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

Should you visit Basel or Wurzburg?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Basel or Wurzburg, 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 cultural, museum-filled, and easily accessible city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Wurzburg

Wurzburg is a historical, cultural, and architectural city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel and Wurzburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Basel or Wurzburg?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Wurzburg than Basel. While Basel is larger than Wurzburg, Wurzburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Wurzburg is very popular for its museums and nightlife, while Basel attracts visitors for its shopping. Basel is famous for its many museums and its nice old town. Wurzburg is famous for its wines, gardens, and charming old town. It is also well known for Fortress Marienberg.

How is Basel different from Wurzburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Wurzburg 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 Wurzburg are among the most recognizable in the world. The Franconian city is known for its history and architecture. One of the most well know sights is the 18th-century Residenz palace. Other attractions in town include the Martin von Wagner Museum, the Würzburg Court Gardens, the Marienberg Fortress, and the Würzburg Cathedral & Museum.

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 Wurzburg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Basel and Wurzburg 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.

Wurzburg is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are local restaurants that serve up regional specialties like bratwurst, weisswurst (white sausage), and Bavarian cream. There are also fine dining restaurants and cafes that cater specifically to tourists.

Is Basel or Wurzburg Better for Nightlife?

Wurzburg 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.

Wurzburg has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The town is in the heart of the Franconian wine district, so you'll find many wine bars, cellars, and wineries around town. For something a bit more active, there are some lively clubs and bars to choose from as well.

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 Wurzburg Better for its Old Town?

Basel and Wurzburg both have high quality historical old towns that attract visitors.

Many visitors go to Basel to see the historical old town. 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.

Wurzburg is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is best explored on foot and there are walking tours available that take you through many of the historical and architectural landmarks.

Is the Shopping Better in Basel or Wurzburg?

Basel is a great city for shopping. Also, Wurzburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Wurzburg offers some nice shopping areas. There are several shopping streets as well as some major department stores and local venues.

Is Basel or Wurzburg Better for Families?

Basel is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. However, Wurzburg is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Basel is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Wurzburg is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and cultural sights that can sometimes be challenging for young kids. To break up the history, head to some of the town's gardens and main square.

Is Basel or Wurzburg Better for Couples?

Wurzburg is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Wurzburg is a very popular place to visit for couples. With its beautiful architecture, fascinating history, and beautiful gardens, there is lot for a couple to explore together. You can wander through the fortress or soak up the beautiful gardens.

Basel is a good city for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Basel or Wurzburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Basel and Wurzburg 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.

Wurzburg is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town and it's easily accessible from Frankfurt by public transit. Many people also choose to visit Wurzbug as a day trip.

Is Basel or Wurzburg Better for Students?

Basel is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Wurzburg is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Wurzburg is not popular with students.

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

Both Basel and Wurzburg offer high quality 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 Wurzburg can get you to most places easily. The system includes trams and buses, including five tram lines that make loops around the city.

Is Basel or Wurzburg a more walkable city?

Basel is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, Wurzburg is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of 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.

Wurzburg is a very walkable city. You can wander around town and take in many of the sights and attractions as part of a walking tour.

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

Should I spend more time in Wurzburg or Basel?

How long in Basel or Wurzburg?

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

Families should spend more time in Basel than Wurzburg. 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 Wurzburg than Basel. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Wurzburg that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

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 Wurzburg, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this architectural destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 Wurzburg?

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 Wurzburg. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Wurzburg?

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.

Wurzburg is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Wurzburg. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 Wurzburg?

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 historical destination of Wurzburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Walking Tours in Germany, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Basel or Wurzburg?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Wurzburg. When comparing the sizes of Basel and Wurzburg, 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 Wurzburg?

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 Wurzburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Basel as well as Wurzburg. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Basel this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Wurzburg for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Basel is generally around the same temperature as Wurzburg. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 21°C (70°F), and Wurzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wurzburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basel this time of the year. In the summer, Basel often gets more sunshine than Wurzburg. Basel gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wurzburg receives 221 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in July than Wurzburg. Basel gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Wurzburg receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Wurzburg in the Autumn?

Both Wurzburg and Basel are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Wurzburg in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Basel is a little warmer than Wurzburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Basel averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Wurzburg fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Basel usually receives more sunshine than Wurzburg during autumn. Basel gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Wurzburg receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Basel usually receives more rain than Wurzburg. Basel gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Wurzburg receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Basel or Wurzburg in the Winter?

Both Wurzburg and Basel during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Basel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Wurzburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Wurzburg can be very cold during winter. Basel can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Basel is much warmer than Wurzburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Basel in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Wurzburg averages at about 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Basel often gets more sunshine than Wurzburg. Basel gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wurzburg receives 42 hours of full sun.

Basel usually gets more rain in January than Wurzburg. Basel gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Wurzburg receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Basel or Wurzburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Basel and Wurzburg. Most visitors come to Basel for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Wurzburg because of the natural beauty.

In April, Basel is generally around the same temperature as Wurzburg. Daily temperatures in Basel average around 12°C (53°F), and Wurzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Basel usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wurzburg during spring. Basel gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Wurzburg receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Basel usually receives more rain than Wurzburg. Basel gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Wurzburg receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Wurzburg and Basel