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

Should you visit Marseille or Zaragoza?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Zaragoza, 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. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Zaragoza

Zaragoza is a historical, compact, and authentic city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille and Zaragoza: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Zaragoza?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Zaragoza. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Zaragoza attracts visitors for its museums. Marseille is more touristy than Zaragoza and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port. Zaragoza is famous for its grand landmarks, local cuisine, and rich cultural scene.

How is Marseille different from Zaragoza?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza can be an interesting and educational experience. For such a small city, it really has a large number of cultural and historical attractions. The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is the most recognizable sight, but there's also the Museum of the Roman Forum of Caesaraugusta, the cathedral of Zaragoza, and the Aljafería Palace, among others.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Zaragoza. There are authentic restaurants that cater to locals and tourists alike. You'll also find some interesting food tours around town. Tapas are popular, as is chocolate and fresh, traditional recipes.

Is Marseille or Zaragoza Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Zaragoza. The nightlife is at its best on weekends, when students and young locals head out on the town. Many evenings start with tapas and wine, but there are nightclubs and dancing as well.

Is Marseille or Zaragoza Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Zaragoza is not a beach destination.

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.

Zaragoza is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Zaragoza Better for its Old Town?

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

Zaragoza is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is small but filled with monumental buildings and an authentic atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Zaragoza?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Marseille and Zaragoza.

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.

Zaragoza is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has many local shops selling locally produced items and interesting souvenirs. There are also boutiques, markets, and vintage shops that are fun to browse though.

Is Marseille or Zaragoza Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Zaragoza does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille has Christmas markets worth visiting. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Zaragoza does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Zaragoza Better for Families?

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

Zaragoza is a family-friendly city. When your kids get their fill of architecture and history, you can head to the Zaragoza Aquarium. Also worth a visit is the Emoz Museum, which is an origami museum. And if you need a break from sightseeing, take a kayak out on the Ebro River.

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 Zaragoza Better for Couples?

Marseille and Zaragoza are both superb 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 Zaragoza frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with culture, beauty, and monumental buildings, this is a small and romantic city. It's particularly romantic at night when the streets are quiet and many of the buildings are lit up.

Is Marseille or Zaragoza Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are enough hostels around town to choose from, and while it's not the backpacker haven that some Spanish cities are, it still sees a good number of young travelers.

Is Marseille or Zaragoza Better for Students?

Marseille is notable for students. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Zaragoza. International students enjoy this small city because it has a local vibe where they can practice their Spanish and enjoy an authentic experience.

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

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza can get you to most places easily. There are buses and trams around the city.

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 Zaragoza a more walkable city?

Marseille and Zaragoza are superb 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.

Zaragoza is very walkable. The city center is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Zaragoza or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Zaragoza?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Marseille and Zaragoza. In our opinion, Marseille has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Marseille than Zaragoza. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 1-3 days is enough time in Zaragoza.

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

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

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.

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

A weekend in Marseille or Zaragoza?

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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Zaragoza. 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 Zaragoza?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Zaragoza. 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 Zaragoza?

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.

Zaragoza 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 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Zaragoza?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Zaragoza. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Zaragoza, 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 Zaragoza?

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 Zaragoza in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Zaragoza. The summer months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zaragoza this time of year.

Marseille is around the same temperature as Zaragoza in the summer. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Zaragoza fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zaragoza. 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 Zaragoza. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 344 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Zaragoza. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Zaragoza in the Autumn?

Both Zaragoza and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zaragoza for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Marseille is around the same temperature as Zaragoza. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marseille in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Zaragoza averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zaragoza during autumn. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marseille usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marseille or Zaragoza in the Winter?

Both Zaragoza and Marseille during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Zaragoza in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Marseille is generally cooler than Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 7°C (44°F), and Zaragoza fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Zaragoza. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 131 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets more rain in January than Zaragoza. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Zaragoza in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Zaragoza. Many visitors come to Marseille in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Zaragoza for the natural beauty during these months.

Marseille is cooler than Zaragoza in the spring. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Zaragoza fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zaragoza this time of the year. In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Zaragoza during spring. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marseille usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zaragoza and Marseille