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

Should you visit Portimao 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 Portimao 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.

Portimao

Portimao is a colorful, stunning, and dramatic coastal city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

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.

Portimao and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portimao or Marseille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille. Although Portimao 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 Portimao attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Portimao is more touristy than Marseille and is popular for it's dramatic and beautiful beaches and its many activities. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port.

How is Portimao different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Marseille is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for its restaurants.

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.

Portimao offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many resorts have attached restaurants where visitors often find themselves dining. For a slightly more local vibe, you can check out one of the many restaurants around town. Much of the restaurant scene is centered around the Alvor District where you'll find unique options that serve local dishes mixed in with some international choices. The city is most famous for its grilled sardines, which are considered a local specialty.

Is Portimao or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Portimao is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for nightlife.

Marseille is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Portimao has a large number of nightlife venues. The city's nightlife scene is mostly found around Praia da Rocha. It's a compact area that makes it easy to hop from bar to bar on foot. Particularly during the summer months you'll find plenty of parties and all night activities that draw a crowd. Sunset boat parties are also a popular activity in the area.

Is Portimao or Marseille Better for Resorts?

Portimao is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Marseille is not a resort destination.

Portimao offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The area has all types of resorts, from all-inclusive options to luxury or more family-friendly. Many of the resorts are surprisingly affordable and offer easy access to the beach.

Marseille is not a resort destination.

Is Portimao or Marseille Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Portimao is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Portimao to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. The best water conditions are during the summer months but this is also when the beaches are crowded and swimmers can kick up a lot of sand. There are a variety of vendors where you can book snorkeling or diving trips in the area.

Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Portimao or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Portimao is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

The beaches in Portimao are among the best in the world. The stunning beaches are a major draw to the area. They are sandy and feature a backdrop of dramatic red cliffs. The most popular beach in town is Praia da Rocha, which can get crowded during the summer months, but it is quite large so you should still be able to find a spot. The strip behind the beach is lined with shops, bars, restaurants, and a casino. If you want to avoid some of the crowds you can make the walk down to Praia do Vau. Families often enjoy Praia de Alvor, which has a boardwalk that leads to Ria de Alvor nature reserve.

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 Portimao or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Portimao does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Marseille is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

Portimao does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Portimao or Marseille?

Marseille is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Portimao is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Portimao. It's the second largest city in the Algarve so you'll find several large and modern shopping centers including Aqua Portimão.

Is Portimao or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for its Christmas markets. However, Portimao 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.

Portimao does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Portimao or Marseille Better for Families?

Portimao is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Portimao is an amazing family-friendly coastal city to visit. Kids will love the wide range of activities available near Portimao. They can kayak through caves, see an underwater world snorkeling, learn to surf, visit waterparks, explore nature parks, and more. There are activities that the whole family can enjoy, making this stretch of coastline the perfect option for those traveling with kids.

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 Portimao or Marseille Better for Couples?

Portimao is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Portimao has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful stretch of coastline offers unique beaches and stunning outdoor activities. It makes a wonderful honeymoon destination for couples who enjoy adventure, pampering, and romantic resorts. There are great restaurants as well as places to relax or activities for thrill seekers.

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 Portimao or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Portimao and Marseille are nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Portimao. Most people think of high end resorts when they think of the Mediterranean coast, but there are a couple of hostels available for backpackers. You should also consider transportation options. While buses are available, many visitors prefer to have access to a car so they can experience the outlying regions. The good news is the area in general is not particularly expensive so you can enjoy a touch of luxury at a lower cost.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Marseille. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Portimao or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a well-known place for students. However, Portimao is not popular with students.

Many students visit Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Portimao is not popular with students.

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

Marseille is a good destination for its public transit. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for times when you don't have a car.

Marseille has a few public transit options. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Public transit is mostly limited in Portimao. There are local buses around town but many routes don't run on weekends.

Is Portimao or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for its 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.

Portimao is generally not a very walkable coastal city. While there are some nice walks along the coastline, the city is fairly large and spread out with many resorts located far from the center of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Portimao?

How long in Portimao or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Portimao and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Portimao than in Marseille. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Portimao, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

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

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the coastal city of Portimao. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

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.

A weekend in Portimao or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Portimao. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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.

Five days in Portimao or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the stunning coastal city of Portimao. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

A week in Portimao or Marseille?

Portimao 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, The Best Bicycle Tours in Portugal, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Portimao and Marseille, we can see that Portimao 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 Portimao Expensive? and Is Marseille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Portimao or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Portimao. When comparing the sizes of Portimao 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 Portimao 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 Portimao or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Portimao during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Portimao in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Portimao is around the same temperature as Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Portimao averages around 25°C (78°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Portimao usually gets less rain in July than Marseille. Portimao gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portimao or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Portimao and Marseille. Most visitors come to Portimao for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Portimao is a little warmer than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Portimao in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In October, Portimao usually receives less rain than Marseille. Portimao gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Portimao or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Portimao as well as Marseille. The winter months attract visitors to Portimao because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In January, Portimao is generally much warmer than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Portimao average around 11°C (52°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Portimao usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Portimao gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portimao or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Portimao are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Portimao this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Portimao is a little warmer than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Portimao averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In April, Portimao usually receives less rain than Marseille. Portimao gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Portimao