Basel Travelers Recommend

Three days in Basel let you explore Switzerland’s culture capital at a relaxed pace; you’ll have time to visit Basel’s many museums and explore the Swiss Alps on a day trip. Here are some ideas for how to spend three days in Basel.

Day 1: Monuments and Museums

A hop-on hop-off bus tour is a stress-free way to get your bearings in Basel. Jump off to stroll around the Old Town and visit Munster Cathedral, and admire historic landmarks such as Rathaus (City Hall), the Gate of Spalen, and the Tinguely Fountain from the top deck.

In the afternoon, visit two or three of Basel’s museums—there are more than 40 to choose from. Highlights include the Fine Art Museum (Kunstmuseum), the Museum Tinguely, and the Natural History Museum. Some museums are equally celebrated for their architecture, so it’s worth stopping by to take a photo even if you don’t have time to explore the exhibitions; the Schaulager Museum, Fondation Beyeler, and the futuristic Vitra Design Museum are notable structures. 

End the day with a sunset cruise on the Rhine River and admire the glittering city skyline from the water.

Day 2: An Adventure in the Alps

Basel’s central location makes it a strategic starting point for day trips to Swiss cities such as Zurich, Bern, and Lucerne; it’s also a great base for crossing the border to the Alsace region of France or the Black Forest region of Germany. If you’re planning just one day trip, make it to the Swiss Alps, where snow-covered scenery provides a dramatic contrast to city life. 

Nearby Lucerne offers a number of alpine adventures. Day trips from Basel typically include round-trip transport and come in a variety of forms; ride the rotating cable car to the top of Mt. Titlis and then brave a walk across the Titlis Cliff Walk, or opt for a round-trip ride to Mt. Pilatus, during which you ascend via Europe’s steepest cogwheel railway then return by cable car. For the ultimate view, brave a trip to the Top of Europe, Europe’s highest railway station at a dizzying 11,371 feet (3,466 meters), in Jungfraujoch. 

Day 3: Basel Like a Local

Spend your final day in Basel exploring the city’s neighborhoods and enjoying a taste of local life. South of the Old Town, the Bruderholz and Dreispitz districts have some of the city’s most unique shops, while nearby Markthalle harbors Basel’s most popular covered market. Here, you can sample food from around the world, as well as Swiss classics such as fondue.

Head back to the Old Town in the afternoon to pick up some edible souvenirs at the city’s famous chocolatiers. A themed walking tour is a great way to learn more about Swiss chocolate; chocolate lovers can even join a truffle-making workshop. 

In the evening, cross over the Rhine to Little Basel (Kleinbasel), where you’ll find a large choice of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and live music venues. For the best views of the Rhine River, start your night with a cocktail at Bar Rouge, the city’s highest bar. 

Basel is one of Europe’s most important cultural hubs, and hosts renowned festivals such as Art Basel and the Fasnacht Carnival. Two days is just enough time to take in all the highlights—here are some ideas. 

Day 1: Art and Architecture

**Morning:**Kickstart your time in Basel with a hop-on hop-off bus tour, which transports you between top sights such as the medieval Gate of Spalen, the Tinguely Fountain, and the Roche Tower, Switzerland’s tallest building. Disembark to explore Basel Old Town a walking tour, which cover the Rathaus (City Hall) and magnificent Munster Cathedral.

**Afternoon:**Even though Basel is home to more than 40 museums, it’s best to focus on just a few if you’re on a time budget. Among the most popular are the Fine Art Museum (Kunstmuseum), the Museum Tinguely, and the Natural History Museum, while the Fondation Beyeler is celebrated for its architecture.

**Night:**Set sail along the Rhine River and experience Basel from the water. A sunset or evening dinner cruise affords panoramic views of the city’s illuminated skyline and passes landmarks such as the Middle Bridge and the Munster. 

Day 2: Eat, Drink, Shop

**Morning:**Seasonal visitors can’t miss Basel’s renowned Christmas market, but if you’re not in town over yuletide, you can still enjoy a glimpse of local life at the daily food market on Marktplatz. Shoppers can also browse the many small shops and artisan boutiques in the Spalenberg quarter, or head to the giant Stücki shopping mall.

**Afternoon:**Spend the afternoon indulging in Swiss specialties such as fondue, rosti, and raclette at a traditional restaurant in the Old Town or on a food tour. Pick up some edible souvenirs at the city’s famous chocolatiers or indulge your sweet tooth on a guided tasting tour, some of which include a truffle-making workshop. 

**Night:**Little Basel (Kleinbasel), a district on the north bank of the Rhine River, is the liveliest place to spend the evening. There’s a huge choice of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and live music venues, but for the best views, head to Bar Rouge, the city’s highest bar, to sip cocktails and gaze out along the Rhine. 

Whether you’re visiting on a day trip from Zurich or Lucerne, or heading to world-class events such as Art Basel festival or Fasnacht carnival, one day is just enough time to take in Basel’s best bits. Here’s how to spend one day in Basel. 

Morning: The Best of Basel

A hop-on hop-off bus tour is the ideal choice for time-crunched travelers in Basel for the first time; it allows you to create an itinerary that features only the sights that interest you. Buses stop at landmarks such as the medieval Gate of Spalen, Tinguely Fountain, and the Roche Tower, the tallest building in Switzerland. 

Jump off to explore the Old Town on a walking tour that covers the daily food market on Marktplatz, Rathaus (City Hall), and the Middle Bridge. Step inside the historic Munster Cathedral to admires its endless vaulted ceiling and then climb to the church tower for a magnificent view over the city.

Afternoon: Culture and Cuisine

Spend the afternoon sampling Swiss favorites such as cheese fondue or raclette in the Old Town, then pick up some edible souvenirs from an authentic Swiss chocolatier. Chocolate lovers can join a themed walking tour, some of which include a truffle-making workshop at a local chocolatier. 

Alternatively, spend the afternoon visiting Basel’s museums—the city boasts more than 40. Art enthusiasts should head to the Fondation Beyeler, the Kunstmuseum (Museum of Fine Arts), or the Museum Tinguely, while travelers seeking something unique can visit the Spielzeug Welten Museum (Toy Worlds Museum), the Paper Mill Museum, or the Vitra Design Museum.

Night: Cruise the Rhine River

If you want to escape the crowds on land, opt for an evening boat cruise, which reveals the city at its most atmospheric. Set sail along the Rhine River and watch the sunset over the city, then cruise back to shore against a backdrop of Basel’s glittering skyline.  

End the evening in Little Basel (Kleinbasel) on the north bank of the Rhine. The lively district is full of bars, clubs, and restaurants; dine by the riverside or sip cocktails at Bar Rouge, Basel’s highest bar. 

Basel is famous for having the highest density of museums in Switzerland. Not only that, but the city is world-renowned for its international art fairs, galleries, monuments, and contemporary art spaces. If you’re looking for tips on this Swiss cultural hub, here’s what you need to know and where you need to go.

Basel Museum of Fine Art (Kunstmuseum Basel)

Displaying artwork from the early 15th century to today, this massive 107,639-square-foot (10,000-square-meter) museum is a must-see attraction in Basel. Travelers flock to Kuntsmuseum Basel—home of the largest public art collection in Switzerland—from all around the world.

Jean Tinguely Museum

The Jean Tinguely Museum houses the world’s most extensive collection of sculptures and artwork by Swiss artist Jean Tinguely, who gained fame for his magnificent motor-driven mechanical sculptures. Head to this museum for a  fascinating combination of science, engineering, and modern art.

Basel Paper Mill Museum

Set in a medieval paper mill, the Basel Paper Mill Museum has preserved the historic techniques of papermaking. In addition to learning about the history of paper production, you can get hands-on paper-making experience using traditional methods. This museum offers a fun way for adults and kids alike to get creative and discover some of Basel’s past.

Kunsthalle Basel

Founded in 1872, the contemporary Kunsthalle Basel offers an array of rotating exhibits from both Swiss and international artists.  Various film screenings, concerts, and artist talks are also regularly on the calendar.