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

Should you visit York or Marseille?

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

Should I visit York 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.

York

York is a fanciful, historic, and medieval city. 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. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

York and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in York or Marseille?

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

How is York different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

York 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 York can be an interesting and educational experience. Popular museums include the York Castle Museum, the National Railway Museum, Castle Howard, and JORVIK Viking Centre.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both York and Marseille both to be fantastic destinations.

For foodies, York is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Meat pies, fudge, and fish and chips are just some of the culinary experiences you'll find here. The Shambles Market has vendors that sell a wide variety of cuisines. There are also food trucks throughout town that offer affordable and delicious meal options.

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.

Is York or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

York has a large number of nightlife venues. The young population and thriving tourist scene means there's no shortage of nightlife around town. Check out a pub or music venue to experience everything that city has to offer.

Is York or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a popular place for its beaches. However, York 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.

York is not a beach destination.

Is York or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the fantastic old towns in both York and Marseille.

The historic old town of York is revered around the world. The charming old town is filled with shops and restaurants. There are street performers, fudge shops, and all of the Harry Potter merchandise that a person could need.

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 York or Marseille?

Marseille is a well-known place for shopping. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting York. The old town has many great candy stores that sell fudge and other local specialties. There are also Harry Potter stores that sell potions, t-shirts, games, and more.

Is York or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for its Christmas markets. However, York 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.

York does not offer Christmas markets.

Is York or Marseille Better for Families?

York is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

York is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The city does an amazing job bringing history to life in a way that kids will enjoy. The JORVIK Viking Centre transports visitors back in time and introduces them to a fully immersive viking experience. The York Dungeon is great for older kids as long as they don't scare easily. Actors and special effects offer a terrifying and entertaining visit through a York dungeon. Harry Potter fans will enjoy exploring the potion shops and broomstick stores along the iconic Shambles, which is said to be an inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Diagon Alley.

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 York or Marseille Better for Couples?

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

York is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can explore the history and entertainment venues that make York an enjoyable destination. There are museums, restaurants, and outdoor markets that make this a great weekend getaway.

Marseille makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is York or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

York is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit York. There are a few hostels around town as well as nightlife venues and entertainment spots that appeal to backpackers and younger travelers. For great and affordable food, grab a meal at one of the many food trucks around town.

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

Is York or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a well-known place for students. However, York 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.

York is not popular with students.

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

Both York and Marseille offer notable public transit options.

York has a few public transit options. There is a reliable and efficient bus system around town.

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

Is York or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

York is a somewhat walkable place. The old town has many pedestrian streets that are easily explored on food.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or York?

How long in York or Marseille?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than York. 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.

One day in York or Marseille?

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

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in York or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fanciful destination of York. 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 fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in York or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of York. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the energetic destination of Marseille. This city offers something for everyone. 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 York or Marseille?

York 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.

The vibrant city of Marseille offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between York and Marseille, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is York much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to York would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in York 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 York.

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

Which is Bigger, York or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of York. When comparing the sizes of York 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 York or Marseille?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit York or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and York during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to York for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, York is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in York average around 16°C (62°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, York often gets less sunshine than Marseille. York gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

York usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. York gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit York or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both York and Marseille. Many visitors come to York in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

York is cooler than Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in York averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. York usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. York gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, York usually receives less rain than Marseille. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit York or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to York as well as Marseille. Most visitors come to York for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

York can be very cold during winter. In the winter, York is much colder than Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in York in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Marseille averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, York often gets less sunshine than Marseille. York gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

York usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Marseille. York gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit York or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and York are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

In April, York is generally much colder than Marseille. Daily temperatures in York average around 8°C (46°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. York usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. York gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, York usually receives around the same amount of rain as Marseille. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and York