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

Should you visit Zurich or Marseille?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Marseille. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Zurich

Zurich is a historic, liberal, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. 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. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Zurich and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zurich or Marseille?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Zurich than Marseille. While Marseille is larger than Zurich, Zurich has more sights and attractions for tourists. Zurich is more popular for its museums, music, and shopping, while Marseille is known for its food, nightlife, beaches, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Zurich is popular for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. It is also home to The Grossmünster. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

How is Zurich different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Zurich 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 Zurich can be an interesting and educational experience. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Marseille, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Zurich has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

Is Zurich or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Zurich has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Is Zurich or Marseille Better for Music?

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Marseille is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Zurich has diverse options. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Marseille is not a live music destination.

Is Zurich or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a good destination for the beache. However, Zurich is not a beach destination.

Marseille offers a nice beach destination. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Zurich or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the world-class old town areas in both Zurich and Marseille.

The rich history of Zurich can be explored in its historical center. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

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 Zurich or Marseille?

Zurich 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 Zurich specifically to go shopping. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

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 Zurich or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for its Christmas markets. However, Zurich does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Zurich does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Zurich or Marseille Better for Families?

Zurich is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Zurich. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

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 Zurich or Marseille Better for Couples?

Zurich and Marseille both great destinations for a couple.

Zurich is a very popular place to visit for couples. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

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 Zurich or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Zurich and Marseille are good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

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

Is Zurich or Marseille Better for Students?

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

Zurich is a great destination for students. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

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

Zurich 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 Zurich can get you to most places easily. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

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 Zurich or Marseille a more walkable city?

Zurich and Marseille both are great when exploring on foot.

Zurich is a very walkable city. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

Marseille is a very walkable destination. 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 Zurich Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Zurich?

How long in Zurich or Marseille?

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

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

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

One day in Zurich or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Zurich. 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 Zurich or Marseille?

You'll find live music and food around the liberal destination of Zurich. 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 Zurich or Marseille?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic city of Zurich. 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. Most people head to the area for the shopping. 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 Zurich or Marseille?

Zurich 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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Marseille, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Marseille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Marseille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marseille 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Marseille.

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

Which is Bigger, Zurich or Marseille?

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

Both Marseille and Zurich during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Zurich in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Zurich is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zurich in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zurich. In the summer, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Marseille. Most visitors come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Zurich is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 13°C (56°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zurich usually receives less rain than Marseille. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Zurich or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Marseille. The winter months attract visitors to Zurich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

The weather in Zurich can be very cold. Zurich is much colder than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Marseille. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Zurich is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zurich in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Marseille. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Zurich