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

Should you visit Basel or Calais?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Calais, 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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Basel and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Calais?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Calais than Basel. While Basel is larger than Calais, Calais has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Calais is more popular for its beaches and big city activities, while Basel is known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Basel is more touristy than Calais and is known for its many museums and its nice old town. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Basel different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Foodies will find both Basel and Calais 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.

Calais is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Basel or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Basel and Calais.

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 Calais. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Basel or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Basel is not a beach destination.

Calais has a beach worth visiting. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Basel is not a beach destination.

Is Basel or Calais Better for its Old Town?

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

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Calais?

Basel is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Basel or Calais Better for Families?

Basel is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Basel is known to be 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.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Basel or Calais Better for Couples?

Basel and Calais 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.

Calais is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Basel or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Basel is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Basel or Calais Better for Students?

Basel is well known for students. However, Calais is not popular with students.

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.

Calais is not popular with students.

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

Basel is well known for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

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

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Basel or Calais a more walkable city?

Basel is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Basel?

How long in Basel or Calais?

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

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

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 Calais, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this undiscovered 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 Calais?

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 Calais. 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 Calais?

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.

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

A week in Basel or Calais?

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 undiscovered destination of Calais. 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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Calais?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Calais. Many visitors come to Basel in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Calais this time of the year. In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Basel usually receives more sunshine than Calais during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Calais. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Basel as well as Calais. Most visitors come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

In the autumn, Basel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in October than Calais. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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 Calais this time of year.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. The weather in Basel can be very cold. Basel is cooler than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Basel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Basel usually receives more rain than Calais. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Basel during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Basel is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Basel in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Basel often gets less sunshine than Calais. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Basel