A Travel Price Comparison for France Montpellier vs. Marseille for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Beaches

Should you visit Montpellier or Marseille?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Montpellier and Marseille. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a friendly, historic, and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Montpellier and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Montpellier or Marseille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Montpellier. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Montpellier attracts visitors for its museums and beaches. Marseille is more touristy than Montpellier and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port. Montpellier is famous for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality.

How is Montpellier different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Marseille and Montpellier. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Montpellier or Marseille?

Montpellier 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 Montpellier can be an interesting and educational experience. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Marseille, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Montpellier or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Montpellier has a few options to choose from. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Montpellier or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Montpellier 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 Montpellier. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

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 Montpellier or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the world-class old town areas in both Montpellier and Marseille.

With a famous historical old-town, Montpellier offers plenty to see. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

The rich history of Marseille can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Montpellier or Marseille?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Marseille and Montpellier.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Is Montpellier or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for its Christmas markets. However, Montpellier does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Montpellier does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Montpellier or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Montpellier is a family-friendly city. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

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 Montpellier or Marseille Better for Couples?

Montpellier and Marseille both great destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Montpellier frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Marseille is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is Montpellier or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier 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 Montpellier. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

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

Is Montpellier or Marseille Better for Students?

Montpellier is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Montpellier is a great destination for students. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

Students come from all over to stay in Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

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

Montpellier 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 Montpellier can get you to most places easily. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

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 Montpellier or Marseille a more walkable city?

Montpellier and Marseille both are great when exploring on foot.

Montpellier is a very walkable destination. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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 Montpellier Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Montpellier?

How long in Montpellier or Marseille?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montpellier 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 Montpellier.

One day in Montpellier or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Montpellier. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Montpellier has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the energetic city of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Montpellier or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Montpellier. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Marseille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Montpellier or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly city of Montpellier. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The vibrant city of Marseille offers shopping and nightlife. 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. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Montpellier or Marseille?

Montpellier is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Marseille. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Montpellier or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Montpellier. When comparing the sizes of Montpellier and Marseille, 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 Montpellier or Marseille?

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 Montpellier or Marseille in the Summer?

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

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montpellier this time of the year. In the summer, Montpellier often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Montpellier gets 351 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Montpellier usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Montpellier gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montpellier or Marseille in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Montpellier is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montpellier in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Montpellier usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Montpellier gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Montpellier. In October, Montpellier usually receives more rain than Marseille. Montpellier gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Montpellier or Marseille in the Winter?

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

In January, Montpellier is generally around the same temperature as Marseille. Daily temperatures in Montpellier average around 7°C (44°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Montpellier often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Montpellier gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Montpellier usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Montpellier gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montpellier or Marseille in the Spring?

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

Montpellier is around the same temperature as Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Montpellier averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Montpellier, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montpellier usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during spring. Montpellier gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Montpellier usually receives more rain than Marseille. Montpellier gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Montpellier