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

Should you visit Basel or Caen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Caen, 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 cultural, museum-filled, and easily accessible city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Caen

Caen is a park-filled, important, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Basel and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Caen?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Caen than Basel. While Basel is larger than Caen, Caen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Caen is very popular for its food and big city activities, while Basel attracts visitors for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Basel is famous for its many museums and its nice old town. Caen is famous for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. It is also well known for Pegasus Bridge.

How is Basel different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Caen. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

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

Caen 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 Caen. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

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 Caen Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Basel and Caen.

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 Caen. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Basel or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Basel is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of 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.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Caen?

Basel is a very popular place for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Basel or Caen Better for Families?

Basel is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Basel is a very family-friendly destination. 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 kid-friendly things to do in Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Basel or Caen Better for Couples?

Basel and Caen 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.

Caen is a good city for couples to visit. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Basel or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Caen are nice 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.

Caen is a good city to visit for backpackers. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Is Basel or Caen Better for Students?

Basel is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Both Basel and Caen offer great 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 Caen can get you to most places easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Is Basel or Caen a more walkable city?

Basel is renowned for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Basel?

How long in Basel or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Basel and Caen. In our opinion, Basel has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Basel than Caen. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

Families should spend more time in Basel than Caen. 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 Caen. 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 Caen 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 Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Basel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Caen, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this historic destination offers. 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 Caen?

Basel is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. 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 Caen?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the easily accessible destination of Basel. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

A week in Basel or Caen?

The easily accessible city of Basel offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

You'll find nightlife and food around the historic destination of Caen. 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 France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Caen?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Caen, 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 Caen?

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 Caen in the Summer?

Both Caen and Basel during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Caen in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Basel is generally a little warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 21°C (70°F), and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Caen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Basel. In the summer, Basel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Caen. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in July than Caen. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Caen. Many visitors come to Basel in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions during these months.

Basel is around the same temperature as Caen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Basel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Caen during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Basel usually receives around the same amount of rain as Caen. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basel or Caen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Basel as well as Caen. Most visitors come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Caen because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Caen can be very cold. Basel can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Basel is much colder than Caen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Basel in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Caen averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets less sunshine than Caen. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in January than Caen. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Basel because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

In April, Basel is generally a little warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 12°C (53°F), and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Caen during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Basel usually receives more rain than Caen. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Caen and Basel