This guide of places to see in Basel, will help you prepare your itinerary for one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland, making the most of your time.
Located on the banks of the Rhine River, on the border with France and Germany, Basel surprises every traveler who visits it thanks to its beautiful medieval old town, full of charming corners.
In addition to visiting its main monuments, we warn you that it is a real pleasure to walk through its clean and quiet streets, where mass tourism has not yet made an appearance and we intuit, it will not take long.
As a recommendation, if you are going to spend a night in Basel, we recommend you check in your hotel soon to get the Basel Card, which includes free public transport in the city and a 50% discount in the main museums of the city.
Based on the experience of the day we spent in this city during our train route through Switzerland, we have made a list of what we think are the 10 places to visit in Basel essential. We start!
1. City Hall
The striking City Hall or Rathaus of red and gold, is one of the icons and one of the most essential places to see in Basel. This Renaissance-style building, with a beautiful clock on the facade and several shields of the different cantons, currently serves as the venue for the meetings of the Cantonal Parliament and the Cantonal Government. And although many travelers are left with the facade, do not forget that it is worth entering inside the main courtyard, to see the most striking paintings and sculptures.
The Town Hall is located in the beautiful Markplatz, a square full of historic buildings and a cheese, fruit and flower market that is set up every morning and is also very worthwhile.
town hall
2. The Rhine
The Rhine that separates the old town from the new part of the city, is one of the meeting points for locals and tourists, especially in summer, as well as another of the most recommended places to visit in Basel.
During this season, it is very common to see how the locals approach to take something on the shore and bathe or slide along the river current, carrying some waterproof bags in which they keep their clothes and that also act as floats.
Keep in mind that in addition to walking along the shore of the historic center, it is highly recommended to go to the other shore, crossing one of its bridges or in one of its four original ferries, boats that are held by a rope and are driven by the river current.
Do not forget that one of the Top things to do in Basel It is to take a walk at sunset on one of the two banks of the river, better on that of the new part, from where you will enjoy incredible views of the old town.
The Rhine
3. Basler Münster
Basler Münster Cathedral, rebuilt at the end of the 14th century after an earthquake, is another of the most representative buildings what to see in Basel. This church is characterized by its red sandstone facade and its two tall towers of more than 60 meters, which allow you to enjoy magnificent views of the city.
In addition to its exterior, we recommend visiting the interior of the church which, as in most churches in Switzerland, is sober without any religious paintings and is also used to give concerts, where you can see the tomb of the humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam, icon of the Erasmus student exchange program.
From the back of the cathedral you can access a small cloister and the Pfalz viewpoint, which has magnificent views of the Rhine and the new part of the city, from where you can go down to the bank of the Rhine and board a ferry to to cross the river.
It is also worth spending time at the Münsterplatz or cathedral square, a square full of beautiful two-story white houses with shutters and colorful windows.
Munsterplatz, one of the places to visit in Basel
4. Museums
Taking advantage of the Basel Card, which will have been given to you when you check in your accommodation, you can also take advantage to visit one of the almost 40 museums that Basel has, one of the most important cultural cities in Europe.
Between the museums to visit in Basel The most famous is the Art Museum or Kunstmuseum, which has several Picasso, a donation from the author himself in recognition of the affection his inhabitants had for him.
Other outstanding museums of the city are the Museum of Anatomical, the Paper, the Antiquity, the Jean Tinguely, the Toys, the Natural History or the Cultures, among many others.
Museum of Cultures
5. Spalentor Gate, one of the places to see in Basel
Spalentor is the most important door of the three that are still preserved from the wall that surrounded the medieval city and another of the places to visit in Basel. This imposing door, located in a huge square tower, decorated with three religious sculptures of the fifteenth century, has two more narrow and round towers in its corners, whose purpose was defensive and was also used to monitor the transport of goods from Alsace, A region in northern France.
Our recommended hotel in Basel
The Nomad Design & Lifestyle Hotel is located in the historic center of Basel, a few minutes walk from the train station and in addition to its excellent location, the hotel has a 24-hour reception, impeccable design and breakfast and restaurant service. great quality.
If you have a tighter budget we recommend the One Basel Motel, located 200 meters from the cathedral and one of the best quality / price ratios in the city.
6. Tinguely source
One of the most amazing places to see in Basel It is the source of Tinguely, a pool of water with moving iron figures.
This fountain, the work of the Swiss artist Jean Tinguely, was built in 1977, where the stage of the old theater in Basel was located. To maintain the spirit of the theater, the author designed a system, which thanks to the force of the water jets, the nine figures of the pond continued dancing as the actors did in the past.
In addition to this source it is curious to see the large number of drinking fountains that Basel has with bronze figures of the basilisk, a mythological animal considered an unofficial symbol of the city.
Tinguely Fountain, one of the places to see in Basel
7. Old Town
A walk through the cobbled streets surrounded by picturesque houses in the old town of Basel, one of the best preserved and most beautiful in Europe, is a real pleasure for the senses.
A good walking route should include Andreasplatz square and Martinsgasse, Augustinergasse, Imberggässlein, Nadelberg, Spalenberg, Gemsberg streets, perfect areas to combine walks with shopping in their small boutiques, souvenir shops, art galleries or rest taking a Good craft beer on some terrace.
An interesting option to know the history of the city and not miss anything is to book this walking tour through the historic center with a guide in Spanish.
Old Town
8. Church of Santa Isabel
One of our favorite places to visit in Basel is the Church of Santa Isabel, dedicated to the patron saint of charity. This 19th-century neo-Gothic building, with a 71-meter-high tower, was the first Protestant church built in the city after the Reformation.
We recommend entering its bright interior of huge stained glass windows, where there is a small bar with several tables, perfect for a drink and with a little luck listening to live music. Without a doubt, one of the most amazing places in the city.
Recommended travel cardsRemember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
9. Mittlere Brucke Bridge
The Mittlere Brücke, opened in 1226 and rebuilt in 1905 to enable tram crossing, is the most beautiful bridge and another of the icons what to see in Basel. From this bridge, one of the oldest on the Rhine, you will have fantastic views of the houses located on the river bank and the towers of the cathedral. In addition to the views, do not miss the reproduction of the old wooden chapel that was on the first bridge, located in the middle of the bridge.
Mittlere Brucke Bridge
10. Kleinbasel
The Kleinbasel, located in the new part on the banks of the Rhine, is the fashionable neighborhood and another of the places to see in Basel.
Although for some locals this new part of the city considers it derogatory the "Basel minor", in recent times local and tourists approach this area to enjoy its great atmosphere in squares, streets and fashion stores.
If you feel like helping us complete the list of the 10 places to see in Basel essential, add yours in the comments.
