Basel Travel Guide
Facts and practical information
Nestled at the tripoint where Switzerland, France, and Germany converge, Basel is a city that embodies cultural sophistication within the Swiss landscape. Recognized for its rich heritage, vibrant arts scene, and pharmaceutical industries, Basel, the principal city of the Canton Basel-Stadt, is a nexus of tradition and innovation in the heart of Europe.
The city's historic center is a testament to Basel's storied past, with the stunning Basel Minster, a Gothic cathedral, and the picturesque Marktplatz, where the vibrant Town Hall stands with its striking red facade. The winding streets are lined with medieval buildings that now house boutique shops and cozy cafes, inviting visitors to explore and relax.
Art enthusiasts are drawn to Basel for its world-class museums. The Kunstmuseum Basel, the oldest public art collection in the world, boasts an impressive range of works from the early Middle Ages to contemporary pieces. Meanwhile, the Fondation Beyeler, designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, presents a stunning collection of modern classics in a space where art and nature meet harmoniously.
Basel also plays host to Art Basel, one of the most prestigious art fairs globally, attracting collectors, gallery owners, and artists. This event transforms the city into an international art hub, showcasing cutting-edge pieces and fostering discussions on the future of art.
The city's commitment to innovation is evident in its flourishing pharmaceutical and life sciences sector. Basel is home to industry giants like Novartis and Roche, whose futuristic campuses underscore the city's role as a global leader in research and development.
For those seeking leisure, the Rhine River offers a scenic backdrop for activities. Locals and tourists alike enjoy swimming in its clean waters during the summer or taking a leisurely cruise to view the city from a different perspective. The riverbanks serve as perfect spots for picnics and social gatherings, with the annual Basel Tattoo and fireworks during Swiss National Day being crowd favorites.
Gastronomy in Basel is a delightful fusion of Swiss, French, and German influences, with local specialties such as Basler Läckerli, a spicy gingerbread biscuit, and the savory cheese dish, Fondue. The city's dining scene ranges from traditional eateries serving hearty Swiss fare to haute cuisine establishments offering innovative dishes.
Basel's efficient public transportation system, including trams, buses, and ferries, makes it easy to navigate the city and its surroundings. Moreover, the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg serves as a gateway for international visitors, ensuring that Basel remains a cosmopolitan and accessible destination.
Basel Attractions - What to See and Explore
Basel offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Basel Zoo, Basel Minster, Kunstmuseum Basel, St. Jakob-Park. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.
Things to See and Do in Basel by Category
Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Basel.
Culture
Stadtcasino Basel
BaselNightlife Concerts and shows Gambling Altstadt Grossbasel 
Theater Basel
BaselConcerts and shows Theater Vorstädte 
St. Jakobshalle
BaselConcert hall Event space Sport venue 
Helmut Fornbacher Theater
BaselMuseum Theater Concerts and shows Hirzbrunnen 
H95 Raum für Kultur
BaselMuseum Art gallery Klybeck
Entertainment
Stadtcasino Basel
BaselNightlife Concerts and shows Gambling Altstadt Grossbasel 
Naturbad Riehen
BaselAmusement Swimming Amusement park Riehen 
Gartenbad Bachgraben
BaselWatersports Water park Swimming
Active
St. Jakob-Park
BaselArenas and stadiums Football Sport venue St. Alban Naturbad Riehen
BaselAmusement Swimming Amusement park Riehen Gartenbad Bachgraben
BaselWatersports Water park Swimming St. Jakobshalle
BaselConcert hall Event space Sport venue 
Kletterhalle 7
BaselClimbing Gundeldingen
Museum
Kunstmuseum Basel
BaselRegional art including works by Holbein
Museum Art museum Vorstädte 
Fondation Beyeler
BaselModern and contemporary art gallery
Museum Art museum Riehen 
Caricature & Cartoon Museum Basel
BaselMuseum of satirical art, with 4000 works
Museum Art museum Vorstädte 
Museum Tinguely
BaselWorks of the Swiss painter and sculptor
Museum Art museum Wettstein 
Naturhistorisches Museum Basel
BaselEducational exhibits and a gift shop
Museum Science museum Altstadt Grossbasel
Specialty museum
Caricature & Cartoon Museum Basel
BaselMuseum of satirical art, with 4000 works
Museum Art museum Vorstädte Museum Tinguely
BaselWorks of the Swiss painter and sculptor
Museum Art museum Wettstein 
Basler Papiermühle
BaselMuseum of paper, writing and printing
Museum History museum Breite 
Schaulager
BaselMuseum Art museum Modern art museum 
Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel
BaselPharmacy museum in 15th-century house
Museum Specialty museum Altstadt Grossbasel
History museum
Watermill Museum Brüglingen
BaselMuseum History museum Basler Papiermühle
BaselMuseum of paper, writing and printing
Museum History museum Breite 
Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig
BaselTownhouse museum exhibiting ancient art
Museum Art museum Altstadt Grossbasel Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel
BaselPharmacy museum in 15th-century house
Museum Specialty museum Altstadt Grossbasel 
Basel Historical Museum
BaselMuseum about Basel's history and culture
Museum History museum Altstadt Grossbasel
Modern art museum
Fondation Beyeler
BaselModern and contemporary art gallery
Museum Art museum Riehen Museum Tinguely
BaselWorks of the Swiss painter and sculptor
Museum Art museum Wettstein 
Kunsthalle Basel
BaselMuseum Modern art museum Art museum Vorstädte 
Museum of Contemporary Art
BaselArt museum exhibiting contemporary works
Museum Art museum Vorstädte Schaulager
BaselMuseum Art museum Modern art museum
Science museum
Naturhistorisches Museum Basel
BaselEducational exhibits and a gift shop
Museum Science museum Altstadt Grossbasel Basler Papiermühle
BaselMuseum of paper, writing and printing
Museum History museum Breite Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel
BaselPharmacy museum in 15th-century house
Museum Specialty museum Altstadt Grossbasel 
Anatomisches Museum
BaselMuseum Specialty museum Science museum Am Ring 
Elektrizitätsmuseum
BaselMuseum History museum Science museum
Church
Basel Minster
BaselGothic cathedral with twin spires
Church Historical place Altstadt Grossbasel 
Elisabethenkirche
BaselChurch Sacred and religious sites Gothic Revival architecture Vorstädte 
St. Paul's Church
BaselChurch Gothic Revival architecture Art Nouveau architecture Bachletten 
St. Martin's Church
BaselChurch Sacred and religious sites Altstadt Grossbasel 
Church of St. Matthew
BaselChurch Sacred and religious sites Matthäus
Park
University of Basel
BaselGarden Park Botanical garden Vorstädte 
Villa Merian
BaselBotanical garden Park Vernacular architecture 
Pruntrutermatte
BaselPark Gundeldingen 
Sarasinpark
BaselPark Riehen
Other categories
Art museumAreaSacred and religious sitesBasel – popular in the area (distance from the center)
In the vicinity of Basel, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Hallwyl Castle (Seengen), Schloss Lenzburg (Lenzburg), Tissot Arena (Biel).
Best Time To Visit Basel
Learn when is the best time to travel to Basel weather-wise and what to expect in each season.
Best Ways to Experience Basel
Food & drink
CuisineA guide to some of the best local dishes and drinks that you will meet in the region.
Rösti
Rösti, sometimes spelled rööschti, is a cherished Swiss dish primarily made from potatoes, cooked in a style reminiscent of fritters. Originally a breakfast favorite among farmers in the canton of Bern, it has since become a staple throughout Switzerland and even...
Dish
Cordon bleu
Cordon bleu, or schnitzel cordon bleu, is a delectable dish where meat is wrapped around cheese, breaded, and then either pan-fried or deep-fried. There are several variations, including veal or pork cordon bleu, where thin slices of veal or pork are wrapped around ham...
Dish
Raclette
Raclette is a delicious semi-hard cheese made from Alpine cow's milk, ideal for melting or enjoying in slices. It is also the name of a Swiss dish where the cheese is heated until it melts and then scraped off for serving.
Cheese
Swiss cuisine
Swiss cuisine is a delightful amalgamation of French, German, and Italian culinary traditions, deeply influenced by the country's agricultural heritage and reliance on simple, hearty ingredients like potatoes and cheese.
Cuisine
Basler Läckerli
The Basler Läckerli is a cherished traditional delicacy from Basel, Switzerland. This crunchy, spice-infused biscuit is crafted from a delightful blend of honey, hazelnuts, almonds, candied peel, and a dash of Kirsch. The dough is baked flat and subsequently cut into...
Art works & crafts
ArtFamous works of special cultural and artistic value related to this location.
Daubigny's Garden
Vincent van Gogh's "Daubigny's Garden" is a series of three exquisite paintings that beautifully capture the enclosed garden of Charles-François Daubigny, an artist whom Van Gogh deeply admired. Created between May and July of 1890 in Auvers, these paintings hold a...
Painting by Vincent van Gogh
Hopeless
The painting "Hopeless" by Roy Lichtenstein, created in 1963, is an emblematic piece that juxtaposes oil and acrylic paint on canvas. It is prominently displayed in the collection of Kunstmuseum Basel. This artwork draws inspiration from a panel in the DC Comics...
Painting by Roy Lichtenstein
The Hungry Lion Throws Itself on the Antelope
"The Hungry Lion Throws Itself on the Antelope" is a distinguished oil-on-canvas painting by Henri Rousseau, created in 1905. This work marked Rousseau's return to jungle-themed compositions after a decade-long hiatus, following the lukewarm reception of his 1891...
Painting by Henri Rousseau
When Will You Marry?
"When Will You Marry?" is a stunning oil painting by French Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin, created in 1892. This masterpiece was on loan to the Kunstmuseum in Basel, Switzerland, for nearly fifty years before Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani purchased it...
Painting by Paul Gauguin
The Burning Giraffe
"The Burning Giraffe" is a captivating surrealist painting by the renowned Spanish artist Salvador Dalí. This intriguing oil painting is part of the collection at the Kunstmuseum Basel. Dalí created it before his exile in the United States from 1940 to 1948.
Painting by Salvador Dalí
Basel-Stadt