Summary of Best Things to Do in Basel
Cosy, walkable, and bisecting the Rhine, Basel is located at the tripoint where the Swiss, German, and French borders converge. Basel’s artistic and cultural offerings place it on par with many prominent cities worldwide. The Kunstmuseum serves as a leading institution, housing an impressive collection of Renaissance, Baroque, and modern art.
Furthermore, the Altstadt features a labyrinth of alleys and streets, anchored by significant landmarks such as the Basel Minster (Cathedral) and the 15th-century City Hall. In the Altstadt, one has the opportunity to create paper at a water-powered mill from the 15th century or visit the residence where Erasmus frequently convened with his contemporaries five centuries ago.
Let us delve into the top attractions in Basel:
1. Kunstmuseum Basel
Switzerland’s largest and most comprehensive art collection is showcased at this distinguished museum.
The roster of artists speaks volumes: From the Renaissance, notable names include Konrad Witz, Lucas Cranach the Elder, and Hans Holbein (the museum originated from an early collection of his creations). Additionally, works from Dutch masters such as Rembrandt, Brueghel the Elder, and Rubens are featured.
From the 19th century, masterpieces by van Gogh, Monet, Cézanne, Manet, and Gauguin can be appreciated.
The Kunstmuseum also boasts a dedicated room for pieces by Picasso.
Moreover, Giacometti, Klee, Franz Marc, Braque, and Chagall represent a fraction of the 20th-century art holdings.
2. Altstadt
Basel’s old town is home to a remarkable selection of Swiss national heritage sites.
A visit to the tourist office will yield recommendations for various themed walking tours around Grossbasel on the left bank and Kleinbasel on the right bank of the Rhine.
As indicated by numerous plaques, the oldest structures in the Altstadt date back to the 14th century.
These streets were once traversed by renowned individuals, including Erasmus, the influential theologian and humanist of the 16th century.
While numerous attractions in the Altstadt are addressed later, noteworthy spots include the expansive Münsterplatz, the irregular townhouses on Petersgasse, and the charming monkey fountain located in Andreasplatz.
Additionally, the Holbein Fountain on Spalenvorstadt represents a Renaissance masterpiece by Hans Holbein the Younger from the 16th century.
3. Basel Minster
Basel’s medieval minster church is easily identifiable, marked by its two 60-meter towers, Georgsturm and Martinsturm.
This captivating structure features walls of pinkish-red sandstone and a uniquely designed glazed roof.
The majority of its architecture was constructed during the 14th and 15th centuries, following an earthquake in 1356 that dismantled the high medieval Romanesque church.
Among the earlier architectural elements, the main portal was partially destroyed by iconoclasts during the Reformation.
Nevertheless, they preserved the Gothic archivolts, adorned with depictions of angels, prophets, roses, kings, and an image of Abraham.
To the right, one can see the “Seducer” wooing a young virgin, with snakes and toads behind him symbolizing evil.
For a fee of €5, visitors can ascend a narrow spiral staircase for a panoramic view of Basel and the Rhine.
4. Museum Tinguely
Located in Solitudepark on the right bank of the Rhine, this museum is dedicated to 20th-century kinetic sculptor Jean Tinguely.
His whimsical and convoluted machines embody the Dada spirit while critiquing mass production and consumerism.
Regardless, these installations are engaging, enjoyable, and interactive, ensuring that even younger visitors remain captivated.
Interactive buttons and levers allow guests to set these machines into motion.
The exhibition traces Tinguely’s career from the 1950s to the 1980s.
One of his last works, Grosse Méta Maxi-Maxi Utopia from 1987, consists of a chaotic assembly of pulleys, wooden wheels, and electric motors, featuring accessible steps for climbing.
5. Basel Paper Mill
Established as early as 1453, this mill located on the Gewerbekanal has been producing paper for centuries.
Since 1980, it has operated as a working museum, allowing visitors to engage with historical practices of paper-making, printing, and bookbinding.
Machines powered by a waterwheel convert rags and pulp into sheets of paper, giving guests the chance to create their own pages on the first floor.
Upstairs, early printing presses await exploration, and quills invite guests to refine their calligraphy skills. The art forms of bookbinding and paper marbling are performed live on the top floor, providing an engaging experience.
6. Basel City Hall
The City Hall occupies a central position in Basel, both geographically and culturally.
Martkplatz, situated in front, serves as a hub for Basel’s tram network, drawing citizens and visitors to its daily market.
This remarkable red sandstone structure, dating back to the early 16th century, exhibits grandeur in its construction.
The façade is adorned with various symbolic elements, including the twelve coats of arms representing the Old Swiss Confederacy, such as Basel’s own, prominently displayed atop the merlons.
Passing through the archway, visitors enter the captivating courtyard, which features a 17th-century fresco by Hans Bock and a statue of Lucius Munatius Plancus, the Roman founder of Basel, sculpted in 1580.
7. Basel Historical Museum
Affectionately referred to as HMB, the Basel Historical Museum encompasses four locations.
Three of these establishments are stationed within the city, while one, the Coach and Carriage Museum, is situated in Münchenstein to the southeast.
The principal focus is located in the repurposed Barfüsserkirche, delving into the late medieval period and early modern era.
Inside, visitors can explore an array of artifacts, including treasures from the Cathedral, as well as collections of coins, stained glass, tapestries, altars, and personal belongings of Erasmus.
Additionally, there are cabinets of curiosity from wealthy collectors of the 1600s and 1700s.
Perhaps the most striking piece is Basel’s Danse Macabre fresco, attributed to the 15th-century painter Konrad Witz.
8. Spalentor
In the past, Basel was fortified by dual layers of city walls.
The Inner Wall was constructed around 1230, and following the 1356 earthquake, a new Outer Wall featuring 40 towers was erected to accommodate the city’s expansion.
As urban development progressed in the 19th century, most of these walls were dismantled to create a healthier living environment.
Three gates survive, with Spalentor being the most impressive.
This gate controlled the western access to the city from France and was part of the outer wall constructed around the 1350s.
Alongside a pair of towers, the elaborate façade is decorated with various ornamental features, such as Basel’s coat of arms flanked by two lions.
9. Basel Zoo
Home to over 640 animal species, Basel Zoo stands out for its remarkable diversity and is the largest and oldest zoo in Switzerland, established in 1874 with a thoroughly modern approach to enclosure design.
Renovations and expansions occur annually, most notably the opening of a new elephant habitat in 2016, covering 5,000 square meters for the elephants to explore.
The aquarium (vivarium) consistently captivates with almost 500 species of fish, reptiles, and amphibians, in addition to king and gentoo penguins.
One of the zoo’s most celebrated inhabitants is Goma, the first western lowland gorilla born in Europe, who celebrated his 58th birthday in 2017.
10. Pfalz
Located beneath the minster towers, the Pfalz serves as an exceptional vantage point at street level to reflect on the Rhine and the rows of houses across in Kleinbasel.
This terrace overlooks the Münsterfähre jetty and occupies the historical site of Basel’s former episcopal palace.
Throughout the area, ornately designed ledgerstones commemorate Basel’s noble families, some dating back to the 1500s.
A telescope is mounted on the wall, while shaded benches make this small square ideal for enjoying a packed lunch.
11. Antikenmuseum Basel
The only museum in Switzerland dedicated exclusively to ancient civilizations resides in Basel.
This institution features artifacts from Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, Middle Eastern, and Roman cultures spanning over three millennia up to the 1st century AD. The collections, which began in the 17th century, were expanded significantly in 1986 through a generous donation from industrialist Peter Ludwig.
One notable piece from Ancient Greece is an intact Laconian volute-krater (a vessel for mixing wine) from the 6th century, while the Egyptian galleries boast a rich assortment of jewelry, sculptures, and sarcophagi.
12. Pharmazie-Historisches Museum
This premier museum, dedicated to the history of medicine, is located within a heritage-listed building in the Altstadt.
During the early 16th century, a printing press operated here, co-owned by Johann Froben, a close associate of Erasmus, who often visited.
The sheer volume of artifacts on display is staggering, featuring ceramic vessels extending from floor to ceiling.
The collection includes mortars, first-aid kits, laboratory instruments, entire pharmacy interiors complete with cabinetry, peculiar contraptions for alchemical experiments, and preserved remains of historical medications.
Additionally, the museum showcases noteworthy 15th and 16th-century publications from physicians Johann de Cuba and Leonhart Fuchs.
13. Spielzeug Welten Museum
Situated on Barfüsserplatz, this museum is designed to captivate both adults and children alike.
This five-story establishment is fully accessible and contains over 6,000 dolls, miniatures, and dollhouses.
However, the record-breaking collection of over 2,500 teddy bears is what truly captures attention.
Many exhibits are interactive, featuring miniature scenes that illuminate, play music, and incorporate moving elements.
Remarkably, this extensive collection was curated by a single individual, German-Swiss billionaire Gisela Oeri.
14. Fondation Beyeler
Located six kilometers outside the city on the German border, the Fondation Beyeler justifies the trip.
This venue showcases an outstanding modern art collection amassed by 20th-century dealers Ernst Beyeler and Hilda Kunz.
In the 1990s, this impressive collection of 200 works found a permanent home, designed by Renzo Piano.
Art enthusiasts can admire 23 pieces by Picasso, along with works by Vincent van Gogh, Francis Bacon, Lichtenstein, Pollock, Warhol, Monet, and Cézanne.
In addition, an ethnological exhibition features 25 pieces from North America, Oceania, and Africa.
15. The Rhine River
The Rhine flows swiftly through Basel, enabling ferries to operate without any propulsion other than the river’s currents.
These vessels are tethered to steel cables, allowing them to glide across the water.
Visitors can catch a “Fähri” at four central locations along the river, the most frequented being Münsterfähre located beneath the Pfalz.
Additionally, “Badhysli” swimming areas invite stronger swimmers to tackle the currents while others relax in shallower waters.
During the summer months, these locations exude a lively atmosphere, with people sunbathing and socializing at café terraces.
Beyond the city limits, the Rhine parallels seaside or lakeside zones, offering beaches for sunbathing, water sports, and barbecues during summer.
