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

Should you visit Marseille or Urbino?

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

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

Urbino

Urbino is a authentic, laid back, and historic town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille and Urbino: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Known for Christmas markets
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular old town
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Marseille or Urbino?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille. Although Marseille and Urbino are popular destinations, Marseille has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Urbino attracts visitors for its museums. Marseille is more touristy than Urbino and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port. Urbino is famous for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is Marseille different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Marseille
Urbino

Urbino 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 Urbino. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.


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

Marseille
Urbino

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Urbino makes for a great culinary experience. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

Is Marseille or Urbino Better for Nightlife?

Marseille
Urbino

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Urbino. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

Is Marseille or Urbino Better for Beaches?

Marseille
Urbino

Marseille is a city with good options for the beach. However, Urbino is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Marseille. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Urbino is not a beach destination.


Is Marseille or Urbino Better for its Old Town?

Marseille
Urbino

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its 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.

Many visitors go to Urbino to see the historical old town. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Urbino?

Marseille
Urbino

Marseille is great for its shopping areas. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

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.

Urbino is a great destination for shopping. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is Marseille or Urbino Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille
Urbino

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

Urbino does not offer Christmas markets.


Is Marseille or Urbino Better for Families?

Marseille
Urbino

Neither Marseille nor Urbino 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.

Urbino doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is Marseille or Urbino Better for Couples?

Marseille
Urbino

Marseille and Urbino 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 Urbino frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

Is Marseille or Urbino Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille
Urbino

Marseille is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination for backpackers.

Marseille is a good city to visit for backpackers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.


Is Marseille or Urbino Better for Students?

Marseille
Urbino

Both Marseille and Urbino 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 Urbino. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

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

Marseille
Urbino

Marseille is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Marseille offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Marseille or Urbino a more walkable city?

Marseille
Urbino

Marseille is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.


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

Should I spend more time in Urbino or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Urbino?

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

Families should spend more time in Marseille than Urbino. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Urbino. 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 Urbino 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.


  • How many days in Marseille or Urbino? Ideal Length of Stay
    Marseille 2-3 
    Urbino 1-2

One day in Marseille or Urbino?

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 Urbino. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Urbino has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Urbino?

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 historic destination of Urbino. 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 Urbino?

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 laid back town of Urbino. 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 Urbino?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic 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.

Urbino 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Urbino or Marseille?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Marseille is €148, while the average daily cost in Urbino is €118. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Marseille and Urbino in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Marseille 71
    Urbino 53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Marseille 142
    Urbino 106
Compare Hotels in Marseille and Urbino

Looking for a hotel in Marseille or Urbino? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Marseille


Hotels in Urbino


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Marseille Hotel Prices and Urbino Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Marseille 28
    Urbino 44
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Marseille

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Marseille:


  • Metro Pass
    3.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marseille

Also for Marseille, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Between Marseille Airport and Nice Airport: $1,176
  • Private Transfer from Nice to Marseille: $738
  • Cannes Private Transfer to Marseille Airport: $642
  • Marseille or Aix ⟷Transfer to Nice 7 pax: $534
  • Marseille Airport private Transfer to Cannes: $448
  • Marseille Airport Transfer From/to Avignon: $356
  • Private transfer from Marseille Airport to Cavaillon: $279
  • Private Transfer from Marseille Airport to Avignon: $273
  • Marseille Provence Airport transfer ↔ Avignon: $267
  • Marseille Airport: VIP transfer to Baumaniere: $251
  • Marseille Provence One Way Airport transfer to Gordes: $251
  • Private Transfer Marseille to Saint Tropez With 2h Stop in Toulon: $241

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Urbino

Also for Urbino, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Borgo Maggiore to Rimini (RMI) Airport: $108

Is it cheaper to fly into Marseille or Urbino?

Prices for flights to both Urbino and Marseille change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Marseille 42
    Urbino 39
Typical Food Prices in Marseille

For Marseille, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Orangina
    2.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marseille

For Marseille, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Web-cooking workshop / French cuisine or French pastry: $35
  • No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Marseille! (Cours Julien): $63
  • Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $74
  • Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Drinks: $86
  • Sunset Boat Cruise with Dinner and Drinks: $86
  • Bakeries, Chocolate & Patisseries Food Tour: $93
  • Sunset Apéro Food tour: $95
  • Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $97
  • Marseille Sunset Apéro Food tour: $97
  • Evening Food Tour with Tastings: $102
  • Sunset Sailing Dinner in the Frioul Archipelago: $102
  • Marseille Miam Miam Food tour: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Marseille 38
    Urbino 15

Tours and Activities in Marseille

For Marseille, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • "Old Marseille" district tour and treasure hunt: $29
  • 2H: City-Tour Marseille: $274
  • 3h Kayak Tour at Calanques National Park: $67
  • A Day in Provence Small Group Tour from Marseille: $180
  • Aix-en-Provence: Half-Day Shore Excursion Tour: $642
  • All Inclusive Food & History Tour of Marseille with Local Guide: $144
  • Beer tasting experience in Marseille: $43
  • Bookbinding experience in the Vieux Port: $93
  • Calanques National Park Guided Hiking Tour: $50
  • Calanques National Park Kayak Day Tour: $112
  • Calanques Trilogy Electric Bike Tour from Marseille: $65
  • Canyoning Half Day Tour from La Ciotat : $67

Tours and Activities in Urbino

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Urbino.

  • E-BIKE Tour San Marino for couples: $114
  • Entrance Ticket - Titanus Museum: Multimedia Experience: $8.68
  • From Montefeltro Tour with Truffle Lunch: $396
  • Guided Tour of San Marino at Sunset with aperitif included: $184
  • Guided group tour of Ducal Palace and National Gallery: $94
  • Private Guided Tour with Aperitif in Winebar in San Marino: $92
  • Private Tour of San Marino: UNESCO World Heritage Site: $172
  • Private tour with Welcome KIT in San Marino: $136
  • San Marino Scavenger Hunt and Sightseeing Tour: $8.97
  • San Marino’s Starlit Stroll: A Christmas Walking Tour: $153
  • San Marino: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • San Marino: Food Tasting Tour: $195

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Marseille 27
    Urbino 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Marseille

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marseille:

  • Marseille Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $21
  • Marseille Riviera Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $22
  • Marseille Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $43
  • New Year's Eve Bar Crawl Marseille France: $96
  • Delicious Food and Wine Tour: $117
  • Bandol and Cassis: Full Day Wine Tour from Marseille: $143
  • Luberon: Full-Day Wine Tour from Marseille: $143
  • Full-day Wine Tour around Bandol & Cassis from Marseille: $146
  • Full-Day Wine Tour around Luberon from Marseille: $146
  • Côtes du Rhône Wine tour: Avignon, Palace of the Popes: $164
  • Small Group Marseille Shore Excursion : Avignon & Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tour: $164
  • Marseille Shore Excursion - Full Day Wine Tour in Provence: $164


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

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


Which is Bigger, Marseille or Urbino?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Urbino. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Urbino, 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Urbino. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Urbino for the family-friendly experiences.

Marseille is around the same temperature as Urbino in the summer. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Urbino fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Urbino. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Marseille 24°C (75°F) 
    Urbino 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Marseille or Urbino in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Urbino. Many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Urbino in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Marseille is around the same temperature as Urbino. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marseille in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Urbino averages at about 15°C (59°F).

Marseille usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Urbino. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Marseille 16°C (61°F) 
    Urbino 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Marseille or Urbino in the Winter?

Both Urbino and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Marseille in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Urbino for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Urbino can be very cold during winter. In January, Marseille is generally much warmer than Urbino. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 7°C (44°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, Marseille usually receives more rain than Urbino. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Marseille 7°C (44°F) 
    Urbino 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Marseille or Urbino in the Spring?

Both Urbino and Marseille during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Urbino because of the natural beauty.

Marseille is around the same temperature as Urbino in the spring. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Urbino fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Marseille usually gets less rain in April than Urbino. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Marseille 13°C (56°F) 
    Urbino 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Urbino and Marseille

Marseille Urbino
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 3°C (37°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 8°C (46°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 5°C (42°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar 10°C (50°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 23°C (73°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 22°C (71°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 20°C (69°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 19°C (67°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Nov 11°C (51°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 9°C (49°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 4°C (39°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)