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

Should you visit Basel or Bruges?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Bruges, 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 easily accessible, beautiful, and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Bruges

Bruges is a historic, charming, and historic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel and Bruges: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Bruges?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bruges than Basel. While Basel is larger than Bruges, Bruges has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bruges is more popular for its food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Basel is known for its shopping. Bruges is more touristy than Basel and is popular for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. It is also home to Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). Basel is popular for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Basel different from Bruges?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Basel and Bruges.

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 Bruges. The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije Museum.

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

Bruges 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 Bruges. From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.

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 Bruges Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Basel and Bruges.

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 Bruges. It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.

Is Basel or Bruges Better for its Old Town?

Bruges 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 Bruges is revered around the world. The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.

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 Bruges?

Basel is great for its shopping areas. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

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.

Bruges is a great destination for shopping. The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.

Is Basel or Bruges Better for Families?

Basel is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Basel. 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.

Bruges is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy sampling the unique chocolate around town, eating their fill of waffles, and getting their energy out in the park or at a local playground. There are also canal boat tours and horse drawn carriage rides that are fun for the whole family.

Is Basel or Bruges Better for Couples?

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

Bruges is a very popular place to visit for couples. This romantic city has amazing restaurants, charming streets, and impressive architecture. Couples will enjoy exploring the canals by boat or taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the old town. There are also a number of cute bed and breakfasts where you can stay.

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 Bruges Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bruges is notable for backpackers. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bruges is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels around town. The city sees its share of tourists, but many arrive as part of tours or river boat cruises. If you stay in a hostel, you shouldn't have trouble meeting other young travelers though. There are also plenty of well known breweries where you can gather with friends.

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.

Is Basel or Bruges Better for Students?

Basel is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Bruges is not popular with students.

Many students visit 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.

Bruges is not popular with students.

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

Basel is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bruges is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Basel. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Bruges has a few public transit options. There is a bus system that connects the train station to the old town. Otherwise, the city is best explored on foot.

Is Basel or Bruges a more walkable city?

Basel and Bruges both are world-class 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 Bruges. The train station is a short walk from the old town but the city is very walkable and best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bruges or Basel?

How long in Basel or Bruges?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Basel and Bruges. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bruges 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 Bruges.

One day in Basel or Bruges?

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

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 Bruges. 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 Bruges?

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.

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

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic 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 charming destination of Bruges. 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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Bruges?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Bruges. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Bruges, 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 Bruges?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Basel or Bruges in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Basel as well as Bruges. Many travelers come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Bruges in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bruges. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basel this time of the year. In the summer, Basel often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 202 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in July than Bruges. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Bruges in the Autumn?

Both Bruges and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Basel in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Bruges for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Basel is generally around the same temperature as Bruges. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 13°C (56°F), and Bruges fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Basel usually receives more sunshine than Bruges during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Basel usually receives less rain than Bruges. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basel or Bruges in the Winter?

Both Bruges and Basel during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bruges because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bruges can be very cold. Basel can be very cold during winter. Basel is around the same temperature as Bruges in the winter. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Bruges fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets more sunshine than Bruges. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bruges receives 47 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in January than Bruges. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Bruges in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Bruges. The spring months attract visitors to Basel because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bruges this time of year.

In the spring, Basel is a little warmer than Bruges. Typically, the spring temperatures in Basel in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Bruges averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Basel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bruges during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Bruges receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Basel usually receives more rain than Bruges. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bruges receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bruges and Basel