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

Should you visit Vienna or Marseille?

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

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

Vienna

Vienna is a musical, ritzy, and classical city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

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.

Vienna and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Vienna or Marseille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Vienna than Marseille, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Vienna is more popular for its museums, music, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Marseille is known for its food, nightlife, beaches, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Vienna is more touristy than Marseille and is known for its strong classical music roots including being home to both Mozart and Beethoven. It is also home to The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

The Imperial Schönbrunn Palace

How is Vienna different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Vienna 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 Vienna can be an interesting and educational experience. Filled with palaces, museums, and parks, there are many things to see around town. Make sure you check out the Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, and Kunsthistorisches Museum.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Vienna 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.

Dining out in Vienna is an experience not to be missed. The city's cuisine has been influenced by many different flavors. Pastries are ubiquitous so make sure you try the apfelstrudel and kaiserschmarrn. Other common dishes include wiener schnitzel and goulash.

Is Vienna or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Vienna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

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.

Vienna has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The music and dance scene is diverse and fun. There are clubs that cater to different crowds and personalities.

Is Vienna or Marseille Better for Music?

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

Vienna has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. On the surface, the city seems locked in the past, with ballet dancing and classical concerts filling the evenings. But the city also has a famous jazz scene, as well as techno, hip-hop, and rock all having a strong presence.

Marseille is not a live music destination.

Is Vienna or Marseille Better for Beaches?

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

Vienna is not a beach destination.

Is Vienna or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

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

With a famous historical old-town, Vienna offers plenty to see. Innere Stadt, as it is known, is encircled by Ringstrasse and filled with many shops and cafes. Head to Kärntner Strasse and Graben for popular pedestrian streets.

The rich history of Marseille can be explored in its historical center. 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 Vienna or Marseille?

Vienna 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 Vienna specifically to go shopping. The city is filled with pedestrian streets that are lined with designer shops, jewelry stores, and art galleries.

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 Vienna or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

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

Vienna does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Vienna or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Vienna is a family-friendly city. Families enjoy taking carriage rides or dressing up in costumes at Schönbrunn Palace. The city also has children's museums, parks, and playgrounds where you can let little legs run around.

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 Vienna or Marseille Better for Couples?

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

Vienna has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With it's Baroque architecture and classical concerts, this city is filled with romance. Explore the palaces, take a carriage ride, or enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant.

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 Vienna or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vienna and Marseille are both good destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Vienna. The city flies under the radar for many backpackers, but those who visit will be rewarded with beautiful buildings, charming cafes, and fun hostels.

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

Is Vienna or Marseille Better for Students?

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

Vienna is a great destination for students. The city is a popular destination for international students who are interested in art, architecture, and music.

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

Vienna is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Vienna can get you around easily. The system includes buses, trains, trams and underground lines.

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 Vienna or Marseille a more walkable city?

Vienna 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 Vienna. The city center is particularly walkable with pedestrian areas and low traffic zones.

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 Vienna Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Vienna?

How long in Vienna or Marseille?

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

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

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

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

One day in Vienna or Marseille?

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

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Vienna or Marseille?

You'll find live music and food around the musical destination of Vienna. 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.

Marseille is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Vienna or Marseille?

You'll find food and shopping around the musical city of Vienna. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. 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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Vienna or Marseille?

Vienna 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Marseille. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Christmas Market Tours in Austria, The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Vienna or Marseille?

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

Both Marseille and Vienna are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Vienna because of the music scene and 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, Vienna is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vienna in July average around 23°C (73°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 Vienna. Vienna usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Vienna gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Vienna usually receives more rain than Marseille. Vienna gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vienna or Marseille in the Autumn?

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

In October, Vienna is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Vienna average around 12°C (54°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Vienna often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Vienna gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Vienna usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Vienna gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vienna or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vienna and Marseille. Many travelers come to Vienna 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 Vienna. Vienna is much colder than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Vienna averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Vienna usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Vienna gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vienna usually receives less rain than Marseille. Vienna gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vienna or Marseille in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Vienna is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vienna in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vienna this time of the year. In the spring, Vienna often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Vienna gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Vienna usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Marseille. Vienna gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Vienna