A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marseille vs. Sao Paulo for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Marseille or Sao Paulo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Sao Paulo, 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.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, Marseille attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Marseille travel costs.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a dynamic, vibrant, and colorful city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Marseille and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Sao Paulo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sao Paulo than Marseille. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Sao Paulo is very popular for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities, while Marseille attracts visitors for its food, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Marseille is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Sao Paulo is famous for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. It is also well known for Ibirapuera Park.

How is Marseille different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Marseille or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Sao Paulo has many famous sights for visitors. While many visitors overlook Sao Paulo for other destinations in Brazil, those that do visit will be rewarded with a large number of museums and sights. It's the largest city in South America, and there's plenty to do. Highlights include Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte Contemporânea, and the cathedral

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Sao Paulo makes for a great culinary experience. The city offers a huge mix of fine dining restaurants, street food vendors, family-friendly restaurants, and large local markets. The cuisine has many influences such as the Portuguese, West Africa, and even the Middle East. Popular dishes include the street food coxinha, feijoada (black bean and beef stew), and cachooro-quente (local hot dogs).

Is Marseille or Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

Both Marseille and Sao Paulo have amazing vibes after the sun sets.

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.

The nightlife in Sao Paulo is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. As the economic hub for Brazil, you'll find tons of bars, clubs, and venues throughout the city. The best neighborhood for a party is Vila Madalena, which is filled with restaurants and bars. For live music and food trucks, check out Rua Augusta. There are also many different neighborhoods in this megacity, and many have a lively energy and plenty to do at night. Every night you should be able to find something different to do.

Is Marseille or Sao Paulo Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Sao Paulo Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Sao Paulo does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Marseille is revered around the world. 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.

Sao Paulo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo specifically to go shopping. The shopping opportunities are diverse, from megamalls to local markets, and international boutiques. There are many great neighborhoods for shopping, like Jardins, where you'll find high end stores. The main shopping street is Rua Oscar Freire. Downtown Sao Paulo has a mix of retail stores and market stalls that sell everything from cheap fashion to inexpensive odds and ins.

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 Marseille or Sao Paulo More Beautiful?

Marseille is a great city for its scenery and beauty. However, Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Marseille attracts visitors from all around. It's beauty comes from its historic architecture and beautiful neighborhoods.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Marseille or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

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

Sao Paulo is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy a visit to the zoo or one of the kid-friendly museums around town. There are also a number of parks, some kid-friendly restaurants, and even an amusement park.

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 Marseille or Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

Marseille is a great city for couples. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Marseille is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Sao Paulo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many great activities that will make for an exciting couples trip. There are parks and museums, bars and restaurants, and theaters where you can see a show. Many couples enjoy a visit to the Botanical Garden of Sao Paulo or a stroll through Ibirapuera Park. You can watch the sunset with a view of the city from one of the many rooftop bars and then enjoy some samba dancing on the town.

Is Marseille or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Sao Paulo are both nice destinations for backpackers.

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

Sao Paulo is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's overlooked by many travelers, backpackers who linger for awhile will enjoy the city's authenticity and cultural scene. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Is Marseille or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

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

Sao Paulo is a good city to visit for students. The city is large with a diverse population and plenty to offer students. There are good educational institutions and a great international vibe as well.

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

Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo can get you around easily. It's a huge city, so you'll likely make use of the metro during your trip. There are six lines to the metro system and they provide convenient access to many of the city's top attractions. The city also has many bus routes as well.

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 Marseille or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Marseille and Sao Paulo are superb when it comes to walkability.

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.

Sao Paulo is very walkable. It's a megacity that has a wide range of neighborhoods. The city center is generally very walkable, but because of its size, you'll want to have an itinerary planned out for each day.

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

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Sao Paulo?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marseille than Sao Paulo 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 Marseille or Sao Paulo?

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint city of Marseille. 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.

People visit Sao Paulo because there is so much to do. 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.

A weekend in Marseille or Sao Paulo?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the energetic destination of Marseille. 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.

People visit Sao Paulo because there is so much to do. 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.

Five days in Marseille or Sao Paulo?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant city of Marseille. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colorful city of Sao Paulo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Sao Paulo?

Marseille 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.

Sao Paulo is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marseille and Sao Paulo, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Marseille is in Europe and Sao Paulo is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo.

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Marseille. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Sao Paulo, 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 Marseille or Sao Paulo?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Marseille has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Marseille or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Sao Paulo. The summer months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.

Marseille is around the same temperature as Sao Paulo in the summer. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.

Sao Paulo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin January. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Marseille or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Sao Paulo. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Marseille is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marseille in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.

Marseille usually gets more rain in October than Sao Pauloin April. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.

Should I visit Marseille or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

Both Sao Paulo and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Marseille is generally much colder than Sao Pauloin July. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 7°C (44°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In January, Marseille usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin July. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.

Should I visit Marseille or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

Both Sao Paulo and Marseille during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Marseille in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city during these months.

Marseille is much colder than Sao Paulo in the spring. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in October.

Marseille usually gets less rain in April than Sao Pauloin October. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Marseille