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

Should you visit Marseille or Reykjavik?

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

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

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a green, safe, and friendly city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and hiking.

Marseille and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Reykjavik?

You'll generally find more things to do in Marseille than Reykjavik. Marseille is bigger than Reykjavik, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Marseille is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Reykjavik is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Marseille is well known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port. Reykjavik is well known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals.

How is Marseille different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Marseille or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Marseille has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Marseille or Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Reykjavik Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Marseille offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Reykjavik does not have a historic old town.

Is Marseille or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Reykjavik draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Reykjavik?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Marseille or Reykjavik Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Reykjavik does not offer 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.

Reykjavik does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

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 Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Marseille and Reykjavik are both superb to visit as a couple.

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.

Couples visit Reykjavik frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Marseille or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Reykjavik are both notable destinations for backpackers.

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

Reykjavik is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Is Marseille or Reykjavik Better for Students?

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

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

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

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

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 Reykjavik, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Marseille or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Marseille and Reykjavik are superb 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.

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Reykjavik?

In either Marseille or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Marseille because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint city of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the city of Reykjavik. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reykjavik has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Reykjavik?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Marseille. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the clean destination of Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the energetic city of Marseille. 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.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the safe city of Reykjavik. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Most people head to the area for the hiking. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Marseille or Reykjavik?

Marseille 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.

Reykjavik 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marseille and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Reykjavik?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik 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 hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

In the summer, Marseille is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marseille in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

Both Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In October, Marseille is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 16°C (61°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the autumn, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Reykjavik in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Reykjavik. Many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. Marseille is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marseille usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or Reykjavik in the Spring?

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

Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Marseille is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marseille in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°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 Reykjavik. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavik. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Marseille