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

Should you visit Basel or Stuttgart?

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

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

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a authentic, commercial, and diverse 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 Stuttgart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Stuttgart?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Stuttgart than Basel, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Stuttgart is more popular for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Basel is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Basel is more touristy than Stuttgart and is popular for its many museums and its nice old town. Stuttgart is popular for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. It is also home to The Mercedes-Benz Museum.

How is Basel different from Stuttgart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Basel is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Basel offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Stuttgart is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city's influence over the car industry is reflected in the museums in town. You can visit both the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Also check out Schlossplatz, the Ludwigsburg Palace, and Altes Schloss and Landesmuseum while you're in town.

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

Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart. The city blends traditional German flavors with modern twists. You'll find much more than the standard bratworsts that so many people associate with German cuisine. One favorite dish is maultaschen, which is like a ravioli. Also make sure you try spätzle, zwiebelrostbraten (roast and onions) and flädlesuppe (soup with long pasta).

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 Stuttgart Better for Nightlife?

Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene stays active late into the evening. You'll find no shortage of clubs, bars, music venues, and beer gardens. You'll meet a combination of locals, tourists, students, and expats at many venues.

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 Stuttgart Better for its Old Town?

Basel is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Stuttgart?

Both Basel and Stuttgart are very good 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 Stuttgart. The city is filled with pedestrian shopping streets as well as flea markets and major shopping malls. The main shopping street in town is Koenigstrasse, where you'll find many upscale boutiques. For a local food market head to Markthalle Stuttgart. The flagship store of the Breuninger chain is also found in Stuttgart.

Is Basel or Stuttgart Better for Families?

Basel is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Basel. 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 kid-friendly things to do in Stuttgart. Like many German city's, there's a great zoo to explore. There's also some unique museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Kids will also enjoy taking in the view from the top of the Fernsehturm.

Is Basel or Stuttgart Better for Couples?

Basel and Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart is a good city for couples to visit. The city is large enough to have some nice romantic hotels, spas, luxury restaurants, and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Basel or Stuttgart Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's not on the backpacker circuit for most people but there are still plenty of hostels and affordable accommodation options. You'll also find plenty of activities and affordable restaurants to choose from.

Is Basel or Stuttgart Better for Students?

Basel and Stuttgart are both very good 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 Stuttgart. It's an international city with great universities and a friendly and central location. There's also a lively nightlife and plenty of things to do.

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

Both Basel and Stuttgart offer very good 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 Stuttgart can get you to most places easily. The city's transit system includes buses, the U‑Bahn and the S‑Bahn. The U-Bahn is a denser train system in the city center and the S-Bahn covers more distance and reaches into the suburbs with stops that are more spread out.

Is Basel or Stuttgart a more walkable city?

Basel is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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.

Stuttgart is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Stuttgart or Basel?

How long in Basel or Stuttgart?

It's fun to spend time in either Basel or Stuttgart. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Stuttgart due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Basel, and 2-4 days is enough time in Stuttgart.

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

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 Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant 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 Stuttgart. 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 Stuttgart?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the easily accessible 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.

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

A week in Basel or Stuttgart?

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 diverse big city of Stuttgart. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Stuttgart?

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

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 Stuttgart in the Summer?

Both Stuttgart and Basel during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Basel in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Stuttgart for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Basel is around the same temperature as Stuttgart. Typically, the summer temperatures in Basel in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Stuttgart averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In Stuttgart, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Basel. In the summer, Basel often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Stuttgart. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stuttgart receives 238 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in July than Stuttgart. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Stuttgart in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Stuttgart. Most visitors come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Stuttgart because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Basel is generally around the same temperature as Stuttgart. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 13°C (56°F), and Stuttgart fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Basel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Stuttgart during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Stuttgart receives 122 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Basel usually receives more rain than Stuttgart. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basel or Stuttgart in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Basel as well as Stuttgart. The winter months attract visitors to Basel because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year.

It's quite cold in Stuttgart in the winter. The weather in Basel can be very cold. Basel is around the same temperature as Stuttgart in the winter. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Stuttgart fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets less sunshine than Stuttgart. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stuttgart receives 60 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in January than Stuttgart. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Stuttgart in the Spring?

Both Stuttgart and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Stuttgart for the activities around the city.

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

Basel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Stuttgart during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Stuttgart receives 154 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Basel usually receives more rain than Stuttgart. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Stuttgart and Basel