Basel was the first stop on our Grand Tour of Switzerland road trip, and as a first introduction to Switzerland’s cities, Basel couldn’t have been better. It eased us into the country gently, showing us that Swiss cities don’t have to be big to make an impression.
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It isn’t a huge city but within minutes of walking around, we realized Basel is a city how we like it: Beautiful buildings seemed to be everywhere and the city was lively, but not overwhelming. Before our visit to the Swiss cities, we were convinced Switzerland was mainly about stunning nature. The beauty of Basel and the other Swiss cities proved us wrong. There is so much more to see in Switzerland!
In this post, we’ll share our favorite things to do in Basel, along with practical tips to help you plan your visit. From what’s really worth seeing to where to sleep and where to park, we’ll keep it simple and honest!
Below, we included a map to help planning your visit to Basel.
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Table of Contents
How to get to Basel
By car
If you’re traveling by car, Basel is a very convenient place to cross the border into Switzerland. And that’s what we did. The roads are easy to follow, the border crossing was smooth, and it was a pleasant introduction to driving in Switzerland.
Where to park your car in Basel?
There are several car parks dotted over the city. For an overview of the public parkings, check out this official website of Basel. If you are traveling with a larger car, like our campervan, we suggest to park your car along the St. Alban-Rheinweg. Keep in mind that this is a blue zone, so parking time is limited. If you want to spend some more time in Basel, you can buy a visitor parking ticket that allows you to stay longer at any blue zone online.
By plane
Coming by plane is also surprisingly easy. EuroAirport Basel–Mulhouse–Freiburg is located just outside the city and is shared by Switzerland, France, and Germany. From the airport, you can be in the city center in no time by bus or taxi.
By train
Basel is also one of the best-connected cities in Switzerland by train. With direct connections from major Swiss cities and neighboring countries, getting to Basel by train is stress-free and efficient. Basel’s main station is right in the city, so you can step off the train and start exploring almost immediately.
The best things to do in Basel
Basel is very walkable and most of the highlights are within walking distance from each other. Below you can find an overview of what we liked most in Basel.
The Grand Tour of Switzerland photo spot (three-country point)
Basel marked the beginning of our Grand Tour of Switzerland road trip. So of course, one of the first things we had to do in Basel was tracking down the red Grand Tour of Switzerland photo sign. It’s located at the Dreiländereck, the point where Switzerland, France, and Germany meet. For us, it was a symbolic moment. The Grand Tour of Switzerland was on our bucket list for such a long time. Standing next to this photo spot was the prove we finally made it!
It’s a fun and easy stop, but located a little bit outside the city center. It’s a nice place to take a short walk along the Rhine.
St. Alban Quarter (Little Venice of Basel)
We parked our car along the St. Alban-Rheinweg and from here, we accidently ended up in one of the areas that surprised us the most in Basel: the St. Alban quarter, often called Little Venice. It’s tucked just outside the busiest parts of the city, but what makes this area special are the small canals running alongside the streets, the old mills, and the half-timbered houses.
A clear highlight here is the St. Alban-Tor, one of Basel’s original medieval city gates. Not far from this tower, you can find the Basel Papiermühle, a former paper mill turned museum.
Basler Münster & Münsterplatz
The place where we really understood the beauty of Basel is the area around the Basler Münster. The cathedral itself is hard to miss, with its red sandstone walls and colorful roof tiles. Münsterplatz, the square in front of it, feels open and relaxed. But the place we liked the most? Definitely the arched gallery next to the cathedral. If you walk around the Minster, make sure to head toward the edge of the square for the views over the river. It’s one of the best vantage points in the city and shows how beautifully Basel is set along the Rhine.
Spalentor
One of the most impressive historic landmarks in Basel is the Spalentor. It’s a former city gate that dates back to the 14th century and once formed part of Basel’s medieval defenses. This medieval building is very well-preserved The two round towers, the detailed stonework, and the small figures above the gate make it easy to imagine what this entrance to the city must have looked like centuries ago.
The museums in Basel
Basel is called the cultural capital of Switzerland, and with more than 40 museums, it definitely lives up to that reputation. We didn’t had a lot of time to spend in Basel, so we had to skip a museum visit. But we did find a great alternative: the Hoosesaggmuseum. It is the smallest museum in Basel made up by a little window in the door of a 600-year-old house. Here you can find collections of everyday objects and memorabilia. It’s small and easy to fit into your day if you have only little time. If you have more time, we read that the Kunstmuseum, the Museum Tinguely, or the Fondation Beyeler are really worth a visit.
The Marktplatz and the Rathaus
A building in Basel that immediately grabs your attention is the Rathaus, located on the Marktplatz, right in the heart of the city. Why it stands out? Because of its bright red façade, the colorful frescoes, and the many details. We happened to be on Marktplatz on a market day, which made the experience even better. Stalls were set up all around the square, and we couldn’t resist picking up a few local delicacies, especially some really good Swiss cheeses. If you have some time left, make sure to step into the inner courtyard of the Rathaus. The inside is as beautiful as the outside!
Tinguely Fountain
We accidently found the Tinguely Fountain, as it was near the tourist information center. This fountain was definitely very different from the classic fountains we have seen. The fountain was created by the Swiss artist Jean Tinguely and is made up of moving metal sculptures that splash and spin through the water. We stayed longer than planned at this place, watching the different parts of the fountain come to life.
Walk along the Rhine river
You cannot visit Basel without spending some time along the Rhine. The river runs straight through the city. One of the nicest things about the Rhine is that it is really accessible: you are never far from the water and there are plenty of spots to sit or walk. Crossing the Middle Bridge gives you great views, perfect for a photo.
We were here in November, so swimming in the river wasn’t a real option. But we read that if you are visiting Basel in summer, you’ll see people swimming in the Rhine everywhere. They float along the river with a waterproof swimming bag, a Wicklefisch bag. You can stash your clothes, towels and whatever else into these colorful waterproof bags and clip them around your waist. The bags help you float along the river towards your destination. Clearly a sign that the Rhine makes an important part of the people of Basel their lives!
Where to stay in Basel?
Steinenschanze Charming City & Garden Hotel
Steinenschanze Charming City & Garden Hotel is a modern hotel with a surrounding garden. It is located in the center of the city. It is therefore the perfect starting point for an exploration of Basel. There is a (paying) public parking nearby.
Boutique & Design Hotel Volkshaus Basel
Boutique & Design Hotel Volkshaus Basel is a beautiful and well-designed hotel and is located in the city center, close to Basel’s main attractions. The rooms are spacious and modern. There is a (paying) public parking nearby.
Gast – und Kulturhaus Der Teufelhof Basel
Gast – und Kulturhaus Der Teufelhof Basel is a unique complex in an 18th-century building. It is truly a gem in Basel. It is located in the center of the Old Town of Basel and therefore close to all main attractions. The hotel also offers “art rooms”, rooms that are furnished by renowned Swiss and Italian designers and are built around one main color theme. There a parking available at the hotel.
Some final practical tips for your visit to Basel
Before wrapping up, we listed some final practical things:
Getting around in Basel
Basel is very walkable, especially if you’re exploring the city center and the riverbanks. On top of that, the city has excellent public transport. If you stay overnight in Basel, your accommodation will give you a Basel Card, with free access to trams and buses and discounts on museums.
How much time do you need to visit Basel?
We think one day is enough to see the highlights of Basel without rushing it too much. If you have two days, you can slow down and add a museum visit. Especially during summer, a longer stay can be recommended if you want to spend some time along the Rhine river.
When to visit Basel?
Basel works year-round. Spring and summer are nice, as people are more outside, on the streets and along the river. But even outside this peak season, the city always feels very welcoming.
Basel was a great first stop on our Grand Tour of Switzerland and we were really impressed by it. So if you are crossing the Swiss border or start your journey here, make sure to take the time to stop in Basel!
Happy travels!
Matthias and Mieke
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