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

Europe / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Santorini or Marseille?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini 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.

Santorini

Santorini is a romantic, stunning, and historic island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Santorini and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Santorini
Pros
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere
Cons
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
Marseille
Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Good nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere
Cons
  • Less family-friendly


How is Santorini different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Santorini or Marseille Better for Food?

Santorini
Marseille

Foodies will appreciated the dining options available in Marseille a bit more than Santorini.

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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Santorini area. Popular foods on this island include fava, Greek salad, and kofta.


Is Santorini or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Santorini
Marseille

For nightlife, head to Marseille instead of Santorini.

The nightlife in Marseille is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Santorini. It is one of the calmer, more romantic islands in Greece. For the best nightlife, you'll want to stay near Fira.

Is Santorini or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Santorini
Marseille

Both Santorini and Marseille have beaches worth visiting.

Santorini has a beach worth visiting. The island has many beaches, most of which are made of black pebbly sand that are a result of the island's volcanic history. Popular beaches include Perissa Beach, Kamari Beach, and Perivolos 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 Santorini or Marseille Better for Shopping?

Santorini
Marseille

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

Santorini is well-known for its shopping. Towns around the island are filled with clothing and jewelry boutiques as well as many unique Greek shopping experiences.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Is Santorini or Marseille Better for Families?

Santorini
Marseille

Santorini and Marseille are both fun destinations for the whole family.

Santorini offers lots of family activities. It is a calmer destination than many of the Greek Islands. While it's a great place to relax with kids, the beaches aren't as good as they are on some of the other islands. Most families hang out in Kamari and Perissa Beach.

Marseille is not the most family-friendly destination. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.


Is Santorini or Marseille Better for Couples?

Santorini
Marseille

Santorini and Marseille are both fun to visit as a couple.

Santorini has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It is a dream honeymoon destination that is famous for its picturesque setting and luxury resorts. For many couples, this is a top pick for a romantic trip to the Greek Isles.

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.

Is Santorini or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santorini
Marseille

For backpackers, both Santorini and Marseille are fairly comparable places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Santorini. The island has its share of 5 star resorts, but if you head a few streets in you'll find some surprisingly affordable accommodation. Backpackers are welcomed on the island and beaches are free, so it's possible to get by on a relatively low budget.

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

Is Santorini or Marseille Better for Public Transit?

Santorini
Marseille

Santorini and Marseille both offer public transit to get you around.

While Santorini offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system, KTEL Santorini Buses, that runs 23 buses during the summer months but only a small fraction of that operate during the winter months.

Marseille has a few public transit options. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Santorini or Marseille a more walkable city?

Santorini
Marseille

Santorini and Marseille are similar when it comes to walkability.

Santorini is a somewhat walkable place. Many towns on the island are walkable, including Fira, but the actual island is too large to explore 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.


Should I spend more time in Marseille or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santorini and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Santorini than Marseille.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Santorini is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Marseille is 2-3 days.


  • How many days in Santorini or Marseille? Ideal Length of Stay
    Santorini 3-7 
    Marseille 2-3

One day in Santorini or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and food around the quaint island of Santorini. 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.

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 Santorini or Marseille?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the romantic destination of Santorini. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the energetic 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 Santorini or Marseille?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the historic island of Santorini. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

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 Santorini or Marseille?

Santorini is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santorini, one week is sufficent for most. 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.

Which city is cheaper, Marseille or Santorini?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €131, while the average daily cost in Marseille is €117. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Santorini and Marseille in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini €66
    Marseille €56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini €132
    Marseille €112
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Marseille

Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Marseille? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Santorini


Hotels in Marseille


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Santorini Hotel Prices and Marseille Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini €23
    Marseille €23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Santorini Airport&Port all destination except OIA up to 4 customer: $37
  • Tour of Caldera on Sailing Boat & Bus Transfer:Volcano-Hot springs-Thirassia-Oia: $75
  • Shared Transfer Service: $17
  • Private Transfer to/from Santorini Airport (JTR): $50
  • Private Airport Transfer: $25
  • Santorini transfer service: $17
  • Santorini Taxi Service & Airport, Hotel and Port Transfers: $62
  • Santorini Airport to Hotel: Private Arrival Transfer: $45
  • Santorini Airport Hotels Transfer Shuttle Bus Service: $27
  • Premium Santorini Private Day Tour Lagoon 450, BBQ, drinks, transfer: $933
  • Oia Sunset: Evening Shuttle Transfer and Free Time: $23
  • Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $2,839

Typical Local Transportation prices in Marseille

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Marseille:


  • Metro Pass
    €3.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marseille

Also for Marseille, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport transfer Marseille Airport to Barcelone: $1,991
  • Transfer from Marseille Cruise Terminal to Avignon: $730
  • Transfer from the Port of Marseille to Cassis: $730
  • Marseille Airport transfer to Nice: $730
  • Transfer from marseille Cruise Terminal to Aix en Provence: $650
  • Transfer from marseille Cruise Terminal to Arles: $650
  • Marseille Airport Transfer to Nimes: $498
  • transfer Marseille Airport to Nimes: $479
  • Marseille Airport Transfer to Orange: $379
  • Transfer Marseille Center to Avignon Center: $333
  • Marseille Airport Transfer to les baux de Provence: $332
  • Transfer from Les Baux de Provence or St Remy de Provence to Airport of Marseille: $311

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Marseille?

Prices for flights to both Marseille and Santorini change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Santorini €38
    Marseille €34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini

For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Live Virtual Cooking Class: $26
  • A taste of Mediterranean Cuisine Dinner: $90
  • Hands on Cooking Class with a Chef: $90
  • Fira: 4-Hour Walking Food Tour With Tastings: $108
  • Sunset Sea Kayak and Snorkel with Dinner: $108
  • Santorini : Sunset Sea Kayak & Snorkel with Dinner: $118
  • Santorini : Cooking Class, Easy Hike, and Snorkeling: $131
  • Cooking Class with Santorini’s Aroma: $506
  • Full-Day Royalty Private Cooking Class and Tour in Santorini: $506
  • Cooking Class with Santorini’s Aroma: $546
  • Santorini Private Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner, Drinks &Transfer included: $1,350

Typical Food prices in Marseille

For Marseille, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Orangina
    €2.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marseille

For Marseille, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 3-Hour Shore Excursion Walking Food Tour: $85
  • Cool Food Tour and Street art Marseille: $106
  • Great Marseille Food Tour Experience: $107
  • Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $108
  • Food Tour Excursion in Provence !: $771

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santorini €29
    Marseille €30

Tours and Activities in Santorini

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.

  • 3 Hour Santorini Walking Tour with Hotel Pickup: $50
  • 5-Hour Santorini Photography Day Tour: $606
  • Discover Prehistoric Akrotiri & Winery Tour: $182
  • Explore Akrotiri GroupTour: $583
  • Exploring the Myth of Santorini - Full Day Tour: $133
  • From Athens: Overnight Tour to Santorini: $373
  • From Folegandros Private Rib Boat Tour: $2,725
  • Full-Day Royalty Private Wine Walking Tour in Santorini: $428
  • Full-Day Santorini Southeastern Side Tour with Drink Tasting: $127
  • Half-Day Private Santorini Tour with Hidden Beaches: $323
  • Half-Day Walking Tour in Santorini with Canava Ouzo Visit: $413
  • Highlits Of Santorini Private Tour: $560

Tours and Activities in Marseille

For Marseille, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 4 Hour Tour Aix-en-Provence Highlights: $584
  • 5-Hour Private Sightseeing Tour of the Provence from Marseille in Luxury Car: $724
  • Aix en Provence & Cassis Private Day Tour Marseille Shore excursion: $771
  • Aix en Provence & Cassis Tour: $1,039
  • Aix en Provence & Marseille Tour: $1,039
  • Aix en Provence Tour from Marseille: $81
  • Aix en Provence and Cassis Small Group Tour from Marseille: $107
  • Aix en Provence and Cassis full day private tour: $1,867
  • Aix en Provence, Marseille and Cassis Tour: $1,014
  • Aix-en-Provence, Avignon & Chateauneuf-du-Pape Private Day Tour from Marseille: $933
  • Aix-en-Provence, Cassis and Marseille Small-Group Tour from Marseille: $134
  • Alpilles & Arles Experience : Private Chauffeur: $547

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santorini €21
    Marseille €22

Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini

Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • 4-Hours Santorini Vothonas Village Tour with Wine Tasting: $89
  • Authentic Santorinian Tour at Vothonas Village with Wine Tasting: $93
  • Half-Day Santorini Tour Vothonas Village with Wine Tasting: $93
  • Santorini-Wine Tour Αround Megalochori Village: $111
  • Sunset and Wine Tasting Tour by Electric Bike: $114
  • Santorini-Wine Tour Around Megalochori Village: $117
  • Santorini-Wine Tour Around Megalochori Village: $124
  • Santorini-Sunset Caldera’s View from Megalochori with Wine Tasting: $134
  • Santorini-Sunset Caldera’s View from Megalochori with Wine Tasting: $140
  • Half-Day Sunset Wine Tasting Tour in Santorini with Pick Up: $141
  • Santorini Wine Tasting and History Small Group Tour: $153
  • 4-Hour Sunset Wine Tour: $159

Sample the Local Flavors in Marseille

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Marseille:

  • Aix en Provence Full-Day Wine Tour from Marseille: $137
  • Full-Day Wine Tour around Luberon from Marseille: $137
  • Full-day Wine Tour around Bandol & Cassis from Marseille: $137
  • Marseille Shore Excursion - Full Day Wine Tour in Provence: $137
  • Marseille Shore Excursion - Private Full Day Wine Tour in Provence: $348
  • Provence wine tour of vineyards & the best foods & wine of Provence private tour: $404
  • Provence Private Wine Tasting Tour from Marseille: $435
  • Wine tour of Châteauneuf du Pape, gastronomy, wines & joie de vivre private tour: $435
  • Aix en Povence Private Half Day Tour including Wine Tasting from Marseille: $523
  • Coteaux d'Aix: Ste Victoire Wine Tour & Cezanne Mill Visit: $567
  • Bandol Wine Tour - 4 hour Private tour: $650
  • Coteaux D'Aix : Half Day Wine Tour: $650

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Santorini and Marseille, we can see that Santorini 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.

Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Paphos vs. Santorini
Paphos vs. Marseille
Santorini vs. Mykonos
Santorini vs. Kos
Santorini vs. Ios
Santorini vs. Antalya
Santorini vs. Rhodes
Santorini vs. Portimao
Santorini vs. Lagos
Santorini vs. Faro
Santorini vs. Albufeira
Santorini vs. Corfu
Santorini vs. Valencia
Santorini vs. Palma de Mallorca
Santorini vs. Marbella
Santorini vs. Malaga
Santorini vs. Cadiz
Santorini vs. Almeria
Santorini vs. Valletta
Santorini vs. Toulon
Santorini vs. Saint-Tropez
Santorini vs. Nice
Santorini vs. Montpellier
Santorini vs. Monaco
Santorini vs. Cannes
Santorini vs. Barcelona
Santorini vs. Ventimiglia
Santorini vs. Venice
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Santorini vs. Marseille Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.