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

Should you visit Marseille or Oslo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Oslo, 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. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Oslo

Oslo is a green, clean, and progressive city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marseille and Oslo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Oslo?

You'll generally find more things to do in Marseille than Oslo. Marseille is bigger than Oslo, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Marseille is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Oslo is more popular for its museums and big city activities. Marseille is well known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port. Oslo is well known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports.

How is Marseille different from Oslo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oslo 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 Oslo can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

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.

Oslo has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Is Marseille or Oslo Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Marseille has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Marseille or Oslo Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Oslo is not a beach destination.

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.

Oslo is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Oslo Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Marseille offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Oslo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Oslo?

Marseille is notable for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Marseille or Oslo Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Oslo 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.

Oslo does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Oslo Better for Families?

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

Oslo is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

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 Oslo Better for Couples?

Marseille is notable for romance. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Marseille is a very popular place to visit for couples. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Oslo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

Is Marseille or Oslo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Oslo are both notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Marseille. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Oslo is a good city to visit for backpackers. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Is Marseille or Oslo Better for Students?

Both Marseille and Oslo are superb destinations for 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Oslo. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

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

Oslo is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Oslo can get you around easily. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

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 Oslo a more walkable city?

Marseille and Oslo 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.

Oslo is very walkable. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Oslo or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Oslo?

In either Marseille or Oslo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Oslo than Marseille because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 1-5 days is enough time in Oslo.

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

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

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.

People visit Oslo because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oslo has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Oslo?

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.

People visit Oslo because there is so much to do. 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 Oslo?

You'll find food and shopping around the energetic 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.

People visit Oslo because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Marseille or Oslo?

The vibrant 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.

Oslo 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Oslo?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Oslo, 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 Oslo?

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 Oslo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Oslo. The summer months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

In the summer, Marseille is a little warmer than Oslo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marseille in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Oslo averages at about 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oslo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the summer, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Oslo. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Marseille is generally much warmer than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 16°C (61°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during autumn. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marseille usually receives around the same amount of rain as Oslo. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marseille or Oslo in the Winter?

Both Oslo and Marseille during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Oslo can get quite cold in the winter. Marseille is much warmer than Oslo in the winter. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Oslo. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Oslo. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Oslo. Many visitors come to Marseille in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Marseille is much warmer than Oslo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marseille in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Oslo averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Oslo during spring. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marseille usually receives more rain than Oslo. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Oslo and Marseille