Location: Basel
Top Things to do in Basel
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What to do and see in Basel, Switzerland: The Best Places and Tips
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. Basel Paper Mill Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 479 reviews
Reviewed By 2acorns - Cleveland, Ohio
I'd been staying in Basel several weeks before I actually paid to go through this museum. It's terrific with hands on activities for all. You can get close up to all sorts of printing tools and the historic displays are excellent. I highly recommend going, especially is you are at all interested in paper arts or book making or printing.
2. Rheinfahre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
The four Rhine Ferries cross the Rhein on four different places Contact: St. Alban Fähre: 0041 79 659 63 66 Münster-Fähre: 0041 77 400 65 41 Klingental-Fähre: 0041 79 659 63 67 St.Johan-Fähre: 0041 79 659 63 68
Reviewed By Jez S - Birmingham, United Kingdom
The Rhine current was so strong so if this little ferry didn’t have its pulley rope we would have been down the river in seconds. It was fun and a must do in Basel!
3. Fine Arts Museum (Kunstmuseum)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 906 reviews
The Kunstmuseum Basel is home to one of the largest and oldest public museum collections in Europe. In its unique history, it has assembled works from the early fifteenth century to the present. The Kunstmuseum Basel houses the Galerie (Gallery) and the Kupferstichkabinett (Department of Prints and Drawings). The main focus is on paintings and drawings by artists active in the Upper Rhine region between 1400 and 1600 and of the 19th and 21st century. The Kunstmuseum Basel possesses the world`s largest collection of works by the Holbein family. Further examples of Renaissance art include major pieces by masters such as Konrad Witz, Martin Schongauer, Lucas Cranach the Elder and Matthias Grünewald. Most of these early treasures originally belonged to the collection of a Basel lawyer, Basilius Amerbach. Purchased by the city in 1661, they formed the core of the world`s first public municipal museum. Paintings by Basel-born Arnold Böcklin feature among the 19th-century highlights. In the field of 20th-century art, the accent is on Cubism (Picasso, Braque, Léger), German Expressionism, Abstract Expressionism and American art since 1950. Contemporary art is exhibited at the Museum für Gegenwartskunst (Museum of Contemporary Art).
Reviewed By BathBunn - Alderley Edge, United Kingdom
A superb art museum with so much to see in an excellent setting. Our visit coincided with the Chagall exhibition and museumnacht when Basel museums are open until 2pm. Set aside a few hours to fully appreciate all that there is to see. Would recommend a Basel Card which gives half price entry to all museums and free use of public transport.
4. Basel Munster
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Roger B
As a citizen of Basel I have visited the Munster, our Cathedral, several times over the years. However, the special atmosphere of this clerical building dating back to Gothic and even Romanesque times is particularly impressive at night. An experience you get when you visit the Munster for a concert as for example the performamce of Bruckner’s 3rd symphony by the Basel Symphony Orchestra in January 2018. A joyful spiritual and musical experience in a class of its own.
5. Rathaus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Sana A - Karachi
Took a stroll to the marketplatz area and stumbled across this unusually attractive building. Came to know its the old city hall building. The courtyard of the building has really beautiful wall murals and the building Exterior is a bright maroon red with beautiful intricate detailing. Outside the building is a fruits vegetables and flowers market place with local delicacies food stalls as well. Many nice coffee shops in the area and the tram shop is near as well. This area was walking distance from my hotel.
6. Altstadt-Spaziergange durch Basel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 765 reviews
Reviewed By David H - Bury, United Kingdom
Just stroll through the old streets and you will find lots of interesting buildings and features not marked on the maps.
7. Tierpark Lange Erlen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
Reviewed By ilGrec0 - Thessaloniki Region, Greece
To begin with we really enjoyed our visit. But be careful if you do like walking yourselves around instead of taking public transportation, this is not very easy to reach on foot since the surrounding area is definitely not pedestrian friendly. So take the bus, I dont remember th exact number but it stops exactlyvat the main entrance of the park. In addition to nature, this park also includes a rather large zoo with an interesting variety of animals, which is ideal for children. Even more, the entrance is free of charge. If you have 3-4 hours to spend, this is surely a very relaxing way to do so. Enjoy!!
8. Rheinufer Basel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By jhn117 - Bridgewater, New Jersey
Want to get away from the throngs of tourists? Away from the shops?
Follow the Rhine river away from downtown and via the Promenade, you will find A great riverside park, and the best way to mingle with locals. Along the entire 2 miles that I walked, I heard very little English and it was great!
Have a seat and take in good views of the Mittle Brucke, the Rhine, Grosse and Kleine Basel as well as various cruise ships docked along both sides of the river.
If I could go back I would find a way to rent a bike and do this path again. Amazing!
9. Zoo Basel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By FormerCaliBoy - Zurich, Switzerland
I had the perception this zoo was small and probably not worth my visit, but I was totally wrong. This zoo has a very good variety of animals on display from the all continents.
Outdoor, and indoor facilities during in-climate weather, allows these animals reasonable space to roam. The staff was doing a very good job keeping up the cleanliness of the grounds, cages and roaming space of the animals.
There is a cafe, restaurant, souvenir shops, snacks, restrooms facilities and more.
(*Tip: All paid overnight visitors to Basel now receive the all new and improved Basel Card, which includes free public transit and now 50% your visit to the zoo).
10. Tinguely-Brunnen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 634 reviews
Reviewed By CJTravelerTexas - Bryan, Texas
As we were leaving Basel, a friend directed us to this fascinating Fountain, which offers a number of photo opportunities and will keep the attention of even the uninterested. We were there in late fall, and it was quite cold; this place is ideal for spring and summer.
