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

Should you visit Warsaw 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 Warsaw 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.

Warsaw

Warsaw is a cultural, historical, and under-rated 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 cultural, museum-filled, and easily accessible city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Warsaw and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Warsaw or Basel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Warsaw than Basel. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Warsaw is very popular for its nightlife and big city activities, while Basel attracts visitors for its shopping. Basel is more touristy than Warsaw and is popular for its many museums and its nice old town. Warsaw is famous for its historical position as a cultural and political center. It is also well known for The Old Town Market Square.

How is Warsaw different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Warsaw or Basel.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Warsaw. There are a number of landmarks and interesting museums around town. Many of the museums focus on the area's history, including the Warsaw Rising Museum, POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, and the Museum of Warsaw. Other notable sights include the Royal Castle, Łazienki Królewskie Park, and Wilanów Palace Museum and Park.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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 Warsaw or Basel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Warsaw and Basel can be an enjoyable experience.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Warsaw. The city's restaurants are diverse with a combination of international flavors, Michelin Star restaurants, and Soviet era "milk bars". Traditional dishes are hearty with many soups, dumplings, and desserts to choose from. Some of the most famous dishes include pierogis (dumplings), zurek (soup), and borsch (beetroot soup).

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Basel. 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 Warsaw or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Warsaw 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.

Warsaw has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has an active nightlife scene with many bars and clubs spread out in a number of different areas. Many locals dress for the occasion, so depending on your hangout spot of choice, you may want to dress to impress.

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 Warsaw or Basel Better for its Old Town?

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

Warsaw is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. While many buildings have been rebuilt following World War II, there are still some historical gems to explore. St. John's Archcathedral dates back to the 14th century and Rynek Starego Miasta is the square at the heart of the old town.

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 Warsaw or Basel?

Basel is a great city for shopping. Also, Warsaw is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Warsaw offers some nice shopping areas. The city has malls, shopping streets, flea markets and boutiques to explore. There are both global brands and local items to choose from. For the best deals you should head to an outlet mall.

Is Warsaw or Basel Better for Families?

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

Basel is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Warsaw is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has many museums that are dedicated to the area's history. These museums may, at times, cover difficult topics for young children, but there are also science and technology museums that are perfect for young minds. Make sure you check out the Copernicus Science Center. There's also a city zoo and many parks that are fun to explore.

Is Warsaw or Basel Better for Couples?

Both Warsaw and Basel are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Warsaw is a nice destination for couples. While many of the city's historical buildings were destroyed during the war, there are a few gems that remain. Couples will enjoy visiting the Wilanów Palace and the Palace of Culture and Science. There are also many parks and gardens where you can wander or enjoy a picnic. And, of course, the old town is a beautiful way to pass the time.

Basel makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

Is Warsaw or Basel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Warsaw and Basel are nice places to visit.

Warsaw is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's not as popular as many other city's in the area, this city remains affordable and fascinating for those who pass through. There are a few hostels around town as well as cheap places to grab a bite to eat.

Plenty of backpackers visit Basel. 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 Warsaw or Basel Better for Students?

For students, both Warsaw and Basel are high quality places to visit.

Students come from all over to stay in Warsaw. The city's long history and current standing as a cultural and economic hub make it appealing to international students. The prices are reasonable and the opportunities for students are abundant.

Many students visit 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 Warsaw or Basel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Warsaw and Basel both offer high quality public transit to get you around.

Visitors to Warsaw can move around easily with public transportation. There are buses, trams, and a metro available.

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

Is Warsaw or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is an unbeatable place for its walkability. However, Warsaw is not known for its high level of 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.

Warsaw is generally not very walkable. Many sights are spread out, so walking between attractions isn't always the best option.

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

Should I spend more time in Basel or Warsaw?

How long in Warsaw or Basel?

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

Families should spend more time in Basel than Warsaw. 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 Warsaw. 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 Basel than Warsaw 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 Warsaw or Basel?

In Warsaw, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historical 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Basel. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Warsaw or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Warsaw. 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Warsaw or Basel?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Basel. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Warsaw or Basel?

You'll find food and shopping around the under-rated destination of Warsaw. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the museum-filled destination of Basel. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Warsaw or Basel?

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

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

In the summer, Warsaw is cooler than Basel. Typically, the summer temperatures in Warsaw in July average around 19°C (65°F), and Basel averages at about 21°C (70°F).

In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Warsaw. In the summer, Warsaw often gets more sunshine than Basel. Warsaw gets 353 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.

Warsaw usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Warsaw gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Warsaw or Basel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Warsaw and Basel. The autumn months attract visitors to Warsaw because of the city's sights and attractions, 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.

In October, Warsaw is generally cooler than Basel. Daily temperatures in Warsaw average around 9°C (49°F), and Basel fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Warsaw usually receives more sunshine than Basel during autumn. Warsaw gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Warsaw usually receives less rain than Basel. Warsaw gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Warsaw or Basel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Warsaw as well as Basel. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Warsaw 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 Warsaw in the winter. Warsaw is much colder than Basel in the winter. The daily temperature in Warsaw averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Warsaw often gets less sunshine than Basel. Warsaw gets 35 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.

Warsaw usually gets less rain in January than Basel. Warsaw gets 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Warsaw or Basel in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Warsaw is cooler than Basel. Typically, the spring temperatures in Warsaw in April average around 9°C (47°F), and Basel averages at about 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Warsaw. Warsaw usually receives more sunshine than Basel during spring. Warsaw gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Warsaw usually receives less rain than Basel. Warsaw gets 32 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 Warsaw