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

Should you visit Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a high energy, modern, and trendy port city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rotterdam or Marseille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Rotterdam. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Rotterdam attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Marseille is more touristy than Rotterdam and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port. Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

How is Rotterdam different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rotterdam is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rotterdam. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its local cuisine and 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.

Rotterdam offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Is Rotterdam or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Marseille has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Rotterdam has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

Is Rotterdam or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a good destination for the beach. However, Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

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

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Is Rotterdam or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Marseille offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rotterdam or Marseille?

If you're looking to go shopping, Rotterdam and Marseille both offer plenty of great spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

Marseille is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Is Rotterdam or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Rotterdam or Marseille Better for Families?

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

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 Rotterdam or Marseille Better for Couples?

Marseille is great for couples. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Marseille is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Rotterdam is a nice destination for couples. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Is Rotterdam or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Rotterdam and Marseille are nice places to visit.

Plenty of backpackers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

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

Is Rotterdam or Marseille Better for Students?

For students, both Rotterdam and Marseille are great places to visit.

Many students visit Rotterdam. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Marseille is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

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

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam can get you to most places easily. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

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 Rotterdam or Marseille a more walkable city?

Rotterdam and Marseille are great when it comes to walkability.

Rotterdam is a very walkable destination. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

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 Rotterdam Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Rotterdam?

How long in Rotterdam or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rotterdam and Marseille. In our opinion, Marseille has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Marseille than Rotterdam. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Rotterdam, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

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

People visit Rotterdam because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rotterdam has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint city of Marseille. 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.

A weekend in Rotterdam or Marseille?

People visit Rotterdam because there is so much to do. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Marseille. 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.

Five days in Rotterdam or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the trendy port city of Rotterdam. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Marseille. 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.

A week in Rotterdam or Marseille?

Rotterdam 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.

Marseille 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Marseille. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Rotterdam is cooler than Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Rotterdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Marseille. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Marseille. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Rotterdam is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rotterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the autumn, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. In January, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Marseille. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rotterdam or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Rotterdam during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Rotterdam is much colder than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Rotterdam usually gets more rain in April than Marseille. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Rotterdam