The vibrant red town hall dominates Market Square. Market Square hosts a daily market that features local produce and regional and Swiss specialties. In addition, visitors can stock up on flowers, coffee, honey, crafts, and wine.

The square dates back to at least the year 1091. Back then, the square was bisected by Birsig Creek. There was a grain market where the citizens met and handled business. In 1290, the first town hall was built and that became the center of the town's political life.

In addition to the town hall, the square was home to the court. In front of the courthouse was a flat stone used for executions and public announcements. The accused often were brought here to face the ridicule of the population.

In the early days, the square was surrounded by wooden shops and houses with fold-down shutters. Through the open windows, owners would sell their goods that included meats, sausages, tripe, herring, birds, and gingerbread.

The houses were destroyed in 1891 to expand Market Square. Over the years, large commercial buildings have taken over. The square was further modified in 1908 when it was leveled out. Today, it is one of the most important tram junctions in the city, with seven lines passing through this one spot.

Market Square is delightful over the Christmas holidays. Visitors can do holiday shopping while enjoying hot chocolate and festive holiday lights. But any time of year is a great time to visit, thanks to the many charming cafes, restaurants, shops, and boutiques.

Town Hall is home to the Basel government and parliament. This dramatic red brick building with its imposing tower is one of Basel's most attractive landmarks.

The current Town Hall was built between 1504 and 1513 to celebrate Basel's joining the Swiss Confederation. It replaced an older, less grand structure. While the building has undergone many renovations over the centuries, the three iconic arched entrances are from the initial construction.

Artist Hans Holbein decorated the Town Hall's Assembly Hall in 1521. Hans Holbein would later rise to fame as King Henry VIII's court painter.

The Gothic-style Front Chambers were added in the 1600s. The tower was added in the 1800s. At the time, its imposing height was controversial, and a public vote was called before construction was approved.

The exterior facade features depictions of historical and legendary figures. On the balcony, an inscription reminds visitors Here begins Swiss land. The crenellations are decorated with Basel's coats of arms.

The interior is richly decorated. The courtyard features a Roman statue representing Julius Caesar's contemporary Lucius Munatuis Plancus. Plancus founded Augusta Raurica, the nearby Roman city.

Many paintings depict a law and order theme. For example, the Roman goddess of Justice, Justitia, is depicted in a scene over the Front Chambers.

The Cantonal Parliament debates twice a month in the assembly hall. The Cantonal Government meets in Town Hall every Tuesday. The Chancellery and the Department of Presidental Affairs are also located in the Town Hall.

Guided tours in English are available every Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

The Three Kings Hotel is one of Switzerland's oldest hotels and has welcomed visitors and merchants since the 13th century. In the middle age, the hotel was a popular place to stay among salt traders due to its location right next to the salt tower where ships were docked in order to transport the sought-after commodity down the Rhine River and out into the rest of Europe.

The current luxurious hotel was originally built in 1844. Johann Jakob Senn was a master tailor who foresaw that the railway and river steamer revolution would expand leisure travel and gambled on building this luxury hotel. Basel architect Amadeus Merian designed the Belle Epoque-style hotel.

Many grand hotels are named after the Biblical "Three Kings," who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. As a destination for travelers and merchants, "The Three Kings" represents a tradition of welcoming traders and travelers.

Part of the hotel was sold and used as a bank in the early 20th century. Next, this portion was used at the City Tourist Information Office. Finally, in 2004, Thomas Straumann purchased the hotel and the re-purposed block. Over two years, Straumann renovated and rebuilt the hotel. His goal was to keep the beauty and allure of the 1844 property while updating it to meet modern luxury standards.

The hotel has attracted a variety of celebrities. Notable visitors include Helmut Schmidt, the Dalai Lama, King Faroul of Egypt, and Queen Elizabeth II. In 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte met Basel officials here to discuss the French-Swiss relationship.

Famous artists and writers have also frequented the hotel. Charles Dickens, Voltaire, Jean-Paul Sartre, Picasso, and Duke Ellington are among the celebrities who have enjoyed The Three Kings Hotel's hospitality.

The Middle Bridge was originally built sometime in the 13th century. This bridge played an essential part in Basel's success as it allowed easy access for merchants and locals. Originally, money lenders charged those crossing with mules, horses, and goods a toll of 30 silver marks until the construction was paid off.

The Middle Bridge was rebuilt from stone between 1903 and 1905. The rebuilt bridge is 192 meters (630 feet) long and has seven arches. Six arches stretch over the Rhine River, and one covers the riverside footpath.

Today, private motor vehicles are prohibited in order to keep the city center car-free.

Visitors will find several sculptures on the bridge. Carl Burckhardt's last sculpture, The Amazon, is located on the bridgehead. The bronze sculpture shows an Amazon leading a horse. Burckhardt completed the plaster model but died before the sculpture was cast. Burckhardt's workshop completed the sculpture after his death.

Bettina Eichin's sculpture Hevetia auf der Reise sits on the bridgehead wall. The sculpture depicts a woman looking across the Rhine with her suitcase beside her.

The artist Ludwig Stocker donated the Lagerstätte sculpture to celebrate Basel's 600 year unification celebration in 1992. The sculpture represents the emblems of the three local guilds. This sculpture is partially submerged in the Rhine and is sometimes completely covered by water.

Basel Minster, one of Basel's most prominent landmarks, boasts striking red sandstone walls and vibrant roof tiles that have stood as a testament to the city's architectural heritage since the 11th century. This cathedral, completed and modified over nearly five centuries between 1019 and 1500, remains among the oldest structures in Basel, with roots that stretch back even further. Beneath the current cathedral, excavations have uncovered remnants from the Celtic period, including ancient walls, gates, and streets, revealing the hill’s long-standing significance.

The first cathedral in Basel was built in the ninth century by Bishop Haito, with a more substantial building consecrated in 1019 in the presence of Henry II, the Holy Roman Emperor, lending the church its nickname, the Heinrich Munster. This Romanesque structure, however, did not remain untouched by time or disaster. In the 13th century, the Minster underwent reconstruction, only to suffer extensive damage in the 1356 earthquake. Rebuilt in the Gothic style, the church was re-consecrated in 1363, marking a new chapter in its architectural evolution.

Two impressive towers define the Minster's skyline: the Georgsturm, built in 1429, and the Martinsturm, completed in 1500. These towers, named after the knightly saints George and Martin, feature notable medieval artwork, including a 1372 depiction of Saint George confronting a small dragon. Visitors who ascend the 242 steps of either tower are rewarded with sweeping views of Basel’s historic cityscape.

Basel Minster also played a unique role in history when, in 1440, it hosted the election of Felix V, recognized as an antipope, during a period of religious schism. Later, during the Reformation in the 1500s, Basel saw significant change, as the bishop was expelled, the monastery dissolved, and many religious artworks were destroyed. One such casualty was a statue of the Virgin Mary, which once adorned the central porch, now left empty. However, the scenes of prophets and kings on the main porch remain intact, as do statues of Emperor Henry II and Empress Kunigunde, preserving a glimpse of the Minster’s storied past.

Why You Should Visit:
The Basel Minster is an architecturally stunning cathedral with a long and storied history. The stained glass windows, arched ceiling, and organ are beautiful.

Tips:
Don't miss climbing one of the towers and enjoying dramatic views over Basel.

Swiss artist Jean Tinguely created this magnificent fountain in 1977. The fountain stands where the city theatre company's stage once stood.

Tinguely created mechanical iron figures. The figures were crafted with scraps of metal and plastic from the dismantled theater.

Tinguely placed the figures in a shallow basin and added the water feature. The ten figures are powered by a low-voltage current and seem to be constantly talking and interacting with each other. The water jets splash back and forth between the figures. This motion and interaction represents the actors, dancers, and mime artists who performed on the theater's stage.

The fountain is lit at night and offers a different perspective on this fascinating fountain. In the winter, the water freezes in motion for yet another artistic display.

The Tinguely Brunnen Fountain is one of Tinguely's most well-known works. Tingley referred to the fountain as Composition of the Six Elements.