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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Basel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa 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.

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is a calm, peaceful, and relaxed island. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food and beaches.

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.

Saaremaa and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saaremaa or Basel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Basel. Although Saaremaa and Basel are both popular with visitors, Basel has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Basel is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Saaremaa is known for its food, beaches, and small town charm. Basel is more touristy than Saaremaa and is popular for its many museums and its nice old town. It is also home to The Kunstmuseum Basel. Saaremaa is popular for its untouched, undiscovered rural setting.

How is Saaremaa different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Basel is great for its historical sights. However, Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Basel can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Saaremaa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa. Like most things on the island, traditional local food is still the norm here. The island is known for its smoked fish, homemade bread, and locally brewed beers. Popular fishes include garfish, herring, and flatfish, which you can enjoy at a local restaurant or one of the pop-up cafes that are popular during the summer months. You'll find the highest concentration of restaurants in Kuressaare, but there are still many options further out. It's also fun to visit during September during the Saaremaa Food Festival.

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 Saaremaa or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Basel is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Basel has a few options to choose from. 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.

People don't go to Saaremaa for the nightlife. The island is known for it's quiet, laid-back atmosphere, so you'll be hard pressed to find a party or active club, even during the more popular summer months.

Is Saaremaa or Basel Better for Beaches?

Saaremaa is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Basel is not a beach destination.

Saaremaa has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are quiet and relaxed, even during the summer months. In town, the best beach is Kuressaare Beach. Outside of town you'll find other nice beaches such as the sandy beaches between Mändjala and Järve. The beaches in Tuhkana and Jõiste villages are also well known. For swimming, most people prefer to visit Lake Karujärv.

Basel is not a beach destination.

Is Saaremaa or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Basel is great for its historic old town charm. However, Saaremaa does not have a 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.

Saaremaa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saaremaa or Basel?

Basel is great for its shopping areas. However, Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Saaremaa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saaremaa or Basel Better for Families?

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

Saaremaa is a family-friendly place to visit. While the island is known for its slow pace, there are still a number of fun activities where the kids can run and jump. There are several outdoor adventure parks and playgrounds that are great for young legs. Check out the playgrounds in Kuressaare or head out of town for more outdoor activities. When the weather's nice you can head to Kuressaare Beach or check out the ostrich farm in Muhu.

Is Saaremaa or Basel Better for Couples?

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

Saaremaa is a very popular place to visit for couples. The peace and quiet of the island make for a relaxing couple's getaway. You can enjoy the outdoors and feel like you've stepped back in time as you explore the laid back island in the Baltics.

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

Is Saaremaa or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

It's common for backpackers to visit Saaremaa. While prices are cheap, transportation isn't great so you'll likely want to rent a car if you want to really explore the island. There are a number of rooms available for rent at an affordable price, particularly in the shoulder season, but you'll you'll only find a handful of hostels on the island.

Basel is a good island 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 Saaremaa or Basel Better for Students?

Basel is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Saaremaa is not popular with students.

Basel is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

Saaremaa is not popular with students.

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

Basel is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Saaremaa. Most people arrive on the island by ferry. There are buses on the island but they cater mostly to locals. To really explore, you'll want to have access to a car.

Is Saaremaa or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Saaremaa is not a good destination 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.

Saaremaa is not a walkable island. While their are some walking trails, you really need a car to explore the island in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Basel or Saaremaa?

How long in Saaremaa or Basel?

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

Families should spend more time in Basel than Saaremaa. 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.

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

Even though Saaremaa is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This island 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 Saaremaa or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saaremaa. 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 Saaremaa or Basel?

Saaremaa is a fun place to experience. Saaremaa is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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 Saaremaa or Basel?

Saaremaa is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Basel?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Basel in the Summer?

Both Basel and Saaremaa during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Basel this time of year.

In July, Saaremaa is generally cooler than Basel. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 17°C (62°F), and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saaremaa. In the summer, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Basel. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Basel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Basel. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Saaremaa is much colder than Basel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 8°C (47°F) in October, and Basel fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Basel during autumn. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Basel. Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Basel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Basel. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for 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 Saaremaa. In the winter, Saaremaa is much colder than Basel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saaremaa in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Basel averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Basel. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in January than Basel. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saaremaa or Basel in the Spring?

Both Basel and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Basel for the natural beauty during these months.

Saaremaa can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Basel. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 4°C (38°F), and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Basel during spring. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Basel. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Basel and Saaremaa