The third largest city in Switzerland, the multicultural Basel boasts historical attractions and excellent museums. For culture lovers there are festivals, concerts and events throughout the year. You can also go on unforgettable boat tours on beautiful River Rhine or taste the delicious Swiss cuisine, chocolate and pastries in the many coffee houses and restaurants in Basel.
Culture & entertainment. There are numerous festivals and concerts in Basel throughout the year, the carnival called Fasnacht being the most remarkable of them. You can also visit the many theatres in the city. Shopping in Basel is easy as the city is dotted with shops, department stores and malls where you can buy almost anything you need. The prices are, however, relatively high. There are many fine restaurants in Basel, some of them located in the beautiful Old Town. The city is packed with small coffee houses serving delicious pastries. You wouldn’t really travel to Basel for nightlife, but there are still several bars and clubs with live music available in the city.
Recreation & sports. There are also swimming pools and good facilities for golf around Basel, and the nearby Jura Mountains offer good possibilities for trekking and rock climbing, The other fascinating attractions of Switzerland, including Zurich, Berne, Lucerne and Interlaken, are only 1-2 hours away from Basel via the excellent motorways and train connections.
Museums, culture and historical attractions in Basel
Basel is located in northwestern Switzerland on the river Rhine, on the border of Germany and France. Strolling along the banks of the river is an experience in itself. Boat tours in Basel are a perfect way of exploring the river Rhine. In summer, you can even swim in the river. Basel is home to spectacular architecture in its beautiful medieval Old Town including the red sandstone Basel Münster and the Town Hall. There are several excellent museums in Basel displaying for example fine art. Basel Zoo is the second-largest in Switzerland and a recommended attraction for people of all ages.Culture & entertainment. There are numerous festivals and concerts in Basel throughout the year, the carnival called Fasnacht being the most remarkable of them. You can also visit the many theatres in the city. Shopping in Basel is easy as the city is dotted with shops, department stores and malls where you can buy almost anything you need. The prices are, however, relatively high. There are many fine restaurants in Basel, some of them located in the beautiful Old Town. The city is packed with small coffee houses serving delicious pastries. You wouldn’t really travel to Basel for nightlife, but there are still several bars and clubs with live music available in the city.
Recreation & sports. There are also swimming pools and good facilities for golf around Basel, and the nearby Jura Mountains offer good possibilities for trekking and rock climbing, The other fascinating attractions of Switzerland, including Zurich, Berne, Lucerne and Interlaken, are only 1-2 hours away from Basel via the excellent motorways and train connections.
Practical information for your stay in Basel
Basel enjoys the warmest climate in the country, with warm summers and cold winters. In the summer (from June to August) the temperatures are usually around 20˚C, but during the coldest months of the winter (from December to February) mercury usually drops to near zero temperatures. Basel is best visited in spring, summer or autumn.
Photo: Saphhireblue, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
Traveling to Basel is possible in a variety of ways. There are direct flights to Basel as well as trains and buses to the city from many European cities. Basel has an extensive public transportation system consisting of buses and trams. The Old Town of Basel is best explored on foot. The city can also be toured on bike and rental bikes are easily available. Car rental in Basel is available both in the city centre and at the airport. However, driving in Basel's city centre is not recommended due to the busy traffic, trams and limited parking space.
Services & safety. Although Basel is not as popular tourism destination as some other places in Switzerland, there are still plenty of excellent hotels in Basel, and cheaper accommodation options such as hostels can also be found easily. The majority of the local people, especially those working in tourism industry, understand English. Basel is generally a very safe destination. However, watch out for pickpockets in buses, trams and in crowded places.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Berne, Black Forest (Schwarzwald), Lucerne, Zurich, Interlaken, Strasbourg, Lausanne, Bodensee (Lake Constance)
