A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Munich vs. Marseille for Food, Nightlife, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Munich or Marseille?

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

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

Munich

Munich is a economically thriving, bustling, and high energy city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

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.

Munich and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Munich or Marseille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Munich than Marseille. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Munich is very popular for its museums, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Marseille attracts visitors for its food, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Munich is famous for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also well known for The Nymphenburg Palace. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

How is Munich different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Munich 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 Munich can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Munich is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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 Munich. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Munich or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Munich and Marseille.

Munich is a world class party destination. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

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.

Is Munich or Marseille Better for Music?

Munich is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Marseille is not a live music destination.

Munich has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Marseille is not a live music destination.

Is Munich or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Munich 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.

Munich is not a beach destination.

Is Munich or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Munich does not have a historic old town.

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.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Munich or Marseille?

Munich is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Munich specifically to go shopping. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

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.

Is Munich or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Munich 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.

Munich does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Munich or Marseille Better for Families?

Munich is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Munich. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

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 Munich or Marseille Better for Couples?

Munich and Marseille are both superb to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Munich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

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 Munich or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Munich, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

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

Is Munich or Marseille Better for Students?

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

Munich is a great destination for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

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

Munich is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Munich can get you around easily. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

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 Munich or Marseille a more walkable city?

Munich and Marseille both are superb when exploring on foot.

Munich is a very walkable destination. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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 Munich Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Munich?

How long in Munich or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Munich and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Munich than in Marseille. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Munich, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

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

One day in Munich or Marseille?

People visit Munich because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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.

A weekend in Munich or Marseille?

People visit Munich because there is so much to do. 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.

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.

Five days in Munich or Marseille?

People visit Munich because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

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.

A week in Munich or Marseille?

Munich 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, The Best Walking Tours in Germany, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Munich and Marseille, we can see that Munich is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Munich or Marseille?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Marseille. When comparing the sizes of Munich 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 Munich 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 Munich or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Munich as well as Marseille. The summer months attract visitors to Munich because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

Munich is cooler than Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 20°C (68°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 Munich this time of the year. In the summer, Munich often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Munich gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Munich usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Munich gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Munich or Marseille in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Munich is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Munich in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Munich usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Munich gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Munich usually receives less rain than Marseille. Munich gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Munich or Marseille in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Munich. In January, Munich is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Munich average around -1°C (31°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Munich often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Munich gets 30 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Munich usually gets less rain in January than Marseille. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Munich or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Munich and Marseille. Many visitors come to Munich in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Munich is cooler than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 11°C (53°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. Munich usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Munich gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Munich usually receives around the same amount of rain as Marseille. Munich gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Munich