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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Basel?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Basel can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a gothic, ancient, and charming 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. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the theater, nightlife, and live music.

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.

Edinburgh and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Basel?

You'll generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than Basel. Edinburgh is bigger than Basel, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is better known for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Basel is more popular for its food. Edinburgh is more touristy than Basel and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Edinburgh different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Basel and Edinburgh. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Edinburgh or Basel?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh are among the most recognizable in the world. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

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 Edinburgh or Basel Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is notable for its theatre productions. However, Basel is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Basel is not a theatre destination.

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

Basel is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Basel has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

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 Edinburgh or Basel Better for Music?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Basel is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Edinburgh In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Basel is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh is revered around the world. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

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 the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Basel?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Edinburgh and Basel.

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Is Edinburgh or Basel Better for Families?

Both Edinburgh and Basel are high quality to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Edinburgh is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Basel is known to be 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.

Is Edinburgh or Basel Better for Couples?

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

Edinburgh is a very popular place to visit for couples. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

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 Edinburgh or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Edinburgh. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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 Edinburgh or Basel Better for Students?

Both Edinburgh and Basel are high quality destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

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.

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

Basel is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Basel can get you to some places easily. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Edinburgh or Basel a more walkable city?

Edinburgh and Basel are first-rate when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Edinburgh. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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

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

Should I spend more time in Basel or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Basel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Basel. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Basel. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Basel.

Families should spend more time in Edinburgh than Basel. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Edinburgh, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Basel?

In Edinburgh, many people enjoy the live music and shopping that this character-filled destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

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.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Basel?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife around the museum-filled 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.

Five days in Edinburgh or Basel?

Edinburgh is a fun place to experience. In Edinburgh, many people enjoy the museums and theater that this quaint destination offers. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the museum-filled 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.

A week in Edinburgh or Basel?

You'll find theater and nightlife around the character-filled destination of Edinburgh. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Basel?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Basel, 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 Edinburgh or Basel?

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 Edinburgh or Basel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Basel. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Basel because of the family-friendly experiences.

Edinburgh is cooler than Basel in the summer. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basel. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Basel. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Basel in the Autumn?

Both Basel and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Basel this time of year.

In the autumn, Edinburgh is cooler than Basel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Edinburgh in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Basel averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Basel during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of rain as Basel. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Basel in the Winter?

Both Basel and Edinburgh during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Basel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Basel. It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. In January, Edinburgh is generally around the same temperature as Basel. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 3°C (38°F), and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Basel. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in January than Basel. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Basel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Basel. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Basel in the spring for the natural beauty.

Edinburgh is much colder than Basel in the spring. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Basel during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Basel. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Basel and Edinburgh