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

Should you visit Southampton or Marseille?

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

Should I visit Southampton 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.

Southampton

Southampton is a dynamic, up-and-coming, and waterfront port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. 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. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Southampton and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Marseille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille than Southampton, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Southampton is known for its museums. Marseille is more touristy than Southampton and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port. Southampton is popular for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports.

How is Southampton different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Southampton 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 Southampton. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Southampton area. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

Is Southampton or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Southampton. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

Is Southampton or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a popular place for the beache. However, Southampton 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.

Southampton is not a beach destination.

Is Southampton or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Southampton 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.

Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Marseille?

Marseille is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its shopping areas.

Marseille is well-known for its shopping. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Many visitors go to Southampton to go shopping. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

Is Southampton or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Southampton 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.

Southampton does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Southampton or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Southampton is a family-friendly port city. This cruise port city offers a handful of fascinating activities for kids including learning about the Mayflower and the Titanic. There are also many parks and gardens as well as the Mayflower Theater, which regularly has kid-family productions.

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 Southampton or Marseille Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Southampton and Marseille make for a very good place to visit.

Southampton is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

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 Southampton or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Southampton or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Southampton 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.

Southampton is not popular with students.

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

Marseille is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Southampton. There are buses around town that make some areas accessible even without a car.

Is Southampton or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its ease of walking around.

Marseille is a very walkable city. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.

Southampton is a somewhat walkable port city. It's possible to walk in parts of Southampton but in general it's easier to take a taxi.

For even more information, also check out Is Southampton Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Marseille?

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the port city of Southampton. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Southampton has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Southampton or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the up-and-coming destination of Southampton. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic destination of Marseille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Southampton or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the up-and-coming port city of Southampton. 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.

The energetic city of Marseille offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Southampton or Marseille?

Southampton 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.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Marseille. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Southampton. When comparing the sizes of Southampton 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 Southampton 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 Southampton or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Marseille. Many travelers come to Southampton for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Southampton is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Southampton in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Southampton usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Southampton usually receives more rain than Marseille. Southampton gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Southampton or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Marseille. Many visitors come to Southampton in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Southampton is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 12°C (53°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the autumn, Southampton often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Southampton gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Southampton gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Southampton or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Southampton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Southampton 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.

Southampton can be very cold during winter. Southampton is much colder than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Southampton usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Southampton gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Southampton usually receives more rain than Marseille. Southampton gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Southampton or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Southampton during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Southampton because of the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In the spring, Southampton is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Southampton in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Southampton often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Southampton gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Marseille. Southampton gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Southampton