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

Should you visit Basel or Antwerp?

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

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

Antwerp

Antwerp is a authentic, genuine, and cultural port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Antwerp?

You'll generally find more things to do in Antwerp than Basel. Antwerp is bigger than Basel, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Antwerp is better known for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Basel is more popular for its impressive beauty. Basel is more touristy than Antwerp and is known for its many museums and its nice old town. Antwerp is well known for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town. Also, Antwerp is famous for Antwerpen-Centraal.

How is Basel different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Antwerp 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 Antwerp?

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Basel and Antwerp.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Basel can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Antwerp. The city has a number of cathedrals, museums, and art galleries that are fun to explore. The history and culture of the town is best experienced by wandering the streets and soaking up the architecture.

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

Foodies will find both Basel and Antwerp both to be notable destinations.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Basel. 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.

Antwerp is becoming an appealing option for foodies. People with a sweet tooth will enjoy the chocolates and biscuits that make this city famous. You'll also find plenty of fries and casual dining options to choose from. Local favorites include mussels and fish and chips, and of course, you must try the beer!

Is Basel or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

Antwerp 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.

Antwerp has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With its large student population and young vibe, you'll find an active nightlife scene around town. Many of the the clubs and bars are concentrated in the docklands, but you'll also find places to hang out everywhere around town.

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 Antwerp Better for its Old Town?

Basel and Antwerp both have excellent 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.

Antwerp is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old city has a long running history and many unique spots to explore. At the heart of the old town is Grote Markt, which is surrounded by beautiful buildings and cobblestone streets. There are a diversity of restaurants including local cuisines, Italian restaurants, and a number of different ethnic food. You'll also find local chocolate shops, waffle vendors, and ice cream.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Antwerp?

Antwerp is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Antwerp make it a world-class shopping destination. The city has become known for its fashion scene. The main shopping street is Meir, which is where you'll find a variety of European fashion chains. It's also fun to buy chocolates, art, or other souvenirs around town. You'll find both locals and tourists perusing the main shopping areas around town.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Basel. 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.

Is Basel or Antwerp Better for Families?

Basel is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Antwerp 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.

Antwerp offers lots of family activities. Favorite kid-friendly activities around town include taking a ride on the Ferris Wheel, going to the local zoo, or exploring the indoor play area Plopsa Station. Kids will also enjoy exploring the underground canals or taking a boat ride. Chocolate lovers will have fun checking out the many chocolate shops around town.

Is Basel or Antwerp Better for Couples?

Basel and Antwerp are both notable to visit as a couple.

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.

Antwerp is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a wonderful café culture with great restaurants and beautiful neighborhoods to explore. There are many great restaurants as well as plenty of shopping opportunities.

Is Basel or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Antwerp are notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Antwerp is a good city to visit for backpackers. With a handful of hostels and a variety of free activities, this is an affordable place to visit. It's often overlooked by backpackers so those that visit will be rewarded. It has a vibe of authenticity which is great for backpacker's who are a bit jaded from the tourism scene.

Is Basel or Antwerp Better for Students?

Basel and Antwerp are both excellent destinations for students and younger travelers.

Basel is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Antwerp. There's a good student culture and a lot of activities that give the city a fun and youthful vibe. It's a relatively big city with a lot of transportation connections, so it makes a great base for exploring other areas.

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

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

Basel has some very good public transit options. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

While Antwerp offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are both tram and bus lines around town. The city also has a large and impressive train station with many connections, making it a good base for exploring other areas.

Is Basel or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Basel is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Antwerp is a very walkable destination. The old town can be comfortably explored on foot, particularly the area around Grote Markt.

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

Should I spend more time in Antwerp or Basel?

How long in Basel or Antwerp?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Basel and Antwerp. In our opinion, Basel has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Basel than Antwerp. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Basel than Antwerp. 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.

One day in Basel or Antwerp?

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.

In Antwerp, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the shopping. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Basel or Antwerp?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Antwerp. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Antwerp?

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.

Antwerp is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Antwerp. Lots of people come for the shopping. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Basel or Antwerp?

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.

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Antwerp. 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 shopping. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Belgium, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Brussels.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Basel and Antwerp, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Antwerp much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antwerp would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antwerp 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 Antwerp.

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Antwerp, 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 Antwerp?

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 Antwerp in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Antwerp. Most visitors come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Antwerp because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Basel is a little warmer than Antwerp in the summer. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Antwerp fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Antwerp this time of the year. In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Basel usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Antwerp. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Antwerp in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Basel as well as Antwerp. The autumn months attract visitors to Basel because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year.

In the autumn, Basel is around the same temperature as Antwerp. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Basel in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Antwerp averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Basel often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets less rain in October than Antwerp. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Antwerp in the Winter?

Both Antwerp and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Antwerp for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Antwerp. It's quite cold in Basel in the winter. In January, Basel is generally around the same temperature as Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 3°C (37°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Basel usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Basel usually receives more rain than Antwerp. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Antwerp in the Spring?

Both Antwerp and Basel during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Basel for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Antwerp in the spring for the activities around the city.

Basel is a little warmer than Antwerp in the spring. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Antwerp fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Basel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Antwerp. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in April than Antwerp. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and Basel