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

Should you visit Basel or Cannes?

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

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

Cannes

Cannes is a luxury, lavish, and glitzy resort city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Basel and Cannes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Cannes?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cannes than Basel. While Basel is larger than Cannes, Cannes has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cannes is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Basel is known for its museums. Cannes is more touristy than Basel and is known for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival. It is also home to Boulevard de la Croisette. Basel is popular for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Basel different from Cannes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Basel is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Basel specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Cannes is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Cannes is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is known for its fresh seafood and produce, local markets, and innovative chefs. There are also a number of traditional dishes that you should try in town including bouillabaisse, daube, and farcis niçois.

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 Cannes Better for Nightlife?

Cannes 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.

Cannes has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is all about the glamour and prestige that this city is known for. There are exclusive nightclubs and luxury cocktail bars where the goal is to see and be seen. Parties last late into the night and the glitz and glamour fill the streets.

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 Cannes Better for Music?

Cannes is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Basel is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Cannes The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.

Basel is not a live music destination.

Is Basel or Cannes Better for Resorts?

Cannes is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Basel is not a resort destination.

Cannes offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The city is filled with luxury resorts and elegant hotels. Among the best are Hôtel Martinez, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, and Five Seas Hotel.

Basel is not a resort destination.

Is Basel or Cannes Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cannes is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Basel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Cannes has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. You can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling trips from a few vendors in town. You might see sponges, sea slugs octopus, cuttlefish, lobsters and even stingrays.

Basel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Basel or Cannes Better for Beaches?

Cannes is notable for the beache. However, Basel is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Cannes. You can choose from both public and private beaches in the area. You'll find more amenities and convenience at the private beaches which are closer to La Croisette (the main promenade in town). These beaches also come with a price tag attached. The public beaches have a more relaxed and natural vibe but are a little less convenient to get to.

Basel is not a beach destination.

Is Basel or Cannes Better for its Old Town?

Basel and Cannes both have excellent historical old towns that attract visitors.

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.

Cannes is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Known as Le Suquet, the old town has many historic landmarks including the the Château de la Castre. There are also cobblestone streets and many great restaurants around town.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Cannes?

Cannes is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Cannes make it a world-class shopping destination. With its many affluent visitors, the shopping scene in town is filled with luxury brands and posh boutiques. Perfume and porcelain are both popular things to buy in the area.

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.

Is Basel or Cannes Better for Families?

Basel is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit 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.

Cannes is a family-friendly city. Most people associate the city with the film festival and late night partying, but there are also kid-friendly restaurants, fun beach activities, and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment along La Croisette Boulevard. Make sure you check out the Grand Carousel and the many playgrounds around town.

Is Basel or Cannes Better for Couples?

Cannes is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Cannes has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's grand hotels and luxury beach clubs make this a perfect romantic destination. There are world class restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene, and many romantic spots around town that make for a memorable honeymoon or couple's getaway.

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 Cannes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Basel is very good for backpackers. However, Cannes is not a good resort city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Basel is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Cannes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's more famous for it's celebrity jetsetters than young budget travelers, but there are still several hostels and budget accommodation options tucked away in town.

Is Basel or Cannes Better for Students?

Basel is a well-known place for students. However, Cannes 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.

Cannes is not popular with students.

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

Basel is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Basel offers a very effecient public transportation network. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Cannes has some public transit options. There are buses that travel around the city.

Is Basel or Cannes a more walkable city?

Basel is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for its walkability.

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

Cannes is very walkable. Many areas are easily explored on foot including the historic areas and the coastline.

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

Should I spend more time in Cannes or Basel?

How long in Basel or Cannes?

It's fun to spend time in either Basel or Cannes. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Cannes 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 Cannes.

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

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

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 Cannes, many people enjoy the live music and food that this glitzy destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort 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 Cannes?

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 Cannes. 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 Cannes?

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.

Cannes is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Cannes. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Basel or Cannes?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the easily accessible 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 shopping and nightlife around the glitzy destination of Cannes. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Bicycle Tours in France, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Cannes?

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

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 Cannes in the Summer?

Both Cannes 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 Cannes because of the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Basel is around the same temperature as Cannes. Typically, the summer temperatures in Basel in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Cannes averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Cannes. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Cannes in the Autumn?

Both Cannes 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. Furthermore, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cannes this time of year.

In October, Basel is generally cooler than Cannes. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 13°C (56°F), and Cannes fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Cannes gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Basel usually gets less rain in October than Cannes. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Cannes in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Basel in the winter. Basel is much colder than Cannes in the winter. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Cannes fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Basel usually receives less rain than Cannes. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Cannes in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Basel as well as Cannes. Many travelers come to Basel for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Cannes in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Basel is cooler than Cannes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Basel in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Cannes averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Basel usually gets more rain in April than Cannes. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cannes and Basel