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

Should you visit Tallinn or Marseille?

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

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

Tallinn

Tallinn is a charming, quaint, and whimsical 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 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. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Tallinn and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tallinn or Marseille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille than Tallinn, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, and christmas markets, while Tallinn is known for its museums, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Tallinn is more touristy than Marseille and is known for its well preserved old town and its active nightlife scene. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port.

How is Tallinn different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Tallinn 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 Tallinn can be an interesting and educational experience. There are beautiful historic churches, particularly in the city's old town. A highlight is the stunning Alexander Nevski Cathedral. You'll also find some unique museums around town as well as Toompea Castle.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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 Tallinn area. Food is affordable and hearty. Many dishes incorporate rye bread, pork, smoked fish, potatoes, or dairy products. You'll also find a lot of variation in dishes between seasons.

Is Tallinn or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Marseille is a world class 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.

Tallinn is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. As it's grown in popularity with tourists, the city has put itself on the map as a top party destination in Eastern Europe. There's an active bar and club scene, but there are also art venues and other creative activities for everyone.

Is Tallinn or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Tallinn 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.

Tallinn is not a beach destination.

Is Tallinn or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

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

The rich history of Tallinn can be explored in its historical center. The city's medieval old town is at the heart of it's tourist attractions. The Gothic architecture, local restaurants, and cobblestone streets give the city a fairytale charm.

Marseille has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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 Tallinn or Marseille?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Tallinn and Marseille.

Tallinn is well-known for its shopping. There's a mix of quirky shops and recognizable brands around town. Old town is a popular shopping area, as is nearby Kalamaja. Visitors enjoy picking up marzipan, local crafts, and unique art.

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 Tallinn or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Tallinn 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.

Tallinn does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Tallinn or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Tallinn is a family-friendly city. Your kids will feel like they stepped into a fairytale in this beautiful city. It has countless museums including an open air museum and a zoo. There's also nearby Pirita Beach, where you and your kids can enjoy ice cream in a seaside setting.

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 Tallinn or Marseille Better for Couples?

Tallinn and Marseille are both superb to visit as a couple.

Tallinn makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with gardens, romantic walks, and impressive views, this city makes for a great couple's getaway. Base yourself in the city's beautiful old town and dine in one of the many local restaurants. There are also nice hotels around town that are great for couples.

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 Tallinn or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallinn is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Tallinn, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city is both affordable and unique, which is perfect for travelers on a budget. There are plenty of hostels around town as well as casual places to grab a cheap bite to eat.

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

Is Tallinn or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Tallinn is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Marseille is a great city to visit as a student. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Tallinn is popular with students. International students appreciate the vibrant atmosphere and the affordable options around town.

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

Tallinn 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 Tallinn can get you to most places easily. There are buses trolleys and trams 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 Tallinn or Marseille a more walkable city?

Tallinn 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 Tallinn. The city is compact and easily explored on foot, particularly in the most touristy areas.

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 Tallinn Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Tallinn?

How long in Tallinn or Marseille?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Tallinn. 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 Tallinn 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 Tallinn.

One day in Tallinn or Marseille?

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

In Marseille, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Tallinn or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Tallinn. 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.

In Marseille, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Marseille has to offer.

Five days in Tallinn or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming city of Tallinn. 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 is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Tallinn or Marseille?

Tallinn 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Marseille. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tallinn and Marseille, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Tallinn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tallinn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tallinn and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Marseille would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marseille than you might in Tallinn.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tallinn Expensive? and Is Marseille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tallinn or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Tallinn. When comparing the sizes of Tallinn 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 Tallinn 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 Tallinn or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Tallinn are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Tallinn because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In the summer, Tallinn is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tallinn in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tallinn. Tallinn usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Tallinn gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tallinn usually receives more rain than Marseille. Tallinn gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tallinn or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Tallinn during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tallinn this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Tallinn is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around 7°C (44°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Tallinn often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Tallinn gets 92 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Tallinn gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tallinn or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallinn and Marseille. Many travelers come to Tallinn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marseille in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tallinn. Tallinn is much colder than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around -5°C (22°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Tallinn usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Tallinn gets 25 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tallinn usually receives around the same amount of rain as Marseille. Tallinn gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tallinn or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tallinn as well as Marseille. Many visitors come to Tallinn in the spring for the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Tallinn can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Tallinn is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tallinn in April average around 4°C (39°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the spring, Tallinn often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Tallinn gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets less rain in April than Marseille. Tallinn gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Tallinn