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

Should you visit Basel or Toulon?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Toulon, 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 beautiful, vibrant, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Toulon

Toulon is a authentic, off-the-beaten-path, and real world port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Basel and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Toulon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toulon than Basel. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Toulon is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches, while Basel attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Basel is more touristy than Toulon and is known for its many museums and its nice old town. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers. It is also well known for The Old Town.

How is Basel different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Basel is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Basel specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

Foodies will find both Basel and Toulon both to be nice 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.

Toulon is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Basel or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Basel and Toulon.

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 Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Basel or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a moderate port city for its diving and snorkeling. However, Basel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Basel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Basel or Toulon Better for Beaches?

Toulon is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Basel is not a beach destination.

Toulon has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Basel is not a beach destination.

Is Basel or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Basel is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its 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.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Toulon?

Both Basel and Toulon are excellent 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 Toulon. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Is Basel or Toulon Better for Families?

Basel is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Basel is 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.

Toulon is a family-friendly city. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Basel or Toulon Better for Couples?

Basel and Toulon are both nice 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.

Toulon is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Basel or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Toulon are nice 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.

Toulon is a good city to visit for backpackers. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

Is Basel or Toulon Better for Students?

Basel is a well-known place for students. However, Toulon is not popular with 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.

Toulon is not popular with students.

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

Basel is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Basel is fairly effecient and thorough. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Toulon has some public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Basel or Toulon a more walkable city?

Basel is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Toulon is a very walkable city. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Basel?

How long in Basel or Toulon?

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

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

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.

In Toulon, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic destination offers. 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 Toulon?

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 Toulon. 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 Toulon?

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.

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

A week in Basel or Toulon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the easily accessible 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 off-the-beaten-path destination of Toulon. 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 Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Toulon?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Toulon, 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 Toulon?

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 Toulon in the Summer?

Both Toulon and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Toulon because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Basel is generally cooler than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 21°C (70°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Toulon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basel. Basel usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during summer. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Basel usually receives more rain than Toulon. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Basel or Toulon in the Autumn?

Both Toulon and Basel during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Basel because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Toulon this time of year.

Basel is cooler than Toulon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Basel often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets less rain in October than Toulon. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Toulon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Toulon. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Toulon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Basel in the winter. In the winter, Basel is much colder than Toulon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Basel in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Toulon averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Basel usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during winter. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Basel usually receives around the same amount of rain as Toulon. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Basel or Toulon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Basel as well as Toulon. Many travelers come to Basel for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Toulon in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Basel is generally cooler than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 12°C (53°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. In the spring, Basel often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in April than Toulon. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Basel