Things to Do in Basel: Top Attractions & Activities

Our Top 3 Hotel Tips for Basel

Still searching for the perfect hotel for your city trip to Basel?

We’ve done the legwork for you — here are our top 3 hotels in Basel across different price ranges:

Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois: THE luxury address in Basel. Impeccable service, a 3-Michelin-star restaurant, and an unbeatable location right on the Rhine. Tip: the gorgeous bar serves excellent cocktails — and non-guests are welcome too.

Hotel Märthof: a stylishly furnished hotel with a fantastic rooftop terrace and a great spa and wellness center. Centrally located right next to the Marktplatz.

GAIA Hotel: a family-run, certified organic hotel with a genuine sustainability concept — everything here is organic. Central location at the SBB train station.

The Top Attractions in Basel

There’s seriously a lot to see and do in Basel. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a longer stay, you won’t run out of highlights anytime soon.

Basel Minster

Red sandstone, colorful tiles, and two slender towers. Perched on a hill above the city, the Minster is one of Basel’s most distinctive must-sees and the city’s defining landmark.

The interior is well worth exploring too — you’ll find all kinds of fascinating sculptures and paintings tucked into its corners.

We especially recommend climbing up to the towers — admission is 6 francs. The 250 steps up the narrow spiral staircase are a bit of a workout, we won’t lie. But the panoramic view more than makes up for it — especially in December, when the Münsterplatz glows with festive Christmas lights.

Basler Pfalz Viewing Terrace

The Basler Pfalz is a real standout in Basel. This magnificent viewing terrace sits directly behind the Minster, about 20 meters above the Rhine.

From up here, you get a seriously captivating view of the city below: trams roll across the Mittlere Brücke, river barges chug along the Rhine, and swimmers drift through the water.

There’s something to discover everywhere you look — the Pfalz always has a Where’s Waldo quality to it. We loved it.

Our tip: If you love vacationing near water, you’ll probably also enjoy the Swiss Water Castle or a city trip to Konstanz on Lake Constance.

Basel Town Hall and Marktplatz

The Basel Town Hall is the seat of the Basel government and parliament. With its vivid red facade, beautiful decorations, murals, and sculptures, the building is a real showstopper.

Right out front is the lively Marktplatz, packed with delicious regional produce. Trams roll through here every few minutes, making the Town Hall a great starting point for exploring the historic center or strolling down the neighboring shopping strip of Freie Strasse.

If you want to dig into the history of the Town Hall, you can book a half-hour guided tour through Basel Tourism for 5 francs. Or simply wander through on your own for free.

Gemsbrunnen

Need a break from the buzz of the old quarter? The Gemsbrunnen is your answer.

It’s only about 200 meters from the Marktplatz and the Freie Strasse shopping strip — yet this peaceful square tucked between old town buildings feels almost like a village. A wonderful oasis of calm, especially on a warm day.

Bring your swimsuit, because Basel locals have a long tradition of using their fountains in summer to cool off. So don’t be surprised if you spot people bathing in fountains around the city!

Kunstmuseum Basel

The Kunstmuseum Basel is world-class. You’ll find masterworks by artists like Vincent van Gogh, Andy Warhol, and Claude Monet under one roof.

The collection focuses on paintings and drawings by Upper Rhine artists from 1400 to 1600, alongside international art from the 19th through 21st centuries. If you’re at all into art, the Kunstmuseum is absolutely not to be missed.

Tip: On the first Sunday of the month and on some weekday evenings, admission to the permanent collection is free.

Roche Tower

The two office towers of pharmaceutical giant Roche are Basel’s modern landmarks. At 178 and 205 meters respectively, they’re actually the tallest occupied buildings in Switzerland and visible from miles away.

For some Basel residents, the white giants with their stepped, staggered facades are a striking sight; others find the stark contrast with the surrounding buildings a bit jarring.

But here’s something everyone agrees on: the view from the top is spectacular. Don’t skip it. Thanks to the enormous windows, you get a sweeping vista over Basel and the surrounding region — including the neighboring Alsace and the Black Forest.

Tip: The free guided tours are hugely popular. Book well in advance.

Historical Museum

The Historical Museum, housed in the former monastery church known as the Barfüsserkirche, should be on every visitor’s list of Basel things to do. After your visit, you’ll have a real feel for what makes Basel tick — its historical identity and soul.

The museum is considered the most important cultural history museum on the Upper Rhine. Among the highlights you can see is the Basel Minster Treasury.

Tip: On the first Sunday of the month and during the last hour before closing (excluding Sundays and public holidays), admission is free.

Rhine Riverbank

The Rhine riverbank in Kleinbasel takes on a Mediterranean vibe during the warmer months. People splash in the water, soak up the sun, grill, make music, sip wine, laugh, and simply enjoy life.

Find yourself a spot to relax down by the bank, or settle in next to one of the many Buvetten. Buvetten are mini bars and cafés where you can get everything you need for aperölen.

Aperölen? Yes, you read that right! It comes from the French apéro and means, in Switzerland, having a drink and a small snack in good company. Cool word, right?

Spalentor

With its square gate tower, colorful roof, and two flanking round towers, the Spalentor looks like a fairytale guardian. No wonder many Basel residents consider it the most beautiful of the three city gates.

Our tip: Grab a seat on one of the nearby benches, lean back, and soak in the view of the Spalentor. You’ll also find some lovely restaurants and shops just behind it in the Spalenvorstadt.

Mittlere Brücke

The Mittlere Brücke connects the districts of Grossbasel and Kleinbasel. If you’re getting around Basel by public transit, you’ll likely cross it at some point anyway. Or just stroll across at your leisure — the view is stunning!

In the middle of the bridge, keep an eye out for what’s known as the Käppelijoch — an exact replica of a small Gothic chapel that once stood here. A little eerie: until the 17th century, criminals were drowned at this very spot.

Markthalle

The Markthalle is the place for a culinary world tour. 27 international street food stands invite you to eat your way around the globe.

Israeli, Afghan, Japanese, or South African specialties? You’re sure to find something you love here.

On Saturdays, regional producers sell their goods inside the Markthalle. And under the impressive 28-meter-high vaulted ceiling, concerts, theater performances, and flea markets take place regularly.

Museum Tinguely and Tinguely Fountain

Museum Tinguely is dedicated to Swiss artist Jean Tinguely. His work centered on machines as symbols of repetition and change, built primarily from scrap metal and old iron.

Inside the museum, you’ll find many of his quirky, melancholic, and oddly amusing machines. They defy any notion of perfection — they seem transient, their movements random and almost alive.

Watching these curious mechanical creatures and listening to their sounds is genuinely fascinating.

You’ll also encounter Tinguely’s creations right next to the Theater Basel at the Tinguely Fountain. The water-spouting figures are in constant motion, putting on a stage-worthy spectacle in the fountain basin.

Interesting Activities in Basel

Looking for something beyond classic sightseeing? Here are the experiences and activities in Basel that we think are really worth your time.

Rhine Swimming

The favorite summer activity of Basel locals is Rhine swimming. When temperatures climb above 30°C, hundreds of people let the river carry them toward France. Honestly, why not join in!

We recommend entering the water near Museum Tinguely. Besides your swimwear, the essential piece of kit is the famous Wickelfisch — a colorful swim bag shaped like a fish where you stash your valuables and clothes to keep them dry. Handy, right?

Once you’re in, you can drift along the Kleinbasel bank all the way to the Dreirosenbrücke, three kilometers downstream. Along the way, you get a perfectly relaxed view of Grossbasel and the Minster skyline.

Of course, you can hop out earlier and settle in at one of the Buvetten with a cold drink.

Fasnacht

By far the most important event in Basel is the Fasnacht. With the “Morgestraich” at 4 AM on the Monday after Ash Wednesday, “die drey scheenschte Dääg” — the three most beautiful days — of the year begin.

For 72 hours, Basel is in a state of joyful celebration. You’ll encounter “Cortèges” (carnival processions) and costumed carnival groups winding through the streets, playing music as they go.

Basel Ferries

For centuries, the Mittlere Brücke was the only fixed connection between the two banks of the Rhine in Basel. Several bridges have since been added, but four traditional ferry crossings still operate today.

Don’t miss the chance to cross the Rhine on one of the cable ferries, which all have wonderfully quirky names: Ueli, Vogel Gryff, Wild Maa, and Leu. The crossing costs just 2 francs. The Leu, for example, brings you ashore directly below the Münsterhügel, or carries you across to Kleinbasel.

Guided City Tour of Basel

If you’d like to explore Basel’s best sights with a guide, we’d recommend the old town walking tour from GetYourGuide. The two-hour tour is packed with fascinating stories about Basel’s history.

Book the old town walking tour

If you already know Basel a bit and want genuine local insider tips, consider a private tour with a local. You’ll discover the best places to eat and shop, and get practical tips on getting around the city.

Book the private tour with a local

You can also explore the city with a true Basel native on the “Basel unter der Lupe” tour.

What makes it special: Together with Daniela Dobler, you can discover Basel not just on foot, but also jogging, on an e-bike, or on the Rhine. This wonderfully warm-hearted local always has a few stories and anecdotes up her sleeve.

General Tips for Basel

Here are a few practical things to know before your trip to Basel.

Getting to Basel

The Euroairport is a shared airport serving Basel, Mulhouse, and Freiburg im Breisgau, located about six kilometers northwest of Basel in France. From there, you can reach Basel’s SBB train station quickly via the Euroairport Shuttle Line 50.

The two main train stations in Basel are the SBB in the city center and the Badischer Bahnhof in the east.

Public Transportation

In the historic center of Grossbasel, you can reach all the main sights on foot. If that gets tiring, Basel has a dense network of bus and tram connections at your disposal.

Basel sits within one zone (Zone 10). A short trip (up to four stops) costs 2.30 francs, and a single ride costs 3.80 francs.

If you plan to use public transit a lot, a day pass is worth it quickly. At 9.90 francs, it’s valid across multiple zones for a full day and can be used as many times as you like.

Traveling from the Euroairport into Basel covers three zones (Zone 10, 13, and 14), costing 6.10 francs.

Money in Basel

Basel uses Swiss francs. It’s worth getting some francs from your bank before your trip — the exchange rate is often better than what you’d get at an ATM abroad.

That said, credit cards are accepted almost everywhere in Basel, and debit cards are often fine too. Check with your bank beforehand about any potential foreign transaction fees.

One more tip: When paying by card, you’ll often be asked whether you want to pay in euros or francs. Always choose francs! Your card issuer’s exchange rate is almost always better than the dynamic rate offered by the Swiss merchant.

Prices and Food

Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Prices for food and dining in restaurants run roughly 30 to 50 percent higher than in neighboring countries.

For a truly special meal, you can dine in style at the Michelin-starred restaurant of the already-mentioned Les Trois Rois. The restaurant Roots, with its wonderful location on the Rhine, also serves high-quality tasting menus.

If you prefer something more relaxed, we’d point you toward Werk 8 — a bar in a former factory hall with a cool mix of industrial charm and living room atmosphere.

And in summer, the Sandoase is a must. Strung between a sandy beach and palm trees, you can lounge in a hammock and sip a cocktail while gazing out over Basel’s harbor.

Travel Guide for Basel

If you’re looking for a great read before your trip, we have a personal recommendation: Glücksorte in Basel by Yaël Debelle and Stephan Petersen.

From dolce vita on the Rhine riverbank to year-round Christmas magic and a culinary world tour — this book takes you through Basel’s most fascinating places and experiences, all with a happiness factor!