A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Palma de Mallorca vs. Marseille for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Old Town

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Marseille?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Palma de Mallorca 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.

Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is a stunning, cultural, and historic island. With stunning beauty, Palma de Mallorca attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Palma de Mallorca travel costs.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. Marseille is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping. See Marseille travel costs.

Palma de Mallorca and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Palma de Mallorca or Marseille?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Marseille. While Marseille is larger than Palma de Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Palma de Mallorca is better known for its music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Marseille is more popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Marseille and is known for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. Also, Palma de Mallorca is famous for the turquoise water and white sand beaches. Marseille is well known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Palma de Mallorca or Marseille? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Palma de Mallorca 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Palma de Mallorca. Food here is centered around pork, fish, and vegetables. It is flavored with garlic and olive oil and it offers that feeling of comfort that comes with home cooking.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Marseille have amazing vibes after the sun sets.

Palma de Mallorca is a world class party destination. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Marseille is a must-see 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.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marseille Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca 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, Palma de Mallorca has diverse options. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Marseille is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marseille Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Marseille is not a resort destination.

Palma de Mallorca is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Marseille is not a resort destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marseille Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Palma de Mallorca has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. Head to Cala Santanyi on the south side of the island for the best snorkeling. For scuba diving, National Park of Cabrera is one of the most popular spots.

Marseille is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

The beaches in Palma de Mallorca are among the best in the world. The island is lined with sandy beaches and rocky coves, which have contributed to it becoming one of Europe's most popular beach destinations.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Marseille. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

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.

Many people head to Palma de Mallorca to see the old town. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marseille Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Palma de Mallorca has hiking trails worth exploring. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Marseille?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Palma de Mallorca offers some nice shopping areas. Head to Palma for some of the areas best shopping.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marseille More Beautiful?

Palma de Mallorca and Marseille both are comparable with their superb scenery and beauty.

Palma de Mallorca is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. With stunning blue water and beautiful countryside, Mallorca is a beautiful island to visit.

The beauty of Marseille is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It's beauty comes from its historic architecture and beautiful neighborhoods.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marseille Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca. The beaches are large and sandy with beautiful blue waters. There's also many activities that both adults and kids can enjoy around the island including waterparks, aquariums, and amusement areas.

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 Palma de Mallorca or Marseille Better for Couples?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

Palma de Mallorca makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With beautiful beaches and a fun Spanish flare, Mallorca makes for a memorable honeymoon.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca. There is no shortage of hostels in Mallorca so it's easy to find an affordable place to stay and a young crowd to hang out with.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Palma de Mallorca is not popular with 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.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Palma de Mallorca and Marseille.

Palma de Mallorca has some public transit options. There is an efficient bus system that can get you around the island, but trips are less frequent on weekends. Pick up the Intermodal Card which can get you from town to 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 Palma de Mallorca or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Palma de Mallorca is a somewhat walkable place. It is a larger island that is not walkable, but Palma is generally a walkable area. If you stay in the central area you should be fine to explore on foot but if you want to get out into more rural areas, you'll need access to some type of transportation.

For even more information, also check out Is Palma de Mallorca Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Palma de Mallorca?

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Marseille?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Palma de Mallorca. 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 Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca.

One day in Palma de Mallorca or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the island of Palma de Mallorca. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or Marseille?

You'll find live music and food around the beautiful destination of Palma de Mallorca. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With food and shopping around the energetic city of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Five days in Palma de Mallorca or Marseille?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the historic island of Palma de Mallorca. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the vibrant destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Palma de Mallorca or Marseille?

Palma de Mallorca is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Marseille is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Marseille?

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

Both Marseille and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, 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 July, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as Marseille. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 24°C (76°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Marseille. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Palma de Mallorca during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Marseille in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marseille. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in October than Marseille. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Marseille. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Marseille in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Marseille. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Marseille averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Marseille during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Marseille. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or Marseille in the Spring?

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

In April, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as Marseille. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 14°C (57°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 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 Palma de Mallorca this time of the year. In the spring, Palma de Mallorca often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Marseille. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Palma de Mallorca