This past year, I spent a week venturing through the major Swiss cities. With so much nature and hiking in Switzerland, I believe smaller cities in Switzerland like Basel are often overlooked. These are the 25 best things to do in Basel Switzerland, from famous tourist attractions to local’s hidden gems!
Last Updated: November 21st, 2023
Best Things to Do in Basel Switzerland
The Rhine River
Kicking off the best things to do in Basel list is my personal favorite activity – strolling along the beautiful Rhine River. The European river runs through Switzerland, France, and Germany. There are plenty of seating areas for people to sit along the river, eat, and people-watch. In the summer, swimming in the Rhine is a popular sport. You’ll see people wearing a Wickelfisch, which is a bag to keep belongings dry while they swim!
I chatted with a Basel local who told me one of her favorite Basel things to do with friends was to grab a pizza from VITO (a casual pizza chain) and bring it to the Rhine.
Kunstmuseum Basel
What’s a trip to Basel without seeing the city’s art? The Kunstmuseum (meaning “art museum” in German) is the city’s collection of over 4,000 videos, pictures, paintings, and prints. The museum is separated into two buildings. The first building is dedicated to fine arts while the other is contemporary (pictured above).
Admission to the museum is 26 CHF for adults over 20 years old, 13 CHF for students aged 20-30 and disabled visitors, and 8 CHF for teenagers aged 13-19 years old. Museum admission is free for everyone on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays between 5-6 PM, Wednesdays at 5-8 PM, and every first Sunday of the month.
City Hall & Old Town
Located in the city center, the town hall is impossible to miss. The red building is adorned with medieval paintings across the front and on the walls in the inner courtyard. To this day, it is still the government seat for Parliament and the canton of the city.
The surrounding streets are a mix of contemporary buildings with chain stores and department stores (like Flying Tiger and Garage) and old-fashioned buildings with mom-and-pop shops.
City Hall Market
Located on the Marktplatz, get a true sense of a Swiss market every Sunday at the city hall farmer’s market. The square has local vendors that sell handmade goods, hot food, flowers, etc.
Be in Three Countries at Once
One of the most unique things to do in Basel is to go to the Dreiländereck, the only spot in the world where you can stand in three countries at once! A rocket statue marks the intersection between Switzerland, France, and Germany. On each side of the rocket, you’ll see the flags of each country painted on.
Note: you DON’T need a passport at this landmark! However, be prepared for about a 20-minute walk from the nearest tram station.
Basel Minster & Pfalz
A more historical thing to do in Basel is to check out Basel Minster, a Christian cathedral built between 1019 and 1500. The style of the building is Romanesque and Gothic, with elaborate statues in the pillars.
Just outside the Basel Minster is a fantastic view of the Rhine River from the Pfalz viewing deck.
Toy World’s Museum
The Spielzeug Weltem Museum, also known as the Toy World’s Museum, has the world’s largest gallery of historical toys, and all age groups are welcome! These include over 6,000 teddy bears, dolls and dollhouses, carousels, mini grocery stores, schools, and Neapolitan folk art. There’s even a section of the original Steiff brand teddy bears made back in 1904.
Regular entry is 7 CHF, discounted entry of 5 CHF for seniors and people with disabilities, and is free for children under 16 years old. For those who want a deep dive into the museum’s content, the public guided tours are every first Saturday of the month between 2-3 PM and are included in the entry fee.
Museum Tinguely
The last of the museums as part of the best things to do in Basel Switzerland is Museum Tinguely. The permanent exhibition is the collection of Jean Tinguely, a Swiss painter and sculptor with an emphasis on kinetic structures.
Regular entry is 18 CHF, 12 CHF for students and people with disabilities, and 12 CHF for groups over 12 people. Admission is FREE on Thursdays from 6-9 PM!
Tinguely Fountain
Even if you decide not to enter Museum Tinguely, get a glimpse of his artwork at the Tinguely fountain. The artist created the iron sculptures in 1977, where the figures “play” with the water. The fountain is where the theater company one was, and the constant motion of sculptures imitates those performers where the theater once existed.
Souvenir Shop at Johann Wanner
As you shop through the city center, stop at one of the city’s leading Christmas and souvenir stores. Besides the meticulously hand-painted and handmade Christmas decor, you can get other typical Swiss souvenirs like wooden cowbell figures and Swiss army blanket-themed clothing.
Drink at a Swiss Water Fountain
Okay, this isn’t exactly the most exciting of the things to do in Basel Switzerland, but it’s something that you should do while you’re in the country. You’ll likely notice the plethora of water fountains throughout the city, each with unique statues.
The water fountains (and tap water) in Switzerland are safe to drink!
Zoo Basel
Referred to as Zolli by locals, Zoo Basel is a nature oasis in the middle of the city. There are over 500 species from all continents.
It’s the perfect thing to do in Basel for families. You can host a children’s birthday party here, or attend other Zoo events listed on their website.
Zoo admission for adults above the age of 20 is 22 CHF, 16 CHF for people aged 16-19, 20 CHF for senior citizens above the age of 65 and disabled persons, and 10 CHF for children 6-15.
Go on a Day Trip
The great thing about Switzerland is the ease of traveling both within the country and to its neighboring ones. Listed are some of the best day trips from Basel and things to do in each.
Day trips within Switzerland:
- Zurich –> around 1 hour by both car and train. The largest city and the global center for banking and finance. Top things to do in Zurich include Lake Zurich, Lindenhof, and the Grossmunster protestant church.
- Lucerne –> around 1 hour by train and car. Top things to do in Lucerne include the Chapel Bridge, Lake Lucerne, the Lion Monument, Mount Pilatus, and Rigi.
- Bern –> around 1.5 hours by train and car. Switzerland’s capital city with a medieval feel. The top things to do in Bern are to stroll through their Old Town (a UNESCO site), Einstein’s house and birthplace, the bear pit, and the Rosengarten viewpoint.
Day trips outside of Switzerland:
- Freiberg in Germany –> Around 45-50 minutes by both train and car. Freiberg is a well-preserved historic town known for its universities and its history of being a former mining area. A popular thing to do is the Terra Mineralia (Mineral Museum).
- Colmar in France –> Around 45-50 minutes by both train and car. Between its cobblestone streets and half-timbered medieval buildings, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale here! Things to do in Colmar include the La Petite Venise (canals), Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg, and Parc du Champ de Mars.
Foodie Things to Do in Basel Switzerland
Out of ALL the cities I’ve visited in Switzerland, Basel easily came out as #1 for the best food! This section of the best things to do in Basel Switzerland is dedicated to all the best foodie experiences.
Cordon Bleu at Gifthuttli
Gifthuttli had the BEST meal of my entire trip – I would travel back to Basel just to eat there. The restaurant is located a block away from the town square and specializes in cordon bleu. For anyone unfamiliar with the dish, it’s a meat that has been pounded thin and wrapped around cheese and ham. Yes, it’s SUPER indulgent and unhealthy, but it’s worth every calorie.
At Gifthuttli, you can get the traditional cordon bleu with ham and cheese that’s covered in breadcrumbs. Or, you can get unique flavors like truffle and other filling combos.
Walliser Kanne
On the topic of iconic Swiss restaurants, Walliser Kanne is a tourist spot with exceptional food. They sell traditional Swiss cuisine like schnitzels, raclette, and fondue (which I don’t recommend) in a rustic setting.
The pork schnitzel is the star of the show, here. The pork is pounded thin and lightly fried with bread crumbs. On the side are fries and a lemon to squeeze for a boost of flavor.
Like many other Swiss restaurants, this place is PRICY! The prices at lunch are generally cheaper, so I recommend going then.
Swiss Bakery
For a lighter (and significantly cheaper meal), try one of the city’s bakeries and cafes. My favorite bakery hands-down is Gilgen Confectionary, located on a hill close to the city center. If you’re not already drawn by the enticing display case filled with treats, you can’t miss the number of people going in and out!
You’ll find everything from Swiss cakes to breads. I LOVED their pretzel and salami roll. It sounds simple, but the bread was incredibly soft and fresh, and the salami wasn’t too salty.
Les Trois Rois
The last on the foodie things to do in Basel Switzerland list is more luxurious — dining at Les Trois Rois, a grand 300+ year-old hotel along the Rhine River!
Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl is a fine-dining restaurant combining French haute cuisine with Asian and Mediterranean flavors. Every dish is unique and an experience in itself. The restaurant is among the top 100 restaurants in the world, with accolades that include three Michelin stars.
Other Cool Things to Do in Basel Switzerland
Whether you’re a local or have extra time in the city, here are some additional cool things to do in Basel Switzerland:
The Hoosesagg Museum (Pants Pocket Museum) –> The smallest museum in Basel. The museum is a two-foot-by-two-foot window in a 600-year-old house. The museum regularly rotates through knick-knacks like figurines, sunglasses, doorbells, etc.
Roman Festival –> A cool seasonal thing to do in Basel is to attend the Roman Festival (Romerfest) in Basel’s outskirts every August. Many people dress up for it and there are plenty of family-friendly activities. Mark August 24-25 on your calendars for 2024!
Escape Room –> Put your puzzle-solving skills to the test at one of Basel’s escape rooms. With only an hour to find a way out, it’s one of the most nerve-wracking yet fun things to do in Basel Switzerland. I recommend booking ahead on the website.
The Bird’s Eye Jazz Club –> Enjoy live jazz music, cocktails, and snacks in a sophisticated setting.
Bike around Basel –> Biking is one of the best active things to do in Basel Switzerland! The city is small enough that you can see a lot on a short ride. Check out Komoot’s Basel bike guide for routes!
Wrapping Up: Things to Do in Basel Switzerland
That concludes my best things to do in Basel Switzerland guide! Once you’ve explored Basel, check out my other Europe guides:
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