Should You Visit Nice or Marseille? Or Both?
If you can’t decide whether to visit Nice or Marseille in the South of France, I’ve got you covered.
I’ve visited both several times, and these two coastal cities are as different as it gets. Both are great options if you’re looking for a beach destination, but they offer very different tourist attractions besides the beaches.
Nice is an elegant seaside town with a charming promenade, fine dining, and a colorful old town. Marseille is more rough around the edges, with an interesting history, great nature, and lively nightlife.
Let’s compare them to help you decide which one you should visit if you only have time for one!
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Overview: Nice vs Marseille
Both Nice and Marseille sit along the southern coast of France, just a few hours apart, yet they offer completely different experiences.
| Nice | Marseille |
|---|---|
| Elegant, relaxed, and polished | Lively and multicultural |
| Close to Monaco, Cannes, Menton | Gateway to Provence and the Calanques |
| Smaller, easy to explore on foot | France’s second-largest city |
| Over 6 hours by train from Paris | About 3 hours by train from Paris |
So, if you’re looking for a glamorous coastal city with beaches, pastel-colored buildings lining cobbled streets, and easy day trips along the Côte d’Azur, visit Nice.
Some might find Marseille a bit rough around the edges, and that’s because it is. Marseille is big, loud, and certainly not as polished as Nice, but it offers an authentic cultural experience with great day trip options and rugged coastal hikes.
Tourist Attractions
- Winner: Both
It’s hard to compare tourist attractions in Nice and Marseille as neither city has any world famous spots like the Eiffel Tower . Both cities are full of things to do, but in very different ways.
Things to Do in Nice
- Promenade des Anglais: Stroll or cycle along the iconic seaside boulevard.
- Old Town (Vieux Nice): Wander through narrow streets filled with cafés, shops, and pastel buildings.
- Castle Hill (Colline du Château): For one of the best panoramic views over the bay.
- Marc Chagall National Museum: A must for art lovers.
- Day trips: Visit Eze, Monaco, or Cannes, all under an hour away by train or bus!
Things to Do in Marseille
- Old Port (Vieux-Port): The city’s lively heart, lined with restaurants and boats.
- Le Panier District: Wander the narrow streets of Marseille’s oldest and most colorful neighborhood.
- Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde: Admire the view of the city from the best viewpoint.
- Calanques National Park: Stunning limestone cliffs and turquoise waters, perfect for hiking or a boat trip.
- MUCEM: Get a Marseille City Card and visit one of the best museums of Mediterranean culture in France.
If you love coastal walks, Marseille’s access to the Calanques and Provence is unbeatable. But if you’re after that classic Riviera charm, Nice wins for its elegance and old-school charm.
Getting There
- Winner: Both for flying, Marseille for train
Both cities are well-connected and easy to reach by train or plane. Which one is easier to get to will depend on how you’re traveling.
If you’re flying in, both have airports: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport and Marseille Provence Airport, with frequent connections from Paris and across Europe. I prefer Nice airport as it is on the tram line and basically in the city. Marseille Airport is about 20km outside the city.
If you’re traveling from Paris by train, Marseille is easier to reach as you have a direct 3.5-hour train. Getting to Nice from Paris by train takes about 6 hours, as the train first goes to Marseille and then to Nice.
- Paris to Marseille: Around 3 hours by train.
- Paris to Nice: Around 6 hours by train.
Nice and Marseille are also connected by regional trains and buses, making it easy to visit both if you’re following a South of France itinerary.
I actually took a bus between Marseille and Nice once, as it was quite a bit cheaper than a last-minute train ticket. If you’re traveling by train in France, remember to book your tickets well in advance for the best prices.
Accommodation
- Winner: Both
You don’t have to worry about accommodation in either Marseille or Nice. Both cities offer a range of different accommodation options for every budget.
Nice is known for its upscale and luxury seafront hotels, but you can also stay in private studios in the old town. I stayed in this lovely hotel just a quick walk from the beach and loved it.
Marseille has great options too, but you’ll have to pay more to stay in the nicer areas. I stayed in two areas on two different trips to Marseille and had to take transportation to get to the city center.
If you’re wondering whether to stay in Nice or Marseille as a base for exploring the South of France, it really depends on what you want to see. For the French Riviera and nearby coastal towns, Nice is more convenient, while Marseille is the better choice if you want to visit Aix-en-Provence and the Calanques.
Where to Stay in Nice
- TOP Pick: Hôtel Apollinaire Nice
- Best Mid-Range Option: Hotel Villa Rivoli (I stayed here and it was very cute!)
- Best Budget Pick: Hostel Ozz Nice
Where to Stay in Marseille
- TOP Pick: Hotel C2
- Best Mid-Range Option: Hotel Belle-Vue Vieux-Port
- Best Budget Pick: Appart Hotel Odalys Centre Euromed (I stayed here and love my stay!)
Getting Around
- Winner: Nice (slightly)
Nice is very walkable, especially along the Promenade des Anglais and the Old Town. There’s also a great public transport system that makes getting around easy if you’re staying outside the city center. The only time I used the tram was to get to the airport; the rest of the time I explored Nice on foot.
Marseille is larger and more spread out, so you’ll likely need to use the metro or buses to get between neighborhoods. I used metro, trams, and buses every time I visited Marseille, and it was useful to have a transportation pass included in my Marseille City Card. That said, the Old Port and Le Panier areas are best explored on foot, and most tourist attractions are in those areas.
🚲 TOP TIP: Nice is also great for cycling! It can be so much fun renting a bike in Nice and exploring the city and beaches that way.
Cost of Travel
- Winner: Both
While Nice has a reputation as a luxury travel destination, I found prices in both cities to be quite similar. In fact, some of the best-rated hotels in Nice lower their rates significantly during the shoulder season, whereas prices in Marseille tend to stay fairly consistent throughout the year.
That being said, if you want luxury, you can certainly find it in both cities.
If you’re interested in museums, it’s worth getting city cards that include visits to most tourist sites, like I did in Marseille.
Budgets are highly personal, but I’d set aside around €150–€250 per day per person, depending on accommodation and activities.
Should You Visit Marseille or Nice In Winter?
- Winner: Marseille
This one is tough because most people visit the south of France in the summer, as it is the area with the best beaches in France. However, it is well worth exploring the region in the low season too.
While you could have fun in both cities during winter, I’d pick Marseille over Nice just because it’s a bigger city with many things to do besides beaches.
The area around Nice is very calm during winter, which can be great for sightseeing, but you can feel that it’s not the prime time to visit.
Nice is better for you if…
- You want a polished Riviera experience with pristine beaches, upscale beach clubs, and seaside walks.
- You enjoy art, colorful old towns, and easy day trips to Monaco or Cannes.
- You prefer a walkable city with a relaxed atmosphere and a more polished look.
Marseille is better for you if…
- You love culture, history, and authentic Mediterranean vibes, and don’t mind a place that’s a little rough around the edges.
- You want to explore the Calanques or base yourself for Provence day trips.
- You prefer bigger cities that don’t feel too touristy, and you can experience them like a local.
Should You Visit Both Nice and Marseille?
Absolutely, if you have time, you should totally visit both Nice and Marseille! They’re only about 2.5 hours apart by train or bus, and you’ll get two completely different experiences of French coastal towns.
Spend a few days in Nice for beaches and Riviera elegance, then head to Marseille for culture, food, and nature escapes.
Summary: Is Nice or Marseille Better?
I don’t think either city is better, but I can see why some travelers would prefer one over the other. If you can only pick one, here’s my take:
Nice is ideal if you’re after a relaxing coastal break, seaside walks, and old-town charm. While you could totally find budget-friendly options in Nice, those who like luxury travel will especially enjoy it.
Marseille is perfect if you’re craving a more local, cultural experience. Sure, certain areas of Marseille are not ideal, but the city has an interesting history, museums, gastronomy, and easy access to nature.
If you have 5 days in France and you want to stay in the south, I’d totally visit both!
