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

Should you visit Porto or Marseille?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Porto and Marseille can help you decide which place is right for you.

Porto

Porto is a cultural, cosmopolitan, and dynamic port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Porto and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Porto or Marseille?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Porto than Marseille. While Marseille is larger than Porto, Porto has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Porto is better known for its museums and big city activities, while Marseille is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Porto is well known for its authentic old town and the local port wine. Also, Porto is famous for Cais da Ribeira. Marseille is well known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

How is Porto different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Porto 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 Porto can be an interesting and educational experience. With such a long history, there are many landmarks and sights in the city. Popular attractions include the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and Igreja de São Francisco.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Porto and Marseille offer terrific local cuisine and restaurants.

Porto has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The area's cuisine combines the ocean setting with the agriculture of the surrounding area, so you'll enjoy both seafood dishes as well as fresh meats and vegetables. The area is also famous for its Port wines and red wines. There are plenty of cellar tours as well was waterfront seafood restaurants to choose from.

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.

Is Porto or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is very popular for nightlife. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife and partying.

Marseille is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Porto offers plenty to do in the evening. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Is Porto or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is very good for its beaches. However, Porto is not a beach destination.

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.

Porto is not a beach destination.

Is Porto or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is very popular for its historic old town. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its old town.

Marseille has a world-famous historical area. 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.

Many visitors go to Porto to see the historical old town. Known as Porto Ribeira, the city's historic district is the most visited part of the town. It begins on the banks of the River Douro and climbs into the hills behind it.

Is the Shopping Better in Porto or Marseille?

Marseille is a great city for shopping. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Porto offers some nice shopping areas. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

Is Porto or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for visiting Christmas markets. However, Porto does not offer Christmas markets.

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

Porto does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Porto or Marseille Better for Families?

Porto 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 Porto. The city has several cool museums including the interactive museum - The World of Discoveries. There are also parks, playgrounds, zoos, and aquariums that you can explore. For families that enjoy being outside, this is a great city. Kids will enjoy spotting street art, riding the funicular, and taking a cellar tour. If the kids need a break from the city, head to the beach for the day.

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 Porto or Marseille Better for Couples?

Both Porto and Marseille are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Porto is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. You can visit the palaces, enjoy shopping, or dine in a nice Portuguese restaurant. Take a cellar tour and sample port then catch a ride on the funicular. This city has plenty for couples to do on a romantic getaway.

Marseille is a very popular place to visit for couples. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is Porto or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Porto 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 Porto, as it is a very popular port city for budget travelers. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers in the area.

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

Is Porto or Marseille Better for Students?

For students, both Porto and Marseille are excellent places to visit.

Porto is very popular with students. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

Marseille is a great port city to visit as a student. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

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

Porto 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 Porto can get you to most places easily. There is a metro system as well as a bus system. While the metro system does have six lines, most stations aren't close to the tourist attractions, so it likely won't be that helpful to visitors.

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 Porto or Marseille a more walkable city?

Porto and Marseille are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Porto is very walkable. The city center is very compact with most of the sights within a short walk of each other. The area is also very hilly, so getting from place to place can require a bit of effort.

Marseille is a very walkable port city. 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 Porto Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Porto?

How long in Porto or Marseille?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Porto. 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 Porto 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 Porto.

One day in Porto or Marseille?

People visit Porto because there is so much to do. 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, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this energetic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Porto or Marseille?

People visit Porto because there is so much to do. 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 port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Porto or Marseille?

People visit Porto because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this port city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer.

Marseille is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Porto or Marseille?

Porto 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the vibrant destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Porto or Marseille?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Porto and Marseille. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Porto this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Porto is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 21°C (69°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Porto, it's very sunny this time of the year. Porto usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Porto gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Porto usually receives more rain than Marseille. Porto gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Porto or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Porto as well as Marseille. Many travelers come to Porto for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Porto is around the same temperature as Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Porto averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the autumn, Porto often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Porto gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Porto usually gets more rain in October than Marseille. Porto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porto or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Porto are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Porto in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Porto is a little warmer than Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Porto in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Marseille averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Porto usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Porto gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Porto. In January, Porto usually receives more rain than Marseille. Porto gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Porto or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Porto during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Porto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Porto is generally around the same temperature as Marseille. Daily temperatures in Porto average around 14°C (56°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Porto. In the spring, Porto often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Porto gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. Porto usually gets more rain in April than Marseille. Porto gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Porto