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

Should you visit Heraklion 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 Heraklion 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.

Heraklion

Heraklion is a historic, vibrant, and accessible 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 food.

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.

Heraklion and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heraklion or Basel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Heraklion than Basel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Heraklion is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Basel is more popular for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Heraklion is more touristy than Basel and is popular for its archeological sights, local Cretan restaurants, and its vibrant nightlife scene. Also, Heraklion is famous for The Palace of Knossos. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Heraklion different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Heraklion. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. The impressive Palace of Knossos is a must-see, but also make sure you visit the Koules Fortress, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Natural History Museum of Crete.

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 Heraklion or Basel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Heraklion is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Heraklion. The city is home to countless Cretan restaurants that range in style and budget. There are fine dining restaurants as well as local dives with casual street food. The restaurants reflect the island's multi-cultural past with many styles and flavors available.

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Heraklion or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Heraklion 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.

Heraklion has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has some of the best nightlife on the island of Crete. There are many all-night clubs as well as bars that stay open until 2 or 3 in the morning. In particular, there are many British tourists hanging out at the clubs and bars.

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 Heraklion or Basel Better for Beaches?

Heraklion is notable for the beache. However, Basel is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Heraklion. You'll find world-class beaches just outside of town, if you're willing to explore a little. Agia Pelagia Beach is about half an hour away and Limanakia Beach is also not a bad day trip. If you want to stay closer to town, head to nearby Amnissos Beach.

Basel is not a beach destination.

Is Heraklion or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Basel is a very popular place for its old town. However, Heraklion 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.

Heraklion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Heraklion or Basel?

Basel is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Basel is well-known for its shopping. 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 go to Heraklion to go shopping. There are a number of unique shops around town that sell everything from traditional pottery to homemade jewelry.

Is Heraklion or Basel Better for Families?

Basel is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Basel is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Heraklion. In town you'll find many historical and educational sights such as the Palace of Knossos, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the Koules Venetian fortress. Kids will also enjoy walking the Venetian Walls that are in town. If you're willing to head a bit outside of town, in about half an hour you can reach the Cretaquarium, Dinosauria Park, or Acqua Plus Water Park.

Is Heraklion or Basel Better for Couples?

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

Heraklion is a very popular place to visit for couples. Most couples head outside of town to other parts of the island, but those who linger in town for a while will enjoy world-class museums and fascinating archeological sights.

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 Heraklion or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Heraklion is notable for backpackers. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Heraklion is a great city to visit for backpackers. The city is filled with budget-friendly hostels that often have a social atmosphere and a fun vibe.

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 Heraklion or Basel Better for Students?

Basel is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Heraklion 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.

Heraklion is not popular with students.

Is Heraklion 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, Heraklion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Basel has some very good public transit options. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

You'll find some public transit in Heraklion, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. KTEL buses travel both within town and to nearby villages.

Is Heraklion or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Heraklion 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.

Heraklion is a very walkable destination. Many parts of the town are walkable and doing a walking tour is a great way to see many of the city's sights.

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

Should I spend more time in Basel or Heraklion?

How long in Heraklion or Basel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Heraklion and Basel. In our opinion, Basel has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Basel than Heraklion. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Heraklion or Basel?

In Heraklion, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this bustling destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 Heraklion or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heraklion. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 cultural 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 Heraklion or Basel?

Heraklion is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Heraklion. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural 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 Heraklion or Basel?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Heraklion. Most people come for the beaches. 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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Heraklion or Basel?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Heraklion. When comparing the sizes of Heraklion 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 Heraklion 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 Heraklion or Basel in the Summer?

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

Heraklion is a little warmer than Basel in the summer. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 25°C (78°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 Heraklion this time of the year. In the summer, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Basel. Heraklion gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Heraklion gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Basel in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Heraklion is much warmer than Basel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Heraklion in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Basel averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Basel during autumn. Heraklion gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heraklion usually receives around the same amount of rain as Basel. Heraklion gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heraklion or Basel in the Winter?

Both Basel and Heraklion during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Heraklion 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. In January, Heraklion is generally much warmer than Basel. Daily temperatures in Heraklion average around 12°C (54°F), and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Heraklion often gets more sunshine than Basel. Heraklion gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.

Heraklion usually gets more rain in January than Basel. Heraklion gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heraklion or Basel in the Spring?

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

Heraklion is a little warmer than Basel in the spring. The daily temperature in Heraklion averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In Heraklion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Heraklion usually receives more sunshine than Basel during spring. Heraklion gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heraklion usually receives less rain than Basel. Heraklion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Basel and Heraklion