What to do and see in Basel, Canton of Basel: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day

August 30, 2021 Randal Brittian

Located on the Rhine River near the borders of France and Germany, Basel contains the country's highest concentration of museums. The culture-centric city, site of the world's most influential art market each June, is also home to the lovely Munster Cathedral, made of red sandstone with a multi-colored tile roof. Green spaces abound, including the popular zoological gardens in the city center. Switzerland's largest site of Roman ruins, Augusta Raurica, are an easy day trip to the east.
Restaurants in Basel

1. Art Basel

Messeplatz 10, Basel 4058 Switzerland +41 61 686 20 20 [email protected] https://www.artbasel.com/basel
Excellent
83%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 59 reviews

Art Basel

2. Basel Historical Museum - Barfuesserkirche

Barfuesserplatz 7, Basel 4051 Switzerland +41 61 205 86 00 [email protected] http://www.barfuesserkirche.ch
Excellent
50%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 160 reviews

Basel Historical Museum - Barfuesserkirche

Housed in the Barfüsserkirche since 1894, Basel Historical Museum presents selected aspects of the history of Basel from prehistoric times to the present. Especially worthy of note here are the works of pre-Reformation sacred art such as the Basel Dance of Death and Basel Cathedral Treasury. The section called «Understanding the World» installed in the basement comprises a magnificent array of medieval tapestries with their fantasy worlds and scenes of real life, the Renaissance and Baroque collections grouped together in one «Great Cabinet of Curiosities», and Basel’s rich archaeological heritage. Among the other highlights here are the coin cabinet and Burgundian Booty.

Reviewed By L3785KOvictoriaf - Bridgwater, United Kingdom

Nice, warm and well laid out museum. I got caught up with the exhibits in the main area and nearly forgot about those down the stairs. Liked that you could leave your bag and jacket in a locker leaving you free to wander round with tablet. Some of the exhibits are interactive as well. Lady at the reception desk was very helpful. Definitely worth a visit.

3. Jean Tinguely Museum

Paul Sacher-Anlage 2, Basel 4058 Switzerland +41 61 681 93 20 http://www.tinguely.ch
Excellent
52%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 844 reviews

Jean Tinguely Museum

Reviewed By RCSColumbus - Columbus, United States

We had never heard of Jean Tinguely before visiting Basel but we were so smitten by his amazing Carnival Fountain downtown that we were curious to see more. The Museum Tinguely is a beautiful piece of architecture, perfectly designed to display the kinetic sculptures the artist is best known for. Some are as large as an entire gallery; some you can walk through; virtually all can be activated at the press of a button. Whether you come away appreciating him as an artist or not you will certainly fall for his incredible blend of engineering, mechanical whimsy and pure imagination. Who else would ever think to weld all of these found objects into such lively contraptions? Some even seem to have personalities. You can't help but smile and even laugh out loud at a few of them. My wife, daughter and I were mesmerized as were all the other visitors we saw at the museum that day.

4. Fine Arts Museum Basel - Kunstmuseum

St. Alban-Graben 16, Basel 4051 Switzerland +41 61 206 62 62 [email protected] https://kunstmuseumbasel.ch/
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,185 reviews

Fine Arts Museum Basel - Kunstmuseum

The Kunstmuseum Basel is home to one of the largest and oldest public museum collections in Europe with works from the early fifteenth century to the present.

Reviewed By travelling-model - Hong Kong, China

This museum is even better than the art Museum in Zuich. It has the largest art collections in Switzerland. You can found Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrant, Claude Monet, Edouard Manet, Vincent Van Gough, Paul Gaugin, Paul Cezanne, Pablo Picasso, Dali, Paul Klee, Marc Chargall, Andy Warhol etc. It definitely a big feast of your eyes. Don't miss this one if you have a chance.

5. Basel Minster

Rittergasse 3, Basel 4051 Switzerland +41 61 272 91 57 http://www.baslermuenster.ch/
Excellent
56%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,060 reviews

Basel Minster

Reviewed By gregoryd762

The only red stone minster we have seen so far, this beautiful cathedral set in its own square is very impressive.We have climbed many minsters, duomos and cathedrals, so found this climb relatively easy. Great views from the narrow platform. Unfortunately, we didnt realise there were other steps to go higher. Maybe next time, as there is so much to see in Basel.

6. Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel

Steinenvorstadt 1 Steineck-Stiftung, Basel 4051 Switzerland +41 61 225 95 95 http://www.spielzeug-welten-museum-basel.ch/de/
Excellent
54%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 327 reviews

Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel

Special interest museum features a historic variety of play objects including dolls, dollhouses, Teddy bears, carrousels and miniatures from all over the world.

Reviewed By king3434 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom

This is an incredibly entertaining museum. It’s maybe more geared at adult visitors looking for some history rather than families looking for an interactive day out. The layout is hilarious: a floor of teddy bears followed by a floor of handbags. With the Basel card, the entrance fee is very affordable.

7. Sinagoga di Basilea

Leimenstrasse 24, Basel 4051 Switzerland +41 61 272 29 20 [email protected] https://igb.ch/de/
Excellent
57%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 21 reviews

Sinagoga di Basilea

8. Pharmaziemuseum Universitat Basel

Totengaesslein 3, Basel 4051 Switzerland +41 61 264 91 11 [email protected] http://www.pharmaziemuseum.ch/
Excellent
58%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 116 reviews

Pharmaziemuseum Universitat Basel

Reviewed By SaraDeb119 - Philadelphia, United States

The museum had a vast collection covering the history of pharmacy as it pertained to history and various treatments modalities found in pharmacies. Easy to read about displays and wander at your own pace. Great museum to visit for someone who enjoys history and medicine.

9. Offene Kirche Elisabethen

Elisabethenstrasse 10-14, Basel 4051 Switzerland +41 61 272 03 43 [email protected] http://www.offenekirche.ch
Excellent
41%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 168 reviews

Offene Kirche Elisabethen

The Open Church is a postdenominational church, based in the jewish-christian faith, open for each person of good will, whatever they believe in. Wether you are looking for silence, a blessing or for a lively disco: We cater to your needs. The church is open Mon trough Sat from 10am and to 7pm. On sundays we open after local masses and services @ 12 noon. Our cafe offers exquisit hot and cold drinks from 7am on. You can rent the church for your familiy or business events (www.your-venue-basel.com). Our programm can be found @ www.offenekirche.ch.

Reviewed By pawel_hbg - Sopot, Poland

Church of St. Elisabeth was constructed between 1857 and 1865 as the first Protestant church to be built in Basel since the Reformation. Now it acts as a cultural meeting place for people from all walks of life, regardless of their origins, race or religion.

10. Naturhistorisches Museum Basel

Augustinergasse 2, Basel 4051 Switzerland +41 61 266 55 00 [email protected] http://www.nmbs.ch
Excellent
47%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 160 reviews

Naturhistorisches Museum Basel

Reviewed By Roos-Marie90 - Ghent, Belgium

A wonderful collection and broad overview on the topic, both for families with children as for adults. Loved it!

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.