Things to Do in Basel

1. Visit the Kunstmuseum Basel: If you are an art enthusiast, then you must visit Switzerland’s most significant and largest art collection at Basel’s Kunstmuseum. This art museum is known across the globe for its diverse collection and it boasts of pieces from masters like Konrad Wiltz, Hans Baldung and Peter Paul Rubens amongst others.

When here, you can spend your time admiring paintings by Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet and compilations by Picasso. The impressive architecture of the building is another huge draw for tourists as the complex dating back to the 1930s showcases unique style choices made by its architects, Paul Bonatz and Rudolf Christ.

Location: St. Alban-Graben 16, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
Price: Free Entry
Timings:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday:10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

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2. Walk around in the Altstadt: The Altstadt or the ‘old town’ in Basel is one of the prettiest and most well-preserved old town centres in the whole of Europe. The place is packed with both old and modern buildings like the Basel Minster, Clarakirche, St. Paul’s Church along with Messe Basel, Novartis Campus and more making it a fascinating place for a walk.
All the buildings of historical importance, cafes and restaurants are in close proximity and you can easily spend a couple of hours simply exploring.

3. Admire the architecture at Basel Minster: Basel Minster is a landmark destination and a visit to the church is definitely amongst the top 10 things to do in Basel. The red sandstone exterior and the coloured roof tiles of this gothic building make for a magnificent sight and the fact that it was built around 1019 only adds to its charm!

The church has two towers which can be climbed using 242 stairs to enjoy unparalleled views of the city of Basel and that of the Black Forest. The entire building is dotted with interesting structures and additions like the statue of Henry II at the entrance, the tomb of Gertrude of Hohenberg and the sculpture of a dragon which make it an interesting place to explore!

Location: Münsterpl. 9, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
Price: Free entrance and CHF 4 to climb stairs
Timings:
- Monday - Saturday:11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Sunday:11:30 AM - 4:00 PM

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4. Get impressed by early technology at the Basel Paper Mill: This medieval paper mill in Basel has been converted into a four-storey museum where you can learn everything from the making of the paper to the binding of a book! The most attractive thing about the mill is the fact that its exterior has been completely restored and it still looks like what it would have when it was originally made 500 years ago!
Inside, you can walk around getting educated about the history of paper but also get hands-on with the many workshops conducted at the museum, making it one of the best things to do in Basel with kids.

Location: Basler Papiermühle, St. Alban-Tal 37, 4052 Basel
Price: None
Timings:
- Tuesday - Friday & Sunday:11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Saturday:1:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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5. Spend time at Basel Town Hall: The Basil Town Hall is a 500-year-old building that dominates the view of the old marketplace or Marktplatz in Basel. This old building stands out with its bright, deep red colour which comes from the red sandstone used in making it, it's medieval-styled frescos that cover the whole exterior and its arched entrance ways!
The interior is as impressive as the exterior and you can book yourself a guided tour if you want to see the inside which is dominated by giant chandeliers, huge paintings and wooden seating.

Location: Marktpl. 9, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
Price: Guided tours start from CHF 5
Timings: 4:30 PM

6. Spend time with the animals of Basel Zoo: If you are looking for things to do in Basel with kids, then there is no better place than this remarkably vast zoo which dates back to 1874. Today, it is home to one of Europe's largest collection of indigenous and exotic animals and birds which include everything from zebras, jellyfish, ponies, ostrich, lions, mynahs to boas.

You can walk around dedicated areas which have been crafted around the natural habitats of the animals, like the Africa Theme Area, The Vivarium, The Gamgaos, The Aviary, Australis, etc. The zoo also organizes themed tours of your choice!

Location: Binningerstrasse 40, 4054 Basel, Switzerland
Price: CHF 20
Timings: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM

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7. Catch a Fahri on the Rhine River: The best way to explore the Swiss city of Basel is by taking a 'fahri' or a ferry on the Rhine river that runs through the heart of Basel. The city has five bridges that stand on the Rhine river and you will find the four Basel ferries docked somewhere between the bridges.

The ferries called 'Wilde Maa', 'Leu', 'Vogel Gryff' and 'Ueli' run throughout the day, at different times, offering rides to both locals and tourists. The most interesting part about these ferries is that they do not use any motorized assistance but run on the natural current of the river. When riding, you can enjoy the views of the city as you hear stories from ferryman; an old tradition that continues to this day.

Location: Basel Tourismus, Aeschenvorstadt 36, 4010 Basel

8. Visit Germany for Vitra Design Museum
A 7 mile-long drive away from the Basel city will take you across the border into Germany and to the Vitra Design Museum. This museum is amongst the world's leading design museums where you can spend your time at some of the most impressive design collections on the planet, with over 400 key objects!

Not only will you be fascinated by objects belonging to both contemporary and historical design, art and architecture but the building in itself is a piece of art. You can spend taking pictures, enjoying a fun meal and even request access to the museum's library!

Location: Charles-Eames-Straße 2, 79576 Weil am Rhein, Germany
Price: € 17
Timings: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

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1. Theatre Basel
A visit to this historic venue has to be on your list of things to do in Basel at night, especially if you are into performance art! The theatre is home to Basel's ballet and opera companies and therefore its three stages regularly put out some of the best productions in ballet, drama and opera.

2. Les Trois Rois Bar
This is a bar where Basel's elite gather to enjoy its opulent settings, fine hospitality and great food! The place has an excellent rooftop lounge where you can sit and enjoy a cigar as you look onto the scenes of the Rhine gently passing through the heart of the city.

Alternatively, if you are in Basel during the winter, you can sit inside where you will be greeted by a crackling fire and warm hospitality.

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3. Bar Rouge
Bar Rouge is located in Basel's tallest building and therefore offers some of the best views of the city at night! The place is a favourite amongst locals for its funky bar, passionate mixologists that offer an array of cocktails, champagne and a plethora of drinks. You can enjoy the cool crowds, vibrant music and a classy ambience at this lavish bar.

4. Campari Bar
If you are looking for scenic settings for you to indulge in food and drinks, then a visit to this bar definitely ranks amongst the top things to do in Basel at night. It has a summer terrace where the guests sit under a canopy of trees and blossoming orchids as they sip and dine.

The interior of the bar remains packed during the winters months and is visited by the affluent of the city, for its quirky pop-art themes and ambience.

5. Club En Vogue
If your idea of a fun evening is dancing to the beats of music with a drink in hand, then this is the place for you! Club En Vogue attracts friendly and fun-loving crowds that comprise of both travellers and locals. Depending on the day you visit, you can enjoy R&D, pop, soul, house and funk music being played by some of the best DJs in the city!

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1. Explore the eclectic art installations at the Jean Tinguely Museum
Jean Tinguely was one of the most prominent Swiss artists of the 20th century and this museum is dedicated to his large body of work. The museum is home to some innovative moving mechanical sculptures, paintings, documents, illustrations and photographs, all taken by Jean Tinguely and his wife.

The museum itself can be described as a piece of art and it has been designed by the architect Mario Botta.

2. Take a walk with a local
If you have the time, then you must book a tour with locals at Getyourguide! It is the best way of discovering some of the best-kept secrets, less-crowded spots and local haunts of people. You can arrange for a simple walking tour or for one that includes food stops as well, for a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

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3. Enjoy a drink in medieval settings
If you are looking for quirky things to do in Basel at night, then getting a drink at the Volkshaus Bar & Brasserie is a must! This bar is housed in a building that dates back to the fourteenth century, which once served as a manor and has now been refurbished to make it a quirky mix of contemporary and medieval!

4. Visit the tomb of a renowned European scholar
The name of Erasmus falls under those of the Renaissance era that does not need any introduction. If visiting his final resting place seems like a fun idea, then you can head over to the Basel Minster, the protestant cathedral where his tomb has been erected.

5. Zur Puppenfee
This toy shop will take you to the era before the iPads and X-boxes to a time when physical games, toys and dolls were all the rage. The place is filled to the brim with antique toys, puppets, teddy bears and many other souvenirs which you can pick for the children.

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1. Pantheon - Museum für Oldtimer
If you are interested in automobiles, especially cars, then this is the place for you! This museum in Basel is home to some of history's most impressive cars. The stellar collection includes the earliest wooden vehicles like a replica of the Benz patent motor car from 1886, a de Dietrich Vis-à-vis from 1901, MG SA from 1936 and Ford A from 1930 amongst several other classics.

2. Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel
A visit to the Spielzeug Welten Museum is definitely amongst the top things to do in Basel with kids, owing to its unparalleled collection of toys. Here, you will find the world's largest collection of teddy bears, toy grocers’ shops, dollhouses and carousels where you can spend hours browsing.

Apart from these, the in-house restaurant, Ristorante La Sosta, offers excellent snacking options for when you want to take a break from exploring.

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3. Skulpturhalle Basel
This museum in Basel has been dedicated to the plaster cast replicas of antique sculptures from around the world. The place has the largest collection of its kind in the country and includes 2,000 casts including the world's only complete reconstruction of the sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens.

4. Pharmazie Museum der Universität Basel
The Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel houses one of the largest and most important collections of art on the history of pharmacy. Here, you can discover age-old remedies and get fascinated by a large collection of medicine, scale, weights, herbal books, amulets, ceramic vessels and even entire laboratories and pharmacies!

5. Swiss Architecture Museum or SAM
As the name suggests, this museum is dedicated to architecture and design and houses some truly fascinating aspects of the craft. Its ever-changing exhibitions portray some of the best international and national collections where artists try to continually add to thebv on architecture and urban debates.

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1. Adväntsgass im Glaibasel
This is a fun Christmas Market in Rheingasse, Basel which can easily give the impression of a village square. Here, you will see stalls upon stalls of people selling all varieties of wares, from exotic curries, Swiss raclettes, souvenirs and art pieces!

The atmosphere here is truly relaxed and it is not uncommon to see buyers and sellers indulging in small chit-chat and banter, making it a true European experience.

2. Flea Market Barfusserplatz
This flea market sees stallholders from different parts of the city gather every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM to sell a variety of wares. You can spend hours in the vibrant thoroughfare, looking through vintage clothes, shoes, accessories, furniture and decor pieces!

3. Globus
This is a high-end departmental store situated in Marktplatz in Basel. It deals with everything from fashion goods, beauty products, lifestyle-based items and luxury wares belonging to top-quality brands in Switzerland.

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4. Manor
This is a famous departmental store which has two locations in Basel; one is on Greifengasse in close proximity to the Mittlere Brücke and in the St. Jakob Park Shopping Centre. The place is known for its in-house fashion label with clothing options for people of every gender and age! Additionally, you can visit their food section for some truly memorable food options!

5. Bookbinders Design
The Bookbinders Design sells timeless pieces like notebooks, diaries, photo albums, folders and storage boxes which you can get embossed for a personalised touch. The items in the store use natural materials and sleek Scandinavian design to make pieces that are truly unforgettable.

6. Chapeau Maria Hiepler
If you are looking for anything related to headwear, then this boutique store is your one-stop solution! They have an unparalleled variety of hats, hatboxes, scarves, hair accessories and hair ornaments amongst other items to fulfil all your headwear needs. This boutique also has a workshop where you can see the ware being made.

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1. Float down the Rhine River
All you need for this fun activity in Basel are swimming skills. You can float down the Rhine River, with your clothes and belongings trailing behind you, in a plastic bag. It is an excellent way to relax in summers and an activity many locals love to indulge in.

2. Visit the farmer's market at Marketplatz
If you are in the city during the weekend, a walk through the farmer’s market at Marketplatz must be on your list of top 10 things to do in Basel. You will find lane after lane of fresh Swiss produce, warm baked bread, fascinating floral arrangements, all of which come together to make excellent photo-taking opportunities.

3. Picnic at Kennenfield Park
A picnic or a barbeque at the Kennenfield Park is a fun thing to do in Basel with kids. Here, you can arrange a last-minute picnic by simply taking the movable chairs and tables and set them up at a spot of your choosing. The place has several small playgrounds where you can keep a watch on your kids as they play!

4. Enjoy Art Basel
If you happen to be in the city for its world-renowned one-week long art carnival, then touring the pop-up galleries definitely tops the list of free things to do in Basel. The streets are packed with displays of sculpture, painting, photography and more by some of the contemporary art world's best names.

5. Explore the iconic Rathaus
The city's town hall's bright red sandstone facade with gold detailing makes it an excellent backdrop for taking memorable pictures. You can spend a long time admiring the frescos, sculptures and architecture of the place, without having to spend a cent!

- By Air:
The nearest airport to Basel is the Euro Airport, an international airport 3.5 km, northwest of the city. If you are planning to fly to Basel, you can choose air carriers like Air France, Swiss, Lufthansa, Jet Airways, British Airways, etc. that will take you to the city. There are no direct flights from India to Basel.

- By Rail:
There are two main railway stations in Basel; the Basel SBB and the Basel Badischer Bahnhof. You can take a train from Zurich, Berne, Geneva, Berlin or Frankfurt to reach Basel.

- By Road:
You can choose to drive into Basel if you have access to a car as the town is well connected to all the major cities in the vicinity. The only thing to keep in mind is to get the toll stickers or vignettes from the border towns before you come to Basel.

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Basel is one of the warmest places in Switzerland and therefore you can expect to enjoy pleasant weather right from May right into the end of October. Since July gets uncomfortably hot, it is better to avoid travelling around that time. If you do not mind a bit of cold, then you can also visit Basel around February for comfortably cold weather.

Basel is known around the world for its prominent contemporary art scene. The city hosts an annual, week-long festival known as Art Basel where the best contemporary artwork from around the world is displayed around the town.

Apart from Art Basel, the place is also known for its warm weather, scenic River Rhine, world-renowned museums including the Kunstmuseum, Switzerland's oldest university, the University of Basel among other things.

When here, you can spend your time exploring medieval churches, paper-mills-turned-museums and motels. The rich history of the place has been skillfully preserved to give you an exceptional combination of contemporary and old in the same place.

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