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

Should you visit Riga or Marseille?

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

Should I visit Riga 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.

Riga

Riga is a vibrant, fun, and high energy city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Riga and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Riga or Marseille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Riga. Although Riga and Marseille are both popular with visitors, Riga has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Riga is more popular for its museums and big city activities, while Marseille is known for its food, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Marseille is more touristy than Riga and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Riga is popular for its vibrant nightlife scene, busy old town, and beautiful architecture. It is also home to Riga St. Peter's Church.

How is Riga different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Riga 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 Riga can be an interesting and educational experience. As a capital city with a diverse history, you'll find a number of museums and landmarks in the area. Visitors frequently visit The Freedom Monument, St. Peters Church, the Riga Cathedral, The House of the Black Heads, and any of the many museums around town.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Riga is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Riga has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city offers a great opportunity to try many Latvian specialties including rasol (a potato salad), pelmeni (a Latvian dumpling), and karbonade (kind of like schnitzel). The cuisine is hearty and filling with lots of bread, dumpling, and meats. Riga is also where you'll find the largest food market in Europe, which is the perfect place to wander and pick up some local items.

Is Riga or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are fantastic in both Riga and Marseille.

Riga is a world class party destination. Despite being a small city, this capital has gained a reputation for its party atmosphere. The historic center comes to life in the evenings, particularly between Wednesdays and Saturdays. The area is compact enough that you can walk from club to club and prices are reasonable.

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 Riga or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a popular place for the beache. However, Riga is not a beach destination.

Marseille is a good option for a beach vacation. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Riga is not a beach destination.

Is Riga or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its old town. Also, Riga is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

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 Riga. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming architecture. The city is less touristy than many places in Europe so you can usually avoid the large crowds and enjoy a peaceful walk. During the evening you'll find the area turns into an entertainment district with many clubs and bars.

Is the Shopping Better in Riga or Marseille?

Both Riga and Marseille are very good shopping destinations.

Riga is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Some of the most interesting shopping in the city is in the old town. Prices might be a little more expensive than you expect but it's possible to find some unique items. The city also has many markets, including the largest food market in Europe, which is a must-see.

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.

Is Riga or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for its Christmas markets. However, Riga 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.

Riga does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Riga or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Riga is a family-friendly city. During the winter months, there are a number of museums that are fun to explore with kids including the Nature Museum, the Railroad Museum, the Aviation Technology Museum, and the Riga Firefighter Museum. There are also several indoor play areas. When the weather is warmer there are a number of outdoor parks and playgrounds to explore.

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 Riga or Marseille Better for Couples?

Marseille is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Riga is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Riga is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a charming old town that you can explore, taking time to relax in the city squares or sip coffee at a cafe. There are also many nice restaurants that will make for a romantic date night.

Is Riga or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Riga 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 Riga, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. There are many affordable hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can grab a cheap meal. The city offers a great European experience at a fraction of the price of many cities.

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

Is Riga or Marseille Better for Students?

Riga and Marseille are both very good destinations for students and younger travelers.

Riga is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city's affordability and vibrant atmosphere make it a great spot for international students. There are many places to hang out and a lively nightlife scene that appeals to young travelers.

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

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

Riga 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 Riga can get you to most places easily. Transportation options include buses, trolleybuses, and trams.

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 Riga or Marseille a more walkable city?

Riga and Marseille both are very good when exploring on foot.

Riga is a very walkable city. The city is small enough that most areas can 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 Riga Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Riga?

How long in Riga or Marseille?

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

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

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

One day in Riga or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Riga. 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Riga or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Riga. 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.

Marseille is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Riga or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the off-the-beaten-path city of Riga. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Marseille. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Riga or Marseille?

Riga 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.

The energetic city of Marseille offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Riga or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Riga. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga 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 Riga or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Riga during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Riga is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Marseille. Many visitors come to Riga in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, 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 October, Riga is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In October, Riga usually receives less rain than Marseille. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Riga or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Riga as well as Marseille. Most visitors come to Riga 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.

Riga can be very cold during winter. Riga is much colder than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in January than Marseille. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Riga because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In the spring, Riga is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In April, Riga usually receives less rain than Marseille. Riga gets 39 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 Riga