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

Should you visit Potsdam 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 Potsdam and Marseille can help you decide which place is right for you.

Potsdam

Potsdam is a accessible, compact, and park-filled city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Potsdam and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Potsdam or Marseille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille than Potsdam, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Potsdam is known for its museums and small town charm. Marseille is more touristy than Potsdam and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port. Potsdam is popular for its beautiful palaces, scenic town center, and accessibility to Berlin.

How is Potsdam different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Potsdam 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 Potsdam can be an interesting and educational experience. People visit this city for its high concentration of historic sights. The Renaissance Orangery Palace is a highlight of the visit for many travelers.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is very popular for its restaurant scene. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Marseille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Potsdam has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a diverse restaurant scene, although the city is quite small. There are international restaurants as well as local venues where you can try regional specialties.

Is Potsdam or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Potsdam has a few options to choose from. The city is not far from Berlin, so head in to Germany's nightlife capital for the most famous clubs and venues. In the town of Potsdam there are cocktail bars and breweries that make for a mellow and relaxed evening.

Is Potsdam or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is very good for the beache. However, Potsdam 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.

Potsdam is not a beach destination.

Is Potsdam or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is very popular for its old town. However, Potsdam does not have a historic 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.

Potsdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Potsdam or Marseille?

Marseille is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Marseille is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Potsdam has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plazas and shopping streets that have the standard chain stores as well as antique shops and other boutiques.

Is Potsdam or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for its Christmas markets. However, Potsdam 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.

Potsdam does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Potsdam or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Potsdam is a family-friendly city. There are a number of playgrounds around town as well as several beaches by lakes that are fun for kids. Another highlight for families is a visit to Babelsberg Film Studios.

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 Potsdam or Marseille Better for Couples?

Marseille is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Potsdam is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Potsdam is a good city for couples to visit. Exploring the city and soaking up the sights is the best way for couples to enjoy their time. There are some nice hotels and restaurants in the area that make for a great date night.

Is Potsdam or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Potsdam and Marseille are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Potsdam is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels to choose from in town.

It's common for backpackers to visit Marseille. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Potsdam or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is well known for students. However, Potsdam is not popular with students.

Marseille is very popular with students. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Potsdam is not popular with students.

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

Potsdam 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 Potsdam can get you to most places easily. The city is well connected to Berlin by S-Bahn and bus.

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 Potsdam or Marseille a more walkable city?

Potsdam and Marseille both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Potsdam is a very walkable city. It's a smaller, compact city that can mostly be explored on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Potsdam?

How long in Potsdam or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Potsdam and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Marseille than in Potsdam. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Potsdam, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Potsdam. 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 Potsdam 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 Potsdam or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Potsdam. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Potsdam has to offer. 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 Potsdam or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the park-filled destination of Potsdam. 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 Potsdam or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the accessible city of Potsdam. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Potsdam or Marseille?

Potsdam 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.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Potsdam or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Potsdam. When comparing the sizes of Potsdam 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 Potsdam 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 Potsdam or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Potsdam as well as Marseille. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Potsdam this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Potsdam is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Potsdam in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Marseille averages at about 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 Potsdam this time of the year. In the summer, Potsdam often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Potsdam gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Potsdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Potsdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Potsdam for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Potsdam is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Potsdam average around 10°C (51°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Potsdam usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Potsdam gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Marseille. Potsdam gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Potsdam or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Potsdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Potsdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Potsdam can get quite cold in the winter. Potsdam is much colder than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Potsdam averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Potsdam often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Potsdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Potsdam usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Marseille. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Potsdam or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Potsdam and Marseille. Most visitors come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Potsdam is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Potsdam in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Potsdam usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Potsdam gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Potsdam usually receives less rain than Marseille. Potsdam gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Potsdam