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

Should you visit Basel or Rotterdam?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Rotterdam, 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a trendy, high energy, and modern port 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 Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Rotterdam?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Rotterdam than Basel, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rotterdam is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Basel is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Basel is more touristy than Rotterdam and is popular for its many museums and its nice old town. Rotterdam is popular for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall. It is also home to The Cube Houses.

The Cube Houses

How is Basel different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Basel is great for its historical sights. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

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

Foodies will find both Basel and Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Is Basel or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

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 Rotterdam Better for its Old Town?

Basel is great for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Rotterdam?

Both Basel and Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

Is Basel or Rotterdam Better for Families?

Basel and Rotterdam are both great 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 Rotterdam. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Is Basel or Rotterdam Better for Couples?

Basel and Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam is a good city for couples to visit. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

Is Basel or Rotterdam Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Is Basel or Rotterdam Better for Students?

Basel and Rotterdam are both great destinations for students and younger travelers.

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.

Students come from all over to stay in Rotterdam. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

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

Both Basel and Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam can get you to most places easily. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

Is Basel or Rotterdam a more walkable city?

Basel is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its walkability.

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

Rotterdam is very walkable. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotterdam or Basel?

How long in Basel or Rotterdam?

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

Families should spend more time in Basel than Rotterdam. 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 Rotterdam. 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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Basel. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Basel has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Each neighborhood in Rotterdam has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This port 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 Rotterdam?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful city of Basel. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Rotterdam is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Rotterdam. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Basel or Rotterdam?

Basel is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find food and shopping around the high energy big city of Rotterdam. 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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Rotterdam, 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 Rotterdam?

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 Rotterdam in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Basel as well as Rotterdam. Many travelers come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Rotterdam in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Basel is a little warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Basel in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rotterdam. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basel this time of the year. In the summer, Basel often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in July than Rotterdam. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Rotterdam in the Autumn?

Both Rotterdam and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Basel in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Basel is generally a little warmer than Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 13°C (56°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Basel usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Basel usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rotterdam. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basel or Rotterdam in the Winter?

Both Rotterdam and Basel during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. Basel can be very cold during winter. Basel is a little warmer than Rotterdam in the winter. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in January than Rotterdam. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Rotterdam in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Rotterdam. The spring months attract visitors to Basel because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year.

In the spring, Basel is much warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Basel in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 8°C (46°F).

Basel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rotterdam during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Basel usually receives more rain than Rotterdam. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Basel