Church
Basel Minster
The red sandstone Minster, with its colorful tiled roofs and twin towers, is the city's landmark. From the Pfalz, the terrace behind the choir, you gaze over the Rhine to Kleinbasel.
Switzerland
Basel
City
Basel is located in the northwest of Switzerland at the Rhine knee, directly on the border with Germany and France, and is considered the country's art and culture capital.
Basel is located in the northwest of Switzerland at the Rhine knee, directly on the border with Germany and France, and is considered the country's art and culture capital. A well-preserved Old Town above the Rhine, world-class museums, and life by the river make the city a distinctive travel destination.Above the Old Town with its more than 200 fountains stands the red Minster; from the Pfalz behind it, you look out over the Rhine. On Marktplatz, the vibrant red Town Hall catches the eye. The Kunstmuseum Basel displays art from around 700 years, the Museum Tinguely features the machine sculptures of Jean Tinguely, and the Fondation Beyeler is located in Riehen. In summer, many Basel residents let themselves drift in the Rhine, and cable-guided ferries shuttle between the banks. In June, the Art Basel art fair takes place, and the Basler Fasnacht has been part of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage since 2017.
The Rhine divides Basel into two parts: On the left bank lies Grossbasel with the Old Town, the Minster, the Market Square with its City Hall, and most of the museums, while on the right bank is the livelier Kleinbasel with its bars and the Rhine promenade. The Mittlere Brücke connects both districts in just a few minutes on foot. The Museum Tinguely is located on Kleinbasel's Rhine bank, the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen on the outskirts of the city. In summer, many spend the evening by the river, at the Buvettes along the bank, or swimming in the Rhine.
Sights in Basel
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Museum
Art Museum Basel
The Art Museum displays art spanning approximately 700 years, including a significant collection of works by Hans Holbein and regional masters from the 15th to 18th centuries, as well as modern art up to the present day.
Museum
Museum Tinguely
The museum on the Rhine displays the kinetic machine sculptures by Swiss artist Jean Tinguely, many of which can be activated at the touch of a button. Additionally, it features changing exhibitions of modern art.
Attraction
Central Bridge
The Stone Bridge is one of the oldest Rhine crossings, connecting Grossbasel with Kleinbasel. From here, you get one of the most iconic views of the Old Town with the Minster.
Historic Landmark
Spalentor
The magnificent 15th-century city gate is one of three surviving gates of the old city wall. It stands on the western edge of the Old Town, a few minutes' walk from the university quarter.
Restaurants in Basel
Italian restaurant and pizzeria on Blumenrain in Grossbasel, just a few steps from the Mittlere Brücke.
Restaurant, café and bar on Elsässerrheinweg, on the Rhine bank in the city's north, a summer evening favorite.
Bakery on Riehentorstrasse in Kleinbasel with bread, pastries, and snacks to go.
Food & Drink in Basel
Basler Läckerli
A hard, spicy gingerbread confection with honey, almonds and candied fruits, the city's most famous souvenir.
Flour Soup
The roasted flour soup is the traditional Fasnacht food and is served after the Morgestraich in the Beizen.
Fasnacht Fritters
Thinly baked pastries, dusted with powdered sugar, available in every bakery around Carnival.
Culture in Basel
Basel is known as Switzerland's art and culture capital and boasts one of the highest museum densities in the country.Basler FasnachtBasler Fasnacht has been part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2017. It begins on the Monday after Ash Wednesday at 4 AM with the Morgestraich: All city centre lights go out, and 'Cliquen' parade through the Old Town with lanterns, piccolos, and drums. For three days, parades and 'Schnitzelbänke' characterise the city.Art from Holbein to TodayThe Kunstmuseum displays art from around 700 years, the Museum Tinguely features Jean Tinguely's machine sculptures, and the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen shows modern and contemporary art. Every June, the international art world gathers for the Art Basel fair.
Nightlife
Outdoor lounge and bar directly on the Rhine in the north of the city, with beer, wine, cocktails and sharing dishes.
Bar on Steinengraben with cocktails, pub atmosphere, and regular live music.
On the Road in Basel
You can explore the Old Town of Grossbasel and Kleinbasel on foot, while trams and buses cover the entire city. Those staying overnight in Basel receive the BaselCard, offering free tram and bus travel, plus discounts at many attractions.Cable-guided Rhine ferries, powered solely by the current, shuttle between the banks. By train, you can reach Zurich in about an hour, and its location in the tri-border area means you're quickly in Alsace and the Black Forest.
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Campgrounds in Basel
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