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

Should you visit Valencia or Basel?

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

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

Valencia

Valencia is a friendly, coastal, and cultural coastal city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

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 shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Valencia and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valencia or Basel?

You'll generally find more things to do in Valencia than Basel. Valencia is bigger than Basel, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Valencia is more touristy than Basel and is known for its rich cultural, world class museums, beautiful old town, and local cuisine (which includes paella). Also, Valencia is famous for La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town.

How is Valencia different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the superb sights and museums in both Valencia and Basel.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Valencia can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is famous for its architecture and culture. Most of the main attractions are concentrated in Ciutat Vella and can be easily accessed on foot. Notable landmarks include La Lonja de Seda, Catedral de València, and Plaza de la Virgen. There are also several world class museums including Oceanogràfic de València and La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències de València.

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.

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

Valencia is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Valencia is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is famous as the birthplace of paella, which is one of Spain's most famous dishes. Beyond the paella, there are a number of other amazing traditional dishes. Fideuà is similar to paella but made with noodles instead of rice. All i pebre is an eel and potato dish and clóchinas are tiny local mussels. For dessert make sure you try the flan de calabaza, which is pumpkin flavored. Many restaurants also have tapas that can be shared. Restaurants in the old town are charming and delicious, but out by the beaches the quality isn't as good.

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 Valencia or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Valencia 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 Valencia just to party. Dinner starts late, so you can expect the nightlife to pick up even later. During the summer there are all night terrace parties and year round you'll find nightclubs filled from evening to dawn. If all night raves aren't really your thing, you'll also find plenty of local bars where you can hang out with friends in a more relaxed setting. The nightlife scene really is varied enough that there's something for everyone.

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 Valencia or Basel Better for Resorts?

Valencia is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Basel is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Valencia makes a nice vacation spot. You can choose between staying near the old town (Ciutat Vella) or out by the beach. One of the best beach areas is El Cabanyal. It's still close enough in to be well connected by public transit but offers a great coastal vibe as well.

Basel is not a resort destination.

Is Valencia or Basel Better for Beaches?

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

Valencia has a beach worth visiting. There are several urban beaches in town that are accessible by public transit. Many offer surprisingly long stretches of sand with wide beaches and plenty of activity. The beaches can get crowded during the summer months, but they are generally large enough to accommodate the crowds. La Malvarrosa Beach is one of the most popular because of its proximity to the city. El Saler Beach is further out and popular with the locals and Port Saplaya is a colorful area with shopping and beaches.

Basel is not a beach destination.

Is Valencia or Basel Better for its Old Town?

Valencia is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Valencia is revered around the world. For culture, history, and the majority of the city's attractions, you'll want to spend your time in Ciutat Vella (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.

Is Valencia or Basel Better for Hiking?

Valencia is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Basel is not a hiking destination.

Valencia has hiking trails worth exploring. Most people miss out on the beautiful hikes through the nearby countryside, but if you venture out of town you can enjoy some beautiful walking trails. Many run along the coastline or pass through rolling hills. There is varied landscape in the area with pine forests, orange groves, and vineyards all common.

Basel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Valencia or Basel?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Basel and Valencia.

Valencia is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. As the third largest city in Spain, you'll find most designer brands around town. The main shopping street is Calle Colon where you'll find the well-known European brands mixed in with the lesser-known Spanish brands. For a more local experience head to Mercado Central where you'll find local produce, colorful seafood, and a unique foodie vibe.

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 Valencia or Basel Better for Families?

Valencia and Basel are both superb destinations for the whole family.

Valencia is a very kid-friendly coastal city. The city has some kid-friendly museums, an impressive zoo, and the largest aquarium in Europe (with its own dolphin show). Head to the Science Museum or simply wander around the museum complex. There are water activities and a beautiful futuristic style that attracts families and influencers with its photogenic atmosphere. There are also countless playgrounds of all sizes around town and a number of parks and outdoor spaces where kids can run around. There's a city park that runs through town and has playgrounds and bike trails. You can also spend a fun-filled day at the beach.

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.

Is Valencia or Basel Better for Couples?

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

Valencia is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city is filled with interesting culture, beautiful weather, and delightful cuisine. There are sandy beaches and luxury hotels that will make for an amazing romantic getaway. There are also many beautiful gardens and charming neighborhoods that you can explore. Couples can split a paella and sip sangrias in one of the many charming restaurants around town.

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

Is Valencia or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Valencia is a great coastal city to visit for backpackers. It's often overlooked for more popular destinations, but this city has plenty to offer in the form of affordable accommodation and food as well as interesting sights.

Basel is a good coastal 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 Valencia or Basel Better for Students?

Valencia 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.

Valencia is a great destination for students. The city is young and vibrant with a lot of culture and beautiful neighborhoods. It's also well connected to the rest of Spain with a convenient central train station.

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

Basel is well known for its public transit. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

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

While Valencia offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Public transit is available in the form of buses and a tram/metro system but the system isn't as comprehensive as it could be and much of the city is surprisingly dependent on cars.

Is Valencia or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Valencia is a very walkable destination. Walking is the best way to explore many parts of the city and you can walk from one side of the Ciutat Vella to the other in about 20 minutes. This area is where you'll find most of the city's main attractions. There are other neighborhoods that are a bit less pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Basel or Valencia?

How long in Valencia or Basel?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Valencia and Basel. In our opinion, Valencia has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Valencia than Basel. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Valencia, and 1-3 days is enough time in Basel.

Families should spend more time in Valencia than Basel. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Valencia, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

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

One day in Valencia or Basel?

Each neighborhood in Valencia has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This coastal 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.

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 Valencia or Basel?

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

Valencia is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the big city destination of Valencia. 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 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 Valencia or Basel?

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly big city of Valencia. 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.

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 G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Valencia or Basel?

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Valencia and Basel. The summer months attract visitors to Valencia because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Basel this time of year.

Valencia is a little warmer than Basel in the summer. The daily temperature in Valencia averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Basel this time of the year. In Valencia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valencia usually receives more sunshine than Basel during summer. Valencia gets 303 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valencia usually receives less rain than Basel. Valencia gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valencia or Basel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Valencia as well as Basel. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Valencia this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Valencia is a little warmer than Basel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valencia in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Basel averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Valencia often gets more sunshine than Basel. Valencia gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun.

Valencia usually gets more rain in October than Basel. Valencia gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valencia or Basel in the Winter?

Both Basel and Valencia are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Valencia for the museums, the shopping scene, and 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. In January, Valencia is generally much warmer than Basel. Daily temperatures in Valencia average around 12°C (53°F), and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Valencia usually receives more sunshine than Basel during winter. Valencia gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Valencia usually receives less rain than Basel. Valencia gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valencia or Basel in the Spring?

Both Basel and Valencia during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Valencia in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Basel for the natural beauty during these months.

Valencia is a little warmer than Basel in the spring. The daily temperature in Valencia averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Valencia. In the spring, Valencia often gets more sunshine than Basel. Valencia gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun.

Valencia usually gets less rain in April than Basel. Valencia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Basel and Valencia