tourist shop basel

THE 10 BEST Basel Gift & Specialty Shops

Gift & specialty shops in basel.

• Gift & Specialty Shops
• Art Galleries
• Shopping Malls
• Department Stores
• Flea & Street Markets
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Stücki Park

2. St. Jakob-park Shopping Center

3. Laderach Clarashopping

4. FC Basel Fan Shop and Museum

5. Xocolatl

6. Läderach Chocolatier Marktplatz

7. Johann Wanner

8. Jakob's Basler Leckerly

9. Prairie Wind

10. Basler Stadtmarkt

11. Arcados

12. Jakob's Basler Leckerly (Manufaktur)

13. Dandy Delirium

14. Basler Fyynkoscht

15. 1Fach-Basel

16. GOPF!einrichtungen

17. Laderach Chocolatier Suisse (Basel SBB)

18. Claudia Gudel Shop

19. proviant kinder- und jugendbücher fürs leben.

20. Adams CBD Shop

21. Brocki auf dem Wolf

23. Sense for Smile

24. men's world.

25. Picobello Vini Grappe Sapori Deliziosi Ticinese

26. yumihana basel.

27. Creadiva

What travelers are saying.

• Jakob's Basler Leckerly (Manufaktur)
• Laderach Clarashopping
• Läderach Chocolatier Marktplatz
• Johann Wanner

10 Places to Buy Uniquely Swiss Souvenirs in Basel

Before you head off from Basel, Switzerland, be sure to check out these 10 places where you can pick up souvenirs that’ll be the perfect reminder of your time in Switzerland, unless you take home some edibles that is.

1. schweizer heimatwerk.

Shop, Store

2. Bucherer

Johann wanner.

When Christmas comes around, Johann Wanner’s store in Basel’s Old Town becomes incredibly busy. It’s packed with delightful handmade Christmas decorations and ornaments, as well as a wide range of glass homeware.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWvI02ll74m/?taken-by=johann_wanner

If the incredibly inviting slabs of chocolate placed enticingly behind the shop window on Basel’s Marktplatz don’t tempt you in, then the promise of filling your own assortment box with fresh chocolate may well do. Läderach is rightly known as one of the best Swiss chocolatiers, so be sure not to miss out.

Marktplatz 18, Basel , +41 61 261 54 47

Confiserie Sprüngli

Confiserie Sprüngli is another Swiss chocolate legend with a history that stretches back 175 years, so you know you are in safe hands when hunting for a sweet souvenir. Their signature treat is Luxemburgerli , a luxury macaroon that you can’t leave Switzerland without trying.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYDlpJEjW9K/?taken-by=epicureat

3. Bercher & Sternlicht

For over 60 years Bercher & Sternlicht have specialised in model trains and train accessories with an efficiency that is incredibly Swiss. Today it is one of the best places in Europe for everything train related. Take a trip and let your mind be boggled by the sheer quantity of goods on sale here.

Spalenberg 45, Basel,

Confiserie Bachmann

With three cafés dotted around Basel, you are more than likely to run into Confiserie Bachmann during your wanderings. Aside from the numerous and delicious, cakes, sponges and chocolates that line the stores shelves, they also have a number of their own sweet treats that you can pack away in your case to enjoy once you leave Switzerland.

4. Spielegge

If traditional wooden toys are your kind of thing, then head over to Spielegge in Basel’s Old Town. Here you’ll find hundreds of perfectly sculpted wooden pieces and many dedicated to Basel’s famous festival: Basler Fascnacht .

Rümelinsplatz. 7, Basel, +41 61 261 44 88

5. Jakob's Basler Leckerly

No trip to Basel would be complete without tasting and taking home some of the city’s famous Leckerly , a traditional spiced biscuit. Jakob’s Basler Leckerly is Basel’s oldest bakery and sells some of the best Leckerly that you’ll come across.

St. Johanns-Vorstadt 47, Basel . +41 61 322 08 18

6. Kunsthalle Bookshop

Take a piece of Basel home with you from the Kunsthalle Bookshop, where you’ll find contemporary and historical artwork of the city on sale among plenty of other titles (some in English) related to the history of art in Switzerland.

Steinenberg 7, Basel, +41 61 206 99 00

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Home » Travel Guides » Switzerland » 15 Best Things to Do in Basel (Switzerland)

15 Best Things to Do in Basel (Switzerland)

Cosy, walkable and straddling the Rhine, Basel is at the tripoint where the Swiss, German and French borders meet. Basel’s art and culture put it on an equal footing with almost any city in the world. The Kunstmuseum is the shining light, replete with Renaissance, Baroque and modern art.

And the Altstadt is a confusion of alleys and streets with monumental wayfinders like the Basel Minster (Cathedral) and the 15th-century City Hall. In the Altstadt you can make your own paper at a water-powered mill from the 15th century, or step into a house where Erasmus would meet up with his friends 500 years ago.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Basel :

1. Kunstmuseum Basel

Switzerland’s largest and richest assortment of art is yours to enjoy at this superlative museum.

The roll-call of names says it all: Beginning in the Renaissance there’s Konrad Witz, Lucas Cranach the Elder and Hans Holbein (the museum grew from an early collection of his works). There are Dutch masters like Rembrandt, Brueghel the Elder and Rubens.

From the 19th century you can admire pieces by van Gogh, Monet, Cézanne, Manet and Gauguin.

The Kunstmuseum has an entire room just for pieces by Picasso.

And elsewhere Giacometti, Klee, Franz Marc, Braque and Chagall are just a taste of the 20th-century art collection.

2. Altstadt

Basel’s old town has an uncommon array of Swiss national heritage sites.

If you check in at the tourist office they’ll suggest a few themed walks around Grossbasel on the left bank and Kleinbasel on the right bank of the Rhine.

As the many plaques make clear, the Altstadt’s oldest buildings are from the 14th century.

These streets were once walked by historic figures like Erasmus, the 16th-century theologian and humanist.

We cover many places in the Altstadt later, but some spots to keep in mind are the sweeping Münsterplatz, the irregular townhouses on Petersgasse and the jovial monkey fountain on Andreasplatz.

At Spalenvorstadt is the Holbein Fountain, a Renaissance masterpiece by Hans Holbein the Younger from the 16th century.

Suggested tour : Walking Tour through Basel Old Town

3. Basel Minster

There’s no missing Basel’s medieval minster church and its two 60-metre towers, Georgsturm and Martinsturm.

It’s a mesmerising edifice with pinkish red sandstone walls and a glazed patterned roof.

A lot of the architecture is from the 14th and 15th centuries after an earthquake in 1356 toppled the high medieval Romanesque church.

One of the earlier elements is the main portal, which was partly dismantled by iconoclasts in the Reformation.

But they left the Gothic archivolts, which boast angels, prophets, roses, kings and an image of Abraham.

To the right of this see the “Seducer” courting a young virgin, with snakes and toads behind his back to symbolise evil.

For €5 you can struggle up a narrow spiral stairway to survey Basel and the Rhine.

4. Museum Tinguely

In the Solitudepark on the Rhine’s right bank is a museum for the 20th-century kinetic sculptor Jean Tinguely.

His wacky, needlessly complicated machines are anchored in the Dada spirit and satirise mass production and materialism.

But on any level they’re also fun, fanciful and interactive, so it’s an art museum where kids will never be bored.

You can push buttons and pull levers to start these machines whirring.

The exhibition chronicles Tinguely’s career, from the 1950s to 1980s.

One of his final pieces was Grosse Méta Maxi-Maxi Utopia from 1987, a tangle of pulleys, wooden wheels and electric motors with steps allowing that you can climb.

5. Basel Paper Mill

As early as 1453 this mill on the Gewerbekanal was in the business of producing paper.

Since 1980 the mill has been a working museum where you can get in touch with historic methods for dipping paper, printing and bookbinding.

Machines powered by a waterwheel turn rags and pulp into leafs ofpaper: You’ll be able to make a page of your own on the first floor.

Upstairs are the early printing presses, and quills invite you to perfect your calligraphy, while the crafts of bookbinding and paper marbling are demonstrated on the top floor live before your eyes.

6. Basel City Hall

The City Hall feels at the centre of Basel in every sense.

Martkplatz in front is a nexus for Basel’s tram network, while citizens and tourists flock to the square for the daily market.

The red sandstone behemoth that confronts you on Marktplatz is from the start of the 16th century and no expense was spared in its construction.

There are many symbols to decipher on the facade, like the 12 coats of arms of the Old Swiss Confederacy, including Basel’s, adorning the merlons at the top.

Go through the arch to enter the enthralling courtyard where there’s a 17th-century fresco by Hans Bock and a statue of Basel’s Roman founder Lucius Munatius Plancus sculpted in 1580.

7. Basel Historical Museum

HMB for short, the Basel Historical Museum has four locations.

Three of these are inside the city, and one, the Coach and Carriage Museum, is in Münchenstein to the southeast.

The main attraction is in the converted Barfüsserkirche and concerns itself with the late medieval period and early modern age.

Inside you can examine works from the Cathedral treasury, collections of coins and stained glass, tapestries, altars and possessions belonging to Erasmus.

There are also historic cabinets of curiosity, put together by wealthy collectors in the 1600s and 1700s.

But maybe the most haunting piece of all is Basel’s Danse Macabre fresco attributed to the 15th-century painter Konrad Witz.

8. Spalentor

Basel was once defended by two layers of city walls.

The Inner Wall was built around 1230, and following the earthquake in 1356 a new Outer Wall with 40 towers was raised to accommodate the growing city.

Practically all of these walls were torn down to allow Basel to grow and provide a healthier living environment in the 19th century.

Three gates remain, the most impressive of which is Spalentor.

This controlled the western approach to the city from France and was part of that outer wall begin in the 1350s.

As well as a pair of towers and patterned there’s a lot of ornamentation to look for on the facade, like Basel’s coat of arms framed by two lions.

9. Basel Zoo

With more than 640 species, few zoos on the planet can claim to have as much diversity as Basel Zoo.

This is the largest and oldest zoo in the country, dating back to 1874 but with a completely modern approach to enclosure design.

Expansions and renovations happen by the year, and in 2016 a new elephant house was opened, providing 5,000 square metres for them to roam in.

The aquarium (vivarium) is a perennial favourite and has almost of 500 species of fish, reptiles and amphibians, as well as king and gentoo penguins.

Maybe the zoo’s most famous inhabitant is Goma, the first western lowland gorilla born in Europe and turning 58 in 2017.

Under the minster towers the Pfalz is possibly the best spot on street level to contemplate the Rhine and the rows of houses on the right bank in Kleinbasel.

This terrace is above the Münsterfähre jetty, and is roughly on the site of Basel’s former episcopal palace.

Here and there you’ll notice ornately designed ledgerstones for Basel’s noble families dating back as far as the 1500s.

There’s a telescope on the wall, while the benches in this little square are shaded by trees and just right for a packed lunch.

11. Antikenmuseum Basel

Basel has the only museum in the country dedicated solely to ancient civilisations.

This deals with Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, Middle Eastern and Roman objects across more than 3,000 years up to the 1st century AD. The collections were first put together in the 17th century and the museum opened in its current form in 1986 after a major donation by the industrialist Peter Ludwig.

One spellbinding item from Ancient Greece is an intact Laconian volute-krater (a vessel for watering down wine) from the 6th century, while the Egyptian galleries are rich with jewellery, sculptures and sarcophagi.

12. Pharmazie-Historisches Museum

Historic medicine is the subject of this world-class museum in a listed building in the Altstadt.

In the early 16th-century there was a printing press here, part-owned by Johann Froben, a close friend of Erasmus, who would often call in.

The amount of artefacts inside is almost overwhelming and has ceramic vessels from floor to ceiling.

There are mortars, first-aid kids, laboratory instruments, entire pharmacy interiors including cabinets, strange contraptions for practising alchemy and the preserved remnants of historic medications.

But maybe most exciting are the 15th and 16th-century books by physicians Johann de Cuba and Leonhart Fuchs.

13. Spielzeug Welten Museum

On Barfüsserplatz is as a museum to catch the imagination of both grownups and children.

A five-storey building has been made fully accessible, and holds more than 6,000 dolls, miniatures and dollhouses.

But it’s the record-breaking army of over 2,500 teddy bears that makes the headlines.

Many of the exhibits are interactive, including miniature scenes that light up, play music and have moving parts.

It might be hard to believe but this cornucopia of toys was assembled by just one person, the German-Swiss billionaire Gisela Oeri.

14. Fondation Beyeler

Six kilometres outside town, on the German border, the Fondation Beyeler is worth every second of the journey.

Awaiting you is the fabulous modern art collection of the 20th-century dealers Ernst Beyeler and Hilda Kunz.

In the 1990s this trove of 200 works was given a swish permanent home designed by Renzo Piano.

You’ll savour 23 Picassos, and paintings by Vincent van Gogh, Francis Bacon, Lichtenstein, Pollock, Warhol, Monet and Cézanne.

On top of this there’s an ethnological exhibition of 25 works from North America, Oceania and Africa.

15. The Rhine River

The Rhine flows so quickly through Basel that ferries don’t need any form of propulsion other than the river’s currents.

These vessels are tethered to steel lines and zip across the water.

You can catch a “Fähri” at four points along the river in the centre of the city, the most popular being Münsterfähre below the Pflalz.

There are also “Badhysli”, bathing areas where stronger swimmers pit themselves against the currents and others rest in the shallows.

These spots have a resort atmosphere in summer when people lounge in the sun and chat at cafe terraces.

Outside the city the Rhine takes the place of a sea or lake, and has beaches for sunbathing, watersports and barbecues in summer.

15 Best Things to Do in Basel (Switzerland):

• Kunstmuseum Basel
• Basel Minster
• Museum Tinguely
• Basel Paper Mill
• Basel City Hall
• Basel Historical Museum
• Antikenmuseum Basel
• Pharmazie-Historisches Museum
• Spielzeug Welten Museum
• Fondation Beyeler
• The Rhine River

• Destination Guides

Best Shopping in Basel

By Chris Boyle

Shopping in Basel is as varied and unique as the city’s cultural life, effortlessly mixing high-end chic with vibrant and colorful street markets.

The highlight of the shopping season is December, when the old town markets, boutiques, designer and department stores are beautifully illuminated and decorated to celebrate the festive season.

Manor is an iconic Swiss department store chain with its headquarters in Basel.

Offering customers a wide range of exclusive fashion labels, in addition to exceptional cosmetics, accessories, watches, jewelry and sports good departments, there is everything the elite shopper could desire. The in-house delicatessen is a must, boasting some of the finest foods and wines from southern Europe, while the fish counter is considered one of the best in Basel. For the elite shopper in need of a rest, the open-air terrace at the rooftop restaurant is the ideal spot to relax.

The 5 Best Restaurants in Basel

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Thomas Bretscher (General Manager, Manor Greifengasse) and Roland Jungo (General Manager, Manor St. Jakob-Park)

+41 61 685 4699

[email protected]

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Greifengasse 22 and St. Jakob-Strasse 397

www.manor.ch

SCHWEIZER HEIMATWERK

Schweizer Heimatwerk offers concept household utensils, toys and souvenirs that have been created with the care and attention that the Swiss are world renowned for.

Founded in 1930, Schweizer Heimatwerk supplies Switzerland’s most innovative designers the platform to display their unique creations at six boutiques across the country and at over four hundred workshops and retailers. Each Schweizer Heimatwerk boutique is decorated to combine light, transparency and space, with a range of products that are handpicked to suit the boutiques’ location. Schweizer Heimatwerk is a very personal gift experience for those who wish to treat themselves or someone else with exclusive gifts from Switzerland’s most creative minds.

Paola Vasques, Store Manager

+ 41 61 261 9178

[email protected]

Schneidergasse 2, 4051

www.heimatwerk.ch

The elite traveler will discover a treasure trove of quality goods in Basel’s markets; from organic foods and handcrafted products to unique pieces of jewelry and clothing.

CENTRAL MARKET ON MARKETPLATZ

Open: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 6am-7pm. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 6am-1.30pm. Every second and last Saturday of the month until 6pm.

Central Market is Basel’s most prestigious market, and centrally located on the bustling Marktplatz in the shadow of the historic City Hall. Specializing in fresh and organic produce, and near to prestigious shopping street Freie Srasse, the many flower stalls add vibrant color, while the sweets, spices, honey and bread stalls make a visit to Central Market a truly sensory shopping experience.

MARKET on BARFÜSSERPLATZ

Open: Thursdays 7am-8pm

Barfüsserplatz Square in the old town is brought to life once a week by this incredible market. Countless stalls offer immaculately made crafts from around the world. With exceptional jewelry, food and clothes on offer, all eagled-eyed elite travelers are sure to swoop in on a bargain.

FLEA MARKET on PETERSPLATZ

Open: Saturdays 7.30am-4pm

The flea market on Petersplatz is a popular hangout for aficionados of secondhand items – from baby clothes to antiques. With bargains to be haggled for, and hidden gems to be uncovered this is a market for serious shoppers. The market organizers have include a separate section for children who wish to sell their toys for free, ensuring the quality of the next generation of Basel‘s market stallholders.

Founded in 1970 by Wolf Peter Bree and his wife Renate, Bree are multi award-winning bag designers whose ethos embodies functionality, and quality craftsmanship and materials.

The brand is now managed by the couple’s sons Axel and Phillip, who have maintained their parents’ vision and have seen the brand expand worldwide. Bree Basel offers the elite shopper the chance to purchase bags at the cutting edge of fashion as well as receive superb in-store service and after-sales care. Services available include in-store translators, refreshments and personal assistants.

Petra Reed, Store Manager

+41 61 261 1126

[email protected]

Freie Strasse 44

www.bree.ch

SET & SEKT

Founded in Basel in 2007 by CEO Corinne Grüter, the concept behind this unique boutique is the desire to connect fashion, architecture, music and art.

Set & Sekt’s cutting edge interior was designed by Swiss architects Buchner & Bründler and the elite traveler will find unique, sophisticated clothing and accessories for men and women, which have been thoughtfully designed to add subtle glamour to modern day life. Set & Sekt also offers the elite shopper the services of a personal shopping assistant.

Corinne Grüter, General Manager

+41 61 271 0765

[email protected]

Rümelinsplatz 5, 4001

www.setandsekt.com

Founded in 2001, Tarzan is a privately owned clothing company renowned for its quality, originality and attention to detail.

The label was created by Caesar von Däniken and Manuel Rieder, who have seen their idea blossom across Switzerland and become the new trendy brand for the young and the young at heart. Tarzan’s high street fashion collection comprises womenswear and menswear and has diversified into accessories. It releases two collections a year.

Manuel Rieder, Managing Director

+ 41 61 361 6162

[email protected]

Spalenberg 39, 4051

www.tarzan.ch

ZEITZENTRALE

Switzerland is renowned for its watchmaking, but Timm Delf’s city center store, Zeitzentrale, elevates time keeping to a whole new dimension.

Founded ten years ago, Zeitzentrale is dedicated to producing elegantly crafted sundials that tell the time to the exact minute and others which read time via light-carrying glass fibers. This wonderfully unique store makes custom sundials to order and has also started making the Qlocktwo, a timepiece that tells the time in words, rather than numbers. Zeitzentrale is the perfect store to buy your own piece of original timekeeping.

Timm Delf, Owner

+41 61 681 2324

[email protected]

Rebgasse 41, 4058

www.zeitzentrale.ch

AESOP BASEL

Founded in 1987 in Melbourne, Aesop has maintained its ethos of creating a range of superb products for skin, hair and body.

All plant-based antioxidants are carefully selected for the benefits they bring to your skin, while Aesop adheres to the rule that a balanced life is not only about diet and exercise, but also about choosing the right ingredients for your skincare. Aesop has signature stores throughout the world including Paris, London, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Barbara Glatz, Personal Shopper

+41 61 261 4005

[email protected]

Spalenberg 24, 4051

www.aesop.com

Tonjaonjaonja Boutitique

Tonja is a fabulous boutique store specializing in high quality fabrics, tops and shirts.

Boasting some of the best names in fashion, Tonja’s stock changes according to the season and her careful selections and service are guaranteed to satisfy even the most demanding elite shopper. This summer’s top fabrics are linen, silk and cotton and Tonja’s main stock includes French, Swiss and Danish labels such as Repeat, DTLM, Style Butler, Berenice and many more. For the elite traveler Tonja offers a personal shopping experience, with multilingual assistants who speak German, French and English.

Tonja Dimov

+41 61 312 5955

[email protected]

Bäumleingasse 4 4051

www.tonja.ch

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Historically, Basel's position astride the mighty Rhine has contributed to its growth as a key trade and transport hub. Today, it's a global centre for the pharmaceutical industry – titans Roche and Novartis are both headquartered here. But that's of little interest to the many thousands of art and architecture lovers who visit each year for the world-famous ART Basel festival and the city's wealth of galleries, museums and iconic buildings.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Basel. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Vitra Campus

Showcasing the works of the adjoining, eponymous high-end furniture manufacturer, Vitra Campus comprises the dazzling Vitra Design Museum (of Guggenheim…

Augusta Raurica

About 17km east of Basel, on the Rhine's south bank, Switzerland’s largest Roman ruins are the last remnants of a colony founded in 43 BC, the population…

Fondation Beyeler

This astounding private-turned-public collection, assembled by former art dealers Hildy and Ernst Beyeler, is housed in a long, low, light-filled, open…

Kunstmuseum Basel

Housing the most comprehensive collection of public art in Switzerland, this superb fine arts museum reopened in mid-2016 after updates to the existing…

Museum Jean Tinguely

Designed by leading Ticino architect Mario Botta, this museum showcases the playful, mischievous and downright wacky artistic concoctions of sculptor…

Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel

Adults and kids alike love this fascinating and lovingly curated fantasy land claiming the world’s biggest collection of teddy bears and a slew of…

Begin exploring Basel's delightful medieval Old Town in the Marktplatz, dominated by the astonishingly vivid red facade of the 16th-century Rathaus. From…

One of Basel's most entrancing landmarks, the 16th-century Rathaus takes pride of place on Marktplatz. Its ornate red sandstone facade is smothered in…

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19 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Basel

Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Dec 22, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

With more than 40 museums to choose from and an atmospheric old town to explore, you won't have any trouble finding things to do in Basel. Few cities in Europe can match Switzerland's second-largest city for its concentration of cultural attractions and things to do.

Moreover, many of these are housed in buildings that are themselves works of art, designed by great architects that include Renzo Piano, Frank O. Gehry, and Mario Botta. Basel's university became a center for humanism in the 16th century and continued to be a magnet for distinguished scholars and teachers, which may account for its remarkable cultural heritage today.

The two sides of Basel are joined by six bridges over the Rhine, as it makes a sharp turn before flowing north to become the German-French border.

It's the higher left bank where you'll find the old town and cultural attractions. The river itself is a good vantage point for sightseeing, and you can take short cruises or cross the river on the quirky little cable-operated ferry.

Whether you enjoy sightseeing or immersing yourself in art, you can be sure of finding the best places to visit using this list of the top tourist attractions and things to do in Basel.

See also: Where to Stay in Basel

1. Admire Art in the Kunstmuseum Basel (Museum of Art)

2. stroll through the old town, 3. take the kids to the zoologischer garten (zoo), 4. visit basler münster (basel minster), 5. museum tinguely, 6. learn about printing at papiermühle (paper mill museum), 7. rathaus (town hall) and marktplatz, 8. smile at the tinguely fountain, 9. take a break at tierpark lange erlen, 10. historisches museum (historical museum), 11. be a kid again at the spielzeug welten museum (toy museum), 12. tour the museum für gegenwartskunst (museum of contemporary art), 13. antikenmuseum and the sammlung ludwig (museum of antiquities and the ludwig collection), 14. jüdische museum (jewish museum), 15. visit the haus zum kirschgarten, 16. spalentor, 17. fondation beyeler, 18. cross the border to vitra design museum, 19. take a day trip to solothurn, where to stay in basel for sightseeing, map of attractions & things to do in basel, basel - climate chart.

The Kunstmuseum , enhanced by the added exhibition space of a 2015 wing, is considered the finest collection of paintings in Switzerland, representing both old masters and modern art. On the first floor are the old masters and a collection of French and Dutch paintings.

Outstanding among these are the 15th-century Heilsspiegelaltar (Mirror of Salvation Altar) by Konrad Witz, 16th-century portraits by Holbein the Younger, Crucifixion by Mathias Grünewald, and Rembrandt's David with Goliath's Head from 1627. The second floor houses an outstanding collection of 19th- and 20th-century Impressionists, Expressionists, and Surrealists.

You'll find major works by Gauguin, Van Gogh, Corot, Cézanne, Braque, Picasso, Kandinsky, Léger, Chagall, Klee, Dali, Max Ernst, and others, along with later works and special exhibitions.

Address: St. Alban-Graben 16, Basel

The part of Basel that lies roughly between the river and the old city gate at Spalentor is not large but quite atmospheric with its stone streets, medieval churches, beautifully maintained old homes, and brightly painted fountains. But leave it to Basel to introduce a thoroughly modern and whimsical fountain by Swiss sculptor Jean Tinguely in the midst of the stately historic houses.

From Marktplatz , wander west along Spalenberg with detours into some of the narrow side streets, such as Leonhardsberg and Spalenberg, Heuberg. This was the old artisans' neighborhood. Or wander along Freiestrasse, which begins with the Renaissance Geltenzunfthaus , from 1578. At number 25 is the guild-house of the locksmiths dating from 1488 and decorated in Baroque style in 1733.

Look for more wall paintings at the guild-house of the Hausgenossen at 34. In the little Fischmarkt , you'll find a reproduction of a Gothic fountain whose original you can see in the historical museum.

The two-hour Stories of Basel's Old Town walking tour explores the oldest parts of the city with a knowledgeable guide who will explain local history and highlight points of interest, stopping at major sightseeing destinations like Basler Münster , Rathaus , and Tinguely Fountain . The tour focuses on the area's rich history and varied architecture.

Switzerland's oldest and largest zoo, Basel Zoo is affectionately known as the Zolli by locals, and it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Switzerland. It has been named one of the fifteen best zoos in the world.

Founded in 1874 with 510 European animals, today the zoo is known more for exotic species. With predators, primates, mammals, reptiles, birds, and aquatic life, the population ranges from seahorses to elephants, the latter now enjoying an elephant enclosure added in 2015 with wallowing pools, showers, and a savannah-like environment.

The lion enclosure and monkey house are highlights, along with the penguins in the vivarium, which also houses fish and reptiles. The aviary houses both indigenous and exotic birds, as well as birds of prey. The zoo has been particularly successful in breeding rhinoceros and cheetahs. The realistic habitats and variety of exotic animals make this one of the favorite places to visit with children in Basel.

Address: Binningerstrasse 40, Basel

Set atop the highest point on Münsterhügel (Minster Hill), Basel's Minster is easily spotted by its prominent spires and brightly patterned roof tiles. The spacious Münsterplatz , formerly the site of a Roman fort, is an elegant 18th-century square. Built of red sandstone from the Vosges mountains of France between the ninth and 13th centuries, the minster was rebuilt in Gothic style after an earthquake in 1356.

But some of the original church remains. The high altar and much of the furnishings were destroyed by Protestants in 1529, but the greatest treasures were hidden in the sacristy vaulting and survived; you can see some in the historical museum.

Be sure to see the St. Gallus doorway in the north transept, with its many 12th-century Romanesque stone carvings - one of the oldest figured doorways in German-speaking Europe. The tympanum above the doorway shows the Wise and Foolish Virgins, with Christ enthroned above flanked by Peter and Paul.

A large rose window lies above the doorway. Inside, the lower part of the choir is Romanesque; be sure to notice the capitals carved with rich foliage and animals and the Romanesque capitals in the nave and ambulatory. In front of the pulpit, under glass, is a piece of the Late Romanesque pavement from the 12th century.

From inside the church, you can access the stairs to the top of the south tower. The crypt, which can be entered from beside the choir, contains the tombs of 10th- to 13th-century bishops and an excellent Romanesque frieze on the piers; ceiling frescoes depict scenes from the life of the Virgin and other New Testament themes. The beautiful 15th-century double cloister, entered from Rittergasse, contains monuments ranging over five centuries.

Address: Münsterplatz, Basel

The Museum Tinguely contains the largest collection of this influential Swiss artist's work thanks to a generous donation by his widow Niki de Saint Phalle, as well as contributions by other collectors. The collection includes Tinguely's sculptures and drawings, as well as an extensive library of documents and photographs.

The museum also hosts visiting installations that change every three months, focusing on artists who inspired Tinguely, as well as the work of contemporary artists. The building housing the collection was designed by famed architect Mario Botta.

Address: Paul Sacher-Anlage 2, 4002 Basel

Set on a medieval canal with an operating waterwheel, an old paper mill has been turned into a museum of writing, printing, and paper, showing the printing and papermaking processes with actual working machinery.

As you tour the museum, you can watch the laborious production of handmade paper, explore the evolution of printing from before Gutenberg's press through the demise of lead type in the 1980s, and see how books are bound. Displays follow the development of writing from primitive pictographs through modern typography.

Address: St. Alban-Tal 37, Basel

The focal point of the Old Town is Marktplatz, where you'll still find the colorful daily market selling local produce, flowers, and food specialties. Dominating the square is the bright red Basel Rathaus , with its colorful painted facade. The arcaded main building is in Late Burgundian Gothic style dating from 1504 to 1521; the new wing to the left and the tall tower on the right are 19th-century additions.

The clock dates from the building's origins, the work of Master Wilhelms from the early 1500s. Be sure to step into the beautiful courtyard to see the wall paintings, restored from 1608-11 originals. The statue, from 1574, on the outer staircase represents the legendary founder of the town, Munatius Plancus. You can also see the two council chambers, the Regierungsratssaal , with its impressive wood paneling, and the Grossratssaal , decorated by 15 coats-of-arms of the Swiss cantons.

Address: Marktpl. 9, 4001 Basel, Switzerland

Completed in 1977, the playful fountain designed by the Swiss artist Jean Tinguely quickly became a Basel landmark. Placed inside a large shallow pool, 10 large figures made of scrap metal seem to be playing with each other in the water as they move and spray jets of water into the air.

Powered by low-voltage current, these playful and ingenious water-spouting mechanical figures are built from pieces of metal equipment from the old theater that once stood on this spot. In the winter, the fountain becomes a series of fantastic ice sculptures as the water freezes around the figures. You can see more of his unusual and imaginative sculpture in Basel at the Jean Tinguely Museum.

Address: Theaterstrasse, Basel

When you need a break from Basel's abundance of museums and historic attractions, or if you are looking for things to do with children, take a tram or bike to the Tierpark, an expanse of green parkland alongside the river. Here, you'll meet a variety of local wildlife — deer, lynx, wild boar and others — roaming free in their natural habitat, discreetly fenced from the public.

Swans and ducks swim as herons fish in the ponds, and colorful peacocks roam about the grounds. More birds inhabit the spacious aviary, and an assortment of farm animals are in stables and paddocks. It is a peaceful green space for walking and relaxing, and a good place for children to meet animals in a non-zoo environment. They can also let off energy in the large playground.

Address: Erlenparkweg 110, Basel

The 14th-century Barfüsserkirche (Church of the Barefoot Friars) was renovated in the 1970s to house the Historical Museum with important collections on local history and culture. It spotlights particularly the city's unique position at the crossroads between Swiss, German, and French cultures.

In the nave of the church are the Late Gothic tapestries and the curious Lällenkönig (Babbling King), a crowned head with a movable tongue and eyes that was the emblem of Gross-Basel in the 17th century. In the aisles are weapons and furnished period rooms, in the choir religious art, and in the crypt is the minster treasury, recovered after being saved from destruction during the Reformation.

Interesting exhibits deal with the importance of silk ribbon manufacture in Basel from the late 18th through the 19th century.

Address: Barfüsserplatz 7, Basel

The Spielzeug Welten Museum collection of more than 6,000 toys, including dolls, stuffed animals, dollhouses, shop models, and carousels is not just for children. The dollhouses are exceptional, not only the historical examples but the newly commissioned works of artists who create rooms and shops in miniature.

One section is devoted to the Neapolitan folk art of nativity scenes set in the context of everyday life in early Naples , with figures dressed in infinitely detailed costumes. The museum's collection of 2,500 teddy bears is thought to be the world's largest.

Even if you don't tour the museum, don't miss walking around to look in the windows. Six display-sized windows facing the street are dedicated to changing displays from the collections, based on seasonal and other themes and representing current special exhibitions.

Address: Steinenvorstadt 1, Basel

Housed in an old paper mill with modern extensions, Basel's Museum of Contemporary Art highlights art from 1960 to the present. You'll find paintings and sculptures by artists that include Chagall, de Chirico, Dali, Braque, Mondrian, Klee, Giacometti, Moore, and the Swiss sculptor Jean Tinguely.

It was the first public museum in Europe dedicated exclusively to artworks created in the late 20th century. Guided tours in English are available with advance notice and are included in the admission price.

Address: St. Alban-Rheinweg 60, Basel

Basel's Museum of Antiquities and the Ludwig collection feature Egyptian, Greek, Italian, Etruscan, and Roman works of art, covering antiquity from about 4000 BC to the 6th century AD. The strongest areas are sculptures and Greek vases, although there are outstanding exhibits of gold jewelry, bronze sculptures, and clay figures.

The museum also operates Skulpturhalle Basel , located near Basel University, which features more than 2,200 plaster casts of Greek and Roman sculptures including a complete set of casts of the Parthenon, part of the Acropolis in Athens , as well as scale-size architectural sculptures.

Address: St. Alban Graben 5, Basel

One of central Europe's best collections of Judaica, the Jüdische Museum depicts religious and everyday life as it explores the Jewish history of Basel and its surrounds. In addition to documenting the local history, it introduces visitors to Jewish ceremonies and customs from the broader diaspora through exhibits focused on Jewish Law, the Jewish Year, everyday life, and history.

In the courtyard, medieval gravestones and documents go back as far as the medieval Jewish communities with documents printed in Hebrew by the city's book printers from the 16th through 19th centuries. Significant documents focus on the two World Wars.

Address: Kornhausgasse 8, Basel

One of the finest of Basel's patrician houses, the Haus zum Kirschgarten was built between 1775 and 1780 in the early Classical style. It was the home and office of a prosperous Basel manufacturer of silk ribbons and is among Switzerland's best museums of domestic life.

Throughout the 25 furnished rooms are displays of the furniture of a wealthy 18th-century commercial family, as well as internationally important collections of decorative arts. The Pauls-Eisenbeiss Foundation's collection of porcelain, a significant watch and clock collection, and major groups of Basel silver and scientific instruments are displayed.

Address: Elisabethenstrasse 27/29, Basel

Dating from 1370, the Spalentor is a fortified gate marking the end of the old town. The town gate, once part of the old town walls, has stood alone since their destruction in 1866. Look to the left of the gate to find an early 19th-century letterbox with the emblem of the Basel pigeon.

The adjacent Peterskirche (St. Peter's Church) was rebuilt in the 15th century, but the vaulting in the choir is from an earlier 14th-century building. There are frescoes in the Eberler chapel and the nave. Adjacent is the university, with a botanical garden that was founded in the 16th century, one of the oldest in the world.

Collectors Ernst and Hildy Beyeler opened the Fondation Beyeler in 1997 to allow the public to enjoy their extensive personal collection of Classic Modernist art. A staggering number of works by both Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse are on display, including drawings, paintings, and sculpture.

Also displayed are multiple sculptures by Alberto Giacometti and Max Ernst, and a variety of works by celebrated artists, including Georges Seurat, Marc Chagall, Marlene Dumas, Paul Klee, and Vincent Van Gogh. The collection also includes pieces from the Beyelers' world travels to Africa, Oceania, and Alaska.

The museum is set in a lovely park, housed in a building designed by architect Renzo Piano.

Address: Baselstrasse 101, Basel

Because Basel lies right on the international border, some of its suburbs spread over into Germany and France. So it is with the Vitra Design Museum , which although considered a Basel institution, is a five-minute train ride just across the German border from central Basel.

By any measure, it is one of the world's most important museums of design. The building itself is a landmark, designed by Canadian architect Frank O. Gehry. Inside are changing exhibitions - two or three each year - examining current and historical design trends and themes. The displays are stunning and provocative, often inviting interaction.

Add some outdoor exercise to your gallery hopping by hiring an electric bicycle at the central train station to follow the Rehberger-Weg bike path across the border to the Vita campus.

Address: Charles-Eames-Str. 2, Weil am Rhein, Germany

Lying astride the river Aare, about 67 kilometers from Basel, Solothurn is an elegant town of Renaissance and Baroque buildings that indicate its splendor in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries as the residence of the French ambassadors to the Swiss Confederation. Earlier, the town of Salodurum ranked with Trier in Germany as one of the oldest Roman settlements north of the Alps.

Marktplatz is a beautiful square with a 12th-century clock tower, the Zeitglockenturm , that has mechanical figures from 1545. The Mauritius fountain is decorated with a figure by the master Hans Gieng of Fribourg. You'll see several more fountains with colorfully painted figures as you stroll down picturesque old Hauptgasse .

Stop there at the Jesuit church to see its interior, decorated with stucco work by 17th-century artists from the Swiss Ticino region. In the cloister is a collection of stones with Roman inscriptions. Just inside the 1508 Baseltor gate stands the Italian Baroque Cathedral of St. Ursen , built from 1763 to 1773.

Its treasury is especially rich in goldsmiths' work and textiles from the 15th to 19th centuries. In the hills outside of Solothurn, be sure to visit Schloss Waldegg - Waldegg Castle. The palace is set among lovely Baroque gardens and its beautiful interior gives you an idea of the splendor in which the French ambassadors lived.

The Old Town, which lies between the river and the Spalentor gate, is relatively small, but many of Basel's several dozen museums are here, along with medieval churches, the old artisans' neighborhood, and Marktplatz, with the magnificent Rathaus (city hall). These highly-rated hotels in Basel are in or close to the Old Town. Most Basel hotels include a free city bus pass.

Luxury Hotels :

• With old-world elegance enhanced by modern luxuries, Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois , which often hosts royalty, overlooks the Rhine River in the center of the Old Town.
• Close to the Munster and several museums, Der Teufelhof Basel rooms are designed by artists, so guests live in a work of art instead of just looking at it.
• Radisson Blu Hotel, Basel has a pool and is in the center of a cluster of museums; the tram from the central station stops right in front of the hotel.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Near the Spalentor and botanic gardens and a short walk from the heart of the Old Town, Hotel Spalentor Basel has spacious modern rooms.
• On the hill above the Old Town, on a bus line, and a 15-minute walk from the train station, Steinenschanze Stadthotel is literally steps away from the shopping and restaurant area.
• Near the Spalentor and a tram stop with regular trams into the town center, the family-friendly Hotel Odelya is in a heritage building set in a park.

Budget Hotels:

• Beside the university, a few blocks from the Rathaus, and an easy walk to the Munster and art museums, Hotel Rochat has plain rooms but includes breakfast.
• Adjacent to the train station and airport bus stop, Ibis Basel Bahnhof is on a bus line to the historic center.
• A five-minute walk away, Ibis Budget Basel City is only two minutes from two tram lines into the Old Town.

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15 Things To Do In Basel, Switzerland & Best Day Trips

Europe , Switzerland , Travel | August 31, 2017

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Basel is a pocket-sized Swiss metropolis where locals commute to work with a swim in the River Rhine during the warmer months. No, seriously. They really do, and they don’t mind if visitors join in!

In this teeny city, you can saunter from urban cityscape to idyllic residential streets in just moments.Yet Basel doesn’t seem to be on many travellers’ bucket lists (yet)!

I spent a few days in Basel to uncover what the city has to offer and found there are some unusual things to do in Basel alongside the expected tourist attractions.

In this mammoth guide to visiting Basel in summer, I’ve covered all of the things that make Basel unique, what to do in Basel on a short trip plus where to eat and sleep. At the bottom of this guide, I’ve also included a list of the best tours and day trips from Basel.

Top things to do in Basel, Switzerland

I hope this inspires you to book a trip to Basel, because I really fell in love with the city and can’t believe more people aren’t raving about it!

When you arrive, it’s worth booking a one-hour tour with a local to familiarise yourself with the city before you go it alone.

1. Culture vultures can overdose on Basel’s museums

With over 40 museums and exhibition centres plus some world-renowned annual festivals, Basel delivers a hefty dose of culture, whatever type of traveller you class yourself as. The museums are some of the top places to go in Basel.

Don’t miss the Fondation Beyeler , a modern art museum set in serene verdant surroundings. Alternatively, unleash your inner child at the Dollhouse Museum .

You certainly won’t be short of indoor things to do in Basel on a rainy day!

2. Get to know Basel’s arty side

Basel is famed for its annual Art Basel festival so exploring the creative offering in the city is one of the best things to do in Basel. Book an art tour with a local to discover all the best gems.

I managed to stumble upon a street artist doing his thing during my trip, proving that Basel values   the arts, in any shape or form.

3. Hunt for Basel’s water fountains

Basel is dotted with fountains (314, if we’re being exact), and you can drink the water from all except one – the intricate Tingueley Fountain, which was created in 1977 by artist Jean Tingueley.

Its shallow basin stands where the old city theatre stage once stood, and its various sculptures are in constant motion, to represent the artists that once moved around the stage here. It’s especially interesting on a cold day in winter, when the water can freeze into intricate ice sculptures.

The easiest way to tick all of the fountains off your list is to do a city bus tour of Basel (check prices here ). Especially handy if the weather isn’t on your side but you want to zoom around Basel’s tourist attractions!

4. Spot Basel’s modern architecture

Basel somehow packs old and new architecture in side-by-side to great effect, which results in some happy surprises for tourists sightseeing in Basel.

Basel’s modern architecture reaches its peak at the Exhibition Centre , where a circular skylight lets light flood in to the outdoor entrance.

5. See some of Basel’s oldest buildings

And then there’s Rathaus City Hall. This colourful building has been the seat of Basel’s government since the canton joined the Swiss Confederation in 1501 and its bright red facade makes it impossible to miss. Even if you’re only in the city for one afternoon, this is the big thing to see in Basel.

In the atmospheric inner courtyard, you’ll see a statue of a Roman colonel – see if you can spot his trendy red undies! People say that this guy was the city of Basel’s founder, but that’s actually not true.

Basel Minster’s red sandstone walls can be seen from across the Rhine, and it’s a focal point in the cityscape. Its arched windows overlook the river and there’s an interesting metal sculpture in the courtyard.

Learn more about Basel’s past on a heritage tour .

Top tip: some of Basel older buildings’ facades are conveniently painted with the date they were built.

6. Wander Basel’s old town

As is the case in many destinations, one of the best free things to do in Basel is take a walk around the old town.

The old part of Basel is built on two hills, and wandering the sloping residential streets will make you forget that you’re still in the thick of the third-largest city in Switzerland.

Here, you’ll see the local postman carrying his parcels along the cobbles in an old fashioned cart, and lots of ivy-clad, shuttered-window houses that could easily have been pulled from a fairytale.

Perhaps the most picturesque street in Basel is lined with curious little shops, including one where it’s Christmas all year round. Rumour has it that even the Pope gets his decorations here!

Explore Basel’s historic Old Town with a guide, and gain insight into the city’s history and heritage on a walking tour of the area .

7. Have a romantic date night in Basel at the movies

For three weeks in August, Allianz Cinema take over the area outside the Cathedral (Münsterplatz) and show films. There are food and drink stalls (buvettes), so this is the perfect way to spend a balmy evening in Basel.

This has got to be among the most romantic things to do in Basel for couples, but it’s equally fun for groups of friends!

8. Get around Basel for free

This compact Swiss city is a doddle to navigate, thanks to an efficient tram service and walkable streets.

There’s no denying that Switzerland is expensive, but the government makes it easy for tourists to see all the top tourist attractions in Basel.

All hotel guests in Basel are given a mobility ticket to use for the duration of their stay, which means you can use public transport at no cost. It’s definitely something to think about when you’re deciding whether to book an airbnb or a hotel!

The mobility ticket also gets you into France and Germany, so you can easily do a bit of border hopping when you visit Basel.

9. Taste local treats

Cheese is an obvious indulgence, but are you wondering what else is good to eat in Basel? It’s a foodie paradise, and it’s not just the cheesemongers that will entice you.

A food tour of Basel’s best-loved eateries will introduce you to the local gastronomy. This one is self-guided , so it’s super flexible with timing and includes a drink and snack at each stop.

You can’t go to Switzerland and  not  eat the locally made chocolate, and one of the most mouth-watering chocolate shops is Läderach , where you can drool (not physically, that’s gross) over slabs of chocolate with every flavour under the sun.

You can also satisfy your sweet tooth with some Basler Läckerli, a locally-made hard spiced biscuit that tastes a little bit Christmassy. It’s made from hazelnuts, honey, almonds and candied peel.  The best in the city can be found at Confisserie Bachmann .

10. Swim in the Rhine

One of the things you absolutely have to do in Basel in summer is swim in the Rhine. Join the locals in their daily commute and strip off on the riverbank, throw your belongings into a waterproof bag and use the bag as a flotation device to float down the Rhine!

This is especially relaxing at sunset, and it’s a surreal experience unique to Basel. I was surprised to find that the water is really clean – my skin didn’t even feel icky after my swim!

If you don’t fancy getting wet, you can soak up the sun on the pebbly ‘beach’ or take a seat at the recently renovated public terrace overlooking the Rhine, which is near the Cathedral.

11. Discover Basel’s hipster area

Walk along the riverbanks and you might just hear the beat of bongo drums in the air. I was surprised to find that the hipster scene is alive and kicking in Basel, and nowhere is this more true than at Landestelle , an open-air restaurant at Klybeckquai.

This urban hangout space feels like the perfect mix of industrial and cosy, and the various pop-up bars and restaurants are a magical place to go at night. Definitely a cool place to visit in Basel!

If you go on foot, you’ll feel like you’re on a road to nowhere as you walk along disused train tracks on the river bank past the old harbour area, but trust me – keep going and you’ll stumble upon something quite special.

The food is also excellent, with smörgåsbords of antipasti and succulent meats served all night long, best washed down with a few Swiss Swizz Ciders.

12. Visit a local brewery

Speaking of edgy attractions, if you’re stuck for what to do in Basel on a rainy day, the brewery is worth a visit.

Visit a local beer distillery with a guide (check tour price here ) and learn the secrets to making the best beer in the Basel region. You’ll see the process from start to finish and of course, get to taste some beer.

Alternatively, the freshest craft beer in town, Volta Bräu, is brewed in this industrial space inside Basel’s former electrical substation at Voltaplatz.

13. Take a photography tour

For the best shots of a new destination, a little local guidance doesn’t go amiss. This locally guided photography tour helps you find new angles of the top sights in Basel, as well as some off-the-beaten-path gems you might not otherwise discover.

Make sure you plan your photography walk for a time of day that guarantees the best light for snaps.

Just want some savage shots for your socials? You can book an Instagram tour instead!

14. Spend Sundays in Basel on a vintage tram adventure

Step back in time and view Basel’s top attractions at your leisure on an hour-long vintage tram tour, available only on Sundays.

Hop aboard the tram and roll through Basel the way the locals did one hundred years ago. A guide will tell you all about the city’s past during your journey.

Check prices here .

15. Attend a festival on the Rhine

Festival-wise, the IMFLUSS takes centre stage – literally – on a raft floating in the middle of the Rhine.

This year’s dates are 28.7.2020 ― 15.8.2020.

Where to eat in Basel

Marketplatz

Every weekday morning, in rain or shine, the area in front of Rathaus City Hall comes alive with market vendors, and this is a great place to pick up fresh produce and people watch. The air is filled with the unmistakeable scent of grilled sausages and fresh coffee.

This laid-back eatery lets you build your own salads or baguettes using tick-list menus. The specials are delicious too – try the spinach and gorgonzola ravioli.

Markethalle

This covered market hall has a large selection of vendors serving international dishes.

Where to stay in Basel

Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois is ideal if you’d like somewhere luxurious, and the views over the Rhine from its riverside location are worth splurging on. This is one of Europe’s oldest hotels!

The Dorint is a good option for business travellers and those looking for a comfortable place to stay within easy reach of Basel’s highlights.

Motel One Basel is highly rated for value for money.

Use the booking.com map below to check prices for all accommodation in Basel.

Best tours and excursions from Basel

If you manage to exhaust all of Basel’s tourist attractions, why not take advantage of where you are and see some more of Switzerland, or even hop over to France? Here’s my pick of easy day trips from Basel

1 Journey to the ‘ Top of Europe ‘. Jump on a Swiss train to Bern and then to Interlaken. Then you’ll jump on the Jungfraubahn via Grindelwald-Kleine Scheidegg to the Top of Europe, Jungfraujoch.

2 Spend half a day in Lucerne on this tour which includes a boat trip on Lake Lucerne as well as a tour of the old town.

3 Explore Zurich for an afternoon on a tour with a flexible itinerary . Plan your trip to suit you!

4 Visit discover Freiburg and the Black Forest in southwest Germany. Check tour prices here .

5 Experience one of Europe’s most scenic rail journeys on a private full-day Glacier Express train tour from Basel . You’ll travel through Switzerland’s ‘Grand Canyon’ and enjoy a 3-course lunch at your seat.

6 Get access to incredible views by traveling on a mix of trains, a boat, and a cogwheel railway around the Mount Rigi region. Check tour prices here . 

7 Visit a ruined 11th-century castle set high on a forested hill with a 3-hour trip to Rötteln Castle .

8 Between June and August, see one of Europe’s largest waterfalls from the deck of a sightseeing boat on the Rhine River, which links the Swiss Alps to the North Sea. Rhine Falls tickets available here .

9 Visit Engelberg to experience the Titlis Cliff Walk , a pedestrian bridge on Mt. Titlis suspended 10,000 feet above sea level.

10 Unwind with aa day at Cassiopeia Thermal Spring where you can bathe in the 2000-year-old Roman springs.

11 Spend a day in the Bernese Alps with a private tour of the Lauterbrunnen Valley . Visit the summit of Schlithorn, famous for its with its panoramic revolving restaurant featured in the 1969 Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. 

12 Traverse the Wine Route of Alsace . It winds for 170 km from north to south of the region and crosses 70 wine villages. Cheers!

How to get to Basel

Basel has it’s own airport: BSL Airport is called EuroAirport and depending on which side you exit, you’ll find yourself in either French or Swiss territory. I may have took an accidental trip to France when I sauntered out of the wrong door!

The airport is 4km from the city centre and has good transport links. It’s a 20 minute bus ride on the number 50 to get into town.

I got the tram from Basel’s airport into the city. Line no.2 takes you to the exhibition center in downtown and on to the BadischerBahnhof, which is the German railway station.

If you’re arriving at night, a private transfer to your hotel might be more straightforward. You can also book group transfers . Don’t forget to let the company know which side of the airport you’re travelling to or from: Swiss or French!

If you’re visiting Basel from Zurich, take a look at this full-day tour which includes a boat trip .

Check prices and availability for all hotels in Basel

Search flight prices to Basel

Read: my 10 day Europe backpacking itinerary

Best cities for a European city break

Save money on your travel plan with my Resources page – the best companies to book with!

What appeals to you most about Basel? Let me know in a comment and if you have any questions, I’ll do my best to answer them! I created this Basel travel guide on a press trip with Basel Tourism and it made me curious to see more of Switzerland – have you been elsewhere in the country?

If you’re looking for Switzerland travel inspiration, check out this list of beautiful places in Switzerland .

Has this inspired you to visit Basel? Give it a share and make sure you’re following me on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and Pinterest . I also have a Youtube channel . You can also subscribe to make sure you never miss a post.

All photographs were taken on my Olympus Pen E-PL7.

August 31, 2017 at 12:06 pm

I can’t believe the contrast between the old part and Landestelle! It looks like Basel has so much to offer – I’d love to visit one day and gorge myself on Basler Läckerli (the name is such a mouthful haha).

Stuart Forster says

August 31, 2017 at 2:46 pm

I like that Basel has a blend of traditional architecture and eye-catching contemporary designs. Looks like you were blessed with beautiful weather during your trip, which is always a bonus.

Sam | North East Family Fun Travel Blog says

August 31, 2017 at 4:19 pm

wow – the art and architecture is a huge eclectic mix of old and new. I love it! I would like to sample a few delights from the city hall street market in the sun. Bliss!

Jennifer Pletcher says

September 1, 2017 at 1:17 pm

We moved to Basel a month ago from the United States and every day we discover something new. You hit all the highlights above. It is a beautiful city with so much to offer. And so easy to cross the border to France and Germany. Thanks for highlighting our beautiful new city!

Yvonne cagli (@Yvonnecagli) says

September 1, 2017 at 1:49 pm

Looks beautiful, love the idea of the mobility ticket. I would love to visit after reading your blog ☺

Nina Danielle says

September 2, 2017 at 4:32 am

I always think of snow when I think of Switzerland haha… this looks stunning though! I love the architecture, it’s so beautiful.

Roy Philpott says

September 15, 2017 at 3:43 pm

Go to the Hotel Hoffman in Bad Krosinger

Lisa Lorenz says

September 18, 2017 at 5:17 pm

Beautiful post about Basel. Loved the pics also. I am living back in Basel and its so nice to be back. used to live here back in 1996 for 7 years. I am an artist and I have painted scenes of Basel (Munster and Rhine view) I am now working on a big painting of Barfusserplatz. If you are interested in seeing Basel paintings visit my website. Thought it would be nice to share with you and any of your readers that also love Basel.

September 19, 2017 at 4:36 pm

We weee exists in Basel for five years and consider it our second home. Thank you for honoring it so beautifully. I would only add that the quality of life for a family is hard to beat.

Basel Old Town: Visit Switzerland’s Capital of Culture

Not sure what’s worth your time in Basel’s old town? Then you’ve come to the right place because this detailed guide covers all the most important landmarks in Switzerland’s capital of culture. 

Basel’s old town is exceptionally charming with its cobbled alleys and unique landmarks. Iconic buildings, famous museums, and the best town squares are all included in this guide, so keep reading to see how to make the most of your time in Basel’s old town!

Table of Contents

Top Attractions in Basel Old Town

Basel minster.

The city cathedral is usually one of the most impressive buildings in town, and the Basel cathedral is no exception. It was constructed as a Roman Catholic cathedral but today it functions as a Reformed Protestant church.

The initial cathedral was built in Gothic and Romanesque styles between the 11th and 16th centuries. The construction took so long because the initial building was damaged in the 14th-century earthquake, and certain parts were rebuilt by Johannes Gmünd.

Basel Minster is best known for its red sandstone construction, which makes it very easy to spot. The red sandstone is not only clearly visible around Basel, it is also extremely rare amongst European churches.

Guided tours of the church take place every Saturday, and they last for only about 30 minutes. There’s a fee of 7 CHF for adults, while kids can join the tour for free. There’s a limit of just 15 people per tour, so I’d highly recommend you reserve a spot in advance if you don’t want to miss out. 

You can skip the tour entirely if you want and just climb the cathedral tower – this will cost you 6 CHF and reward you with magical panoramic views of Basel’s rooftops.  

Barfuesserkirche (Basel Historical Museum)

Basel Historical Museum is an iconic city landmark you absolutely shouldn’t miss. It’s been inside a former church since 1894, so not only can you learn about the history of the city, but you also get to tour a Franciscan church!

The main part of the museum is inside the church, but there are additional exhibits at two other locations in the city. The Barfuesserkirche part of the museum houses a huge collection of items that detail the cultural history of this city. This includes objects that document the everyday lives of locals from centuries ago, but also some unique items like the Amerbach cabinet of curiosities.

Entrance to this museum is 15 CHF, but that doesn’t include entrance to any special exhibits. Also, this covers only entrance to Barfuesserkirche – if you want a combo ticket that also grants entrance to Haus zum Kirschgarten and Musikmuseum, you’ll have to pay 20 CHF. 

• Opening Times : Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: 15 CHF

Related Reading

Best museums in basel (famous & intriguing).

Marktplatz is a central square in Basel’s historic city. The square is surrounded by beautiful buildings that are representative of the dominant architectural style in Basel, plus it’s home to many shops and locales, from McDonald’s to a tea room. This is also an important public transportation stop – both trams and buses stop here, allowing for easy exploration of the old town. 

The town hall building dominates the market square with its beautiful paintings and unique elements. Both the square and the town hall will likely be important landmarks during your trip, helping you instantly recognize where you are in Basel. 

Also, it’s important to note that the square isn’t called Market Square for no reason. The daily market stalls are set up in the center of the square on weekdays, where you can shop for fresh produce, local delicacies, and flowers. 

• Market Opening times : Tuesday – Thursday, 7 am – 2 pm, Friday & Saturday, 7 am to 6 pm (See Basel Stadt website )

Shopping in Basel: A Guide to The Best Stores & Markets

Andreasplatz.

Andreasplatz is tucked away in a building courtyard and it’s not the easiest attraction to find in Basel. The entrance to the square is from Schneidergasse, right next to a local antique store. The first thing you will probably notice is the Monkey Fountain at the center of the square, so if you see it you’ll know you’re in the right place!

This square is home to several bars and restaurants that you can visit whenever. Try to get one of the outdoor tables, so you can enjoy the local delicacies while taking in all the details of this place. 

On top of that, Andreasplatz occasionally hosts the Wild Plant Market, which manages to transform the entire space. Suddenly there are many carts with countless wild plants, and the city square turns into a small jungle. 

Basel Town Hall (Basel Rathaus)

Basel’s city hall is over 500 years old and was built to commemorate Basel joining the Swiss Confederation in 1501. It is a rather underrated attraction for one simple reason. Yes, it’s the most impressive building on Marktplatz and a great representation of the architectural diversity in this city. However, most people will just notice the stand-out red sandstone facade and the paintings that adorn it, and think they’ve explored this attraction in detail. 

What many people don’t know is that the building is open to visitors. You can go inside the courtyard and see even more beautiful paintings, which is definitely something you should do. There’s no entrance fee for this and it only takes a few minutes, but it offers an entirely different perspective on this lovely building. 

Guided tours of the town hall are available on Saturdays. There are options for tours in English and German, and whichever one you choose the fee is 5 CHF for adults. Kids can join you for free, but you must reserve them a spot on the tour. Guided tours last only around 30 minutes, and they’re definitely worth your time. 

This is also a functioning town hall and is home to the Basel City Cantonal Parliament

Museum der Kulturen Basel

Visit the Museum of Cultures if you want to know why the city is known as Switzerland’s capital of culture. This ethnographic museum is located just a short walk from the Basel Cathedral, so you can access it easily while you’re exploring the old town. 

The museum has a collection of global artifacts and it often hosts special exhibits that focus on a certain culture. The special exhibits change frequently and the Basel Carnival collection is the only permanent exhibit in the museum. It’s truly a unique museum, and one of the most inspiring places you can visit in this town. 

Basel’s Museum der Kulturen can be toured for a fee of 16 CHF, which gives you access to all the exhibits inside the museum. The entrance fee for the museum’s permanent collection is just 7 CHF, and it’s worth noting that you can get discounted or free entrance with the many travel and tourist passes that are available in Switzerland. 

Tinguely Fountain

Tinguely Fountain is located in the same place where the Basel theater company stage once stood, and it’s an homage to the place’s previous function. The fountain, created by Tinguely in 1977, is shallow and decorated with machine sculptures that pay homage to the performing arts. 

This is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and it’s even better that it’s dedicated to theater. Basel is known as the capital of culture in Switzerland with its many museums and performance art venues, and the Tinguely fountain is just one of the landmarks that reinforces that fact. 

The sculptures in the fountain are designed to appear as if they’re interacting with one another, which makes the entire landmark even more impressive. What’s even better is that the fountain stays on in the winter, and it’s not uncommon for some of the sculptures to freeze, which entirely changes the appearance of the Tinguely Fountain!

If you like what you see here, you should also visit the Tinguely Musem when you are in Basel, it takes these moving sculptures to the next level.

Visiting The Tinguely Museum in Basel (Is It Worth It?)

Frequently asked questions, what is the old town in basel called.

Basel Old Town is called “Basel Altstadt” in German or “Altstadt Grossbasel” is the name of the part of Basel it is located in.

Where is Basel’s old town located?

Most of Basel’s old town is on the left bank of the Rhine River. A small part of the old town is on the right bank, but that area encompasses mostly theaters and boutiques. The majority of the tourist attractions and landmarks are on the left bank, including all the tourist attractions mentioned above.

Is it worth it to cross the bridge to the other bank? Yes, because Mittlere Brücke is also a famous attraction in the old town! Also, the right bank offers sweeping panoramic views of the old town buildings.

Is Basel a walking city?

Yes, the old town of Basel is very walkable as you can explore the majority of it easily in one day. However, if you get tired, you can always jump on a tram or bus to get back to your hotel or the center of town.

What is the main street in Basel?

The main street of downtown Basel is “Freie Strasse” or Freie Street in English. It runs through the center of the old town area and is the main shopping area there.

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Chocolate tour of Basel

Xocotour Suisse Basel xocotour.ch

The group will embark on an entertaining tour through Basel's charming old town. You will visit some of the city’s most irresistible spots: small chocolatiers, confectionery shops steeped in tradition and other surprises await. This sweet tour is a chance for visitors to learn more about the history of Swiss chocolate, with plenty of opportunity to sample delicious treats along the way.

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Group & pricing information, booking information.

Xocotour Suisse Basel Switzerland

Mobile phone  +41 (0)79 709 23 25 [email protected] xocotour.ch Show Route

Xocotour Suisse Basel xocotour.ch Show Route

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