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

Should you visit Marseille or Pisa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Pisa, 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. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Pisa

Pisa is a charming, iconic, and world-famous city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marseille and Pisa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Pisa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille than Pisa, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Pisa is known for its museums. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port. Pisa is popular for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere.

How is Marseille different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pisa 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 Pisa can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is more than a one hit wonder. In addition to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, you'll find many beautiful buildings and museums. Popular places to visit include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Campo Santo (Sacred Field), and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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 Pisa is an experience not to be missed. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the city's maritime roots. You'll find many seafood dishes as well as local classic recipes that have been passed down through the generations. A quintessential local dish is Bordatino alla Pisana, which is made with beans, cabbage, and cornflour. Also popular are Pasta e Ceci (chickpea pasta), Palette (a local polenta), and Trippa alla Pisana.

Is Marseille or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Pisa offers plenty to do in the evening. Head out to an aperitivo bar for an early drink, then head to one of the area's best nightlife neighborhoods. For the biggest party scene, go about 10 kilometers out of town to the Versilian coast. This area has the most popular clubs. If you decide to stay in town, there are still plenty of places to catch live music and dance.

Is Marseille or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Both Marseille and Pisa have good beaches worth visiting.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Pisa. Many people forget that there are beaches near Pisa, but the city is close to the sea. Some of the closest beaches include Marina di Vecchiano and Marina di Pisa.

Is Marseille or Pisa Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is terrific for its old town. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Pisa. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Pisa?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Marseille and Pisa.

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.

Pisa is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There's a great mix of traditional markets, high end stores, and indoor shopping malls where you can find anything that you might need. Corso Italia is one of the most popular shopping areas, but also worth checking out are Centro Commerciale Pisanova, Borgo Stretto and Borgo Largo.

Is Marseille or Pisa Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Pisa 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.

Pisa does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Pisa Better for Families?

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

Pisa is a family-friendly city. It's a lively city with beautiful squares and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Kids will enjoy hanging out in the city center, visiting Parco Don Bosco, Giardino Scotto Park, or Marina di Pisa. If you have a car and are willing to venture a bit further away, there's the Piccolo Mondo Amusement Park and Parco Preistorico Peccioli.

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 Pisa Better for Couples?

Marseille is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Marseille is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Pisa is a good city for couples to visit. It's an iconic Italian destination that offers so much more than its most famous landmark. The city is filled with charming squares, beautiful architecture, and plenty of fun activities that couples can enjoy.

Is Marseille or Pisa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Pisa is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Pisa. Most backpackers pass through on their way to other towns, but for those that linger, there are plenty of hostels and a lively social scene.

Marseille is a good city to visit for backpackers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Marseille or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Pisa is a great destination for students. Many study abroad students flock to Italy for its beautiful culture, art, and architecture. Pisa makes a nice base for international students, and it offers easy access to other parts of Italy. It's also home to an internationally acclaimed university, Scuola Normale Superiore, which was founded in 1810.

Students come from all over to stay in Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

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

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

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 Pisa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Marseille or Pisa a more walkable city?

Marseille and Pisa 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.

Pisa is very walkable. The city is a great place to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Pisa or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Pisa?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Pisa. 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 Pisa than Marseille 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 Pisa.

One day in Marseille or Pisa?

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.

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

A weekend in Marseille or Pisa?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the classic destination of Pisa. 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 Pisa?

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the classic city of Pisa. 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 Pisa?

The energetic 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.

Pisa 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marseille and Pisa, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Pisa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pisa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pisa 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 Marseille would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marseille than you might in Pisa.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Marseille Expensive? and Is Pisa Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Pisa?

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

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 Pisa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Pisa. Many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Marseille is generally around the same temperature as Pisa. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 24°C (75°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pisa this time of the year. In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Pisa. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Pisa. 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 Pisa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Marseille is around the same temperature as Pisa in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Pisa fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the autumn, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Marseille usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 Pisa this time of year.

In the winter, Marseille is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marseille in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Pisa averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marseille usually receives less rain than Pisa. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Marseille during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the spring, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun.

Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Marseille usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Marseille