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

Should you visit Marseille or Volterra?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Volterra, 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. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Volterra

Volterra is a charming, medieval, and cultural town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Marseille and Volterra: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Volterra?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Marseille than Volterra, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Marseille is better known for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Volterra is more popular for its museums and small town charm. Marseille is more touristy than Volterra and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port. Volterra is well known for its medieval history, its hilltop setting and its alabaster.

How is Marseille different from Volterra?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Volterra 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 Volterra can be an interesting and educational experience. For such a large town there are a huge number of historic sights packed into a small area. Check out the Roman Theater, the Etruscan Museum, and the Duomo.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Marseille and Volterra both to be fantastic destinations.

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.

Many restaurants in Volterra have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The town is surrounded by the region of truffles, so you'll find this item included in all kinds of recipes. Pumpkin sauce is also a specialty of the area and there are also many local cheeses. Many restaurants also have bruschetta as an appetizer.

Is Marseille or Volterra Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is terrific for nightlife. However, Volterra is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Marseille is a must-see party destination. 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.

Volterra doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are cozy bars and cafes where you can sip wine and soak up the atmosphere, but the town isn't known as a nightlife destination.

Is Marseille or Volterra Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a popular place for its beaches. However, Volterra is not a beach destination.

Marseille is a good option for a beach vacation. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Volterra is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Volterra Better for its Old Town?

Marseille and Volterra both have fantastic 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, Volterra offers plenty to see. The walled town is perched on a hilltop and dates back to the 8th century BC. Visitors come specifically to explore its winding streets and stunning setting.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Volterra?

Marseille is well known for shopping. Also, Volterra is still popular, but not quite as popular 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 Volterra. Some of the streets are lined with boutique shops and one of the most popular things to buy in town is Alabaster. You'll also find plenty of Italian wine from the nearby vineyards.

Is Marseille or Volterra Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for its Christmas markets. However, Volterra does not offer Christmas markets.

Many visitors go to the Christmas markets in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Volterra does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Volterra Better for Families?

Volterra is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Volterra is a family-friendly town. If you have a Twilight fan, this town is home to the Volturi, who are the royal family of vampires. For everyone else, its a charming town with medieval walls and wandering alleys that kids will enjoy exploring.

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 Volterra Better for Couples?

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

Volterra has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's unique atmosphere, amazing food, and medieval style make for a unique and world class couples destination. While many people visit as a day trip, you can spend the night and soak up the evening atmosphere as well.

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 Volterra Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Volterra 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.

Volterra is a good city to visit for backpackers. There's only one or two hostels in town, so if you're looking for a more social backpacker setting, then this may not be your spot. It does make for a great day trip though and if you're more interested in culture than meeting other backpackers, then definitely stop by.

Is Marseille or Volterra Better for Students?

Marseille is well known for students. However, Volterra is not popular with students.

Marseille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Volterra is not popular with students.

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

Marseille is a popular place for its public transit. However, Volterra is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Volterra. Public transit isn't necessary as the city is best explored on foot.

Is Marseille or Volterra a more walkable city?

Volterra is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Volterra. Most people explore the town on foot.

Marseille is very walkable. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Volterra or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Volterra?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Volterra than Marseille. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Volterra that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

The beautiful city of Marseille offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Even though Volterra is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Volterra has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Volterra?

Marseille is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Marseille, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Volterra is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and food. 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 town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or Volterra?

Marseille is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Volterra is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Volterra?

Marseille is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Volterra 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Volterra?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Volterra. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Volterra, 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 Volterra?

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 Volterra in the Summer?

Both Volterra and Marseille during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Volterra for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Marseille is around the same temperature as Volterra. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marseille in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Volterra averages at about 23°C (74°F).

In Volterra, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the summer, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Volterra. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Volterra receives 316 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Volterra. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Volterra in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Volterra. Most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Volterra because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Volterra during autumn. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Volterra receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Volterra receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Marseille usually receives less rain than Volterra. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marseille or Volterra in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Volterra. The winter months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Volterra this time of year.

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

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

Marseille usually gets less rain in January than Volterra. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Volterra in the Spring?

Both Volterra and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Volterra for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Marseille is around the same temperature as Volterra. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marseille in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Volterra averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Volterra during spring. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Volterra receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marseille usually receives less rain than Volterra. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Volterra receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Volterra and Marseille