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

Should you visit Riga or Basel?

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

Should I visit Riga or Basel? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Riga

Riga is a vibrant, fun, and high energy 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. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Basel

Basel is a museum-filled, easily accessible, and beautiful 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.

Riga and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Riga or Basel?

You'll generally find more things to do in Riga than Basel. Riga is bigger than Basel, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Basel is more touristy than Riga and is known for its many museums and its nice old town. Riga is well known for its vibrant nightlife scene, busy old town, and beautiful architecture. Also, Riga is famous for Riga St. Peter's Church.

How is Riga different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the very good sights and museums in both Riga and Basel.

Riga offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As a capital city with a diverse history, you'll find a number of museums and landmarks in the area. Visitors frequently visit The Freedom Monument, St. Peters Church, the Riga Cathedral, The House of the Black Heads, and any of the many museums around town.

Many visitors head to Basel specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Riga or Basel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Riga 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 Riga. The city offers a great opportunity to try many Latvian specialties including rasol (a potato salad), pelmeni (a Latvian dumpling), and karbonade (kind of like schnitzel). The cuisine is hearty and filling with lots of bread, dumpling, and meats. Riga is also where you'll find the largest food market in Europe, which is the perfect place to wander and pick up some local items.

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 Riga or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Riga 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 Riga just to party. Despite being a small city, this capital has gained a reputation for its party atmosphere. The historic center comes to life in the evenings, particularly between Wednesdays and Saturdays. The area is compact enough that you can walk from club to club and prices are reasonable.

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 Riga or Basel Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the very good old towns in both Riga and Basel.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Riga. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming architecture. The city is less touristy than many places in Europe so you can usually avoid the large crowds and enjoy a peaceful walk. During the evening you'll find the area turns into an entertainment district with many clubs and bars.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Basel. 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 Riga or Basel?

Both Riga and Basel are very good shopping destinations.

Riga is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Some of the most interesting shopping in the city is in the old town. Prices might be a little more expensive than you expect but it's possible to find some unique items. The city also has many markets, including the largest food market in Europe, which is a must-see.

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.

Is Riga or Basel Better for Families?

Basel is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Riga is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Basel is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Riga is a family-friendly city. During the winter months, there are a number of museums that are fun to explore with kids including the Nature Museum, the Railroad Museum, the Aviation Technology Museum, and the Riga Firefighter Museum. There are also several indoor play areas. When the weather is warmer there are a number of outdoor parks and playgrounds to explore.

Is Riga or Basel Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Riga and Basel make for a notable place to visit.

Riga makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a charming old town that you can explore, taking time to relax in the city squares or sip coffee at a cafe. There are also many nice restaurants that will make for a romantic date night.

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 Riga or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Riga 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 Riga. There are many affordable hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can grab a cheap meal. The city offers a great European experience at a fraction of the price of many cities.

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 Riga or Basel Better for Students?

Riga and Basel are both very good destinations for students and younger travelers.

Riga is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city's affordability and vibrant atmosphere make it a great spot for international students. There are many places to hang out and a lively nightlife scene that appeals to young travelers.

Basel is very popular with students. 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 Riga or Basel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Riga and Basel offer very good public transit options.

Riga has some very good public transit options. Transportation options include buses, trolleybuses, and trams.

The public transit in Basel can get you to most places easily. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Is Riga or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Riga is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

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

Riga is a very walkable destination. The city is small enough that most areas can be explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Basel or Riga?

How long in Riga or Basel?

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

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

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

One day in Riga or Basel?

In Riga, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this off-the-beaten-path destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Basel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Riga or Basel?

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

Basel is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Riga or Basel?

Riga is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Riga. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Basel. This city offers something for everyone. 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 Riga or Basel?

You'll find food and shopping around the historical destination of Riga. 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 nightlife. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The easily accessible city of Basel offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Riga or Basel?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga or Basel?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Riga or Basel in the Summer?

Both Basel and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Basel in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Riga is cooler than Basel in the summer. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In July, Riga usually receives less rain than Basel. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Riga or Basel in the Autumn?

Both Basel and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Riga in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Riga is much colder than Basel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Riga in October average around 7°C (45°F), and Basel averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in October than Basel. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Riga or Basel in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Basel. Most visitors come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Basel because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Basel can be very cold. Riga can be very cold during winter. In January, Riga is generally much colder than Basel. Daily temperatures in Riga average around -5°C (23°F), and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Basel. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Riga or Basel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Basel. The spring months attract visitors to Riga because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Basel this time of year.

Riga is much colder than Basel in the spring. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 5°C (42°F) in April, and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in April than Basel. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Basel and Riga