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

Should you visit Nafplio or Marseille?

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

Should I visit Nafplio or Marseille? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Nafplio

Nafplio is a picturesque, romantic, and beautiful 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. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Nafplio and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Marseille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille. Although Nafplio and Marseille are popular destinations, Marseille has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Nafplio attracts visitors for its museums. Nafplio is famous for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port.

How is Nafplio different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nafplio 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 Nafplio can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a number of historic sights that are accessible from the town. One of the most iconic sights is the Palamidi Castle. You'll also find several fortresses in the area. There's also an archeological museum in town as well as the Folklore Museum.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Nafplio makes for a great culinary experience. The local restaurants serve up traditional Greek dishes that are local to the region and country. You'll find fresh seafood on most menus as well as moussaka, souvlaki, the famous Greek salad.

Is Nafplio or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Marseille is a world class 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.

The people in Nafplio know how to have a good time. You'll find a good concentration of bars and clubs along the waterfront. There are also a number of smaller bars and cafes near Syntagma Square and the nearby streets. In the later hours, many bars turn up the music and turn into dance clubs.

Is Nafplio or Marseille Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Nafplio and Marseille are nice choices.

Nafplio is a good option for a beach vacation. If you head outside of the city, you'll find some nice beaches where you can spend a day. The most notable beaches in the area are Tolo, Kandia, and Nea Kios.

Many people head to Marseille to enjoy the beach. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Is Nafplio or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Nafplio. The charming old town spreads out from Syntagma Square. It's a great place to start your day with many cafes spilling into the streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Nafplio or Marseille?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Nafplio is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

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.

Nafplio is a great destination for shopping. Shopping in the old town is charming, but for the best retail options, you'll actually want to visit the new town. There are a variety of clothing and fashion outlets, with some of the best shopping streets being Sidiras Merarchias, Argous, and Asklipiou.

Is Nafplio or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Nafplio 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.

Nafplio does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Nafplio or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Nafplio is a family-friendly city. The charming, car-free center is fun to explore for all ages. There are several archeological sights around town as well as playgrounds and a great castle.

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 Nafplio or Marseille Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Nafplio and Marseille make for a very good place to visit.

Nafplio makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Many people consider this to be one of the most romantic towns in Greece. You can explore the quaint village center and sample the cuisine at one of the many restaurants. It's easy to reach from Athens and the seaside setting is perfect any time of the year.

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 Nafplio or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nafplio and Marseille are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nafplio. There are pensions and other affordable accommodation options around town, if you decide to spend a night here.

Marseille is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Nafplio or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Nafplio 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.

Nafplio is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Nafplio and Marseille.

Nafplio has some public transit options. There are buses through the region that are operated by KTEL Argolidas. Most routes leave from the central bus station.

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 Nafplio or Marseille a more walkable city?

Nafplio 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 Nafplio. There are parts of the center of town that are car-free and there are many great areas that you can explore 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 Nafplio Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nafplio and Marseille. In our opinion, Marseille has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Marseille than Nafplio. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Nafplio. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

In Marseille, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Nafplio or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the romantic destination of Nafplio. 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.

In Marseille, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Marseille has to offer.

Five days in Nafplio or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful city of Nafplio. 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.

Marseille is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Nafplio or Marseille?

Nafplio 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Marseille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Nafplio. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio 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 Nafplio or Marseille?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nafplio or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Nafplio are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nafplio for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Nafplio is around the same temperature as Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during summer. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nafplio usually receives less rain than Marseille. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nafplio or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Nafplio during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nafplio in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Nafplio is a little warmer than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nafplio in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the autumn, Nafplio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually gets more rain in October than Marseille. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nafplio and Marseille. Most visitors come to Nafplio for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Nafplio is generally much warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 10°C (51°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Nafplio usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nafplio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Marseille. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nafplio or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Marseille. The spring months attract visitors to Nafplio because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nafplio this time of the year. In the spring, Nafplio often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Marseille. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Nafplio