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

Should you visit Basel or Munich?

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

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

Munich

Munich is a multicultural, economically thriving, and bustling city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Basel and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Munich?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Munich than Basel, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Munich is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Basel is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Munich is more touristy than Basel and is known for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also home to The Nymphenburg Palace. Basel is popular for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Basel different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Munich. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

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

Munich is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Munich. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Is Basel or Munich Better for Nightlife?

Munich is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

People head to Munich just to party. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Is Basel or Munich Better for Music?

Munich is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Basel is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Munich The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

Basel is not a live music destination.

Is Basel or Munich Better for its Old Town?

Basel is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Munich 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.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Munich?

Munich is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Munich make it a world-class shopping destination. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Is Basel or Munich Better for Families?

Basel and Munich are both superb destinations for the whole family.

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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Munich. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

Is Basel or Munich Better for Couples?

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

Munich is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants around town.

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 Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Munich is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Munich. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

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 Munich Better for Students?

Munich 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.

Munich is a great destination for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

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 Munich Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Munich is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Munich can get you around easily. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

The public transit in Basel can get you to most places easily. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Basel or Munich a more walkable city?

Basel is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Munich 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.

Munich is very walkable. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Munich or Basel?

How long in Basel or Munich?

In either Basel or Munich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Munich than Basel because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 2-5 days is enough time in Munich.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Munich 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 Munich.

One day in Basel or Munich?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Each neighborhood in Munich has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Basel or Munich?

Basel is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Basel. 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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Munich is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Munich has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Basel or Munich?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Basel. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 museums and nightlife around the high energy big city of Munich. 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 Munich, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Munich much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Munich would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Munich 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 Munich.

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Munich?

Munich has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Munich, 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 Munich?

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 Munich in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Munich. The summer months attract visitors to Basel because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Munich this time of year.

In the summer, Basel is around the same temperature as Munich. Typically, the summer temperatures in Basel in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Munich averages at about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Munich 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 Munich during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Munich. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Munich in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Basel as well as Munich. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Munich for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Basel is generally a little warmer than Munich. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 13°C (56°F), and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Basel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Munich. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in October than Munich. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Munich in the Winter?

Both Munich and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Munich in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Munich can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Basel. Basel is much warmer than Munich in the winter. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Basel usually receives more sunshine than Munich during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Basel usually receives more rain than Munich. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Munich in the Spring?

Both Munich and Basel during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Basel in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Munich for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Basel is around the same temperature as Munich. Typically, the spring temperatures in Basel in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Basel often gets less sunshine than Munich. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in April than Munich. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Munich and Basel