markets in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Lake Garda does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Lake Garda is an amazing family-friendly lake to visit. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

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 Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Marseille and Lake Garda are both very good 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 Lake Garda frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Is Marseille or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

Is Marseille or Lake Garda Better for Students?

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

Marseille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Lake Garda is not popular with students.

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

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda can get you to most places easily. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

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 Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Marseille and Lake Garda are very good 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.

Lake Garda is very walkable. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Lake Garda?

It's fun to spend time in either Marseille or Lake Garda. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Lake Garda. 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 Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?

With shopping and nightlife around the vibrant city of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 lake of Lake Garda. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 Lake Garda?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the energetic destination of Lake Garda. 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 has to offer. This lake offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or Lake Garda?

Marseille, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the energetic lake of Lake Garda. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Lake Garda?

Marseille is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Lake Garda is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Marseille and Lake Garda, we can see that Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Marseille or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda in the Summer?

Both Lake Garda and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Lake Garda for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

It's quite sunny in Lake Garda. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda and Marseille during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Marseille is a little warmer than Lake Garda in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the autumn, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Lake Garda. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Lake Garda in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Lake Garda. The winter months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lake Garda in the winter. In the winter, Marseille is much warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marseille in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marseille usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Lake Garda. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Marseille is generally around the same temperature as Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 13°C (56°F), and Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in April than Lake Garda. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Marseille