Best things to do in Basel
This ancient Rhine-side city straddling the French and German borders is enhanced by fine medieval architecture and one of Switzerland’s best art museums, the Fondation Beyeler.
Viewpoints and panoramas
Basel Münster: The highlight of a visit to Basel’s red sandstone cathedral is a peaceful stroll through the cloisters before stepping out onto the panoramic viewing platform and wonderful views.
Mittlere Brücke: Spanning the Rhine, Basel’s most famous bridge offers fantastic views of the city and river.
The best districts
Altstadt (Old Town): Shopping streets connect Barfüsserplatz and Marktplatz, the two main Old Town squares, while medieval charm is retained in the steep lanes leading off to either side, where you’ll find leafy courtyards surrounded by 16th-century townhouses and medieval churches.
Kleinbasel: Buzzing and multicultural Kleinbasel is characterised by diversity, creativity and art, in addition to a raft of cool bars and restaurants.
Museums
Museum Tinguely: Admire the humour and ingenuity of perhaps Switzerland’s best-loved artist - a maverick postmodernist - in a stunning Mario Botta building.
Fondation Beyeler: Visit Basel’s best gallery, where the Renzo Piano architecture sets off the modernist art inside to serene effect: Picasso, Giacometti, Warhol, Rothko, Rodin, Klee, Kandinsky, Bacon, Miró - they’re all here.
Basler Papiermühle: This medieval watermill is now a delightful little museum with fascinating demonstrations of printing and papermaking.
Historical monuments
Leonhardskirche: Beautiful Leonhardskirche is a Gothic construction built after the 1356 earthquake with porthole windows and an elaborate cat’s cradle of vaulting within. The gallery is accessible, but only up the tightest, narrowest spiral staircase imaginable.
Rathaus (Town Hall): Basel’s grand 16th-century Town Hall - which continues to serve as the seat of the Basel government - is an architectural masterpiece, with its vivid red facade and intricate details.
Day trips in the area
Baden: There’s not an awful lot to do in this attractive provincial spa town, other than enjoy the ancient old quarter, take in a fine collection of Impressionist art, and perhaps take a soothing dip in the warm spring waters… but that’s the point.
Augusta Raurica: In its heyday, Augusta Raurica – a Roman Rhineside provincial capital 20km east of Basel near the modern village of Kaiseraugst – was home to 20,000 people. These days it comprises the largest set of Roman ruins in Switzerland and is an easy day trip from Basel.
Colmar: A short hop across the border, this delightful French town is famous for its colourful half-timbered houses, cobbled streets and stunning Alsatian wines.
Activities for families in Basel
Basel is packed with kid-friendly attractions and activities - indeed some of the most exciting in the country.
Cable ferries: A great way to cross the Rhine – and a method used by many locals – is on one of the traditional cable ferries, which kids in particular will love. The most useful, from north to south, are the Vogel Gryff, or Klingentalfähre; the Leu, or Münsterfähre; and the Wild Maa, or St Alban-Fähre. All three run continuously during the day, with restricted hours in winter.
Boat rides: The ferry company Basler Personenschifffahrt runs several eat-aboard cruises as well as scheduled boats to nearby points on the Rhine (May–Oct only), including a round trip to the German border at Dreiländereck and longer journeys east to Kaiseraugst and Rheinfelden.
Aquariums and zoos: Opened in 1874, Basel Zoo is the country’s oldest, home to some 600 species, including meerkats, snow leopards, gorillas, spider monkeys and giraffes - but absolutely not to be missed are the penguin walks that take place outside the Vivarium during the winter.
Free things to do in Basel
Whether you’re content to soak up some street sculpture or get soaked in the Rhine, holidays to Basel offer plenty of free activities for those looking to explore the city without spending too much.
Carnival: Experience an exultant three days of music, parades and merry-making at Fasnacht, Basel’s unique carnival, which starts on the Monday after Ash Wednesday.
Rhine swimming: In summer, Baslers take to the river to cool off, floating down the fast-flowing Rhine clutching special inflatable bags that hold their clothes - and you should too! The so-called Wickelfisch bags can be bought at the tourist office.
Street sculpture: Admire Tinguely’s Carnival Fountain, where the spluttering sculptures were created from parts of the city’s old theatre. Just behind, Intersection is a fine example of American artist Richard Serra’s rusting walk-in sculptures.
Nature and outdoor activities in Basel
Basel’s unique location on the borders with France and Germany means that there’s terrific variety in the types of outdoor activities available.
Hiking and walking: Basel is a great starting point for hikes, whether you're exploring nearby vineyards or heading further afield into the Jura Mountains. For something more challenging, you can venture into the Black Forest, located just across the border in Germany, which offers an abundance of hiking trails for all levels.
Cycling: Basel is a cycling-friendly city, with plenty of well-maintained bike paths; there’s bike rental at the train station. More fun is a ride through the vineyards of the nearby Alsace region just across the way in France.
Water sports: Swimming aside, the Rhine offers opportunities for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP); equipment rental is readily available at various spots along the riverbank.
