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

Should you visit Glasgow or Basel?

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

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

Glasgow

Glasgow is a friendly, cultural, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music.

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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Glasgow and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Glasgow or Basel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Glasgow than Basel, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Glasgow is more popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Basel is known for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Glasgow is popular for its rich culture, its beautiful Victorian and art nouveau architecture, and its large student population. It is also home to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Basel is popular for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Glasgow different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Basel and Glasgow.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Glasgow can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is rich in culture and offers many fascinating sights including the Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Necropolis.

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 Glasgow or Basel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Glasgow and Basel offer a number of good restaurants to choose from.

Glasgow is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city's food scene continues to grow and innovate. You'll find plenty of seafood options as well as international cuisine and everything from fine dining to local cafes.

Basel offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Glasgow or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Glasgow is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

People head to Glasgow just to party. The city has some of the best nightlife in the entire country. There are clubs, bars, techno warehouses and more. Some of the best clubs include Sub Club, The Berkeley Suite, and The Garage.

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 Glasgow or Basel Better for Music?

Glasgow 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 Glasgow Known to some as "the city of music", you'll find a wide range of music venues, live shows, festivals, and even a great underground music scene.

Basel is not a live music destination.

Is Glasgow or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Basel is great for its historic old town charm. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town.

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.

Many visitors go to Glasgow to see the historical old town. High Street is one of the oldest and most well known streets in the city.

Is the Shopping Better in Glasgow or Basel?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Glasgow is a great destination for shopping. The city has independent boutique shops as well as major brands. Head to the "Style Mile" for some of the best shopping. It's a district that offers pedestrian-friendly shopping and includes high end boutiques and independent markets. Also check out The Barras Market, Buchanan Street, and High Street.

Is Glasgow or Basel Better for Families?

Basel is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Glasgow is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some family-friendly museums including the hands on The Burrell Collection, the Glasgow Science Center, and The Riverside Museum. If you have older kids who enjoy the water, there are some water activities in town. Check out Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park or Outdoor Pursuits. There are also climbing gyms and skate parks.

Is Glasgow or Basel Better for Couples?

Glasgow and Basel are both good to visit as a couple.

Glasgow is a good city for couples to visit. Couples can enjoy a museum or one of the parks around town. There are also river cruises and spas. For a more locally specific activity, check out the Bothwell Castle.

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

Is Glasgow or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Glasgow and Basel are good places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Glasgow. There are a good number of hostels around town as well as a good social scene, making this a decent option for backpackers.

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 Glasgow or Basel Better for Students?

For students, both Glasgow and Basel are superb places to visit.

Glasgow is a great city to visit as a student. The city has the second largest student population in the UK, so you'll find plenty of students to hang out with.

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.

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

Glasgow and Basel both offer superb public transit to get you around.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Glasgow. The subway is convenient in the city center, west end, and southside. There are also buses throughout the city.

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

Is Glasgow or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Glasgow is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its 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.

Glasgow is very walkable. The city center is generally walkable and can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Basel or Glasgow?

How long in Glasgow or Basel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Glasgow and Basel. In our opinion, Basel has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Basel than Glasgow. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Glasgow, and 1-3 days is enough time in Basel.

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

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

In Glasgow, many people enjoy the live music and food that this friendly destination offers. 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.

In Basel, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Glasgow or Basel?

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

In Basel, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Basel has to offer.

Five days in Glasgow or Basel?

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

Basel is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Glasgow or Basel?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Glasgow. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Basel. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Basel. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Basel?

Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow 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 Glasgow 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 Glasgow or Basel in the Summer?

Both Basel and Glasgow during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Basel this time of year.

In July, Glasgow is generally cooler than Basel. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 15°C (59°F), and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Basel. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.

Glasgow usually gets more rain in July than Basel. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Basel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Basel. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Glasgow is cooler than Basel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Basel fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Basel during autumn. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Glasgow gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Basel. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Glasgow or Basel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Basel. Many travelers come to Glasgow for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Basel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Basel can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Glasgow. In the winter, Glasgow is around the same temperature as Basel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Glasgow in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Basel averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Basel. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.

Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the winter. Glasgow usually gets more rain in January than Basel. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Glasgow or Basel in the Spring?

Both Basel and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Glasgow in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Basel for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Glasgow is generally much colder than Basel. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 7°C (45°F), and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Basel during spring. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Glasgow usually receives around the same amount of rain as Basel. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Basel and Glasgow