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

Should you visit Basel or Leipzig?

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

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

Leipzig

Leipzig is a historic, growing, and dynamic city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel and Leipzig: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Leipzig?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Basel than Leipzig. While Leipzig is larger than Basel, Basel has more sights and attractions for tourists. Basel is very popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty, while Leipzig attracts visitors for its quaint atmosphere. Basel is famous for its many museums and its nice old town. It is also well known for The Kunstmuseum Basel. Leipzig is famous for being the home of several great musicians such as Bach and Richard Wagner.

How is Basel different from Leipzig?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Basel and Leipzig.

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 Leipzig. There are many historic landmarks like Old City Hall, St. Thomas Church, St. Nicholas Church, and the Battle of the Nations Monument.

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

Foodies will find both Basel and Leipzig both to be nice 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.

Leipzig is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Coffee houses and cellar restaurants offer an unique atmosphere where you can enjoy local specialties. Sample beef roulade or Saxon dumplings while you soak up the cozy ambiance.

Is Basel or Leipzig Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Basel and Leipzig.

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 Leipzig. Nightlife in town centers around live theater, cultural centers, and live entertainment.

Is Basel or Leipzig Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Leipzig does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Leipzig?

Both Basel and Leipzig are superb 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 Leipzig. The city center has most of the best shopping areas. There are pedestrian streets and squares like Petersstraße and Marktplatz, as well as large shopping malls like Promenaden Hauptbahnhof Leipzig and Petersbogen.

Is Basel or Leipzig Better for Families?

Basel is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Leipzig is a family-friendly place to visit. Head to Belantis, which is an amusement park with rides, or take the kids to one of the many parks like Clara-Zetkin Park where they can unwind. The Leipzig Zoo makes a nice outing as well or Maya Mare is a fun waterpark. There are also several good museums like the Leipzig Panometer.

Is Basel or Leipzig Better for Couples?

Basel and Leipzig 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.

Leipzig is a good city for couples to visit. There are many beautiful outdoor parks and natural areas where couples can enjoy this beautiful city.

Is Basel or Leipzig Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Leipzig 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.

Leipzig is a good city to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers overlook this city, but there are a few hostels and some nice areas to explore for those who make their way here.

Is Basel or Leipzig Better for Students?

Basel is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Leipzig is not popular with students.

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.

Leipzig is not popular with students.

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

Both Basel and Leipzig offer superb 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 Leipzig can get you to most places easily. The city has 61 bus lines and 13 tram lines that connect Leizpig to elsewhere in the region.

Is Basel or Leipzig a more walkable city?

Basel is terrific for its walkability. Also, Leipzig is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Leipzig is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of Leizpig are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Leipzig or Basel?

How long in Basel or Leipzig?

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

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

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 Leipzig, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this growing 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 Leipzig?

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 Leipzig. 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 Leipzig?

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.

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

A week in Basel or Leipzig?

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 growing destination of Leipzig. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Leipzig?

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

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 Leipzig in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Basel as well as Leipzig. The summer months attract visitors to Basel because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Leipzig this time of year.

In July, Basel is generally a little warmer than Leipzig. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 21°C (70°F), and Leipzig fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leipzig. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basel this time of the year. In the summer, Basel often gets more sunshine than Leipzig. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leipzig receives 206 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in July than Leipzig. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Leipzig in the Autumn?

Both Leipzig and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Leipzig for the shopping scene.

Basel is a little warmer than Leipzig in the autumn. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Leipzig fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Basel usually receives more sunshine than Leipzig during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Leipzig receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Basel usually receives more rain than Leipzig. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basel or Leipzig in the Winter?

Both Leipzig and Basel during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Leipzig in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Leipzig can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Basel. In the winter, Basel is much warmer than Leipzig. Typically, the winter temperatures in Basel in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Leipzig averages at about 1°C (33°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets more sunshine than Leipzig. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leipzig receives 45 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in January than Leipzig. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Leipzig in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Leipzig. Many visitors come to Basel in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Basel is generally a little warmer than Leipzig. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 12°C (53°F), and Leipzig fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Basel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Leipzig during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Leipzig receives 143 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Leipzig and Basel