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

Should you visit Salzburg or Marseille?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Marseille, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a recognizable, historic, and beautiful city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Salzburg and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Marseille?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Salzburg than Marseille. While Marseille is larger than Salzburg, Salzburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Salzburg is very popular for its museums, music, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Marseille attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, beaches, and christmas markets. Salzburg is more touristy than Marseille and is popular for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also well known for The Salzburg Old Town. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Salzburg different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Salzburg. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

Is Salzburg or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Salzburg or Marseille Better for Music?

Salzburg is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Marseille is not a live music destination.

Salzburg has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Marseille is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Salzburg is not a beach destination.

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

Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Is Salzburg or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg and Marseille both have amazing historical old towns that attract visitors.

Salzburg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

The old town of Marseille is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Marseille?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg specifically to go shopping. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

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 Salzburg or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Salzburg does not offer Christmas markets.

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

Salzburg does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Salzburg or Marseille Better for Families?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

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 Salzburg or Marseille Better for Couples?

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

Salzburg has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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 Salzburg or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Salzburg is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Salzburg. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

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

Is Salzburg or Marseille Better for Students?

Salzburg is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Salzburg is a great destination for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Students come from all over to stay in Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg can get you to most places easily. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

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 Salzburg or Marseille a more walkable city?

Salzburg and Marseille both are superb when exploring on foot.

Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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 Salzburg Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Marseille?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg 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 Salzburg.

One day in Salzburg or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the quaint city of Salzburg. 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.

The beautiful city of Marseille offers nightlife and food. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Marseille?

You'll find live music and food around the musical destination of Salzburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Marseille is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Marseille, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Marseille?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic city of Salzburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Marseille is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salzburg or Marseille?

Salzburg 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.

Marseille is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Marseille?

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

Both Marseille and Salzburg during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

Salzburg is cooler than Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Salzburg. In the summer, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Marseille. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Salzburg is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salzburg in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Marseille. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Salzburg or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Marseille. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Marseille in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Salzburg. In January, Salzburg is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around -0°C (31°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Salzburg is cooler than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Salzburg usually receives more rain than Marseille. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Salzburg