Strolling through the old town, visiting world-famous museums and taking a boat tour on the Rhine — all that and more awaits visitors on a mini-break in Basel.
Located in the border triangle of Switzerland, Germany and France, Basel is the capital of the Swiss canton Basel City. The old university town looks back at more than 2,000 years of history. Erected between the 12th and 15th centuries, the Muenster in Basel is the main landmark of the city Climb the Muenster hill with its medieval timbered houses and enjoy wonderful views of the Rhine and its bridges connecting the district of Großbasel on the left side of the river with the district Kleinbasel on the right.
While on your city trip to Basel, take a stroll through the city and enjoy the lively alleys of the old town with its boutiques and galleries. The meticulously restored timbered buildings, the Baroque city palace and the fountains and sculptures across the city will enchant visitors. The old city wall of Basel was removed towards the end of the 19th century to make room for the growth of the city. However, ‘Spalentor’ gate remains which once protected the suburb of Spalen.
Visitors can walk across one of the Rhine bridges or take a ferry across to visit the Kleinbasel side. This side of the river offers breath-taking views of the Rhine and the old town of Großbasel with the towers of the Muenster.
Check out the Bar Rouge on the 31st floor of the Trade Fair Tower to enjoy a magnificent 360° view of the city and the surrounding landscape. The tower, opened in 2003, is located in the Rosental district in Kleinbasel and has become the new landmark of Basel with its impressive height of 105 metres. The tower was designed in a futuristic architectural style and presents an interesting contrast to the historical buildings of the old town.
Every June, the renowned international Art Basel is visited by numerous tourists from across the globe. For this art show, all the major players of the art world convene in Basel. But Basel is worth a visit for art enthusiasts at other times of the year as well. The city is home to more than 40 museums. Take a short trip to Basel to visit the famous Art Museum with the Holbein collection, the Tinguely Museum with the machine sculptures by Kean Tinguely or the private collection of classical modernist paintings in the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen.
A boat trip on the River Rhine is the perfect excursion during a city trip to Basel.