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

Should you visit Basel or Bremen?

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

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

Bremen

Bremen is a historic, beautiful, and colorful city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel and Bremen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Bremen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bremen than Basel, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Basel is popular for its many museums and its nice old town. Bremen is popular for its beautiful historic center and its role as a cultural hub in Germany. It is also home to The Historic Marktplatz.

The Historic Marktplatz

How is Basel different from Bremen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Bremen. Many of the city's landmarks are located around the famous Marktplatz. You can tour the Bremen Town Hall or wander around the Medieval Schnoor Quarter. Also make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Peter.

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

Foodies will find both Basel and Bremen 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.

Bremen is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food is hearty and filling with many meat heavy dishes. Vegetarians may struggle to find local options. Traditional regional dishes include Kohl und Pinkel (kale and sausage), Labskaus (meat and stew), and fried smelt.

Is Basel or Bremen Better for Nightlife?

Bremen 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.

Bremen has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a variety of evening activities including cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and fine dining restaurants. Head to the Viertel District for some of the most lively clubs.

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 Bremen Better for its Old Town?

Bremen is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Bremen is revered around the world. The old town is beautiful with its charming streets and beautiful buildings. There's a main market square which is filled with many landmarks and tourist sights.

Basel is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Bremen?

Both Basel and Bremen are excellent 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 Bremen. The city offers a mix of historic shopping areas and large shopping malls. Some of the biggest shopping malls include Karstadt Bremen, Lloyd Passage, and Weserpark.

Is Basel or Bremen Better for Families?

Basel and Bremen are both excellent 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 Bremen. Kids will appreciate a Sunday visit to the Bremen Town Musicians play which performs popular fairy tales. If the season isn't right, there are many other kid-friendly activities around town including Bürgerpark, the puppet theater, or visiting the beach at Café Sand. Popular museums in town for kids include Universum and Bremer Geschichtenhaus.

Is Basel or Bremen Better for Couples?

Basel and Bremen are both good 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.

Bremen is a good city for couples to visit. From its beautiful old town to its many great restaurants and shopping streets, couples will enjoy a romantic trip away in this beautiful city.

Is Basel or Bremen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Bremen 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.

Bremen is a good city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers love the old town and lively atmosphere. There are enough tourists around that you'll find a decent social scene and the atmosphere makes for a great visit.

Is Basel or Bremen Better for Students?

Basel is notable for students. However, Bremen is not popular with students.

Basel is very popular with students. 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.

Bremen is not popular with students.

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

Both Basel and Bremen offer excellent 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 Bremen can get you to most places easily. The city has both trams and buses that offer easy accessibility to most of the tourist areas.

Is Basel or Bremen a more walkable city?

Basel and Bremen both are terrific 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 Bremen. It's one of the most walkable cities in Europe.

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

Should I spend more time in Bremen or Basel?

How long in Basel or Bremen?

It's fun to spend time in either Basel or Bremen. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Bremen due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 2-4 days is enough time in Bremen.

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

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

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

One day in Basel or Bremen?

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 Bremen, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city 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 Bremen?

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 Bremen. 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 Bremen?

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.

Bremen is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bremen. 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 Bremen?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant 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 lively destination of Bremen. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Music Tours in Germany, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Bremen?

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

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 Bremen in the Summer?

Both Bremen and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bremen because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Basel is a little warmer than Bremen. Typically, the summer temperatures in Basel in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Bremen averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basel. Basel usually receives more sunshine than Bremen during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Bremen receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Bremen. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Bremen in the Autumn?

Both Bremen and Basel during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Basel because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bremen this time of year.

In October, Basel is generally a little warmer than Bremen. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 13°C (56°F), and Bremen fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Basel often gets more sunshine than Bremen. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bremen receives 100 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in October than Bremen. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Bremen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Bremen. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bremen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bremen. It's quite cold in Basel in the winter. Basel is much warmer than Bremen in the winter. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Bremen fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Basel usually receives more sunshine than Bremen during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Bremen receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Basel usually receives more rain than Bremen. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Bremen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Basel as well as Bremen. Many travelers come to Basel for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Bremen in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Basel is a little warmer than Bremen. Typically, the spring temperatures in Basel in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Bremen averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Basel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bremen. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bremen receives 153 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in April than Bremen. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bremen receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bremen and Basel