A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Basel vs. Pompeii for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Basel or Pompeii?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Pompeii, 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 easily accessible, beautiful, and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Pompeii

Pompeii is a ancient, famous, and iconic archeological site. And you can't forget about the museums.

Basel and Pompeii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Pompeii?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pompeii. Although Basel and Pompeii are both popular with visitors, Pompeii has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Pompeii is more popular for its museums, while Basel is known for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Pompeii is more touristy than Basel and is popular for its well preserved archaeological ruins that are still intact following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It is also home to the Pompeii Archaeological Ruins. Basel is popular for its many museums and its nice old town.

The Pompeii Archaeological Ruins

How is Basel different from Pompeii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pompeii 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 Pompeii are among the most recognizable in the world. Pompeii is a city frozen in time and it is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. The streets remain as they once stood, lined with shops and homes. Highlights of a visit include the Forum, the Antiquarium, the Temple of Isis, and the Teatro Grande.

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 Pompeii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Basel is very good for its restaurants. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

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.

While Pompeii is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. While there is a café near the Forum, the quality of the food isn't great and it can get crowded. You'd do best to bring your own food as the site is large and you'll want to eat on your own schedule.

Is Basel or Pompeii Better for Nightlife?

Basel is very good for its evening party scene. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for nightlife.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Pompeii. As a popular tourist destination, you'll find some bars nearby, but most people visit as a day trip and head out of town before the evening hours.

Is Basel or Pompeii Better for its Old Town?

Basel is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Pompeii 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.

Pompeii does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Pompeii?

Basel is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Pompeii is lacking in options for shopping.

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.

Pompeii has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There are some souvenir stands outside of the site where you can buy trinkets to remember your visit.

Is Basel or Pompeii Better for Families?

Basel and Pompeii are both excellent 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 Pompeii. Its a city frozen in time, and even kids will get lost in the history and story behind Pompeii. The trick is to find a kid-friendly tour and understand the layout before you arrive. Because it's so big, you want to know which places to visit and which you might want to skip with kids who have short attention spans.

Is Basel or Pompeii Better for Couples?

Basel and Pompeii are both good 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.

Pompeii is a good city for couples to visit. It's an iconic destination in Italy, and should be added to any Italian trip itinerary. It's not exactly a romantic destination, but it's something that every visitor should see.

Is Basel or Pompeii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Pompeii are good 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.

Pompeii is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's touristy and crowded, but also world renowned and not-to-be-missed. Whether you're a backpacker or a luxury traveler, Pompeii is on most itineraries.

Is Basel or Pompeii Better for Students?

Basel is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Pompeii is popular with students. It's history and educational significance make it a great study abroad destination, whether you visit alone, with friends, or as part of a tour group.

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

Basel is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pompeii is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Basel offers a very effecient public transportation network. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

You'll find some public transit in Pompeii, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Many visitors from Sorrento and Naples arrive via the the Circumvesuviana train. There are also buses from many different locations.

Is Basel or Pompeii a more walkable city?

Basel and Pompeii both are terrific when exploring on foot.

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

It's very easy to get around on foot in Pompeii. You can walk around the entire site in about 4 hours, but you'll really want to allow a full day if you want to see everything in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Pompeii or Basel?

How long in Basel or Pompeii?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Basel than Pompeii 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 Pompeii?

In Basel, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Pompeii, many people enjoy the museums that this ancient destination offers. Lots of people come for the museums. This archeological site 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 Pompeii?

In Basel, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Basel has to offer.

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

Basel is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Pompeii is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Pompeii. 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 Pompeii?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Basel. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Basel. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums around the one-of-a-kind destination of Pompeii. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Basel or Pompeii?

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 Pompeii in the Summer?

Both Pompeii and Basel during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pompeii because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Pompeii, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Basel. In the summer, Basel often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in July than Pompeii. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Pompeii in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Pompeii. The autumn months attract visitors to Basel because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Basel usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basel or Pompeii in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Basel as well as Pompeii. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Pompeii for the museums.

It's quite cold in Basel in the winter. Basel is much colder than Pompeii in the winter. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pompeii. Basel usually gets less rain in January than Pompeii. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Pompeii in the Spring?

Both Pompeii and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Basel for the natural beauty.

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

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Basel usually receives more rain than Pompeii. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pompeii and Basel