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

Should you visit Basel or Kilkenny?

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

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

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a ancient, medieval, and fascinating town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel and Kilkenny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Kilkenny?

Both Kilkenny and Basel have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Basel is better known for its shopping and impressive beauty, while Kilkenny is more popular for its food. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town. Kilkenny is well known for its medieval castle and long running history.

How is Basel different from Kilkenny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Basel and Kilkenny.

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 Kilkenny. It's seeped in history and there are many historic landmarks in the area including Kilkenny Castle. Also make sure you check out the National Design & Craft Gallery, Saint Mary's Cathedral, and the Medieval Mile Museum.

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

Kilkenny 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 Kilkenny. The town has two Michelin starred restaurants as well as many Irish pubs and international restaurants to choose from.

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 Kilkenny Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Basel and Kilkenny.

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 Kilkenny. You'll find traditional pubs and local breweries around town. The town also hosts several local music festivals.

Is Basel or Kilkenny Better for its Old Town?

Basel and Kilkenny 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.

Kilkenny is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Known as the Medieval Mile, the old town dates back 1,500 years and is filled with city walls, cathedrals, and meandering lanes.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Kilkenny?

Basel is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kilkenny 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.

Kilkenny has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of shopping malls, shopping streets, and local markets. Make sure you check out Market Cross Shopping Centre, MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre, Connolly's Red Mills, and Castleinch Sunday Market.

Is Basel or Kilkenny Better for Families?

Basel and Kilkenny are both excellent 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 Kilkenny. The obvious activity is visiting the Kilkenny Castle, but there are so many other adventures that your family can have. You can do the zip line and other outdoor adventures at Castlecomer Discovery Park, try out falconry, or visit the National Reptile Museum. There's also river rafting, kayaking, and many other outdoor adventures in the area.

Is Basel or Kilkenny Better for Couples?

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

Kilkenny is a very popular place to visit for couples. Adventure lovers will enjoy rafting, kayaking, hiking, and cycling through the area. There are also Michelin starred restaurants and other romantic settings that make for a great couple's weekend.

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 Kilkenny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Kilkenny 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.

Kilkenny is a good city to visit for backpackers. The area has some unique hostels that offer interesting experiences while you're in town.

Is Basel or Kilkenny Better for Students?

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

Kilkenny is not popular with students.

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

Basel is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Kilkenny is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Basel can get you to some places easily. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

While Kilkenny offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are city buses through town.

Is Basel or Kilkenny a more walkable city?

Basel is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Kilkenny 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.

Kilkenny is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and most areas can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Kilkenny or Basel?

How long in Basel or Kilkenny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Basel or Kilkenny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Basel than Kilkenny because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kilkenny.

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

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

The beautiful city of Basel offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

Basel is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Basel, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Basel is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Basel is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the active destination of Kilkenny. 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Kilkenny?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Kilkenny. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Kilkenny, 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 Kilkenny?

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 Kilkenny in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Kilkenny. Most visitors come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Kilkenny because of the family-friendly experiences.

Basel is a little warmer than Kilkenny in the summer. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Kilkenny fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Basel usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 131 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Kilkenny. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Kilkenny in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Basel as well as Kilkenny. The autumn months attract visitors to Basel because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kilkenny this time of year.

In the autumn, Basel is a little warmer than Kilkenny. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Basel in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Kilkenny averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Basel often gets more sunshine than Kilkenny. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 83 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets less rain in October than Kilkenny. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Kilkenny in the Winter?

Both Kilkenny and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kilkenny for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Basel in the winter. In January, Basel is generally much colder than Kilkenny. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 3°C (37°F), and Kilkenny fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Basel usually receives more sunshine than Kilkenny during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Kilkenny receives 50 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Basel usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kilkenny. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kilkenny receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Kilkenny in the Spring?

Both Kilkenny and Basel during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Basel for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kilkenny in the spring for the natural beauty.

Basel is a little warmer than Kilkenny in the spring. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Kilkenny fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Basel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kilkenny. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kilkenny receives 139 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Kilkenny and Basel