If you’re wondering about the best things to do and see in Basel, Switzerland, you’re in the right place. Nestled on the Rhine River where Switzerland meets France and Germany, Basel is a vibrant city full of culture, history, and scenic beauty. From strolling through its charming old town and admiring colourful medieval buildings to relaxing along the river, there’s something for every traveller. Whether you’re planning a day trip to Basel or a longer city break, Basel offers a mix of iconic sights and hidden gems that make it a must-visit destination.
In this guide, we’ll cover the top activities, must-see attractions, free experiences, and tips to help you make the most of your trip.
We visited Basil as a couple (our first child-free trip in 6 years) for our 10 year wedding anniversary. Although it was lovely to travel without kids, they were always on our minds. So, of course, I will also include some top tips for families.
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Is Basel Worth Visiting?
Basel is a small city, located in the North of Switzerland, close to the borders of both Germany and France. It is not as well-known as other Swiss cities, such as Zurich or Geneva, and while it’s possibly not quite as pretty as Prague or some other European cities, it is still beautiful, and you’ll find plenty of things to do and see in Basel.
We were very pleased to tick it off our bucket list!
Where to Stay in Basel
As I mentioned, Basel is a small city. If, like us, you’re visiting as a short city break, I would recommend staying centrally. Inside the historic town, or within walking distance of it, is perfect.
We stayed in Hotel Victoria, which was a lovely hotel located right by the station and main tram stops. This was a great location, allowing us to walk everywhere but also utilise the public transport system when needed.
The stay also included a delicious breakfast buffet with hot food, cerials, toaast, pastries fresh juice and more!
HOTEL VICTORIA IN BASEL
Useful Things to Know Before You Visit Basel
Below are a few useful things to know before you visit Basel.
- Currency in Basel – Unlike most of Europe, Switzerland doesn’t use Euros. They have their own currency, the Swiss Franc. While most expenses can be paid on a card, a couple of things require cash, so it would be ideal to convert some before your trip.
- The Basel Card – if you stay in a hotel in Basel, you’ll recieve a free Basel Card. This allows you to use all Baisil’s public transport for free during your stay. It also gives you a 25% discount on entry to many of Basil’s museums and the Zoo.
- Many shops are closed on Sunday – lots of shops, including supermarkets, are closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly.
- Shopping – Migros and Coop are the main supermarkets. Personally, I preferred Migros. There was one in the station, opposite our hotel, that was one of the few that opened on a Sunday.
The Best Things to Do in Basel, Switzerland
Let’s jump into the best things to see and do in Basel, Switzerland. These are perfect for a first-time visit to Basel!
Walk (or Swim) Along the Rhine River
The Rhine River runs through the centre of Basel, separating Grossbasel (Old Town of Basel on the left bank) and Kleinbasel (the right bank, which is more modern and commercially focused).
The two sides are connected by multiple bridges and also 4 little wooden ferry boats; see the paragraph below for more about those.
Walking along the bank of the Rhine River is a very picturesque walk. The fairytale spires of the Basler Münster (Cathedral) and Basel Town Hall building are magical.
The Rhine is so clean, you can actually swim in it! As we visited in January and snow was in the air, there was no way I was going in! However, in the summer months, you can throw all your things into a waterproof bag and swim down the river! This could be a fun activity. Find out more about it on the Basel Website here.
VIEW OF THE RHINE RIVER
Take A Ferry Ride Across the Rhine River
These little boats will take you across the Rhine River. The boats are incredibly cute and unique as they are powered solely by the river’s current. Attached to a strong cable to stop them drifting off, the boats run backwards and forwards across the river.
The ferry rides cost CHF 2 for adults and CHF 1 for children. After visiting, I did read that they are included in your complimentary Basel Card; however, it doesn’t appear on the official website.
We visited Basel in winter, and the ferries didn’t appear to have a set schedule; they would depart when people got on, but since it’s only a short journey, you shouldn’t have to wait long.
A WOODEN FERRY BOAT ON THE RHINE | MIDDLE BRIDGE DECORATED FOR CHRISTMAS
Cross Middle Bridge
Mittlere Brücke or Middle Bridge, is one of the bridges connecting the Old Town of Basel to the New Town of Basel. This one is special as it is the oldest. You’ll see lovely views from the bridge, and at Christmas, the pretty little building in the centre is decorated to look like it is wearing a Santa hat.
Take a River Boat Tour
As this trip was for our 10 year wedding anniversary, my husband organised a special treat for us.
We took a fondue dinner boat cruise with The Rhykönig. The Rhykönig (meaning River King) is a small wooden boat, similar to the ferry boats, but it has been adapted so you can see out of the sides and also eat on it!
The views from the boat were beautiful, but once the sun went down, it was a little difficult to see out. Luckily, by that point, we were distracted by the food.
As we cruised down the river, we had champagne, a salad starter, and a delicious fondue because, of course, when in Switzerland you need to try fondue. Then, finally, a coffee and cake for dessert.
This was a romantic activity for couples visiting Basel, but The Rhykönig also offers different food options such as brunch or afternoon tea and can seat a small group (I think up to 10 people).
The Rhykönig is a small family-run business. Our captain was a really great guy, and I would absolutely recommend him. He also owns two bakeries in Basel. We ran out of time to visit them, but the food on our cruise was from his kitchen, so I know it will be delicious. I have linked them on my map below.
How to book: My husband arranged our tour via the WhatsApp link on the Rhykönig’s Website, or you can email.
THE RHYKÖNIG BOAT TOUR
Stand in 3 Countries at Once
Basel shares its border with both France and Germany. There is a point, marked with a sculpture, you can visit and be standing in all three countries at once.
Our boat tour driver told us that, technically, the exact point is on the river (so we were eating our fondue in 3 places at once!), so this is really a novelty, but it’s still cool!
While it is a cool novelty, getting here took a while (approximately 35 minutes), and there are no other attractions nearby, so I wouldn’t recommend it if you only have a short time in Basel. It is marked on my map below, or you can Google search “Border Triangle Basel.“
The number 8 tram runs the closest to it and is included with the Basel Card I mentioned earlier.
THE BORDER TRIANGLE, BASEL
Visit Basel City Hall
This distinctive red building is the home of Basel’s government and parliment but you can go inside the beautiful courtyard, and at Christmas, there is a huge Christmas tree.
There is also a huge book with a set of pens for visitors to write a short note or message in, if you go, look out for mine!
BASEL CITY HALL
See the Mechanical Tinguely Fountain
This is a unique fountain, with mechanical sculptures that move and squirt water. During our visit, some parts of the fountain were frozen!
Note: the fountain is turned off on Wednesday mornings for cleaning.
Climb Basler Münster
As this was a surprise trip for me, I didnt do as thorough research as I normally would, and I missed this activity!
We saw the Münster from the river and walked through the beautiful courtyard in front of it, but I didnt know you could also climb the tower. think the views from here would be great. Book tickets here.
THE TINGULEY FOUNTAIN | BASEL MÜNSTER
Find the Smallest Museum in Basel
Officially named the HoosesaggMuseeum, you’ll find this museum in a door window located on Imbergässlein 31, 4051.
If you’re visiting Basel with kids, they will adore peaking in at the tiny mouse theatre display. There’s even a little step for children to use to see in the window!
The attention to detail in the window is incredible, and even without kids, this was a really lovely thing to see in Basel.
The exhibitions do get changed, so see the current exhibition here.
TINY MOUSE THEATRE AT HOOSESAGGMUSEUM.
Enjoy a Rooftop Bar
I love a rooftop bar, while the Basel skyline isn’t as incredible as other cities, the cocktails at Bar Rouge were delicious, and the atmosphere was great!
They also offer cocktail-making classes!
THE VIEW AND A COCKTAIL AT BAR ROUGE
Visit a Museum
There are so many museums in Basel, and visiting is one of the top things to do. You’ll be spoilt for choice. I would recommend picking one or two that you feel would interest you or your family the most.
I read that the Kunstmuseum Basel is one of the best museums in Basel. However, as this is a fine art museum and we are not especially into art, we chose to visit the Spielzeug Welten Museum, which translates to Toys World Museum in English. This is a perfect museum for families visiting Basel, as it is very interactive. Kids (or adults) can use a tablet to scan QR codes and reveal interactive displays.
I know my kids would have loved it in here. Personally, I wouldn’t go again without kids, but it was cold during our visit, and we had a couple of hours to fill!
Entry to the Toy World Museum is CHF 7, and kids under 16 visit for free.
You can see the full list of Basel’s Museums here, and remember to use your 25% off admission Basel Card Voucher.
Note: a lot of the museums are closed on Mondays, so plan your itinerary accordingly.
TOYS WORLD MUSEUM
Walk Through the City Gate
Basel still has three city gates remaining; these mark the entrance to the city. The Spalentor (Gate of Spalen) is the most impressive and makes the perfect photo spot in Basel.
THE SPALENTOR CITY GATE
Take a Day Trip
Basel is a small city; you can see most of the main attractions in one or two days. If you have extra time in Basel, there are lots of options for day trips to other great places.
We took a day trip to Colmar in the Alsace region of Northern France. This was a very easy 40-minute train trip. It was a highlight of our trip, and I would highly recommend it (especially at Christmas). I’ve written a detailed guide about taking the train from Basel to Colmar here, and you can also see my full Colmar guide here.
As I mentioned, Basel borders with France and Germany, so there are also other day trip options available, including: Lucerne, Bern or Rhine Falls in Switzerland. Freiburg im Breisgau in Germany or Strasbourg in France.
READ MORE: Taking the train from Basel to Colmar
A DAY TRIP TO COLMAR, FRANCE
Where to Eat in Basel
I’m not the biggest foodie, but I do like to include places we particularly enjoyed in my travel guides. I already wrote about our boat tour on the Rhine, which included a delicious meal and fondue; this was an activity as well as a great food option.
Some other great places include:
Restaurant Fiorentina Basel
If you like Italian food, this restaurant is great. The pizzas were delicious. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a table with a view of the river Rhine, see their menu here.
Water from the Free Fountains
Switzerland is not the most budget-friendly destination, so take advantage of the free drinking water fountains that you will see all over Basel. There are over 300 to spot, so finding one should be easy!
PIZZA AT RESTAURANT FIORENTINA | FREE DRINKING WATER FOUNTAINS IN BASEL
Try Basler Läckerli
It’s always nice to try the local foods. Basler Läckerli is a sweet treat that is traditionally made in Basel. It is a type of biscuit made from honey, nuts, citrus peel, and spices. You will likely come across Basler Läckerli in multiple places in Basel, but the original maker is a shop called Läckerli Huus. They have multiple stores across Basel, and their products are also available in supermarkets.
You can also do a bakery tour to see it being made.
Cake at Confiserie Bachmann
Confiserie Bachmann is a family-run café, bakery and confectionery retailer with multiple locations in Basel. They sell a range of sandwiches, pastries, chocolates and cakes, as well as drinks, to eat in or take away.
They were really good, and the drinks came with a complimentary little square of Basler Läckerli.
CONFISERIE BACHMANN
Holy Cow!
If you’re looking for a quick, family-friendly restaurant, Holy Cow! Is a good option. We went here before heading back to the airport. The food was good, and they had a big selection of vegetarian burgers. See their full menu here.
They also have a kids’ menu and an area at the back with toddler busy boards on the wall, so it is definitely family-friendly.
Map of the Best Things to Do in Basel
On the map below, I have pinned the locations of all the things I have talked about above. Just click the top right corner to open it in Google Maps.
FAQ’s About Basel, Switzerland
Definitely. Basel offers a mix of history, art, and culture, from medieval architecture to world-class museums. Whether you’re visiting as a couple or with children, the city has plenty to offer for a short city break or longer stay.
Absolutely. Basel’s compact Old Town and well-planned streets make it easy to explore on foot. Wide pavements and pedestrian-friendly areas also make walking convenient for families with strollers.
Yes, Basel is very family-friendly. Many museums, parks, and riverside areas are suitable for children, and the city’s public transport is stroller-friendly. While some historic streets are cobblestoned, most main attractions are easy to navigate with little ones.
A 2 day stay is ideal to see Basel’s main highlights, including the Old Town, the Rhine promenade, and museums. Families may want an extra day to explore at a relaxed pace or visit nearby attractions suitable for children. You may also want to include an extra day for a day trip.
Thank you for reading our guideon the best things to do and see in Basel, Switzerland. We hope you have an amazing time there!
Happy Exploring,
