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

Should you visit Basel or Ljubljana?

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

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

Ljubljana

Ljubljana is a authentic, historic, and charming capital city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel and Ljubljana: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Ljubljana?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Ljubljana than Basel. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Ljubljana is very popular for its big city activities, while Basel attracts visitors for its museums and impressive beauty. Basel is famous for its many museums and its nice old town. Ljubljana is famous for its small town atmosphere in a big city setting that's filled with culture, architecture, and natural beauty. It is also well known for The Ljubljana Castle.

How is Basel different from Ljubljana?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Basel is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for its sights and museums.

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.

Ljubljana offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Because the city is so compact, it's easy to see the notable landmarks with an easy walk. Famous landmarks include Ljubljana Castle, the Dragon Bridge, and the Franciscan Church.

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

Foodies will find both Basel and Ljubljana 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.

Ljubljana is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city is surrounded by nature, so there's easy access to wild fruits and vegetables. It also has a lot of locally made honey and traditional, family run restaurants. Popular dishes include local sausage, pražen krompir (a potato side dish) and Slovenian style fried chicken.

Is Basel or Ljubljana Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Basel and Ljubljana.

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 Ljubljana. Given its small size, there are a surprising number of clubs and bars in town. The city has a vibrant energy in the evening, and it's easy to travel from venue to venue on foot.

Is Basel or Ljubljana Better for its Old Town?

Basel and Ljubljana both have superb 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.

Ljubljana is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is compact with wondering cobblestone streets and historic landmarks. At the heart of the city is Prešernov trg Square, which is where you'll find several notable buildings and nearby Central Market.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Ljubljana?

Both Basel and Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana. The city has several shopping streets where you can find local and international fashion brands. Many people enjoy shopping for crystal and glass products in the city. Also check out the Central Market which has fresh local food products.

Is Basel or Ljubljana Better for Families?

Basel is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. However, Ljubljana is not known 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.

Ljubljana is not the most family-friendly destination. The city has several good museums including the House of Experiments, which is only open on weekends. There are parks you can explore and it's fun to take the funicular to the castle. You can also take a boat ride which is fun for the whole family.

Is Basel or Ljubljana Better for Couples?

Basel and Ljubljana 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.

Ljubljana is a good city for couples to visit. It's one of the more under-rated cities in Europe, but there are a number of romantic activities that you can enjoy here. Explore the old town, wander through the botanical gardens, or take a boat ride along the river. All make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Basel or Ljubljana Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ljubljana is notable for backpackers. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ljubljana is a great capital city to visit for backpackers. Although its not as popular as many of the more well known cities, this is an affordable option that is great for backpackers and budget travelers.

Basel is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Is Basel or Ljubljana Better for Students?

Basel is a great city for its student-friendly activities. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital city for 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.

Ljubljana is a good city to visit for students. If you're looking for a unique study abroad opportunity, the University of Ljubljana offers an excellent academic experience in a a lively small city with easy access to nature.

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

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

Visitors to Basel can move around easily with public transportation. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Ljubljana has a few public transit options. There is a city bus system.

Is Basel or Ljubljana a more walkable city?

Basel is renowned for its walkability. Also, Ljubljana is not as popular, but is still a nice capital 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.

Ljubljana is a very walkable city. It is compact and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Ljubljana or Basel?

How long in Basel or Ljubljana?

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

Families should spend more time in Basel than Ljubljana. 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 Ljubljana. 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.

One day in Basel or Ljubljana?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Basel. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Basel has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the museum-filled destination of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the museum-filled city of Basel. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

Basel is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find food and shopping around the authentic destination of Ljubljana. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ljubljana, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Ljubljana.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Ljubljana?

Ljubljana has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Ljubljana, 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 Ljubljana?

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 Ljubljana in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Basel as well as Ljubljana. The summer months attract visitors to Basel because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ljubljana this time of year.

In July, Basel is generally around the same temperature as Ljubljana. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 21°C (70°F), and Ljubljana fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ljubljana. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basel this time of the year. In the summer, Basel often gets less sunshine than Ljubljana. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ljubljana receives 260 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Ljubljana. Basel usually gets less rain in July than Ljubljana. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Ljubljana in the Autumn?

Both Ljubljana 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 Ljubljana for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Basel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ljubljana during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Ljubljana receives 116 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ljubljana. In October, Basel usually receives less rain than Ljubljana. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basel or Ljubljana in the Winter?

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

Ljubljana can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Basel. In the winter, Basel is much warmer than Ljubljana. Typically, the winter temperatures in Basel in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Ljubljana averages at about 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets more sunshine than Ljubljana. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ljubljana receives 47 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Ljubljana. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Ljubljana in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Ljubljana. Many visitors come to Basel in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Ljubljana for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Basel is generally around the same temperature as Ljubljana. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 12°C (53°F), and Ljubljana fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Basel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ljubljana during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Ljubljana receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

Ljubljana receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Basel usually receives less rain than Ljubljana. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ljubljana receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ljubljana and Basel