Best Things to Do in Basel

Best Things to Do in Basel, Basel, Switzerland

I spent ten days housesitting for a gorgeous cat in Basel. This lovely city is often overlooked in favour of Zurich or Geneva, but it’s definitely worth a visit. While ten days is probably too long for most people, I would highly recommend spending at least two to three nights there.

The city is located in the northwestern corner of Switzerland, right at the intersection of three countries: Switzerland, France, and Germany.

This strategic location on the banks of the Rhine River has made Basel an important cultural and economic hub. It’s the third-largest city in Switzerland and is known for its rich history and impressive medieval architecture.

While many come for its museums and art scene, I found that Basel has so much more to offer beyond the gallery walls. From peaceful walks along the Rhine to exploring hidden corners of the Old Town, enjoying local markets and parks, and chilling in the many coffee shops- this city really grew on me.

The old town of Basel is full of incredible hidden gems, with small squares, hidden courtyards, and fountains appearing around every corner, as well as some of the historic city’s most iconic buildings.

As you know, I love to start my visit to a new city with a walking tour. If you want to explore with a guide, there are a number of walking tours. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).
How it works: The full article is featured in the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" on Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Download the app to your mobile device to read the article offline and create a self-guided walking tour to visit the sights featured in this article. The app's navigation functions guide you from one sight to the next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Sights Featured in This Article

Guide Name: Best Things to Do in Basel
Guide Location: Switzerland » Basel
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Sarah Wilson
Read it on Author's Website: https://lifepart2andbeyond.com/best-things-to-do-in-basel/
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:
  • Old Town
  • Basel Tourist office
  • Spalenberg Street
  • Hoosesagg Museum
  • Town Hall
  • Marktplatz
  • Basel Minster
  • Pfalz terrace
  • Peterskirche
  • Spalentor
  • Mittlere Brücke
  • Käppelijoch Chapel
  • St. Alban
  • Basel Paper Mill Museum
  • St. Alban’s Gate
  • Tinguely Fountain
  • Basel Theater
  • Kunsthalle Basel
  • Rheinufer Basel
  • Fähri
  • Dreiländereck
  • Cafe Moment
  • La Manufacture
  • 11 Coffee & Bar
  • Cafe Bar Elizabethan
  • Markthalle Basel
  • Augusta Raurica

Insider Tips for Basel, Switzerland

Good to Know - All You Need to Know before Visiting Basel

Good to Know - All You Need to Know before Visiting Basel

Basel is the third biggest city of Switzerland. It is laying on the river Rhine at the border with France and Germany. It has a size of almost 24 km2 and is home to 173.000 inhabitants. Basel is a cultural and art hub. It represents one of the greatest art selections of Switzerland.
A big part of the city’s economy is the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. The headquarters of two big world...  view more
Unmissable Experiences to Truly Get to Know Basel

Unmissable Experiences to Truly Get to Know Basel

Basel is the third largest city in Switzerland. Right at the border to France and Germany it is a city with lots of languages and history. After Swiss German, English is the most spoken language in the city.
Basel offers a variety of activities. It is a real art hub. But no worries if you aren’t into art. There are plenty of other things that you can learn and discover about Basel.
11 Reasons to Enjoy Basel, Switzerland

11 Reasons to Enjoy Basel, Switzerland

There are 11 reasons to enjoy Basel, Switzerland. But it can really be summed up in one word: CULTURE. This is a hardworking Swiss city that knows how to enjoy the arts, nature, and history.
As it has been over three decades since I visited Basel, Switzerland’s third-largest city, I didn’t know what to expect. I had 48 hours to explore the medieval Old Town plus its bustling cosmopolitan...  view more
Insider Tips Overview