A Travel Price Comparison for France Strasbourg vs. Marseille for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Strasbourg or Marseille?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Strasbourg and Marseille can help you decide which place is right for you.

Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a quaint, historic, and charming city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Strasbourg and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Strasbourg or Marseille?

You'll generally find more things to do in Marseille than Strasbourg. Marseille is bigger than Strasbourg, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Marseille is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Strasbourg is more popular for its museums. Strasbourg is well known for its charming beauty, its impressive cathedral, and its quaint houses. Marseille is well known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Also, Marseille is famous for The Vieux Port.

How is Strasbourg different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg can be an interesting and educational experience. It is filled with grand monuments and historic landmarks. Many are concentrated in La Petite France and highlights include Strasbourg Cathedral, Barrage Vauban, Ponts Couverts, and Église Saint-Thomas.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Marseille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Strasbourg. The cuisine combines French and German flavors for rich and hearty flavors. Popular dishes include Tarte Flambée, Alsatian Sausages, and Baeckeoffe (meat and vegetable stew). Also make sure you sample the Sauerkraut, munster cheese, and Reisling wine.

Is Strasbourg or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

People head to Marseille just to party. 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 Strasbourg. It's most famous for its monuments and charm, but the city also has plenty to do at night. The liveliest areas are The Krutenau (for students and tourists alike), The Grande-île, and La Petite France.

Is Strasbourg or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is very good for its beaches. However, Strasbourg is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Marseille to enjoy the beach. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Strasbourg is not a beach destination.

Is Strasbourg or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Strasbourg and Marseille are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

The historic old town of Strasbourg is revered around the world. Known as La Petite France, the old town is filled with charming squares, historic monuments, and beautiful architecture.

With a famous historical old-town, Marseille offers plenty to see. 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 Strasbourg or Marseille?

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Strasbourg. The city center is filled with pedestrian shopping streets and boutique stores. For some of the best shopping make sure you check out the main thoroughfare of Grand'Rue. If you want to pick up some trinkets or souvenirs, head to Place de la Cathédrale, and for department store shopping head to Galeries Lafayette Strasbourg.

Marseille is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Is Strasbourg or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for visiting Christmas markets. However, Strasbourg does not offer Christmas markets.

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

Strasbourg does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Strasbourg or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Strasbourg is a family-friendly city. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to Zoo de l’Orangerie or La Montagne des Singes. If the kids need to stretch their legs you can head to Deux-Rives Garden or on a rainy day check out Planetarium De Strasbourg or the Historical Museum of the City of Strasbourg.

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 Strasbourg or Marseille Better for Couples?

Both Strasbourg and Marseille are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Strasbourg is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the region and it is filled with romance. There is beautiful architecture, romantic restaurants, wine tours, and flower filled parks. The scenic squares and grand cathedrals offer a truly perfect couples getaway.

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 Strasbourg or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Strasbourg and Marseille are notable places to visit.

Strasbourg is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The city has a handful of hostels that offer affordable accommodation for those on a shoestring budget.

It's common for backpackers to visit Marseille. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Strasbourg or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Strasbourg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Marseille is very popular with students. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Strasbourg is a good city to visit for students. Students appreciate the mix of traditional culture and international opportunities.

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

Strasbourg 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 Strasbourg can get you to most places easily. The city has six tramlines and a number of bus routes.

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 Strasbourg or Marseille a more walkable city?

Strasbourg and Marseille are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Strasbourg is very walkable. One of the best ways to explore the city is on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Strasbourg?

How long in Strasbourg or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Strasbourg and Marseille. In our opinion, Marseille has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Marseille than Strasbourg. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Strasbourg. 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.

With shopping and nightlife around the energetic city of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Strasbourg or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the impressive destination of Strasbourg. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Strasbourg or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Strasbourg. 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.

Marseille, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Strasbourg or Marseille?

Strasbourg 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Strasbourg or Marseille?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Strasbourg and Marseille. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Strasbourg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Strasbourg is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Strasbourg average around 20°C (68°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Strasbourg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Strasbourg usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Strasbourg gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Strasbourg usually receives more rain than Marseille. Strasbourg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Strasbourg as well as Marseille. Many travelers come to Strasbourg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Strasbourg is cooler than Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Strasbourg averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the autumn, Strasbourg often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Strasbourg gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Strasbourg usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Strasbourg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Strasbourg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Strasbourg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Strasbourg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Strasbourg is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Strasbourg in January average around 2°C (35°F), and Marseille averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Strasbourg usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Strasbourg gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Strasbourg usually receives less rain than Marseille. Strasbourg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Strasbourg or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Strasbourg during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Strasbourg for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Strasbourg is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Strasbourg average around 11°C (51°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Strasbourg often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Strasbourg gets 161 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Marseille and Strasbourg