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

Should you visit Basel or Naples?

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

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

Naples

Naples is a fascinating, historic, and authentic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Naples?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Naples than Basel, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Naples is more popular for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Basel is known for its impressive beauty. Basel is popular for its many museums and its nice old town. Naples is popular for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. It is also home to Piazza del Plebiscito.

How is Basel different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Naples. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

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

Naples is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Naples is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

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 Naples Better for Nightlife?

Naples is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Naples has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

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 Naples Better for its Old Town?

Basel and Naples 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.

Naples is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Naples?

Both Basel and Naples 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 Naples. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

Is Basel or Naples Better for Families?

Basel is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Naples 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.

Naples offers lots of family activities. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Basel or Naples Better for Couples?

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

Naples is a very popular place to visit for couples. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

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 Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Naples is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

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 Naples Better for Students?

Basel is well known for students. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

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

Both Basel and Naples 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 Naples can get you to most places easily. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

Is Basel or Naples a more walkable city?

Basel is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Naples 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.

Naples is very walkable. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Naples or Basel?

How long in Basel or Naples?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Basel and Naples. In our opinion, Naples has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Naples 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 Naples. 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 Naples than Basel. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Naples that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

One day in Basel or Naples?

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 Naples has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Naples?

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 Naples. 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 Naples?

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.

Naples is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Naples. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Naples?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant 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 food and shopping around the authentic big city of Naples. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Naples, 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 Naples?

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 Naples in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Basel is around the same temperature as Naples. Typically, the summer temperatures in Basel in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Naples averages at about 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Naples this time of the year. In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. Basel usually receives less sunshine than Naples during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Naples. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Naples in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Basel as well as Naples. 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 Naples for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Basel is generally cooler than Naples. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 13°C (56°F), and Naples fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Basel often gets less sunshine than Naples. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Naples. Basel usually gets less rain in October than Naples. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Naples in the Winter?

Both Naples 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 Naples in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Basel. Basel is much colder than Naples in the winter. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Naples during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Naples. In January, Basel usually receives less rain than Naples. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Naples in the Spring?

Both Naples 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 Naples for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Basel is cooler than Naples. Typically, the spring temperatures in Basel in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Naples averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Basel often gets less sunshine than Naples. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in April than Naples. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Naples and Basel