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

Should you visit Marseille or Portland?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Portland, 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. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Portland

Portland is a eclectic, tree-lined, and nature-filled city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the live music, hiking, and shopping.

Marseille and Portland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Portland?

You'll generally find more things to do in Marseille than Portland. Marseille is bigger than Portland, 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 Portland is more popular for its museums, music, hiking, and small town charm. Marseille is well known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port. Portland is well known for its independent and vintage shops, thriving art scene, lush parks and gardens, progressive and quirky personality, and easy access to amazing natural beauty.

How is Marseille different from Portland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Portland is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Portland specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Visitors usually come for the city's outdoor recreation and eclectic personality more than the landmarks and museums. There are a few places to visit on a rainy day though including Pittock Mansion, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is very popular for its restaurants. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Marseille have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Portland. The town is more famous for it's craft beer than it's food, but there are still a number of local restaurants that offer unique Oregon dishes. You'll find no shortage of vegetarian and vegan options on most menus. There is also a big farm-to-table scene with many farmers markets around town as well.

Is Marseille or Portland Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is very popular for nightlife. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Marseille is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Portland has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Famously, this town's nightlife is all about the craft beer and local breweries. Make sure you check out Bailey's Taproom, The Big Legrowlski, and The Commons Brewery.

Is Marseille or Portland Better for Music?

Portland is a nice place to visit for its music scene. However, Marseille is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Portland active and fun. The town has a thriving live music and international folk dancing scene.

Marseille is not a live music destination.

Is Marseille or Portland Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Portland is not a beach destination.

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.

Portland is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Portland Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is very popular for its historic old town. However, Portland does not have a historic old town.

Marseille has a world-famous historical 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.

Portland does not have a historic old town.

Is Marseille or Portland Better for Hiking?

Portland 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 Portland. Just outside of town you'll find amazing hikes and stunning natural beauty. In town there are many urban hikes through parks and gardens, but in just a short drive you also have access to Mount Hood and many of the region's most beautiful hikes around the Columbia River Gorge.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Portland?

Marseille is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Portland offers some nice shopping areas. To fully experience shopping in town, head to the local vendors and thrift shops. There are many vintage clothing shops, book stores, and independent sellers around town. The city is also full of farmers markets. For some of the most interesting shopping, check out the Pearl District, Pioneer Place, Union Way, and Downtown neighborhoods.

Is Marseille or Portland Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a city with good options for visiting Christmas markets. However, Portland does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille is a nice place to see Christmas markets. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Portland does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Portland Better for Families?

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

Portland is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city by nature, so families will appreciate the many parks and outdoor recreational activities around town. It's easy to fill a couple of days exploring and having fun with the kids. Kid-friendly activities include the zoo, the aerial tram, and several great museums.

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 Portland Better for Couples?

Marseille is a very popular place for romance. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Portland makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The laid-back, alternative vibe is fun to explore as a couple. There are independent bookstores, nice parks, and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Couples who enjoy an eclectic city, breweries, and nature, will find a lot to do in town.

Is Marseille or Portland Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Portland 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 Portland. The town has drawn young explorers for years, and backpackers who like to step away from the mainstream will feel right at home here.

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 Portland Better for Students?

Marseille is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

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

Portland is popular with students. It's a young and relaxed city that attracts independent thinkers. There are many bookstores and breweries around town. The cost of living can be a bit high though.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Marseille and Portland.

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 Portland, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town has a bus and light rail system as well the Aerial tram.

Is Marseille or Portland a more walkable city?

Marseille and Portland are high quality 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.

Portland is very walkable. It is quite walkable, particularly in the tourist areas such as Downtown, Pearl, and Old Town Chinatown.

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

Should I spend more time in Portland or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Portland?

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

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

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

One day in Marseille or Portland?

The beautiful city of Marseille offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find live music and shopping around the city of Portland. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Portland?

Marseille is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Marseille, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the tree-lined destination of Portland. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or Portland?

Marseille is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the nature-filled city of Portland. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Portland?

Marseille is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Portland is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Marseille and Portland, we can see that Portland 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. Even though Marseille is in Europe and Portland is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Portland?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Portland. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Portland, 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 Portland?

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 Portland in the Summer?

Both Portland and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Portland for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Marseille is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marseille in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Portland averages at about 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Portland. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Portland during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Portland. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or Portland in the Autumn?

Both Portland and Marseille during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Portland in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Marseille is generally a little warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 16°C (61°F), and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the autumn, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Portland. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets more rain in October than Portland. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Portland in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Portland. Many visitors come to Marseille in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Portland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Portland can be very cold during winter. Marseille is much warmer than Portland in the winter. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Portland during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

Portland receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Marseille usually receives less rain than Portland. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or Portland in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Portland. Most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Portland because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Marseille is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marseille in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Portland averages at about 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the spring, Marseille often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Portland. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in April than Portland. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Portland and Marseille