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

Should you visit Basel or Kiel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Kiel, 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 museum-filled, easily accessible, and beautiful city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kiel

Kiel is a waterfront, maritime, 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 Kiel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Kiel?

You'll generally find more things to do in Kiel than Basel. Kiel is bigger than Basel, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Kiel is better known for its beaches and big city activities, while Basel is more popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town. Kiel is well known for its maritime history and its role as the host of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. Also, Kiel is famous for The Kiel Castle.

How is Basel different from Kiel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Basel is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Kiel 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Kiel. You'll find museums and landmarks that focus on the city's maritime past. These include Submarine U-995, the Naval Memorial, Schifffahrtsmuseum Kiel, and Leuchtturm Bülk.

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

Foodies will find both Basel and Kiel both to be notable 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.

Kiel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The local cuisine, Schleswig-Holstein cuisine, is similar to much of Germany in that the dishes are hearty and filling. There are many British and Scandenavian influences. Local dishes that you should try include Kieler Sprotte (herring-like fish), Schnüüsch (veggie stew), and Mehlbüdel (bread dumpling with pork belly)

Is Basel or Kiel Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Basel and Kiel.

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 Kiel. The nightlife scene is low key and relaxing. You can sip a cocktail at a trendy bar or enjoy a beer on a floating beach bar.

Is Basel or Kiel Better for Beaches?

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

Kiel has a beach worth visiting. The city has several sandy beaches with coastal dunes and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Basel is not a beach destination.

Is Basel or Kiel Better for its Old Town?

Basel is well known for its old town. However, Kiel 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.

Kiel does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Kiel?

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

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.

Kiel has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of retail shopping centers and pedestrian shopping streets like Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Basel or Kiel Better for Families?

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

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.

Kiel offers lots of family activities. The U-Boot U 995 is a museum on an actual submarine. Kids will love exploring this unique setting. The Kiel Botanical Gardens is another beautiful and fun place to explore. Also make sure you check out the city's aquarium, the Zoologisches Museum, and Computermuseum der Fachhochschule Kiel.

Is Basel or Kiel Better for Couples?

Basel and Kiel are both notable 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.

Kiel is a good city for couples to visit. The old port city sits along Germany’s Baltic Sea and couples can enjoy learning about the city's maritime past and shopping along the shopping streets of Holstenstrasse and Dänische Strasse.

Is Basel or Kiel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Basel is a popular place for backpackers. However, Kiel 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.

Kiel is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not on the main backpacker circuit, there is a hostel or two in town.

Is Basel or Kiel Better for Students?

Basel is well known for students. Also, Kiel is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

It's common for students to visit Kiel. Students can enjoy the city's beaches and lively nightlife scene.

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

Basel is well known for its public transit. However, Kiel is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Basel has some very good public transit options. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kiel. There is a bus system around town.

Is Basel or Kiel a more walkable city?

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

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

Kiel is a somewhat walkable city. Some parts of Kiel are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Kiel or Basel?

How long in Basel or Kiel?

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

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

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 Kiel, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this maritime 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 Kiel?

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 Kiel. 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 Kiel?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the museum-filled 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.

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

A week in Basel or Kiel?

The historic 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 maritime destination of Kiel. 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 Kiel, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Kiel much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kiel would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kiel 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 Kiel.

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 42% larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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 Kiel in the Summer?

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

Basel is a little warmer than Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Basel usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kiel. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Kiel in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Basel is a little warmer than Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Basel in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Basel often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Kiel. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Kiel in the Winter?

Both Kiel 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 Kiel this time of year.

It's quite cold in Kiel in the winter. The weather in Basel can be very cold. In January, Basel is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 3°C (37°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

Basel usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Basel usually receives more rain than Kiel. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel 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 Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Basel is much warmer than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Basel often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in April than Kiel. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Basel