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

Should you visit Tartu 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 Tartu 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.

Tartu

Tartu is a student-oriented, cultural, and historical university town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife.

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.

Tartu and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Basel?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Basel than Tartu, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Basel is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Tartu is known for its nightlife. Basel is more touristy than Tartu and is popular for its many museums and its nice old town. It is also home to The Kunstmuseum Basel. Tartu is popular for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

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.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Basel is a city with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tartu is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Tartu offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is surprisingly limited because of the large student population. Most students prefer saving their money for a night out drinking over a quiet meal at a restaurant. There are some cafes around town as well as pastry shops and a few good ethnic restaurants to choose between.

Is Tartu or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Tartu 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.

Tartu has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

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 Tartu or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Both Tartu and Basel have high quality historic old towns worth visiting.

Tartu is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

There are many historical things to see 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 Tartu or Basel?

Basel is a great city for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known 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.

Tartu is a good destination for shopping. While most people don't visit to go shopping, there is an active art scene in town so you can find some creative pieces that are worth checking out.

Is Tartu or Basel Better for Families?

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

Tartu is a family-friendly place to visit. Many of the kid-friendly activities are outdoors, so summer visits are better if you're traveling with children. There are adventure parks, animal parks, and educational museums that you can choose from.

Is Tartu or Basel Better for Couples?

Basel is a city with good options for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

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.

Tartu is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a young population, so you'll find many activities center around a more youthful vibe. There are some great museums that couples will enjoy, as well as a lively nightlife scene. Outside of old town, couples will enjoy wandering through the Karlova and Supilinn districts.

Is Tartu or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Tartu is a great university town to visit for backpackers. With it's young population and budget friendly entertainment options, there are many things that backpackers will enjoy. It's not nearly as popular with backpackers as some other cities, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot to offer.

Basel is a good university town 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 Tartu or Basel Better for Students?

Tartu is a world-class destination for students. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Tartu is a great destination for students. It is a university town and home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. The student population is large here, with many activities, museums, and nightlife options to choose from. There always seems to be something going on in this vibrant city.

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

Basel is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Basel. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

Tartu has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

Is Tartu or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Tartu is not as popular, but is still a nice university town 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.

Tartu is very walkable. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

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

Should I spend more time in Basel or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Basel?

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

Families should spend more time in Basel than Tartu. 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 Tartu. 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 Tartu 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 Tartu.

One day in Tartu or Basel?

In Tartu, many people enjoy the nightlife that this historical destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Basel, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tartu or Basel?

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

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

Five days in Tartu or Basel?

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

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

A week in Tartu or Basel?

You'll find nightlife around the intellectual destination of Tartu. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the museum-filled destination of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget 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 Tartu and Basel, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Tartu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tartu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tartu 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 Tartu.

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Basel?

Basel has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu 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 Tartu 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 Tartu or Basel in the Summer?

Both Basel and Tartu during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Basel because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tartu is generally cooler than Basel. Daily temperatures in Tartu 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 Tartu. In the summer, Tartu often gets more sunshine than Basel. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Basel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Basel. The autumn months attract visitors to Tartu because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Basel this time of year.

Tartu is much colder than Basel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Basel fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Basel during autumn. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tartu usually receives less rain than Basel. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tartu or Basel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Basel. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Additionally, 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 Tartu in the winter. In the winter, Tartu is much colder than Basel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tartu in January average around -7°C (19°F), and Basel averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Basel. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Basel. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Basel in the Spring?

Both Basel and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tartu for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Basel in the spring for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tartu. In April, Tartu is generally much colder than Basel. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around 5°C (41°F), and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Tartu usually receives more sunshine than Basel during spring. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tartu usually receives less rain than Basel. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Basel and Tartu