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

Should you visit Marseille or Philadelphia?

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

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

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a cultural, diverse, and historic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Marseille and Philadelphia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Philadelphia?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Philadelphia than Marseille, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Philadelphia is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, and big city activities, while Marseille is known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Marseille is more touristy than Philadelphia and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Philadelphia is popular for its diverse population, large number of universities, great restaurant and market scene, and its role in American history. It is also home to The Liberty Bell.

How is Marseille different from Philadelphia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Philadelphia is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Philadelphia has many famous sights for visitors. The city has a rich history with a number of museums and monuments. Popular sites around the city include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Jewish American History.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Marseille or Philadelphia Better for Theater?

Philadelphia is an excellent place to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Marseille is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Philadelphia. There are major Broadway shows as well as smaller venues. Head to The Avenue of the Arts along Broad Street for a popular stretch of theaters.

Marseille is not a theatre destination.

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

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Dining out in Philadelphia is an experience not to be missed. It has grown into a well-recognized food destination. It's diversity of cultures and residents have influenced the restaurant scene and you'll find many great places to dine covering a number of international flavors. The city is famous for its Philly cheesesteak and roast pork sandwich. You can also grab some local favorites at Reading Terminal Market.

Is Marseille or Philadelphia Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Marseille is a world class 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 Philadelphia know how to have a good time. The city's nightlife scene carries late into the evening with many rooftop and outdoor beer gardens. Most of the clubs and bars are found in the downtown area and you'll find places to dance, listen to live music, or sip a trendy cocktails.

Is Marseille or Philadelphia Better for Music?

Philadelphia is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Marseille is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Philadelphia has diverse options. The city's diverse music scene includes jazz, rock, and hip hop.

Marseille is not a live music destination.

Is Marseille or Philadelphia Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Philadelphia 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.

Philadelphia is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Philadelphia Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its old town. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

The rich history of Marseille can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Philadelphia offers a nice historic old town area. The Old City has a number of Colonial-era sites including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Philadelphia?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Marseille and Philadelphia.

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.

Philadelphia is an extremely popular place for shoppers. With all items tax-free, this city is a great place to shop. It has many boutique shops as well as name brand stores and shopping areas. For a local vibe, head to Reading Terminal Market.

Is Marseille or Philadelphia Better for Christmas?

Philadelphia is an excellent place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Marseille does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Philadelphia is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. There are a number of holiday events, light shows, and festivals during the holiday season.

Marseille does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Marseille or Philadelphia Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille and Philadelphia are both places where visitors can find good 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.

Philadelphia is a nice place to see Christmas markets. The city has its own German style Christmas market at Love Park and City Hall. It hosts over 80 vendors.

Is Marseille or Philadelphia Better for Families?

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia. The city has many museums and a fascinating history that is interesting to kids and adults alike. Popular activities include a zoo and Sesame Place. Kids also love the hands-on Please Touch Museum.

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 Philadelphia Better for Couples?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Philadelphia is a good city for couples to visit. Like many large cities, it is a fun place to explore in the evening as a couple. This is also a great foodie destination with great markets, food trucks, and diverse restaurants that reflect the city's diverse population.

Is Marseille or Philadelphia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Philadelphia 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.

Philadelphia is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels for backpackers and budget travelers to choose from.

Is Marseille or Philadelphia Better for Students?

Both Marseille and Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia. With its many universities and diverse population, this city is a great place for international students.

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

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia can get you to most places easily. The system includes a subway, trolleys, buses, and a commuter rail.

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 Philadelphia a more walkable city?

Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia. The Old City is particularly walkable, as is Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square.

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 Philadelphia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Philadelphia or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Philadelphia?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Marseille and Philadelphia. In our opinion, Philadelphia has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Philadelphia than Marseille. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Philadelphia. 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.

One day in Marseille or Philadelphia?

In Marseille, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this energetic city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

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

Marseille is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

People visit Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?

You'll find nightlife and food around the energetic destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

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

A week in Marseille or Philadelphia?

Marseille is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Philadelphia 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marseille and Philadelphia, we can see that Philadelphia is more expensive. And not only is Marseille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Marseille is in Europe and Philadelphia is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Philadelphia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Marseille. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia in the Summer?

Both Philadelphia 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 city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.

In July, Marseille is generally around the same temperature as Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 24°C (75°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Philadelphia during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or Philadelphia in the Autumn?

Both Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Marseille is a little warmer than Philadelphia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the autumn, Marseille often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Philadelphia. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets more rain in October than Philadelphia. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Philadelphia in the Winter?

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

Philadelphia can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Marseille is much warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marseille in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 30°F (-1°C).

Marseille usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Philadelphia during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marseille usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or Philadelphia in the Spring?

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

In April, Marseille is generally a little warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 13°C (56°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the spring, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Philadelphia. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in April than Philadelphia. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Marseille