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

Should you visit Basel or Montpellier?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Montpellier, 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 historic, cultural, and museum-filled city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a friendly, historic, and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Basel and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Montpellier?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Montpellier than Basel, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Basel is popular for its many museums and its nice old town. Montpellier is popular for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality. It is also home to The Place de la Comédie.

How is Basel different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Basel and Montpellier.

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 Montpellier. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

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

Foodies will find both Basel and Montpellier both to be good 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.

Montpellier is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Basel or Montpellier Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Basel and Montpellier.

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 Montpellier. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

Is Basel or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is notable for the beache. However, Basel is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Montpellier. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Basel is not a beach destination.

Is Basel or Montpellier Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Montpellier is revered around the world. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

Basel is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Montpellier?

Both Basel and Montpellier are great 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 Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Basel or Montpellier Better for Families?

Basel is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Basel is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Montpellier offers lots of family activities. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Basel or Montpellier Better for Couples?

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

Montpellier is a very popular place to visit for couples. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

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 Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Montpellier is a great city to visit for backpackers. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

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 Montpellier Better for Students?

Montpellier is a world-class destination for students. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Montpellier is a great destination for students. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

Students come from all over to stay in Basel. 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.

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

Both Basel and Montpellier offer great 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 Montpellier can get you to most places easily. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Is Basel or Montpellier a more walkable city?

Basel is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Getting around Basel on foot is easy. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

Montpellier is very walkable. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

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

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Basel?

How long in Basel or Montpellier?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montpellier than Basel 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 Montpellier.

One day in Basel or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Montpellier, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this bustling destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural destination of Basel. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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

The easily accessible city of Basel offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Montpellier is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Montpellier. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Basel or Montpellier?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Basel. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the bustling destination of Montpellier. Most people come for the beaches. 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 in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Montpellier?

Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Montpellier, 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 Montpellier?

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 Montpellier in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Montpellier. Many travelers come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Montpellier in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Basel is around the same temperature as Montpellier. Typically, the summer temperatures in Basel in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Montpellier averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montpellier this time of the year. In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Basel usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Montpellier. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Montpellier in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Basel as well as Montpellier. Many visitors come to Basel in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Montpellier for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Basel is generally cooler than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 13°C (56°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Basel often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Montpellier. Basel usually gets less rain in October than Montpellier. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Montpellier in the Winter?

Both Montpellier and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Basel can be very cold during winter. Basel is much colder than Montpellier in the winter. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Montpellier fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Basel usually receives around the same amount of rain as Montpellier. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Montpellier in the Spring?

Both Montpellier and Basel during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Basel because of the natural beauty. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

In the spring, Basel is around the same temperature as Montpellier. Typically, the spring temperatures in Basel in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Montpellier averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Montpellier, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Basel often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in April than Montpellier. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Basel