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Things to do in Basel

Basel is a culturally vibrant city just waiting to be explored. With endless things to do and see, you can just wander around and stumble upon incredible opportunities. However, that being said, because there is so much to do in the city, it is worth knowing what you want to do before you visit, just so you don’t miss out on another important. Here are some of our favourites:

Visit the Basler Papiermühle

Basel is full of medieval history just waiting to be explored, and one of our favourites is the Basler Papiermühle. This medieval watermill has been reconstructed to be a little museum full of paintings and papermaking, typography exhibitions and a stage where people can demonstrate typecasting, typesetting, book binding and papermaking. Along with this, you can even try your hand at the processes yourself under the supervision of professionals.

Head to the Münster Cathedral

Built way back in the thirteenth century, the red sandstone of the Münster Cathedral cannot be missed. This highlight is the perfect place to take a quite walk through time, and head up to the top to see a panoramic view of Basel unlike any other. Despite being so old, the cathedral is also very well preserved, with people from all over the world coming to visit the tower of St George and the statue of the saint impaling a dragon.

Plan a trip to the Museum Tinguely

Situated just on the back of the Rhine in a park called Solitude Park is the Museum Tinguely. Museum Tinguely was designed by Mario Botta, a Swiss architect that wanted to create a building that was a piece of art in its own right. The Museum Tinguely is very well loved among artists and is famous among the creative scene all over the world. If art is your thing – we really recommend this museum.

Visit the Fondation Beyeler

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to museums in Basel, and one of the best is the Fondation Beyeler. This sensational building is home to some of the most incredible art collections of the twentieth century. Artists such as Picasso, Warhol and Bacon can all be found here and people come just to see originals that aren’t found anywhere else in the world.

Eating Out in Basel

Basel is a unique European city, as it has very close boarders of France and Germany. Given this closeness, it is no wonder that eating out is so easy. Taking influence from their neighbours, as well as embracing their own cuisine, Basel is full of beautiful restaurants and cafes. Traditionally, in Basel, the snack of choice is beer and sausage, but if you’re after something that is a lot more ‘French’ influenced, there are also plenty of options for that too.

One of the local delicacies of the city is its salmon, which was originally caught in the Rhine itself. The salmon is them marinated in local white wine and mixed with fried onions. This is an absolute favourite among locals and tourists always seem to come back for more.

Gifthüttli

If you’re looking for some traditionally and locally sourced foods, the Gifthüttli is the one for you. The menu itself is written in Basel dialect, meaning you feel fully submerged into the local life. Both cosy pub dining and formal restaurant seating can be found here, and they specialise in cheeses and meats.

Zum Isaak

If you are in the mood for a coffee or a light snack, then Zum Isaak is perfect. This café is a great place to sit for a coffee (or beer!) and admire the views of the cathedral. This café is the perfect place to rest, or prepare, for a long day of sightseeing.

Bar Rouge

Everyone loves a pub and the chance to sit and meet new people over a beer. The Bar Rouge is an after-work bar that transforms into a club at night. Situated on the 31st floor of Switzerland’s tallest building, the Messeturm, it has beautiful views of the city and it is the perfect place to meet people when travelling.

Transport in Basel

Getting around Basel is extremely easy thanks to its vast array of public transport options. Trams within the city are super easy, and it is recommended that you use them for ease and speed of travel when getting around. The trams are super easy to navigate and run frequently to locations all around the local area.

If you’re looking for a bit more of a unique way of getting round the city, you may also want to consider hopping on a ferry. Although the city centre has three main bridges getting you across the Rhine, a far more exciting way of getting across is via the traditional cable-ferries that run all day, every day – just make sure you check out the timetable if you’re visiting in winter as they can sometimes restrict travel depending on the weather conditions.

Alternatively, you can get around the city via taxi, but be aware this isn’t a very budget-friendly option and can cost quite a bit – it might even be more cost effective to rent your own car if you plan to travel further afield during your stay.