21 Popular Tourist Attractions to See and Things to Do in Basel, Switzerland

August 10, 2024 Mustafa Natalwala 1270 Views

Basel, or Basle, is a city in Switzerland on the coast of the river Rhine. It is considered the cultural capital of Switzerland and the majority of the best things to do in Basel revolve around exploring culture and history.

The city is home to several museums and cultural centers that trace regional culture as well as that of other civilizations around the world. You will discover many places to visit in Basel that show you how different people used to live, dress, eat, work, pray, dance, enjoy music, create art, and so on. These are incredible things to see in Basel. The museums of the city give you a peak into the life of the middle class as well as the wealthy.

The city also has a vibrant art collection spread over museums, private collections, and galleries. These Basel tourist attractions house artworks and sculptures from different periods and different cultures. You will come across creations of some of the greatest artists of all time during Basel sightseeing such as Picasso, van Gogh, Matisse, and many others.

Alongside being a cultural hub, people also explore the city’s industrial past when they visit Basel. The city rose to prominence with a paper mill and pharmaceutical industry. There are museums dedicated to the industry’s past and evolution. They are a must-see in Basel if you are interested in the spread of the industrial revolution.

As the city sits on the banks of the river Rhine, you can enjoy a nice cruise while exploring cityscape views. You get to enjoy places of interest in Basel from a different perspective. The river played a crucial role in the city’s history.

Finally, you have the Basler Fasnacht festival. This is the biggest and grandest celebration in Switzerland. For three nights, the parade becomes the top attraction in Basel. The city is all fun and games at this time and you will never enjoy Basel travel more than during this time.

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Table of Contents

Top 21 Tourist Places to Visit in Basel, Switzerland

1. Tinguely Museum

This museum is dedicated to the works of renowned Swiss artist Jean Tinguely. He is known for his machine sculptures, kinetic artworks, and paintings created in the 20th century.

Tinguely is also renowned for pioneering the Dada tradition of meta mechanics. The museum has some of the most fascinating things to see in Basel, Switzerland. Alongside his creations, the museum also displays photographs from his life and sketches.

The museum also showcases works by modern and contemporary artists who expressed similar types of artworks as Tinguely. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

2. Basel Paper Mill Museum (Basler Papiermühle)

This museum is housed in a functioning paper mill and has been running since the 12th century. This museum covers about 400 years of the history of paper mills. It is one of the best places to visit in Basel if you are interested in history.

The museum exhibits several artifacts related to the history of paper and mills. You will also get to see various traditional ways of making paper. This mill also shows you how it used to make paper for 446 years with the flowing water from the canal. You will need an hour or so to tour this museum when you visit Basel, Switzerland.

3. Fine Arts Museum Basel (Kunstmuseum Basel)

This museum has one of the finest art collections in Europe. The collection dates between the 15th to 21st centuries. It is one of the best things to do in Basel for art admirers. You will see works by renowned artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Konrad Witz, Picasso, Matthias Grunewald, Andy Warhol, and many more. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour the entire collection of this fine arts museum.

4. Basel Museum of Ancient Art and Ludwig Collection (Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig)

This is yet another great art museum to explore during Basel. The museum artworks date between the 4th century BCE to 7th century AD. The collection is not limited to artifacts of Europe, you will see creations made by different civilizations around the world.

The museum houses ancient artworks from Greece, Egypt, Cyprus, the Orient, Rome, the Mediterranean, and several other cultures. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

5. Kunsthalle

This museum is entirely focused on contemporary artworks, especially from Switzerland. It is one of the biggest art exhibits for contemporary Swiss artists and is known for pushing the envelope of the national art scene.

The exhibits include paintings, sculptures, art installations, musical experiences, films, and more. The venue also hosts several events and performance arts which you can enjoy when you visit Basel. You will need an hour to tour this museum.

6. Basel Minster (Basler Münster)

Overlooking the Rhie, this cathedral is one of the biggest Basel attractions. It is known for its iconic thin towers and red brick facade. The cathedral exhibits classic gothic-style architecture.

The structure was first built in 1019. It was damaged during an earthquake in 1356 and reconstructed. You will need an hour or so to tour this cathedral.

7. Münsterplatz

Also known as the Cathedral Square, this is the oldest public square in the city. It is the historic heart of the city and hosts a variety of events, concerts, markets, festivals, and more. You should take a few minutes from Basel travel to walk around this square, especially when it is hosting a market.

8. Altstadt Basel

This historic heart of the city is one of the best-preserved old towns in Europe. It sits on either side of the Rhine and is full of attractions that are must-see in Basel, Switzerland. You will see narrow alleys and half-timber houses from the 15th century.

The old town is also a kaleidoscope of architectural styles from different periods. The area is also known for some of the top things to do in Basel. It is home to a vibrant market with some of the oldest establishments in the city including restaurants, shops, specialty stores, bars, and art venues.

You can spend hours exploring the streets of the old town. The most popular ones are Heuberg, Spalenberg, and Leonhardsberg. Do not forget to check out the famous Lallekonig mural while exploring Altstadt during Basel travel.

I suggest you should go for a Guided Tour of Old Town of Basel.

9. Basel Historical Museum

This is one of the largest cultural history museum in Switzerland. The collection is divided into 4 sections: Coach and Carriage Museum, Musikmuseum, Barfusserkirche, and Hans zum Kirschgarten.

We will cover Hans Zum Kirschgarten in detail later. Let’s talk about the other three places of interest in Basel, Switzerland.

The Coach and Carriage Museum sits outside the city and is true to its name. It exhibits a vast collection of historic modes of transport. This museum specifically highlights the royal and aristocratic carriages and the significance they held in society. It is one of the most interesting places to see near Basel. Like the modern-day cars, some of these carriages were trendsetters of their time.

You will find the Musikmuseum in Barffusserplatz. This museum covers five centuries of music heritage and traditions in Europe. If you are interested in classical music, there are no better places to go in Basel. The exhibits are spread over 21 rooms showcasing a variety of musical instruments costumes, memorabilia and so on. It also covers various concerts, events, musicians, ceremonies, and parades of historical significance.

Finally, Barfussekirche is housed in an old church. This museum is specifically dedicated to the cultural history of Basel. This museum depicts the life of the people during different periods such as the Renaissance, Middle Ages, and Baroque Era. This museum also houses the famous Basel Cathedral Treasure. Each of these museums requires a couple of hours to explore.

10. Museum of Cultures (Museum der Kulturen)

This museum gives you a glimpse of different cultures in Europe, Bali, Tibet, the South Pacific, and Mesoamerica. It is among the best things to do in Basel for those interested in history and culture. The museum explores the roots of different cultures and their influences on one another.

The collection includes more than 300,000 artifacts including clothes, jewelry, religious items, photographs, everyday items, artworks, carvings, sculptures, and so on. This museum also gives great insights into Basel sightseeing. It is dedicated to documenting and preserving the local culture as well. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

11. Basel Town Hall (Rathaus Basel)

This City Hall is one of the most iconic buildings in the old town of Basel. This building has been an integral part of the city’s history since the 14th century. It was the site of several historical events such as the formation of trade guilds and voting for the Swiss Confederation.

It is also one of the top attractions in Basel for its architecture. The red facade with colouful rooftop makes it stand apart. The interiors house beautiful murals, sculptures, artworks, gilded interiors, antique furniture, and more. It is one of the most beautiful places to see in Basel and you will need at least an hour to explore it.

12. Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel (Pharmazie-Historisches Museum)

This museum was founded in 1925 by Swiss pharmacist Josef Anton Haflinger. It is dedicated to the history of medicine science and pharma practices. The collection includes lab equipment, books, instruments, old medicines, ceramics, and documents of medical practices.

A specific section of the museum shows how advancements in technology and research replaced old medicinal practices. It is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Basel, Switzerland. You should take the themed tour on the first Saturday of the month. These free tours follow fascinating themes such as snake venom, mystic healings, alchemy and so on. You will need about an hour or so to tour this museum when you visit Basel.

13. University of Basel Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten der Universität)

This is the oldest botanical garden in the country and one of the oldest in Europe. The garden houses more than 8000 species of plants collected from around the world.

The gardens are spread over themed sections such as rock garden, arboretum, Mediterranean garden, fern ravine, orchid garden, and so on. It is one of the most popular Basel tourist attractions for just roaming around and exploring natural beauty. The garden is also home to several 100-year-old cacti and the largest orchid collection in the country. You can easily spend a couple of hours in this garden.

14. Spalentor Gate

There were three city gates guarding the city, this is the only one that survived. This gate was built during the 1400s with red sandstone. It is interesting to see that the exterior side of the gate looks comparatively bland compared to the side that faces the city. The inner side shows the figures of Madonna and the two prophets. You will need only a few minutes from Basel travel to tour this gate.

15. Vitra Design Museum

This museum has the most comprehensive collection of design objects in the world. The collection showcases the evolution of design over the ages. You will see gadgets, furniture, lighting features, and so on. It houses some of the most beautiful things to see in Basel, Switzerland. The museum also features a variety of materials used to design facades of several objects. You will need about two hours to tour this museum.

16. Pants Pocket Museum (Hoosesag Museum)

The Pants Pocket Museum is one of the top Basel attractions for its quirkiness. It is the smallest museum in the city with exhibits showcased in a 2×2 window. This museum showcases interesting little things such as figurines, toys, ceramics, and so on.

The story goes that the museum used to be the house of a midwife 600 years ago. She used to display things in the window for passing by travellers. It is one the top things to do in Basel, Switzerland. The collection keeps changing and many people display their own collections in this museum. You will not need more than a few minutes to view this museum.

17. Rhine River Boat Tour

This is one of the best ways to enjoy Basel sightseeing. These cruise tours are often coupled with brunch, dinner, or lunch. You can also enjoy sunset tours while enjoying amazing views of the city. The guided tours take you on a boat and see the top attractions in Basel and learn about the role of the river Rhine in the city’s history. You will need at least an hour for this tour.

18. Basel Zoo

This is the oldest zoo in Switzerland and still the largest. It is one of the top things to do in Basel. The zoo houses elephants, zebra, hippos, rhinos, crocodiles, snow leopards, penguins, kangaroos, giraffes, bison, cheetahs, and many more. These animals are kept in recreated environments which creates a wonderful experience. For this and more, it has been included among the 15 best zoos in the world. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to explore it.

19. Marktplatz

Sitting in the old town, this market is one of the best places to go in Basel to experience local culture. You will find fresh produce, local goods, street food, handicraft items, and more. If not for anything else, you should come here just for the food, it is incredible. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring this market.

20. Basel Historical Museum (Haus zum Kirschgarten)

One of Basel’s Historical Museums, this museum is set in a patrician house built during the late 1700s. This museum showcases the lifestyle of a wealthy family in the 18th century. It is one of the most opulent places to see in Basel, Switzerland.

The house is heavily decorated with antique furniture, artworks, wall paintings, decorations, clocks, sculptures, silverware, porcelain, and so on. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

21. Foundation Beyeler Art Museum

This museum began with the collection of Ernst and Hildy Beyeler. The collection primarily focuses on Classic Modernist Art. You will see the works of famous artists like Picasso, Giacometti, Max Ernst, Van Gogh, Matisse, and many more. The collection includes works of artists from Africa, Alaska, and Oceania. You will need an hour to tour this museum.

If you are looking for more places to visit in Basel and around it, check out the sections below. We compiled a list of things to do and attractions to explore in the city and around it.

Things to do in Basel, Switzerland

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Basel, Switzerland

Basler Munster Cathedral
Basel Fine Arts Museum
Tinguely Museum
Toy World Museum
Basel Paper Mill
Spalentor
Foundation Beyeler Art Museum
Antiken Museum
Vitra Design Museum
Basel Historical Museum
Museum of Cultures
Museum of Natural History
Museum of Contemporary Art
Pharmacy Museum
Gagosian Art Gallery
Offene Kirche Elisabethan
Swiss Architecture Museum
Augusta Raurica Museum
Rotteln Castle
Mariastein Abbey
Birseck Castle
Pfeffingen Castle
Hoosesagg Museum
Basel Tram Museum

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Basel, Switzerland

Rhine River
La Petite Camargue Alsacienne National Nature Reserve
Ermitage Park
Markgrafler Wiiwegle

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Basel, Switzerland

Basel Zoo
Merian Garten
Tierpark Lange Erlen
Kannenfeld Park
Grand Casino
Laguna Badeland Waterpark
Aquabasilia

Shopping in Basel, Switzerland

Noble Street Marketplatz
St. Jakob Park Shopping Center
Basler Stadtmarkt
Schlemmer Markt
Freie Strasse
Petersplatz Flea Markt
Spalenberg
Barfusserplatz Flea Markt
Kleinbasel
District Flea Markt
Alte Markthalle

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Basel, Switzerland

Hiking
River Cruise
Swimming

Sightseeing in Basel, Switzerland

Tinguely Fountain
Rathaus Kantons
Mittlere Brucke Bridge
Dreilandereck Monument
Spalenberg
Kleinbasel
Sankt Johanns Tor
Sankt Alban Tor
Spalentor

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Basel, Switzerland

UFER7
Tibits
Klara
Bohemia
Lowenzorn
Mystifry
Alexander
Finkmuller
Baslerhof
Matt & Elly
Besenstiel
Gasthof zum Goldenen
Rosa im Park

Where to Stay in Basel?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Basel. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Basel.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Basel

How to Reach Basel, Switzerland?

By Air

EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg is the closest airport to visit Basel. This airport sits in France about 4 km away from the city. The airport is shared by three different cities in three countries: France, Switzerland, and Germany. The airport receives direct flights from Athens, Constantine, Algiers, Casablanca, Paris, Istanbul, Vienna, Bristol, Berlin, Barcelona, Lisbon, Manchester, Rome, Prague, Tel Aviv, Calvi, Dubai, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Malta, and several other cities in Europe. You can buses and cabs to reach Basel from the airport.

By Road

There are two train stations in Basel. The Basel SBB receives domestic trains from Zurich, Bern, and Geneva. If you travel to Basel from Europe, you will head for Deutsche Bahn. You will get trains from Berlin, Frankfurt, Paris, Mulhouse, Brussels, Luxembourg, Milan, Amsterdam, Prague, Copenhagen, Berlin, Warsaw, Moscow, and Minsk. You can also get buses from several cities in the surrounding nations to get to Basel.

If you are planning to visit Basel by car, you should head for routes A35, 18, and 3. These routes intersect at the city.

By Water

You can get Rhine summer cruises from Amsterdam to Basel. This tour also has several intermediate stops which you can choose to reach Basel.

Image Reference

Museum Tinguely – Olivier Bruchez / Flickr
Basel Paper Mill Museum (Basler Papiermühle) – Tom Page / Flickr
Fine Arts Museum Basel (Kunstmuseum Basel) – Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / Flickr
Basel Museum of Ancient Art and Ludwig Collection (Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig) – Mario RM / Flickr
Kunsthalle – Basmus / Wikimedia Commons
Basel Minster (Basler Münster) – Hans / PixaBay
Münsterplatz – Philipp Ramseier / Flickr
Altstadt Basel – mroszewski / Wikimedia Commons
Basel Historical Museum – James Steakley / Wikimedia Commons
Museum of Cultures (Museum der Kulturen) – JoachimKohler-HB / Wikimedia Commons
Basel Town Hall (Rathaus Basel) – Davide Oliva / Flickr
Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel (Pharmazie-Historisches Museum) – Sissacher / Wikimedia Commons
University of Basel Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten der Universität) – James Steakley / Wikimedia Commons
Spalentor Gate – James Steakley / Wikimedia Commons
Vitra Design Museum – Antonio Fassina / Flickr
Pants Pocket Museum (Hoosesag Museum) – tiexano / Flickr
Rhine River Boat Tour – Norbert Aepli, Switzerland / Wikimedia Commons
Basel Zoo – Tambako The Jaguar / Flickr
Marktplatz – Robert Cutts / Flickr
Basel Historical Museum (Haus zum Kirschgarten) – Dr. Nachtigaller / Wikimedia Commons
Foundation Beyeler Art Museum – Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / Flickr