A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Basel vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Couples, Families, and Food

Should you visit Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel, 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a inspiring, iconic, and religious island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Basel and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Basel than Mont-Saint-Michel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Basel is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Mont-Saint-Michel is more popular for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Basel and is known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town. Also, Basel is famous for The Kunstmuseum Basel.

How is Basel different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Mont-Saint-Michel are among the most recognizable in the world. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Basel. 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.

Is the Food Better in Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Basel and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Basel is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Basel has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

Basel is a great destination for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Basel is not a hiking destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel has hiking trails worth exploring. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Basel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Basel is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Basel is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options 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.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Mont-Saint-Michel has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good city to visit for backpackers. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

Basel is a great destination for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Is Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Basel is a great destination for its public transit. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

While Mont-Saint-Michel offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Basel is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable destination. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Basel Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Basel?

How long in Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Basel than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Basel than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Basel, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, many people enjoy the food and museums that this breathtaking destination offers. Lots of people come for the museums. This island 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and nightlife around the vibrant city of Basel, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant destination of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. Lots of people come for the museums. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Basel is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and food around the iconic destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 2060 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

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

Basel is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mont-Saint-Michel this time of the year. In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Basel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Basel is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Basel in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Basel often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in October than Mont-Saint-Michel. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine.

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

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Basel usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

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

Basel is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Basel often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in April than Mont-Saint-Michel. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Basel