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

Should you visit Basel or Bergen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Bergen, 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 historic, cultural, and museum-filled city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bergen

Bergen is a laid back, nostalgic, and friendly city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel and Bergen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Bergen?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Basel than Bergen. While Bergen is larger than Basel, Basel has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Basel is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Bergen is known for its small town charm. Basel is popular for its many museums and its nice old town. It is also home to The Kunstmuseum Basel. Bergen is popular for its breathtaking fjords, classic wooden houses, and surrounding mountain beauty.

How is Basel different from Bergen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Basel is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Basel offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Bergen is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting local museums such as the Hanseatic Museum, the Edvard Grieg Museum, and the KODE Museums.

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

Foodies will find both Basel and Bergen both to be good 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.

Bergen is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city's economy has long been centered around the fish trade and even today you'll find cod, shellfish, trout, and salmon on most menus. Sheep and mutton are also popular. Desserts and coffee are also a big part of the local culture.

Is Basel or Bergen Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Basel and Bergen.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bergen. It's a small city without a huge nightlife district, but there are bars and clubs in Bryggen and Old Bulls Plass. The city has enough students to keep things lively and fun.

Is Basel or Bergen Better for its Old Town?

Basel is notable for its historic old town charm. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Bergen is a good destination for visiting its old town. The wooden buildings and compact streets have a quaint and nostalgic atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Bergen?

Both Basel and Bergen are very good shopping destinations.

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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bergen. The city center is filled with specialty boutiques as well as larger department stores. Shopping has long been a large part of the economy and you'll enjoy exploring the diversity of retail options.

Is Basel or Bergen Better for Families?

Basel and Bergen are both very good destinations for the whole family.

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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bergen. There are some interesting educational opportunities for kids including the Bergen Aquarium, VilVite Science Centre, and Experience Bryggen. Other fun activities include Vannkanten Waterworld and the Fløibanen Funicular.

Is Basel or Bergen Better for Couples?

Bergen is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Bergen is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many romantic activities near town like swimming in the fjords and walking through the parks. There are also spas and music concerts to enjoy.

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 Bergen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Bergen are good 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.

Bergen is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels and guesthouses around town where backpackers can meet other travelers.

Is Basel or Bergen Better for Students?

Basel is notable for students. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Basel is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Plenty of students visit Bergen. It's a very student-friendly city with many activities and a laid back atmosphere. The university facilities are spread out around town and the locals are welcoming and helpful.

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

Both Basel and Bergen offer very good public transit options.

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

The public transit in Bergen can get you to most places easily. For the areas that are outside of the city center, you can take a local bus or the light rail to access them. These services are operated by Skyss.

Is Basel or Bergen a more walkable city?

Basel is very popular for its ease of walking around. Also, Bergen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

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

Bergen is very walkable. The city center is flat and compact enough that it's fun to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bergen or Basel?

How long in Basel or Bergen?

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

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

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

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 Bergen, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this friendly destination offers. This 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 Bergen?

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 Bergen. 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.

Five days in Basel or Bergen?

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.

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

A week in Basel or Bergen?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the easily accessible 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the laid back destination of Bergen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Bergen?

Bergen has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Bergen, 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 Bergen?

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 Bergen in the Summer?

Both Bergen and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Basel in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bergen for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Basel is a little warmer than Bergen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Basel in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Bergen averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. In July, Basel usually receives less rain than Bergen. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Bergen in the Autumn?

Both Bergen and Basel during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bergen because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

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

Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Basel usually gets less rain in October than Bergen. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Bergen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Bergen. The winter months attract visitors to Basel because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bergen this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bergen in the winter. The weather in Basel can be very cold. Basel is much warmer than Bergen in the winter. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Bergen fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Bergen receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Basel usually receives less rain than Bergen. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Bergen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Basel as well as Bergen. The natural beauty are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergen for the small town charm.

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

It's quite rainy in Bergen. Basel usually gets less rain in April than Bergen. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bergen receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergen and Basel