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

Should you visit Basel or Amalfi?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Amalfi, 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.

Basel

Basel is a museum-filled, easily accessible, and beautiful city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a stunning, dramatic, and charming town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Basel and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Amalfi?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Amalfi than Basel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Amalfi is better known for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Basel is more popular for its museums and shopping. Amalfi is more touristy than Basel and is known for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. Also, Amalfi is famous for the dramatic coastline. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Basel different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Basel is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Amalfi. The town is an attraction in and off itself. It's filled with charm and character and visitors spend much of their time simply walking around and soaking up the atmosphere.

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

Amalfi is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Amalfi is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The town's access to the beautiful sea means that many dishes use a variety of seafood. Eggplant is also a common ingredient and you'll find everything from pastas to elegant desserts around town.

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 Basel or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Amalfi 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.

Amalfi has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a good number of bars and clubs in town that often have live music or DJs. Alternatively, there are also clubs that dot the entire coastline.

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 Basel or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Amalfi is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Basel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Amalfi has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. You'll find snorkeling trips that take you along the coastline and stop at several places so you can take a peak at the underwater world.

Basel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Basel or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Amalfi is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Basel is not a beach destination.

Amalfi has a beach worth visiting. The beaches tend to be pebbly and rocky. During the summer months they can get very crowded, but taking a swim is a great way to escape the heat for a bit.

Basel is not a beach destination.

Is Basel or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Basel and Amalfi both have high quality historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Basel to see the historical old town. 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.

Amalfi is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The town is charming and filled with great shops and restaurants. It's the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast.

Is Basel or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Basel is not a hiking destination.

Amalfi is a popular spot for hiking. The coastline is filled with great trails that offer stunning views. Hiking is a top way to see the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast and catch a glimpse at some of the best beaches.

Basel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Amalfi?

Basel is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Basel is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Amalfi has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Is Basel or Amalfi Better for Families?

Basel is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Basel is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Amalfi offers lots of family activities. The town is positioned in the middle of the Amalfi Coast, making it a great base for exploring the area. It's also one of the larger towns so you'll find more energy and things to do with kids, including the Museum of Paper.

Is Basel or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Amalfi has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The Amalfi Coast is a world class honeymoon destination and couples will enjoy staying in the lively town of Amalfi. It's a quaint and beautiful town in the middle of everything, so you'll have access to all that the area has to offer.

Basel is a good city for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Basel or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Basel is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Amalfi is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Basel is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Amalfi is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The area has a couple of hostels around, but in general this is a difficult place to visit as a backpacker. There are SITA buses that offer transportation, and because the town is in the middle of the coastline, it offers decent access to everything.

Is Basel or Amalfi Better for Students?

Basel is well known for students. However, Amalfi is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Amalfi is not popular with students.

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

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

The public transit in Basel can get you around easily. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

While Amalfi offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The SITA buses offer transit between many of the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

Is Basel or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Basel and Amalfi both are first-rate when exploring on foot.

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

It's very easy to get around on foot in Amalfi. It's a compact and charming town that is a bit flatter than some nearby villages so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Basel?

How long in Basel or Amalfi?

Both Basel and Amalfi have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Amalfi than in Basel. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Basel than Amalfi 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 Basel or Amalfi?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Amalfi, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this dramatic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. 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.

A weekend in Basel or Amalfi?

Basel is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amalfi. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

Five days in Basel or Amalfi?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Basel. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Amalfi is a fun place to experience. In Amalfi, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Basel or Amalfi?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the museum-filled destination of Basel. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

In Amalfi, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this dramatic destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Basel and Amalfi, we can see that Basel 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 Basel Expensive? and Is Amalfi Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Basel or Amalfi?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Amalfi, 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 Basel or Amalfi?

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 Basel or Amalfi in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Amalfi. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Amalfi for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Basel is around the same temperature as Amalfi in the summer. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Amalfi fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amalfi this time of the year. In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Basel usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Amalfi. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Basel as well as Amalfi. Many travelers come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Amalfi in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Basel is cooler than Amalfi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Basel in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Amalfi averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Basel often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Basel usually gets less rain in October than Amalfi. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Amalfi in the Winter?

Both Amalfi and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Basel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Amalfi for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Basel can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Basel is generally much colder than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 3°C (37°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Amalfi during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Amalfi. In January, Basel usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Amalfi in the Spring?

Both Amalfi and Basel during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Basel for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Basel is cooler than Amalfi in the spring. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Basel often gets less sunshine than Amalfi. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in April than Amalfi. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Basel