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

Should you visit Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a active, nature-focused, and coastal city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

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.

Helsinki and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Basel?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Basel than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Basel, Basel has more sights and attractions for tourists. Basel is better known for its historical sights, while Helsinki is more popular for its impressive beauty. Helsinki is well known for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town. Also, Basel is famous for The Kunstmuseum Basel.

How is Helsinki different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Helsinki and Basel.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Helsinki. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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 Helsinki or Basel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Helsinki and Basel both to be notable destinations.

Helsinki has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Basel area. 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 Helsinki or Basel Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Helsinki and Basel.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Helsinki. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Basel has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Helsinki or Basel Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Basel?

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

Helsinki is well-known for its shopping. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

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 Helsinki or Basel Better for Families?

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

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Helsinki is very family-friendly. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

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 Helsinki or Basel Better for Couples?

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

Helsinki is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

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 Helsinki or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki and Basel are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Helsinki is a good city to visit for backpackers. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Is Helsinki or Basel Better for Students?

Both Helsinki and Basel are high quality destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Helsinki. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

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

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both Helsinki and Basel.

The public transit in Helsinki can get you around easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Basel offers a very effecient public transportation network. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Helsinki or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

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.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

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

Should I spend more time in Basel or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Basel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Helsinki and Basel. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Helsinki than in Basel. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 1-3 days is enough time in Basel.

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

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

In Helsinki, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this environmentally conscious 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.

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.

A weekend in Helsinki or Basel?

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

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.

Five days in Helsinki or Basel?

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

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.

A week in Helsinki or Basel?

You'll find food and shopping around the active destination of Helsinki. 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 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Basel?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Basel. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Basel because of the family-friendly experiences.

Helsinki is cooler than Basel in the summer. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Helsinki this time of the year. In the summer, Helsinki often gets more sunshine than Basel. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Basel in the Autumn?

Both Basel and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the shopping 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, Helsinki is much colder than Basel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Helsinki in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Basel averages at about 13°C (56°F).

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

In October, Helsinki usually receives around the same amount of rain as Basel. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Helsinki or Basel in the Winter?

Both Basel and Helsinki during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Helsinki 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 Helsinki in the winter. In January, Helsinki is generally much colder than Basel. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around -6°C (21°F), and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Basel. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in January than Basel. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Basel in the Spring?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. Helsinki is much colder than Basel in the spring. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Basel during spring. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Basel. Helsinki gets 41 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 Helsinki