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

Should you visit Basel or Le Mans?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Le Mans, 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 cultural, museum-filled, and easily accessible city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a historic, quaint, and small town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the nightlife and museums.

Basel and Le Mans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Le Mans?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Basel. Although Basel and Le Mans are roughly the same size, Basel has more sights and attractions for tourists. Basel is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Le Mans attracts visitors for its small town charm. Basel is more touristy than Le Mans and is popular for its many museums and its nice old town. It is also well known for The Kunstmuseum Basel. Le Mans is famous for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

How is Basel different from Le Mans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Basel is great for its historical sights. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Basel specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Le Mans offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.

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

Basel is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Le Mans is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Le Mans. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Basel or Le Mans Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Basel and Le Mans.

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 Le Mans. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

Is Basel or Le Mans Better for its Old Town?

Basel is great for its historic old town. However, Le Mans does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

Le Mans does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Le Mans?

Basel is great for shopping. However, Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Basel or Le Mans Better for Families?

Basel is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

Basel is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Le Mans is a family-friendly place to visit. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.

Is Basel or Le Mans Better for Couples?

Basel and Le Mans are both nice 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.

Le Mans is a good city for couples to visit. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

Is Basel or Le Mans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Le Mans 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.

Le Mans is a good city to visit for backpackers. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

Is Basel or Le Mans Better for Students?

Basel is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Le Mans 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.

Le Mans is not popular with students.

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

Basel is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Public transit in Basel is fairly effecient and thorough. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Le Mans has a few public transit options. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

Is Basel or Le Mans a more walkable city?

Basel is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its high level of walkability.

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

Le Mans is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Le Mans or Basel?

How long in Basel or Le Mans?

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

Families should spend more time in Basel than Le Mans. 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 Le Mans. 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 Le Mans 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 Le Mans?

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 Le Mans, many people enjoy the nightlife and museums that this small destination offers. 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 Le Mans?

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 Le Mans. 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 Le Mans?

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.

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

A week in Basel or Le Mans?

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 museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Le Mans. 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 Adventure Tours to France, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Le Mans?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Le Mans. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Le Mans, 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 Le Mans?

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 Le Mans in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Basel as well as Le Mans. Most visitors come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Le Mans because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Basel is generally a little warmer than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 21°C (70°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Le Mans. 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 Le Mans. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 231 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in July than Le Mans. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Le Mans in the Autumn?

Both Le Mans and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Basel because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Le Mans this time of year.

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

Basel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Le Mans during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Basel usually receives around the same amount of rain as Le Mans. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basel or Le Mans in the Winter?

Both Le Mans and Basel during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Le Mans for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Le Mans. It's quite cold in Basel in the winter. In the winter, Basel is much colder than Le Mans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Basel in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Le Mans averages at about 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Le Mans. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 54 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Le Mans. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Le Mans in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Le Mans. Many travelers come to Basel for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Le Mans in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Basel is generally a little warmer than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 12°C (53°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Basel usually receives more rain than Le Mans. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Le Mans and Basel