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

Should you visit Marseille or Rijeka?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Rijeka, 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. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Rijeka

Rijeka is a coastal, accessible, and diverse town. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille and Rijeka: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Rijeka?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Rijeka. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Rijeka attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Marseille is more touristy than Rijeka and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port. Rijeka is famous for being a transportation hub in Croatia with a ferry and cruise ship port.

How is Marseille different from Rijeka?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rijeka. Historical sights around town include Trsat Castle, the Petar Druzic Stairway, and Our Lady of Trsat. There are also museums such as PEEK&POKE Computer Museum and the Governor's Palace and Maritime and Historical Museum.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Rijeka. It's known for its Mediterranean cuisine which includes more than seafood. There are local vegetable specialties in the area as well including asparagus and white truffles. Codfish stew and cuttlefish risotto are also popular.

Is Marseille or Rijeka Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Rijeka has a large number of nightlife venues. The city center has plenty of bars and clubs. Restaurants also stay open late and are popular places to hang out for locals and tourists alike.

Is Marseille or Rijeka Better for Beaches?

Marseille is very good for the beach. However, Rijeka is not a good town for its beaches.

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.

Rijeka is a good spot to see the beach. There are pebbly and gravelly beaches in the area, with the best beaches to the west of the city. You'll need to take a public bus to reach most of them.

Is Marseille or Rijeka Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Rijeka 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.

Rijeka does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Rijeka?

Marseille is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Rijeka. There are many shopping centers, retail stores, and souvenir shops around town.

Is Marseille or Rijeka Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for its Christmas markets. However, Rijeka 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.

Rijeka does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Rijeka Better for Families?

Rijeka 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 Rijeka. The city has a number of outdoor activities for kids like nature parks and nearby beaches. There's also a puppet theater as well as the Astronomical Center of Rijeka.

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 Rijeka Better for Couples?

Marseille is a well-known place for couples. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

Marseille is a very popular place to visit for couples. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Rijeka is a nice destination for couples. It's a gateway to the Croatian islands. Many couples enjoy walking down the waterfront promenade or dining at a nice local restaurant. There are also beaches, parks, and historical sights to explore.

Is Marseille or Rijeka Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Rijeka 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.

Rijeka is a good city to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of affordable hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Marseille or Rijeka Better for Students?

Marseille is a well-known place for students. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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

Plenty of students visit Rijeka. It's a laid back seaside city that makes a nice semester abroad destination. As a gateway to the Croatian islands, it also offers transportation connections to other points of interest.

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

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

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 Rijeka, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KD Autrolej buses provide transit throughout the city.

Is Marseille or Rijeka a more walkable city?

Marseille is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Rijeka is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its 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.

Rijeka is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Rijeka or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Rijeka?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Marseille or Rijeka to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Marseille than Rijeka 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 Rijeka.

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

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

A weekend in Marseille or Rijeka?

Marseille is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Rijeka. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or Rijeka?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the slow-paced town of Rijeka. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Rijeka?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Marseille. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Rijeka 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 Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marseille and Rijeka, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Rijeka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rijeka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rijeka 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 Rijeka.

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Rijeka?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Rijeka. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Rijeka, 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 Rijeka?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Marseille or Rijeka in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Rijeka. Most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rijeka because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rijeka. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the summer, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Rijeka. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Rijeka in the Autumn?

Both Rijeka and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.

In the autumn, Marseille is around the same temperature as Rijeka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marseille in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Rijeka averages at about 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during autumn. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marseille usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marseille or Rijeka in the Winter?

Both Rijeka and Marseille during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rijeka for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Marseille is generally a little warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 7°C (44°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Rijeka. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in January than Rijeka. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Rijeka in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Rijeka. Many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rijeka in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

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

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Rijeka during spring. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marseille usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Marseille