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

Should you visit Basel or Dijon?

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

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

Dijon

Dijon is a cultural, laid-back, and culinary city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel and Dijon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Dijon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dijon. Although Basel and Dijon are popular destinations, Dijon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dijon is very popular for its food and big city activities, while Basel attracts visitors for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Dijon is more touristy than Basel and is known for its cuisine, wine, and nearby vineyards. It is also well known for The Ducal Palace. Basel is famous for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Basel different from Dijon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Basel and Dijon.

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 Dijon. This historic city is filled with sights worth checking. Palais des Ducs and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Cathédrale Saint-Bénigne, and Eglise Notre-Dame are among the favorites.

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

Dijon 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, Dijon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It is one of the top foodie destinations in France, and you'll find amazing local markets, award winning restaurants, and world class cuisine. Make sure you check out Les Halles Market to try local flavors. In addition to its famous mustard, the city is also popular for gingerbread, truffles, escargot, and, of course, wine.

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 Dijon Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Basel and Dijon.

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 Dijon. While it's not a active as the larger European cities, there's still an fun nightlife scene that is driven mostly by the large student population.

Is Basel or Dijon Better for its Old Town?

Basel is notable for its historic old town. However, Dijon 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.

Dijon does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Dijon?

Basel is notable for shopping. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Basel is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Dijon. For the best shopping in town, head to the main shopping street - Rue de la Liberté. It's lined with everything from clothing stores to wine shops and larger department stores. You'll even be able to pick up some of the famed mustard while you're in town.

Is Basel or Dijon Better for Families?

Basel is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Dijon is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the open space that the city offers. There are parks where they can run around, like The Parc de la Colombieres which has a carousel and a ropes course. There are also many museums including two favorites for young ones - Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne and Musee d'Histoire Naturelle.

Is Basel or Dijon Better for Couples?

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

Dijon is a very popular place to visit for couples. Art, palaces, gardens, and fine wine make it a perfect couple's getaway. There is some of the best food in France, as well as a welcoming culture and many beautiful sights to explore.

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 Dijon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Dijon 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.

Dijon is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's a beautiful city with a touristy vibe, so you'll likely meet other travelers while you're in town.

Is Basel or Dijon Better for Students?

Basel is notable for students. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Plenty of students visit Dijon. While it's quieter than the bigger cities, you'll find a young vibe and enough of a nightlife scene to keep it interesting.

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

Basel is notable for its public transit. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Dijon has some public transit options. Tram and buses offer access to many parts of the city.

Is Basel or Dijon a more walkable city?

Basel is terrific for its walkability. Also, Dijon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Dijon is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the inner city is walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Dijon or Basel?

How long in Basel or Dijon?

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

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

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

In Basel, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this museum-filled 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.

In Dijon, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this laid-back destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Dijon?

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

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

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

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

A week in Basel or Dijon?

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Basel. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the culinary destination of Dijon. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Dijon?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Dijon. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Dijon, 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 Dijon?

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 Dijon in the Summer?

Both Dijon and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Basel in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Dijon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Basel is generally around the same temperature as Dijon. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 21°C (70°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Dijon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basel. Basel usually receives less sunshine than Dijon during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Dijon receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Dijon. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Dijon in the Autumn?

Both Dijon and Basel during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Dijon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Basel is around the same temperature as Dijon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Dijon fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Basel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 121 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in October than Dijon. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Dijon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Dijon. 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 Dijon this time of year.

It's quite cold in Dijon in the winter. The weather in Basel can be very cold. In the winter, Basel is around the same temperature as Dijon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Basel in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Dijon averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Basel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dijon during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Dijon receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Basel usually receives more rain than Dijon. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Dijon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Basel as well as Dijon. The natural beauty are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dijon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Basel is generally around the same temperature as Dijon. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 12°C (53°F), and Dijon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Basel often gets less sunshine than Dijon. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dijon receives 178 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in April than Dijon. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dijon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dijon and Basel