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

Should you visit Marseille or Positano?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Positano, 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. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Positano

Positano is a charming, picturesque, and colorful Mediterranean village. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Marseille and Positano: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Positano?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Positano. Although Marseille and Positano are popular destinations, Positano has more sights and attractions for tourists. Positano is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Marseille attracts visitors for its nightlife and christmas markets. Positano is more touristy than Marseille and is known for its beautiful cliffside setting, its colorful buildings, and its quintessential Amalfi atmosphere. It is also well known for The Church of Santa Maria Assunta. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

How is Marseille different from Positano?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Positano and Marseille. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Foodies will find both Marseille and Positano both to be world-class destinations.

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.

Many restaurants in Positano have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Seafood is the obvious choice along the Amalfi Coast but Positano is also famous for its salami, chestnuts, cheese, and figs.

Is Marseille or Positano Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. However, Positano is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

Most people don't head to Positano specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has a relaxing nightlife that is usually centered around the clubs found at nearby resorts.

Is Marseille or Positano Better for Resorts?

Positano is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Marseille is not a resort destination.

Positano offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The town has a number of luxury resorts including Le Sirenuse, Il San Pietro di Positano, and Hotel Le Agavi.

Marseille is not a resort destination.

Is Marseille or Positano Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Positano is a decent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Positano. There are snorkeling boat trips that you can book to enjoy exploring the undersea world.

Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marseille or Positano Better for Beaches?

Both Marseille and Positano have nice 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 Positano. Like the rest of the Amalfi Coast, beaches near Positano tend to be pebbly instead of sandy. They can also get a bit crowded during the summer months. Still, the picturesque setting makes these beaches truly amazing. The main beach at the edge of town is Spiaggia Grande, but there are several others nearby as well.

Is Marseille or Positano Better for its Old Town?

Marseille and Positano both have world-class historical old towns that attract visitors.

The historic old town of Marseille is revered around 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.

With a famous historical old-town, Positano offers plenty to see. Exploring the old town, soaking up the atmosphere, and simply enjoying the colorful buildings is what a trip to Positano is all about.

Is Marseille or Positano Better for Hiking?

Positano 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 Positano. The best way to explore the area out of town is on foot. There are a number of foot paths and trails that will take you through the stunning landscapes.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Positano?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Marseille and Positano.

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.

Positano is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The main street in town is lined with quaint shops that sell local lemon products, ceramics, clothing, and more.

Is Marseille or Positano Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Positano does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Positano does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Positano Better for Families?

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

Positano is a family-friendly Mediterranean village. Fun activities include boat rides, eating gelato, and hanging out at the beach. Some of the best family-friendly beaches are Spiaggia Grande, Fornillo Beach, and Arienzo Beach.

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 Positano Better for Couples?

Positano is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Positano has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It is a picturesque coast town that is both romantic and fun. Wandering through the streets and sampling Italian food make this the perfect honeymoon getaway.

Couples visit Marseille frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is Marseille or Positano Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Positano 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.

Positano is a good city to visit for backpackers. The town has a handful of great hostels that make the Amalfi Coast accessible to backpackers on a budget.

Is Marseille or Positano Better for Students?

Marseille is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Positano is not popular with students.

Many students visit Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Positano is not popular with students.

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

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

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 Positano, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can walk everywhere once you arrive, and the SITA bus travels to and from the town.

Is Marseille or Positano a more walkable city?

Positano 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 Positano. The town is best explored on foot. You can wander the quaint streets or take the foot path to the beach or nearby castles.

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 Positano Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Positano or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Positano?

Both Marseille and Positano have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Positano than in Marseille. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 2-7 days is enough time in Positano.

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

Couples should spend more time in Positano than Marseille. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Positano that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Positano 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 Positano.

One day in Marseille or Positano?

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.

Even though Positano is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Positano?

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.

Positano is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. 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 Mediterranean village has to offer. This Mediterranean village offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or Positano?

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.

Positano is a small town with plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this Mediterranean village makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this Mediterranean village has to offer.

A week in Marseille or Positano?

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.

Positano is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Positano, one week is sufficent for most. 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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marseille and Positano, we can see that Positano is more expensive. And not only is Marseille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Positano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Positano 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 Positano Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Positano?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 200 times larger than the population of Positano. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Positano, 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 Positano?

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 Positano in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Positano. Many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Positano in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Positano this time of the year. In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Positano during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Positano receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Marseille or Positano in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Positano. Many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Positano for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Marseille is around the same temperature as Positano. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marseille in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Positano averages at about 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 Positano. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Positano receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Positano. Marseille usually gets less rain in October than Positano. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Positano receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Positano in the Winter?

Both Positano and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Positano because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

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

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

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

Should I visit Marseille or Positano in the Spring?

Both Positano and Marseille during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Positano this time of year.

Marseille is around the same temperature as Positano in the spring. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Positano fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the spring, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Positano. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Positano receives 189 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Positano and Marseille