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

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.

1777

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.

Booking.com

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.

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Read: my 10 day Europe backpacking itinerary

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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.

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

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