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

Should you visit Basel or Sarajevo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Sarajevo, 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 vibrant, historic, and cultural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Sarajevo

Sarajevo is a quaint, historical, and cultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. 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 Sarajevo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Sarajevo?

You'll generally find more things to do in Sarajevo than Basel. Sarajevo is bigger than Basel, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Basel is more touristy than Sarajevo and is popular for its many museums and its nice old town. Sarajevo is well known for its worn torn past, but today it is a city that is filled with culture, natural beauty, and incredible food. Also, Sarajevo is famous for The Old Town.

How is Basel different from Sarajevo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Sarajevo. The sights in the city reflect its history and culture. Famous places to visit include Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, the Latin Bridge, Kovači Memorial Cemetery, and the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum.

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

Sarajevo 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, Sarajevo is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Bosnia isn't the first place that comes to mind when you think of food, but it is actually among the best. The dishes are heavy on meat and pastry, with the perfect amount of seasoning. Favorite dishes include Bosnian burek and cevapi. And it's easy to dine your way through this beautiful city as restaurants are very affordable.

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 Sarajevo Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Basel and Sarajevo.

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 Sarajevo. After immersing yourself in history for the day, the nighttime offers the perfect opportunity to unwind. Locals and tourists come together at the city's many bars and nightclubs where you can listen to music, dance, or chat with locals over a cold beer.

Is Basel or Sarajevo Better for its Old Town?

Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo is revered around the world. The city's old town, which is known as Baščaršija, is filled with a history charm that is unlike any other European city. The wooden shops, wandering lanes, and striking minarets highlight the area's beautiful culture and long-running history.

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 Basel or Sarajevo Better for Hiking?

Sarajevo is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Basel is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Sarajevo draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. If you have a way to get out of town, you'll be rewarded with a natural beauty that is untouched and pristine - a rare find in Europe. There are a number of popular trails that are popular with locals and tourists alike. While landmines remain a concern in off-the-beaten-path areas, if you stay on marked trails, they pose no real threat.

Basel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Sarajevo?

Both Basel and Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo. This city offers a unique opportunity to shop for traditional hand-crafted good in the old town. The goods are handmade and reflect the city's long running history as a center for trade. Popular items for purchase include coffee sets, jewelry, and handmade carpets.

Is Basel or Sarajevo Better for Families?

Basel is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Sarajevo is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Basel is very family-friendly. 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.

Sarajevo doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Older kids will really benefit from the history and cultural lessons that coincide with a visit to this beautiful city. There are also some fun activities that they can enjoy including a zoo, an indoor play area, and an amusement park not far outside of town.

Is Basel or Sarajevo Better for Couples?

Basel is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Sarajevo is lacking in good options for couples.

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.

Sarajevo is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Romance isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Sarajevo, but the city has amazing food and world class cultural sights that will make for a truly rewarding trip.

Is Basel or Sarajevo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Sarajevo is a great city to visit for backpackers. This city is among the most culturally captivating places in Europe. Although it's often overlooked by tourists and backpackers, the affordability, stunning beauty, and unique personality make it a truly amazing place to visit.

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 Sarajevo Better for Students?

Basel is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Sarajevo is not popular with students.

Many students visit 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.

Sarajevo is not popular with students.

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

Both Basel and Sarajevo 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 Sarajevo can get you to most places easily. It includes a tram, trolleybus, bus and minibus network.

Is Basel or Sarajevo a more walkable city?

Basel is an unbeatable place for its high level of walkability. Also, Sarajevo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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

Sarajevo is a somewhat walkable city. Most of the touristy areas in the central part of the city are walkable, but there are also some sights outside of town that you will need a taxi to visit.

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

Should I spend more time in Sarajevo or Basel?

How long in Basel or Sarajevo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Basel and Sarajevo. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

One day in Basel or Sarajevo?

The beautiful city of Basel offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Sarajevo, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this overlooked destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Sarajevo?

Basel is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Basel, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sarajevo. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Sarajevo?

Basel is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Sarajevo is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Sarajevo. 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 Sarajevo?

Basel is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Sarajevo. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Cultural Tours in Bosnia and Herzegowina, and The Best Budget Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Sarajevo?

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

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 Sarajevo in the Summer?

Both Sarajevo and Basel during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sarajevo in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Basel is cooler than Sarajevo in the summer. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Sarajevo fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In Sarajevo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Basel. In the summer, Basel often gets less sunshine than Sarajevo. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarajevo receives 323 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in July than Sarajevo. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Sarajevo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Sarajevo. Many visitors come to Basel in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sarajevo for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Basel is cooler than Sarajevo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Basel in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Sarajevo averages at about 17°C (62°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Sarajevo during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Sarajevo receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Sarajevo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Basel usually receives less rain than Sarajevo. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basel or Sarajevo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Basel as well as Sarajevo. Most visitors come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Sarajevo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Basel can be very cold during winter. In January, Basel is generally much colder than Sarajevo. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 3°C (37°F), and Sarajevo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets less sunshine than Sarajevo. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarajevo receives 113 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sarajevo. Basel usually gets less rain in January than Sarajevo. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Sarajevo in the Spring?

Both Sarajevo and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Basel because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sarajevo this time of year.

Basel is cooler than Sarajevo in the spring. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Sarajevo fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Sarajevo during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Sarajevo receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarajevo. In April, Basel usually receives less rain than Sarajevo. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sarajevo and Basel