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

Should you visit Marseille or Zadar?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Zadar, 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Zadar

Zadar is a relaxed, coastal, and vibrant town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marseille and Zadar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Zadar?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille than Zadar, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Zadar is known for its museums, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Marseille is more touristy than Zadar and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port. Zadar is popular for its historical sights and waterfront setting.

How is Marseille different from Zadar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Zadar 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 Zadar. The old town is like a living museum, with city walls and a historic gate. The Church of St. Donatus, Zadar Cathedral, and the Zadar Archaeological Museum are all fascinating places to visit in town, but if you're looking for the most unique sight, make sure you check out The Sea Organ and The Sun Salutation.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Marseille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Zadar has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town is filled with outdoor cafes that serve up a healthy and delicious selection of recipes. The ingredients are fresh and local with olive oil and seafood making frequent appearances on the menus. Prices are also reasonable.

Is Marseille or Zadar Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Zadar. The town comes to life at night when the bars and restaurants fill with people chatting and socializing. This is an easy place to enjoy the evening as almost all of the nightlife venues are within a five minute walk of each other.

Is Marseille or Zadar Better for Resorts?

Zadar is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Marseille is not a resort destination.

Zadar is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. If you want a beachfront resort, there are a number of nice options outside of town.

Marseille is not a resort destination.

Is Marseille or Zadar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Zadar is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Zadar has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. This is an easy place to snorkel because the water is so clear. There are also half and full day snorkeling trips that take you to some of the best spots.

Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marseille or Zadar Better for Beaches?

Zadar is an excellent place to visit for the beach. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Zadar. There are some nice beaches outside of town with one of the most famous being Sakarun Beach, which is part of the Zadar archipelago. There are a handful of beaches nearby that are pebbly and popular with the locals. These include Puntamika Beach and Beach Borik.

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.

Is Marseille or Zadar Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its old town. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its historic old town charm.

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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Zadar. The small old town is filled with charm and character. It's a walled medieval town that can easily be explored in a few hours.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Zadar?

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

Marseille is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Zadar has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are small, boutique shops around the old town that sell designer merchandise. There are also shopping malls on the outskirts of town.

Is Marseille or Zadar Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for its Christmas markets. However, Zadar 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.

Zadar does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Zadar Better for Families?

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

Zadar is a family-friendly town. It's fun to explore the small medieval old town, but the kids will also appreciate getting out of town and enjoying the nearby activities. It's definitely worth visiting Pag Island or any of the other natural settings that are nearby. There are also several beaches near town. In town, make sure you hear the Sea Organ and dance at the Sun Salutation.

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 Zadar Better for Couples?

Marseille and Zadar are both very good 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 Zadar frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This charming seaside town is fun to explore as a couple. There's a walled medieval town that is small and easy to wander around. There are also nearby beaches and great restaurants to explore. A highlight of a visit is watching the stunning sunsets by the water.

Is Marseille or Zadar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zadar is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Zadar. There's no shortage of hostels in town and you'll find backpackers, students, and budget travelers everywhere.

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

Is Marseille or Zadar Better for Students?

Both Marseille and Zadar are very good 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 Zadar. The laid back lifestyle and low cost of living make this a great place to be a student. It's a relaxed environment with many nearby places to explore.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Marseille and Zadar.

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 Zadar, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are 11 bus lines that travel around town.

Is Marseille or Zadar a more walkable city?

Marseille and Zadar are very good 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.

Zadar is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable and can easily be explored on foot in a few hours.

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

Should I spend more time in Zadar or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Zadar?

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

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

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

One day in Marseille or Zadar?

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 nightlife and food around the town of Zadar. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zadar has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Zadar?

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 food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the relaxed destination of Zadar. 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 Zadar?

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 scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the laid back town of Zadar. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Zadar?

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.

Zadar is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Croatia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Zadar?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Zadar. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Zadar, 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 Zadar?

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 Zadar in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Zadar. Many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Zadar for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Marseille is generally cooler than Zadar. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 24°C (75°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zadar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the summer, Marseille often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zadar. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 345 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Zadar. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Zadar in the Autumn?

Both Zadar and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Zadar because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Marseille is cooler than Zadar in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Zadar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Zadar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zadar during autumn. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marseille usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zadar. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marseille or Zadar in the Winter?

Both Zadar and Marseille during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zadar this time of year.

In the winter, Marseille is cooler than Zadar. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marseille in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Zadar averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Zadar. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 128 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in January than Zadar. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Zadar in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Zadar. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Zadar for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Marseille is generally cooler than Zadar. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 13°C (56°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zadar this time of the year. In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Zadar during spring. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marseille usually receives less rain than Zadar. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zadar and Marseille