A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aalborg vs. Basel for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Aalborg or Basel?

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 Aalborg and Basel. 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.

Aalborg

Aalborg is a charming, local, and historic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel

Basel is a beautiful, vibrant, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aalborg and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aalborg or Basel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Basel than Aalborg. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Basel is very popular for its museums & sights, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Aalborg attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, and small town charm. Aalborg is famous for its half-timbered homes and waterfront setting. Basel is famous for its many museums and its nice old town. It is also well known for The Kunstmuseum Basel.

How is Aalborg different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aalborg or Basel?

Basel is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Basel. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

Aalborg offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting museums around town such as the House of Music and the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art.

Is the Food Better in Aalborg or Basel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aalborg is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Aalborg. You'll find an eclectic mix of trendy restaurants and local finds. There are also international options and modern street food.

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Aalborg or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Aalborg is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Aalborg has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Despite its small town vibe and relatively unknown status, Aalborg has a great nightlife scene. It's home to the longest continuous string of bars and clubs in all of Scandinavia. You'll find about 30 bars along the pedestrian street of Jomfru Ane Gade and in the early hours, drinks are also surprisingly cheap.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Is Aalborg or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Basel is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Basel. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Aalborg. The charming streets of the old town are filled with cafes that come to life during the warm summer months.

Is the Shopping Better in Aalborg or Basel?

Basel is a great destination for shopping. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Basel is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Aalborg. There are a number of shopping malls, shopping centers, and local boutiques around town.

Is Aalborg or Basel Better for Families?

Basel is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Basel is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

Aalborg offers lots of family activities. There is plenty of outdoor space, some kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and fascinating street art. Not far from town there's also Fårup Sommerland, which is a great amusement park.

Is Aalborg or Basel Better for Couples?

Aalborg and Basel both nice destinations for a couple.

Aalborg is a nice destination for couples. Art museums, parks, and interesting restaurants make this a nice town for a weekend trip.

Basel makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Aalborg or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aalborg and Basel are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Aalborg. There are a couple of hostels in town that offer accommodation for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Basel. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

Is Aalborg or Basel Better for Students?

Basel is a great destination for students. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Basel. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

It's common for students to visit Aalborg. The town feels quiet during the rainy winter months but when the sun makes an appearance, it comes to life and people head outdoors and into the cafes.

Is Aalborg or Basel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Basel is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Basel can move around easily with public transportation. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

While Aalborg offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a decent bus system around town.

Is Aalborg or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is renowned for its walkability. Also, Aalborg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Basel on foot is easy. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

Aalborg is a somewhat walkable place. It's a walkable town, but it does get a lot of rain so some seasons are more pedestrian-friendly than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Aalborg Worth Visiting? and Is Basel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Basel or Aalborg?

How long in Aalborg or Basel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Aalborg and Basel. In our opinion, Basel has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Basel than Aalborg. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Aalborg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Basel.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Basel than Aalborg 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 Basel.

One day in Aalborg or Basel?

In Aalborg, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this local destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Basel, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Aalborg or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aalborg. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

In Basel, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Basel has to offer.

Five days in Aalborg or Basel?

Aalborg is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Aalborg. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Basel is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Aalborg or Basel?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Aalborg. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Basel. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Basel. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Denmark, The Best Adventure Tours to Denmark, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Aalborg or Basel?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Aalborg. When comparing the sizes of Aalborg and Basel, 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 Aalborg or Basel?

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 Aalborg or Basel in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Aalborg and Basel. Many visitors come to Aalborg in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Aalborg is cooler than Basel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Aalborg in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Basel averages at about 21°C (70°F).

In July, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Basel. Aalborg gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aalborg or Basel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Aalborg as well as Basel. Most visitors come to Aalborg for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Basel because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Aalborg is generally cooler than Basel. Daily temperatures in Aalborg average around 9°C (48°F), and Basel fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Aalborg usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Basel. Aalborg gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aalborg or Basel in the Winter?

Both Basel and Aalborg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Aalborg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Basel this time of year.

It's quite cold in Basel in the winter. The weather in Aalborg can be very cold. Aalborg is much colder than Basel in the winter. The daily temperature in Aalborg averages around -1°C (31°F) in January, and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, Aalborg usually receives less rain than Basel. Aalborg gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aalborg or Basel in the Spring?

Both Basel and Aalborg during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm are the main draw to Aalborg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Basel for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Aalborg is much colder than Basel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Aalborg in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Basel averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Aalborg usually gets less rain in April than Basel. Aalborg gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Basel and Aalborg