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

Should you visit Thessaloniki or Basel?

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

Should I visit Thessaloniki 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.

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is a vibrant, high energy, and bustling city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. 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.

Thessaloniki and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Thessaloniki or Basel?

You'll generally find more things to do in Thessaloniki than Basel. Thessaloniki is bigger than Basel, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Thessaloniki is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, and big city activities, while Basel is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Thessaloniki is more touristy than Basel and is popular for its many archeological sights, its large young population, and its great transportation connections. Also, Thessaloniki is famous for The Monument of Rotonda. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Thessaloniki different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

Thessaloniki offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a huge number of historic and archeological sights in the city. These include the Rotunda of Galerius, the White Tower, the Church of Agios Dimitrios, and the Arch of Galerius.

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 Thessaloniki or Basel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki. There's a huge culinary scene in the city, and you'll find everything from fun street food options to traditional tavernas and even some great international 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.

Is Thessaloniki or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Thessaloniki 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.

Thessaloniki has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It's the second largest city in Greece, and it has large student and tourist populations, so the nightlife scene is among the best in Greece. There are clubs, bars, and lounges that stay busy late into the night.

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 Thessaloniki or Basel Better for Beaches?

Thessaloniki is a moderate city for the beache. However, Basel is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Thessaloniki. Although the city's not known for its beaches, there are some places where you can relax by the water, particularly if you're willing to get a bit out of town.

Basel is not a beach destination.

Is Thessaloniki or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Basel is an excellent place to visit for its old town. However, Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Thessaloniki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Thessaloniki or Basel?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Thessaloniki and Basel.

Thessaloniki is well-known for its shopping. There are shopping streets as well as large malls and shopping centers. You'll find everything from fashion, jewelry, and handicrafts to most European and international brands.

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 Thessaloniki or Basel Better for Families?

Basel is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki. The port city has a number of museums and attractions for kids including Dinosaur Park, the Noesis Science and Technology Museum, and the water park known as Waterland. There's also the fascinating Kapani Market that is fun to explore.

Is Thessaloniki or Basel Better for Couples?

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

Thessaloniki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a bustling city that is filled with history and excellent restaurants. Couples who enjoy history and fun cities will appreciate a visit here.

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 Thessaloniki or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Thessaloniki is a great city to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels in this city, and you'll find plenty of backpackers to hang out with.

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 Thessaloniki or Basel Better for Students?

Both Thessaloniki and Basel are very good destinations for students.

Thessaloniki is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a large student population in the city and you'll find a vibrant nightlife scene, easy transportation options, and a reasonable cost of living.

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

Basel is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Thessaloniki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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

You'll find some public transit in Thessaloniki, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system that connects most of the city and its suburbs.

Is Thessaloniki or Basel a more walkable city?

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

Thessaloniki is a somewhat walkable city. You can explore much of the city center on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Basel or Thessaloniki?

How long in Thessaloniki or Basel?

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

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

One day in Thessaloniki or Basel?

In Thessaloniki, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic 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.

In Basel, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this museum-filled city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Thessaloniki or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Thessaloniki. 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 fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Thessaloniki or Basel?

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

You'll find museums and nightlife 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. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Thessaloniki or Basel?

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Thessaloniki. 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 place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Basel?

Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki or Basel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Basel. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Basel in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Basel in the summer. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 25°C (77°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 Thessaloniki this time of the year. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Basel. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Basel in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Basel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Thessaloniki in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Basel averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Basel during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Basel. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Basel in the Winter?

Both Basel and Thessaloniki during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki 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. In January, Thessaloniki is generally much warmer than Basel. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 5°C (41°F), and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Basel. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.

Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Basel. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Thessaloniki or Basel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Basel. The spring months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Basel this time of year.

Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Basel in the spring. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

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

In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Basel. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Basel and Thessaloniki