A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marseille vs. Pompeii for Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Marseille or Pompeii?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Pompeii, 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a famous, iconic, and one-of-a-kind archeological site. It's also popular because of the museums.

Marseille and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Pompeii?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille. Although Marseille and Pompeii are popular destinations, Marseille has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Pompeii attracts visitors for its museums. Pompeii is more touristy than Marseille and is known for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port.

How is Marseille different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii 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, Pompeii has many famous sights for visitors. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is renowned for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Marseille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Marseille or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is renowned for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

Marseille is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Marseille or Pompeii Better for Beaches?

Marseille is very good for the beach. However, Pompeii is not a beach destination.

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.

Pompeii is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Marseille is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Pompeii?

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

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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Marseille or Pompeii Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for visiting Christmas markets. However, Pompeii 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.

Pompeii does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Pompeii Better for Families?

Pompeii 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 Pompeii. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

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 Pompeii Better for Couples?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Pompeii is a nice destination for couples. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Marseille or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Pompeii are both nice destinations for backpackers.

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

Pompeii is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Marseille or Pompeii Better for Students?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

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

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Marseille and Pompeii.

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 Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Marseille or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Pompeii 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 Pompeii. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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 Pompeii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Pompeii?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Marseille or Pompeii to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Marseille than Pompeii because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pompeii.

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

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

In Marseille, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find museums around the archeological site of Pompeii. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pompeii has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Pompeii?

In Marseille, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Marseille has to offer.

You'll find museums around the iconic destination of Pompeii. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this archeological site has to offer. This archeological site offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or Pompeii?

Marseille is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the ancient archeological site of Pompeii. 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 Pompeii?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Marseille. 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.

Pompeii 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Marseille or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

Both Pompeii and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pompeii because of the family-friendly experiences.

Marseille is around the same temperature as Pompeii in the summer. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Pompeii fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

It's quite sunny in Pompeii. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Pompeii during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or Pompeii in the Autumn?

Both Pompeii and Marseille during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Marseille is around the same temperature as Pompeii. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marseille in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Pompeii averages at about 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the autumn, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Pompeii. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Marseille usually gets less rain in October than Pompeii. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Pompeii in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Pompeii. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pompeii for the museums.

In January, Marseille is generally cooler than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 7°C (44°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Pompeii during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Marseille usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or Pompeii in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Pompeii. Many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Marseille is around the same temperature as Pompeii in the spring. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Pompeii 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 Pompeii. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in April than Pompeii. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Marseille