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

Should you visit Basel or Graz?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Graz, 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 vibrant, historic, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Graz

Graz is a cultural, historical, and beautiful city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel and Graz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Graz?

You'll generally find more things to do in Graz than Basel. Graz is bigger than Basel, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Graz is better known for its food, nightlife, and historical sights, while Basel is more popular for its impressive beauty. Graz is more touristy than Basel and is popular for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. Also, Graz is famous for The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Basel different from Graz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Graz. The old town is among the largest in Europe and it's filled with sights and museums. The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower are among the most iconic sights but other highlights include the GrazMuseum, the Mohren Apotheke's Theriak Museum, a Gothic Franciscan Church, and the Robert Stolz Museum.

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

Graz 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 Graz. There's a huge focus on sustainable dining in town, so you'll find many restaurants that use a farm to table approach. Local ingredients are heavily valued and it's fun to sample the many local flavors. Backhendl is a classic fried chicken dish that you must try.

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 Graz Better for Nightlife?

Graz 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.

Graz has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The large student population means that there's an active nightlife scene that is diverse and fun. There's a wide variety of bars and pubs with almost any music genre you could want. There are also dance clubs for those who are looking for a party.

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 Graz Better for its Old Town?

Graz is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Graz is revered around the world. The medieval city center is very well preserved and one of the largest in Europe. The city has a lot of hidden charm and quaint streets to explore.

Basel is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Graz?

Both Basel and Graz are very good shopping destinations.

Basel is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Graz. You'll find a lot of shopping around both Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz Squares. There are also a number of shopping streets in town including Herrengasse which is filled with shops, restaurants, and more.

Is Basel or Graz Better for Families?

Basel and Graz are both very good destinations for the whole family.

Basel is a very kid-friendly city. 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 family-friendly things to do in Graz. Kids will love the fairytale train and there's also a 4D cinema that is fun for the whole family. In Schlossberg Hill, families should check out The Slide, which is the largest underground slide in the world. Other highlights include a Children's Museum, a Folklife Museum, and a Natural History Museum.

Is Basel or Graz Better for Couples?

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

Graz is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

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 Graz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Graz are notable 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.

Graz is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels around town that make this a nice town to explore as a backpacker.

Is Basel or Graz Better for Students?

Basel and Graz are both very good destinations for students and younger travelers.

Basel is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Graz. It's long been an education center in Austria and students make up a significant portion of the population. It's also a chill city with a relaxed and student-friendly vibe.

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

Both Basel and Graz offer very good 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 Graz can get you to most places easily. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

Is Basel or Graz a more walkable city?

Basel and Graz both are fantastic when exploring on foot.

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

It's very easy to get around on foot in Graz. You'll find everything you'd want to see in the old town, which is large, but still compact enough to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Graz or Basel?

How long in Basel or Graz?

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

Families should spend more time in Graz than Basel. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Graz, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Graz than Basel 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 Graz.

One day in Basel or Graz?

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 Graz, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this medieval destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Graz?

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 Graz. 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 Graz?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant 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.

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

The cultural 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 food and shopping around the cultural destination of Graz. 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 Christmas Market Tours in Austria, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Graz?

Graz has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Graz, 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 Graz?

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 Graz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Basel as well as Graz. Many visitors come to Basel in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Graz for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Basel is around the same temperature as Graz in the summer. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Graz fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Graz. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basel this time of the year. In the summer, Basel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Graz. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 236 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Graz. Basel usually gets less rain in July than Graz. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Graz receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Graz in the Autumn?

Both Graz and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Graz because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Basel is around the same temperature as Graz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Basel in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Graz averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Graz during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 139 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Basel usually receives more rain than Graz. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Graz receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basel or Graz in the Winter?

Both Graz and Basel during the winter are popular places to visit. 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 Graz this time of year.

It's quite cold in Graz in the winter. The weather in Basel can be very cold. In January, Basel is generally much warmer than Graz. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 3°C (37°F), and Graz fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets less sunshine than Graz. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 95 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in January than Graz. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Graz receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Graz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Graz. The natural beauty are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Graz for the natural beauty.

Basel is around the same temperature as Graz in the spring. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Basel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Graz during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Basel usually receives more rain than Graz. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Graz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Graz and Basel