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

Should you visit Basel or Dresden?

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

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

Dresden

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

Basel and Dresden: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Dresden?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dresden than Basel, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dresden is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Basel is known for its museums, shopping, and impressive beauty. Dresden is more touristy than Basel and is known for its beautiful palaces, castles, and many landmarks (such as the Baroque Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and the Church of Our Lady). It is also home to Dresden Frauenkirche and The Royal Palace. Basel is popular for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Basel different from Dresden?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Basel is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dresden 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.

Dresden is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's rich in culture and baroque architecture. Some of the main sights around town include Dresden Frauenkirche, the Dresden Royal Palace and Museums, the Zwinger and Old Masters Picture Gallery, and the Semper Opera.

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

Foodies will find both Basel and Dresden 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.

Dresden is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food features a number of Saxon specialties, which are typically hearty and heavy on the meat. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll also appreciate the many sweets that you can find around town. You should make sure you try a Fettbemme (open faced sandwich), Eierschecke (a cake), and Sächsische Kartoffelsuppe (potato soup) while you're in town.

Is Basel or Dresden Better for Nightlife?

Dresden 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.

Dresden has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Head to Neustadt for the highest concentration of bars and clubs. There's a diversity of trendy clubs and casual bars. Bar hopping is easy as most places are accessible by public transit.

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 Dresden Better for its Old Town?

Basel and Dresden both have very good 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.

Dresden is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Much of the city's old town has been rebuilt, but that's not to say it isn't beautiful. The main square and surrounding area are where you'll find the majority of the city's main sights.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Dresden?

Basel is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Dresden 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 Dresden. Kunsthofpassage Dresden is a network of streets where you'll find crafts, art, and other eclectic items for sale. Prager Strasse is a popular shopping street near old town and Seestrasse is where you'll find all of the trendy brands that are popular throughout Europe. The city also has many shopping malls.

Is Basel or Dresden Better for Families?

Basel is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Dresden is a city with minimal options 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.

For families, Dresden is not always the best place to visit. It doesn't have quite the abundance of activities for kids that you may find in other Germany cities, but that doesn't mean that kids will be bored. There's the Dresden Zoo, the Dresdner Parkeisenbahn (a small steam rail), and the Saxon Folk Art Museum. Families can also take a guided to of the Transparent Factory, which is owned by Volkswagon and provided information on the manufacturing of automobiles.

Is Basel or Dresden Better for Couples?

Basel and Dresden 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.

Dresden is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can explore the old town or walk through one of the city's many parks. The city has many cultural activities. In the new town you'll find many great bars and fascinating restaurants.

Is Basel or Dresden Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Dresden are good 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.

Dresden is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and the city itself is not particularly expensive.

Is Basel or Dresden Better for Students?

Basel is a great destination for students. However, Dresden 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.

Dresden is not popular with students.

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

Basel is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Dresden 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 Dresden offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has two major train stations as well as tram and bus lines around town.

Is Basel or Dresden a more walkable city?

Basel is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Dresden 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.

Dresden is very walkable. Particularly in the compact city center you'll find Dresden to be very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Dresden or Basel?

How long in Basel or Dresden?

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

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

In Basel, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Dresden, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this architectural 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 Dresden?

In Basel, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Basel has to offer.

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

Basel is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Basel. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Basel. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Dresden. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Dresden?

Dresden has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Dresden, 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 Dresden?

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 Dresden in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Basel is around the same temperature as Dresden. Typically, the summer temperatures in Basel in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Dresden averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Dresden. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Dresden in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Basel as well as Dresden. 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 Dresden because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Basel is generally a little warmer than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 13°C (56°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Basel usually gets more rain in October than Dresden. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Dresden in the Winter?

Both Dresden 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 Dresden this time of year.

It's quite cold in Dresden in the winter. The weather in Basel can be very cold. Basel is much warmer than Dresden in the winter. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

In January, Basel usually receives more rain than Dresden. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Dresden in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Basel is a little warmer than Dresden. Typically, the spring temperatures in Basel in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Dresden averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Basel usually gets more rain in April than Dresden. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dresden and Basel