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

Should you visit Marseille or Trieste?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Trieste, 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. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Trieste

Trieste is a energetic, diverse, and cultural city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and museums.

Marseille and Trieste: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Trieste?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Trieste. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Trieste attracts visitors for its museums. Marseille is more touristy than Trieste and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port. Trieste is famous for its Adriatic harbor and its Austrian heritage.

How is Marseille different from Trieste?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Trieste 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 Trieste. Because Trieste was part of Austria for such a long stretch of time, you'll find that it looks different from many Italian cities. This is also evident in the different architectural and historic monuments around town. Major landmarks and sights include Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, which is the largest square in the old part of the city, Miramare Castle, San Giusto Castle, Museum Riseria di San Sabba, and the Cathedral of San Giusto.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Trieste offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It's hard to pinpoint exactly how to categorize the local cuisine. It's been influenced by the city's Austro-Hungarian past and you'll find Austrian, Slovenian, and even Croatian flavors. The food scene is often overlooked for more famous Italian cities, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to enjoy. Make sure you try jota (a bean, potato, and sauerkraut stew), calandraca (a salted meat stew), and gulasch alla triestina (a local twist on goulash. The city is also a coffee capital in Italy.

Is Marseille or Trieste Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

The nightlife in Marseille is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Trieste has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's not known as a party destination, there is a laid-back nightlife scene that usually involves a late night enjoying drinks at a local bar with friends. Many establishments blur the café and bar concepts, but you'll find a number of lively bars west of Piazza Unità in the trendy Cavana neighborhood. There always seems to be something new in the area worth checking out.

Is Marseille or Trieste Better for Beaches?

Both Marseille and Trieste 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 Trieste. The beaches tend to be pebbly, but they are a nice way to experience the sea. Locals still refer to it as "bathing" in the sea, a throwback to years past. The most common beach to visit is Ausonia, which is at the bottom of the Rive past the port of Sacchetta. Nearby are La Lanterna, also called Pedocin. This area still separates men and women in the bathing areas.

Is Marseille or Trieste Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Marseille offers plenty to see. 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.

Many visitors go to Trieste to see the historical old town. The old town highlights the diversity of cultures and influences from the city's past.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Trieste?

Marseille is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Marseille or Trieste Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a city with good options for visiting Christmas markets. However, Trieste 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.

Trieste does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Trieste Better for Families?

Trieste 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 Trieste. The caves, adventure parks, and interactive museums all make for a fun family vacation. Make sure you check out Grotta Gigante, which will impress kids and adults alike. The Museum of Natural History has a collection of fossils that any dinosaur lover will appreciate, and Trieste Adventure Park is filled with ropes courses and ziplines. Finally, a visit to Miramare Castle will spark every child's imagination.

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 Trieste Better for Couples?

Marseille and Trieste are both high quality 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 Trieste frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Visit the castles, cathedrals, and historic monuments, experience the atmosphere of the city's historic center, people watch in one of the grand piazzas, and watch the city light up at night. There are so many romantic sides to this cultural Italian city.

Is Marseille or Trieste Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Trieste 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.

Trieste is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's often overlooked for more popular Italian city's but there is still a lot that this under-rated city has to offer. You'll also find hostels for every budget and a youthful energy that will bring the city to life.

Is Marseille or Trieste Better for Students?

Both Marseille and Trieste are high quality 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 Trieste. Italy attracts students from around the globe and this city is no exception. The city's diverse population and unique cultural opportunities make it a great place to study abroad or immerse yourself in university life.

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

Trieste is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Trieste can get you to most places easily. There are buses and trams to help you get around town.

You'll find some public transit in Marseille, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Marseille or Trieste a more walkable city?

Marseille and Trieste 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.

Trieste is very walkable. It's a hilly city, but it's also very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Trieste or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Trieste?

It's fun to spend time in either Marseille or Trieste. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Trieste due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 2-4 days is enough time in Trieste.

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

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

In Marseille, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find food and museums around the city of Trieste. 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 Trieste?

In Marseille, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Marseille has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Trieste. 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 Trieste?

Marseille is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse city of Trieste. 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 Trieste?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Marseille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Trieste 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Trieste?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Trieste. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Trieste, 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 Trieste?

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 Trieste in the Summer?

Both Trieste 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 Trieste for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Trieste. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Trieste during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Trieste. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or Trieste in the Autumn?

Both Trieste 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 Trieste in the autumn for the natural beauty of the area.

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

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the autumn, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Trieste. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 167 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in October than Trieste. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Trieste in the Winter?

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

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

Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Trieste during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marseille usually receives less rain than Trieste. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or Trieste in the Spring?

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

Marseille is around the same temperature as Trieste in the spring. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Trieste fluctuates around 13°C (56°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 Trieste. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 177 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in April than Trieste. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Trieste and Marseille