A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Tropez vs. Marseille for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint-Tropez or Marseille?

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

Should I visit Saint-Tropez 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.

Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez is a luxurious, glamourous, and opulent resort town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

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.

Saint-Tropez and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Tropez or Marseille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille. Although Saint-Tropez and Marseille are both popular with visitors, Marseille has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Marseille is more popular for its food, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint-Tropez is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. Saint-Tropez is popular for its trendy beach clubs around the Bay of Pampelonne, as well as its popularity with celebrities and the extravagantly wealthy. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port.

How is Saint-Tropez different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Saint-Tropez or Marseille? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Saint-Tropez is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Saint-Tropez is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food is all about the local flavors. You'll find plenty of local seafood as well as local organic meats, fruits, vegetables, olive oil, garlic, and truffles. Cheese is a common ingredient as well. There are many different soups and stews, and bouillabaisse is a common fish soup found in the restaurants around town. Daube is another popular stew that is made with beef. Ratatouille is a vegetable casserole that has made a name for itself both inside and outside of France. And, of course, you have to try the local salads and pastries. Because it's such a touristy area, there are many restaurants geared specifically to the tourists, many of which are overpriced.

Is Saint-Tropez or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Saint-Tropez or Marseille has a better nightlife scene.

Saint-Tropez has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It is a place to see and be seen, so if you're looking for A-list celebrities, glamourous yacht parties, and ritzy dance clubs, then this is your place. While the nightlife scene is filled with extravagance, there are still laid back clubs where you can sip a cocktail in style. The best season to come and party is during the summer months, but you'll still find plenty to do throughout the year.

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.

Is Saint-Tropez or Marseille Better for Resorts?

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

Saint-Tropez offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Luxury and extravagance is what this resort town is all about. If you have the money to spend, you'll have no trouble finding a glamourous villa or luxury hotel where you can relax, party, or soak up the French Riviera sun.

Marseille is not a resort destination.

Is Saint-Tropez or Marseille Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Saint-Tropez is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel to Saint-Tropez specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The Gulf of Saint Tropez is one of the best places to snorkel and scuba dive along the French Riviera. There are wreck dives including the most famous, The Rubis, a submarine that is surrounded by marine life. Although you're not allowed to enter the vessel, there is still plenty to see. There are also plenty of dive spots that feature rock formations, schools of fish, and lobsters.

Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Saint-Tropez or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Saint-Tropez is an excellent place to visit for the beach. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Saint-Tropez. The beaches are frequented by celebrities, so you'll find plenty of glitz and glamour by the water. For some of the best beaches, you'll want to head a little out of town. The most famous beach in the area is Pampelonne Beach which is popular with Hollywood celebrities during the summer months. Bouillabaisse Beach is the place to go if you want to look at the yachts, but for a more natural setting head to Graniers Beach.

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 Saint-Tropez or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Saint-Tropez 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.

Saint-Tropez does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Tropez or Marseille?

Saint-Tropez is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Saint-Tropez specifically to go shopping. Surrounded by luxury, shopping is a must in this glamourous resort town. There are international luxury brands as well as local designer boutiques. Whether you're looking for yachting clothes, cigars, jewelry, or perfume, this is one of the best shopping destinations along the Cote d'Azur. Art is a particularly popular item to purchase while you're in town.

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 Saint-Tropez or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for its Christmas markets. However, Saint-Tropez 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.

Saint-Tropez does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Saint-Tropez or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Saint-Tropez is an amazing family-friendly resort town to visit. With great beaches, several amusement parks, waterparks, and even Marineland, there are an endless supply of activities for kids. There's also a zoo and nature reserve for wildlife enthusiasts. For adventure lovers, there are a number of different watersports to try and if the weather isn't cooperating, there are a few good museums and other indoor activities as well.

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 Saint-Tropez or Marseille Better for Couples?

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

Saint-Tropez has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Whether you're honeymooning or taking a short getaway to the French Riviera, this is a great option for couples. You can take a stroll at sunset, relax on one of the beautiful beaches, dine on local seafood, and soak up the rich local culture. The romance and beauty of this French Riviera city make it a world class romantic destination.

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 Saint-Tropez or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Saint-Tropez and Marseille are good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Saint-Tropez. For many backpackers it may seem cost prohibitive to visit the French Riviera, but for those with the money, it is well worth the splurge. You can save some money by staying outside of town or finding a vacation rental where you can cook meals. There are also hostels and rooms in local homes that come at a more reasonable price.

Marseille is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Saint-Tropez or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a great destination for students. However, Saint-Tropez is not popular with students.

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

Saint-Tropez is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Saint-Tropez and Marseille.

You'll find some public transit in Saint-Tropez, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system that connects many parts of the area.

While Marseille offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Saint-Tropez or Marseille a more walkable city?

Saint-Tropez is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Saint-Tropez. It's easy to explore many places on foot, passing by beautiful beaches, stunning views, impressive yachts, and glamourous villas.

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 Saint-Tropez Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Saint-Tropez?

How long in Saint-Tropez or Marseille?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Saint-Tropez than Marseille. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint-Tropez that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint-Tropez 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 Saint-Tropez.

One day in Saint-Tropez or Marseille?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the resort town of Saint-Tropez. 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.

In Marseille, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this energetic city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Saint-Tropez or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the luxurious destination of Saint-Tropez. 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 resort town has to offer. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Marseille is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Saint-Tropez or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the luxurious resort town of Saint-Tropez. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Saint-Tropez or Marseille?

Saint-Tropez 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 popular place to visit. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France, The Best Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint-Tropez or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Saint-Tropez. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Tropez 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 Saint-Tropez 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 Saint-Tropez or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint-Tropez as well as Marseille. Many travelers come to Saint-Tropez for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint-Tropez is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint-Tropez in July average around 23°C (73°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 Saint-Tropez this time of the year. In the summer, Saint-Tropez often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Saint-Tropez gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Saint-Tropez usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Saint-Tropez gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Tropez or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Saint-Tropez are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint-Tropez in the autumn for 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, Saint-Tropez is generally around the same temperature as Marseille. Daily temperatures in Saint-Tropez average around 17°C (63°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Tropez. Saint-Tropez usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during autumn. Saint-Tropez gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Saint-Tropez. In October, Saint-Tropez usually receives more rain than Marseille. Saint-Tropez gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint-Tropez or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Saint-Tropez during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saint-Tropez for 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.

Saint-Tropez is a little warmer than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint-Tropez averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Saint-Tropez often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Saint-Tropez gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Saint-Tropez usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Saint-Tropez gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Tropez or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Tropez and Marseille. The spring months attract visitors to Saint-Tropez because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In the spring, Saint-Tropez is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint-Tropez in April average around 13°C (56°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. In Saint-Tropez, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint-Tropez usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille during spring. Saint-Tropez gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint-Tropez usually receives more rain than Marseille. Saint-Tropez gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Saint-Tropez