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

Should you visit Basel or Brescia?

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

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

Brescia

Brescia is a under-rated, historic, and undisovered city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel and Brescia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Brescia?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Basel. Although Basel and Brescia are popular destinations, Basel has more sights and attractions for tourists. Basel is very popular for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Brescia attracts visitors for its food. Basel is famous for its many museums and its nice old town. It is also well known for The Kunstmuseum Basel. Brescia is famous for its historic and archeological sights.

How is Basel different from Brescia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Brescia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some great museums and historic sights around town such as the Museum of Art and History, Tempio Capitolino, the Roman Theater, and Duomo Nuovo.

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

Brescia 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 Brescia. Much of the cuisine has its roots in peasant recipes, but many have been incorporated into fine dining and specialty experiences. The dishes come from the countryside and use many local ingredients. Bigoi Col Pestöm (a local pasta), Casoncelli Alla Bresciana (stuffed pasta), and polenta are all favorites in the area.

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 Brescia Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Basel and Brescia.

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 Brescia. The city has a number of clubs and bars that make for a fun night out.

Is Basel or Brescia Better for its Old Town?

Basel is well known for its historic old town. However, Brescia does not have a historic old town.

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.

Brescia does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Brescia?

Both Basel and Brescia are superb 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 Brescia. It's a small city, but there are a number of fashion brands found around town. Via Gramsci, Corso Magenta, Via Mazzini, and Via X Giornate are among the best shopping streets.

Is Basel or Brescia Better for Families?

Basel is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Brescia is not particularly known 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.

For families, Brescia is not always the best place to visit. There are several parks and swimming pools that the kids will enjoy as well as a castle and lots of archeology.

Is Basel or Brescia Better for Couples?

Basel and Brescia are both nice 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.

Brescia is a good city for couples to visit. It's location near Lake Garda and its rich history and plethora of archeological sites make this a nice destination for couples.

Is Basel or Brescia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Basel is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Brescia is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Brescia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a particularly popular backpacker destination but there are some affordable guesthouses.

Is Basel or Brescia Better for Students?

Basel is well known for students. Also, Brescia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Brescia. This is an affordable and interesting city for students. It's also in a beautiful setting, which makes for a nice experience.

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

Basel is well known for its public transit. Also, Brescia 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 Brescia offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses and light rail to help you get around town.

Is Basel or Brescia a more walkable city?

Basel is renowned for its walkability. Also, Brescia 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.

Brescia is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are easy to walk around.

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

Should I spend more time in Brescia or Basel?

How long in Basel or Brescia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Basel or Brescia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Basel than Brescia because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 1-2 days is enough time in Brescia.

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

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

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 Brescia, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this undisovered 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 Brescia?

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 Brescia. 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 Brescia?

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.

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

A week in Basel or Brescia?

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 authentic destination of Brescia. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Brescia?

Brescia has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Brescia, 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 Brescia?

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 Brescia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Brescia. The summer months attract visitors to Basel because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brescia this time of year.

In July, Basel is generally cooler than Brescia. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 21°C (70°F), and Brescia fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brescia this time of the year. In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Basel usually receives less sunshine than Brescia during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Brescia receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Brescia. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Brescia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Basel as well as Brescia. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Brescia for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Basel is around the same temperature as Brescia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Brescia fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Basel often gets less sunshine than Brescia. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brescia receives 137 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets less rain in October than Brescia. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Brescia in the Winter?

Both Brescia and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Brescia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Brescia can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Basel. In the winter, Basel is much warmer than Brescia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Basel in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Brescia averages at about 1°C (35°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Brescia during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Brescia receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Basel usually receives more rain than Brescia. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Brescia in the Spring?

Both Brescia and Basel during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Basel in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Brescia for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Basel is generally around the same temperature as Brescia. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 12°C (53°F), and Brescia fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Basel often gets less sunshine than Brescia. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brescia receives 169 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in April than Brescia. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Brescia receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Brescia and Basel