Marseille or Budapest for a week?

zweton

I know they are different places but if ya had to pick one for a week which one?

Cant make up my mind so need someone else to!

The Mighty Quinn

Z We Ton? Limerick? :)

Have never been to Marseilles, but have been to a few places in France, have also been to Budapest.

I'd go for Budapest, I just like the Eastern Europe feel to be honest. Plus, it's better value!

zweton

Haha yip, yeah was thinking same about Budapest, better value all right.

Tombo2001

As above, have been to Budapest. Not Marseille.

A bit of context would help. On your own? With people? What month?

A week is long I would guess, for either. Like - a week in Dublin would be long, for a holiday. Any city really except New York it would be long (imho).

As such, I would be looking at both in context of surrounds. Do a few days in Budapest, and then Prague is a few hours down the road.

Do a few days in Marseille, and then....I dunno, rent a car maybe and trek around the local area.

Seems a bit random to pick these two out for comparison.

fdevine

+1 for Budapest

Danzy

Budapest.

Marseille is a **** hole, lovely looking place but dirty and dangerous.

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119524089#Comment_119524089

Prague is a long way from Budapest. Bratislava or Vienna would be much more local for a 2/3 centre holiday.

equally if considering Marseille, I would team with Avignon, Aix en Provence or Arles.

i don’t think either of your locations would be a one week holiday.

delboy85

I've never been to Marseille but Budapest is an impressive city and well worth a visit. Personally, I prefer it to Prague.

A really interesting city and the oldtown really has the wow factor.

We did a daytrip to Vienna when there. I think it was only a few hours on the train.

However, I think a week would be too long there.

boosabum

You can see most of Marseille in two or three days. If you do go there then think about a night or two in nice, Cannes or Monte Carlo. Get there in 3 hours by bus.

Jequ0n

Marseille is great, the surrounding area gives you plenty to explore because the city itself will not keep you busy for a full week. I grew up there and still visit regularly.

I liked Budapest but only experienced it as a tourist. Again you won’t need a week and should explore areas outside of it.

dontmindme

Think you're heading for a re-reg...

youngblood

Just back from Marseille and visited Budapest about 6 years ago

More to do in Budapest, it's probably prettier, less expensive

Marseille, v nice, visit once type of job, found it v expensive, 6.50 beers, starters between 12 & 18 e, they do boulangeries like no other place

mags1962

Been to both and would much prefer Budapest, called to Marseille on a cruise, twice, and vowed to not go back, struggled for things to do and that included a trip to Aix-en-Provence. Found it quite expensive and dirty, expecially down by the port.

Buda and Pest was on a stag for a formula 1 weekend and did multiple things outside of the actual race from guided tours of the city on electric bikes to guided tours of the ruin bars and clubs to all you can play retro video and arcade games and feel I didn't even scratch the surface. There is also a more seedy side if you are in to that but it's such a rich historical city with fab buildings and has prices for every pocket. I would go back in a second, if only to spend the notes I have left over as it's a bit like monopoly money.

cezanne

Budapest prettier and (has less menacing people), the Hungarians are very nice cultured people lots to see & do. The old part of the city is breathtaking and the more modern part is fab as well. definitely you will feel like you visited a special place with Budapest.

A lot of dirty streets, immigranrts and drugs in marseille i felt unsafe there there is a menacing atmosphere. It doesnt have that french feeling better to go to the south of France Cannes or St Tropez for a better French experience. You can get good value rentals in the hills above Cannes and its beautiful very chic.

youngblood

Had been warned about safety in Marseille and was prepared for the worst. If that is a concern for anyone thinking of going, that certainly was not the vibe in August. Walked late all over the city over many nights and a weekend and came across nothing sketchy.

Didn't hear/see anyone selling drugs etc.

Did find it v expensive to organize any trips outside of the city without booking an entire bus/boat ie wanted to go wine tasting or boat tour to calanques but had to book an entire tour for 6 people at near 600 to book a bus/boat then find other tourists to fill available spots and split costs, not user friendly

samo

Just back from Marseille also and stayed right by the Vieux port for 3 nights, would beg to differ on safety issues, 2nd night my husband was attacked and chain stolen from his neck. Zero police presence around at 11.30pm on the main square 2 mins away, the next day a group of 10 men openly off their heads staggering around at 1pm aggressively harassing everyone walking around. Again, not a police officer to be seen.

We did a walking tour of Marseille and this was great, highly recommended plus the Calanques boat tour, but otherwise would agree with earlier feedback, expensive (€9.00 for a pint in some places, though can be got for 6.50 if you look around), not safe in my experience, definitely not a place for a week!

would second recommendations for Budapest and combined with Vienna. Nice train trip between the 2 and Vienna is stunning.