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

Should you visit Marseille or Siena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Siena, 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. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Siena

Siena is a charming, medieval, and history city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Siena?

You'll generally find more things to do in Marseille than Siena. Marseille is bigger than Siena, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Marseille is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Siena is more popular for its museums 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. Siena is well known for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace.

How is Marseille different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Siena is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Siena can be an interesting and educational experience. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city 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.

Siena has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Is Marseille or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is very popular for nightlife. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Marseille or Siena Better for Beaches?

Marseille is very good for its beaches. However, Siena 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.

Siena is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Marseille and Siena both have terrific 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, Siena offers plenty to see. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Siena?

Marseille is notable for shopping. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Marseille is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Marseille or Siena Better for Christmas Markets?

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

Siena does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Siena Better for Families?

Neither Marseille nor Siena are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

Marseille is not always a place people visit with their families. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Siena doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Marseille or Siena Better for Couples?

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

Siena has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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 Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Siena 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.

Siena is a good city to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Marseille or Siena Better for Students?

Both Marseille and Siena are excellent destinations 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Siena. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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

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

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 Siena, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Marseille or Siena a more walkable city?

Marseille and Siena are excellent 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.

Siena is very walkable. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Siena?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marseille than Siena 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 Siena?

In Marseille, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this energetic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

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

A weekend in Marseille or Siena?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Siena. 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.

Five days in Marseille or Siena?

Marseille is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming city of Siena. 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.

A week in Marseille or Siena?

You'll find nightlife and food around the energetic destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Siena 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Siena?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Siena, 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 Siena?

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 Siena in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Marseille is around the same temperature as Siena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marseille in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Siena averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Siena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the summer, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Siena. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Siena. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Siena in the Autumn?

Both Siena 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 shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

In October, Marseille is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 16°C (61°F), and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Siena during autumn. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Marseille or Siena in the Winter?

Both Siena 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. Also, many travelers come to Siena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Marseille is around the same temperature as Siena in the winter. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Siena. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in January than Siena. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Siena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Siena. Many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Marseille is around the same temperature as Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marseille in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Siena during spring. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marseille usually receives less rain than Siena. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and Marseille