When planning our first visit to Basel, we were struck by the lack of information on this beautiful medieval city. Most of the travel guidebooks on Switzerland either gloss over the city or omit it all together. We learned quickly that Basel is filled with incredible activities for all ages. In fact, Basel placed number 4 on Conde Nast Travelers 2018 Readers Choice Awards Top 20 Small Cities list. It was actually really hard for us to narrow down the wonderful sights and activities to our top 25 things to do in Basel.
The beautiful medieval city of Basel is filled with
sights and activities for all ages including adults, toddlers, children and
teens. We explored Basel for five weeks with our three children when they were
5, 7 and 10 and again for three weeks two years later. Aside from being a
beautiful city and a photographer’s paradise, the unique sights and activities
for couples and families are so varied that you’ll never be bored. Furthermore,
many on our list are free things to do in Basel (or only costing a few Swiss
francs)!
We hope our experiences will help you plan your visit, whether it’s a day trip from Zurich or Lucerne, a few days after or before a river cruise or an extended multi-week vacation in Basel.
Even if you only get to experience a few of our favourite things to do in Basel, you’ll have an amazing visit to this beautiful city. Enjoy!
Our
Favourite 25 Things to Do in Basel (with or without kids!)
Note: Because there are so many wonderful free things to do in Basel, we’ve decided to divide our list into two for those that are looking for fun and interesting things to do with little or no cost.
16 Fantastic Free Things to Do in Basel (or almost free)
Explore
Basel Old Town (Alstadt)
Basel Old Town is found on both the Grossbasel and Kleinbasel side of the Rhine River, joined by the Mittlere Brücke. The Old Town includes many locations on our list of top things to do in Basel (you can check them out below) but it really needs to hold its own position as one of the best places to visit.. If you have only one day in this beautiful city, this is where you need to explore.
Old Town Basel is a remarkably beautiful area that is
prime for walking. An easy walk will
allow you to enjoy the architecture of Basel Münster, the colours of City Hall
in Marktplatz, and other buildings dating back to the 15th century.
You’ll be able to experience the intricacy of Basel’s fountains, the age-old
beauty of the Rhine itself with places in summer to sit and watch the boats,
faeri and swimmers floating in the river current. You can even stop along the
way and have some lackerli, a pretzel from a street vendor or a taste of Swiss
cheese from market square.
Walk
along the Rhine and Mittlere Brücke
Exploring Basel Old Town (which includes each side of
the Rhine) will involve walking across one of Basel’s wonderful bridges. That
said, walking the Mittlere Brücke itself and exploring the boardwalk along the
Rhine is so special that it is definitely one of the best free things to do in
Basel.
The Mittlere Brücke, or Middle Bridge, is the main
bridge crossing from Grossbasel to Kleinbasel, or vice versa. It is actually
one of the oldest crossings of the Rhine River. The bridge is not fully pedestrian
but does have a wonderful walkway on each side.
In the center of the Mittlere Brücke, is a copy of the Käppelijoch (old bridge chapel) where prisoners were sent to die in the Middle Ages. Despite its dark history, it’s such a unique and pretty sight today.
From the Käppelijoch there is a beautiful view of the Rhine and Basel Münster.
On the Kleinbasel side of the Mittlere Brücke are stairs that lead down to the Rhine itself. On each side of the bridge is a wonderful board walk that leads to restaurants, snack bars and kiosks as well as unique Basel tidbits.
You can sit on extended stairs or park benches and watch swimmers in the Rhine or you can check out the steel braille diorama of Grossbasel located on the Kleinbasel side, directly across the Rhine from the Basel Münster.
In summer there is also a floating stage holding concerts and events.
If you are looking to meet those living in Basel, the edges of the Rhine is the place to go!
Take
a Rheinfahre (Rhine ferry)
A fahri is a small open top boat with no motor. It is
hooked to a rope across the Rhine River that connects Grossbasel and Kleinbasel
and uses the river current to cross. The captain brings the fahri from one side
of the river to the other and back again. And they even operate in the winter!
There are actually four ferries that cross the Rhine. The easiest accessible for visitors is the Münster-fahri which is located in Basel Old Town.
If you travel from Kleinbasel to Grossbasel which we did, the landing point is just below the Münster. If you can handle the stairs leading up, it’s a wonderful way to arrive at this majestic building. If not, you can always stay on the fahri and head back to the other side! Or walk down the stairs at the Münster and start your fahri ride in that location.
It’s a short trip, only 15 minutes or less, and at 1.60chf each it’s so worth the experience!
Swimming
in the Rhine
First, be warned, you should not do this unless you
are a very strong swimmer. The currents are strong and there are no lifeguards.
Basel tourism provides a list
of safety precautions and map that everyone considering a swim
should follow. That said, Basel tourism also has posted a video
and states that this is the #1 summer activity in Basel.
As you walk along the Kleinbasel side of the Rhine, you’ll
see people of all ages just floating down the Rhine, many holding a waterproof
sac called a Wickelfisch
with all their belongings inside so that they don’t have to walk back to the
beginning to get them. These bags also serve as a kind of floatation device if
you put some air in them along with your belongings.
Every year in August Rheinschwimmen (Rhine Swim Day)
takes place. It’s swimming the Rhine under controlled conditions where boat
traffic is stopped and thousands of people swim the Rhine.
We have a friend that lives on the Rhine. When Lucas was 10 years old he was already a strong swimmer and our friend took Lucas for a swim in the Rhine. He stayed close by and we trusted him. Lucas had a wonderful time and to this day, it’s one of his fondest memories of our travels in Switzerland.
If you’re able, swimming in the Rhine is truly one of the most fun things to do in Basel.
Find
the Wonderful Fountains of Basel
Basel is filled with beautiful, unique fountains. Finding and drinking from these fountains is honestly one of our kids favourite things to do in Basel.
The fountains in Basel are always majestic. There are large
stone fountains, smaller green Basilisk fountains, and others. Many also have a
mini-fountain at the bottom for dogs to drink from!
We were told on our first day, that the children could drink from most of the fountains.
Our first day in Basel .. 
and another fountain … 
and another … 
If you can, bring small plastic shot size glasses that you can put in your bag or purse for your kids. It’s just easier.
One of our favourite fountains is actually not potable
(drinkable). This is the Tinguely Fountain. Like other artwork in the Tinguely
museum, this fountain is filled with mechanical, moving objects. You can’t
drink the water but the sight of the fountain itself is an incredible thing to
see in Basel. And its free!
Visit
the World’s Smallest Museum
On the small side streets in Basel Old Town you’ll be amazed at the wonderful sights you’ll see. There are music stores with alp horns in the window, an antique train shop, a Swiss army knife specialty store, a local Christmas store and the Hoosesagg Museum …. the world’s smallest museum!
Keep an eye out because its easy to miss but if you
look closely at one of the doors, you’ll see in the front window a display that
is changed each month. On our first visit there was a miniature re-creation of
the Tour de France!!
Explore
Basel’s Marktplatz
Marktplatz is directly in the center of Basel Old Town. When you arrive the first thing you’ll notice is Basel’s impressive Rathaus (Town Hall). This majestic red building is over 500 years old and was built to commemorate Basel joining the Swiss Confederation.
In summer, Marktplatz is home of the market which is
filled with local vendors selling vegetables, flowers and incredible Swiss
cheeses, sausages, pretzels, chutneys and other amazing goods.
Climb
the Münster
The Basel Münster sits high above the Rhine River in
Grossbasel. It’s red sandstone architecture and coloured roof tiles makes it
truly one of the best places to visit in Basel.
The Münster was once a Catholic Church and became
protestant after the Reformation. The pipe organ and stain glass in the interior
of the Basel Münster are beautiful. While visiting, make sure you don’t miss
the cloister and crypt where the tombs of royalty and prominent citizens of
Basel were buried hundreds of years ago.
The Basel Münster has two façade towers. It originally
had five but all fell during an earthquake in the 1300s. Only the existing two
were rebuilt. You can climb on of the tower for a very small fee payable at the
gift shop but it really isn’t for the feint of heart! The 250 stairs are narrow
and winding and the upper areas are quite exposed. Not being a fan of heights,
I came down while the kids and John stayed up to explore.
The square in which the Münster stands is often a
place of concerts and other events. When we visited, Basel had a movie night
set up in the square.
Don’t forget to walk around the Münster as the terrace
behind the church is a wonderful place to stop. It has an incredible view of
the Rhine River and Kleinbasel. There was also a gelato cart on the side of the
Münster where you may be able to get a treat.
Try
Läckerli
John visits Basel regularly and never comes home
without a box of läckerli.
Läckerli is a sweet that was created more than a 100
years ago in Basel and it is incredible! There are many flavours now but the
original is made with almonds, hazelnuts, candy peel and kirsch (cherry brandy). It is absolutely delicious!
You’ll find Läckerli Huus shops throughout Basel Old
Town, on both the GrossBasel side and Kleinbasel side. There’s also a location
at Basel SBB, the train station. The fancy boxes make for wonderful souvenirs
(if you can stop yourself from eating it before you get home!) If you ask, you
can try samples of läckerli for free and then decide if you’d like to buy some
for yourself or others.
Seek
Out these Things that Make Basel Unique:
Seeking out each of these unique Basel sights is truly a fantastic free thing to do for all ages: kids, teens and adults.
- Basilisks
This wonderful legendary green creature is a Basilisk.
It is said to be king of the snakes but is part snake and part bird. (Yet the Basilisk
in Harry Potter sure seemed to be mostly snake to me!)
The Basilisk is the “heraldic” animal of
Basel, Switzerland. Heraldic symbols are usually found on a flag or crest. But
the Basilisk is on neither. It is, however, often seen holding Basel’s crest.
Notice the crest in this Basilisk’s claws? ⠀
There are many fables that link the Basilisk to the city of Basel. It could be related to the similarity of their names. Others have said that Basel means king and the Basilisk is king of the snakes, and thus the link. Whatever the true story may be, the majestic Basilisk can be found throughout the city, on fountains, podiums, etc.
It has been a primary symbol of Basel since the 15th century. There are dozens and dozens throughout Basel … anyone want to go on a Basilisk hunt??⠀This would be a great fun activity when visiting Basel!
- Brazen
Kings
Have a close look at the buildings on each end of the Mittlere
Brücke. If you look closely, you’ll see the faces of two kings, one at the
corner of each building. Have a closer look. What do they have in common?
These are called Lallekonig which is a king with his tongue stuck out. It is said that one represents Grossbasel and the other represents Kleinbasel. In the past, there has been a rivalry between the two sides.
The original, put in place in the 17th century, was in Grossbasel and had a moving tongue and eyes. The present ones on each side of the bridge replaced the original in the early 1900s. The kings stick out their tongues at each other to say that they are the best side of the city. How fun is that!
- A
Cheeky Jester
On our first visit to Basel we found several of these cheeky jesters. I believe I was told they were put in place during Fasnacht, the Basel carnival.
They remained during our summer visit. The kids absolutely loved them! They actually indicate where to find a public toilet!
Find
the Half a House
While the best view is from a window inside the Kunstmuseum, you can also see this unique home across the street from the museum on St. Alban-Graban Street.
I haven’t been able to find out the true story behind this house that appears to be simply chopped in half. If you’ve heard how or why this happened, be sure to let us know!
Find
the Gates to the Original City
There are three magnificent gates to the old medieval
walled city remaining, all dating around the 1400s. The Spalentor is one of the
most beautiful gateways in Switzerland. Basel is also fortunate to have Sankt-Alban-Tor
and Sankt-Johanns-Tor.
While the Spalentor is truly colourful and stunning,
our favourite is the Sankt-Alban-Tor with its wonderful spiked door ready to
drop to protect the city.
Visit
Dreilaendereck
Dreilaendereck, otherwise known as the three corners, is the place where the three countries of Germany, France and Switzerland meet. This is absolutely one of the most unique sights to see in Basel as you certainly can’t experience this anywhere else!
You can take a tram (or a few connecting trams) to get
there for very little cost but, if you’re visiting between April and October,
our favourite way to visit is by boat.
When looking at the Mittlere Brücke from the
Grossbasel side, you’ll find a small kiosk on your left near the river. It is
there that you can purchase tickets for a boat ride along the Rhine River which
includes a view of Dreilaendereck.
Note:
If you’re staying in a Basel hotel, you will receive a BaselCard which includes
a 50% discount for the Rhine cruise. For other perks, check out our Basel City Guide.
Celebrate
Swiss National Day
Swiss National Day takes place on August 1st
but the party is the night before. People have barbeques on the boardwalk on
each side of the Rhine and wait for the incredible fireworks. Others experience the fireworks from the
bridge itself.
It’s a fun atmosphere and amazingly fun way to experience
Swiss National Day! (Note: Canadians
wear red and white on Canada Day and Americans wear red, white and blue on July
4th so we were taken by surprise to be the only ones wearing red on
Swiss National Day! It’s just not one of their traditions.)
9 Amazing Things to do in Basel that Aren’t Free but are Definitely in our Top 25
Explore
the Basler Papiermuseum (Basel Paper Mill Museum)
Don’t be surprised by the outside, the Basel Paper Mill Museum
is huge! We spent four hours there and we didn’t get a chance to do everything.
For our family, it was the best museum in Basel.
On arrival at Basler Papiermuseum, kids learn to make
paper. They are taught and given the opportunity to actually make and press the
paper so that it has a watermark on it. There wasn’t a rush and each child had
a chance.
Making Paper 
Stirring Paper Pulp 
Pressing out the water 
Writing with quill pens 
Creating in the Marbling Workshop 
Finalizing the marbling
As you explore the museum, children are able to make a
wax seal, write with a quill pen, set up and use a printing press, create
artwork in the marbling workshop and so much more. The kids had an absolutely
blast!
Visit
the Basel Zoo
Zolli, as it is known by residents, is a non- profit
zoo in Basel. The Basel Zoo is Switzerland’s oldest and largest zoo and has
been ranked as one of the best 15 zoos in the world.
It has a wonderful breeding program for endangered species and is part of the European Endangered Species Program. For our family, zoos are a love/hate relationship. We enjoy visiting animals that we are otherwise unable to visit but the most important thing is that care is taken with the habitat and treatment of these wonderful animals. We were really impressed with the Basel Zoo and it’s definitely one of the best places to visit in Basel.
Attend
the Basel Tattoo
We’ve attended activities related to the Basel Tattoo
twice and it really is one of our favourite things to do in Basel. The Basel Tattoo takes
place for a week every July.
If you visit the Basel Tattoo with kids, be sure to
visit the day before the first performance. On the tattoo grounds, the
performers hold a kinderday. Dozens of performers attend with their instruments,
military clothing and arms that the children can play, try on and hold. It’s
absolutely one of the best free things to do in Basel if you’re here during the
tattoo.
The Basel Tattoo is the second largest tattoo in the
world and attracts the best military bands and performers from all over. It has
all genres of music from military to classical to rock.
On the last day of the Basel Tattoo, be sure not to
miss the parade which includes all performers and has over 100 000 people along
the parade route. This is a fun activity
for young and old.
Visit
the Tinguely Museum
The Tinguely Museum is one of the most unique museums
we’ve ever visited. Jean Tinguely was born in Switzerland and moved to Basel
when he was a few months old. He was fascinated by machines and how they work
and sound. He is, what they call, a kinetic artist and his works are amazing! The
museum is filled with moving, and many touchable, works of art.
Note: One of the most interesting fountains is Basel,
the Tinguely Fountain, was built in 1977 by Tinguely. A similar, more colourful
version named the Stravinsky Fountain was placed outside Paris’s modern art
museum, Centre Pompidou, in 1983.
See
an FC Basel match
Basel is a huge football town. Supporters for the home
team, FC Basel, are found throughout the city especially on match night.
Numerous trams go to St. Jakob-Park so it’s easy to get
there and tickets are really reasonably priced. If you’re visiting during
football season, this is definitely one of the most fun things to do in Basel.
Remember though, no cameras permitted. We had to rely on John’s cell phone for photos as I had to leave my camera outside at a kiosk for security reasons.
Explore
the Basel Natural History Museum
We’ve visited Natural History Museums in many cities,
including Canada’s Natural History Museum here at home. While the Basel Natural
History Museum (or Naturhistorisches Museum Basel) is a bit smaller, it
absolutely makes our list as one of the best places to visit in Basel.
There are reconstructed dinosaur skeletons as well as a 3D, life-sized model of some dinosaurs. There is also a Mammoth and Saber-toothed Tiger exhibit, an exhibit of birds, mammals and minerals of Switzerland and a live exhibit of bees, ants and other insect.
You’ll also find several interactive exhibits throughout the museum that children of all ages will love.
Kunstmuseum
Basel (Basel Fine Art Museum)
Throughout three different buildings, Basel’s
Kunstmuseum has a collection dating from the early 15th century to
the present. The Kunstmuseum is the oldest publicly accessible art collection
in the world.
Along with the works of Swiss artists, the Kunstmuseum
carries the works of Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh and Picasso as well as Dutch and
Flemish art including that of Reubens and Rembrandt.
Visit
a Toy Museum – Basel Has Two!
- Visit
the Spielzeug Welten Museum (Toy Museum)
The Basel Toy Museum
is the largest museum of its kind in Europe and is located in Basel Old Town.
This is a wonderful little museum that has toys
grouped in a playful way and by theme. You’ll find collections of teddy bears,
carrousels, dolls and doll houses, miniatures, and so much more.
This museum is not just for kids. People of all ages
enjoy the regular collection and varying exhibts.
- Visit
the Spielzeugmuseum Riehen (Toy Museum in Riehen)
Despite having a similar name, the Toy Museum
in Riehen is very different than the Basel Toy Museum. Just a short
bus ride away on the Kleinbasel side in the suburb of Riehen you’ll find a
magnificent toy museum of European toys.
Throughout there are board games, table games, dolls,
a recreated toy store from the last century, toys from the 60s-90s and so much
more. There are play stations spread through the museum where children can try
out some of the toys that their parents and grandparents played with.
When we visited there was a special exhibition of old
video games which we and the kids just loved! There are even games outside in
the courtyard.
Take
Part in Fasnacht
If your visit is flexible, it’s a great idea to plan
it around Basel Fasnacht. This is the largest winter carnival in Switzerland
and has been added to UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list. It’s truly
unique and one of the best things to do in Basel.
The festival starts at 4am, in the dark, the Monday after
Ash Wednesday when the city turns off all the lights and the city center is filled
with lighted lanterns hand painted with 200 different themes. Over the next 72
hours, the city is alive with festivities including parades and a children’s
carnival.
Our family still hasn’t visited in winter but John has
been there for business during Fasnacht and we have several friends who
experience it every year. I can’t wait to bring the kids to experience it.
Upcoming Information from Sunsets and Roller Coasters about Basel and Beyond
With all these wonderful things to see and do in
Basel, it’s no wonder that Basel is one of our favourite cities in the world.
That said, if you’re visiting, it would be a shame to miss all the wonderful
other places and sights that Switzerland has to offer.
Over the next several weeks we’ll be working on a bunch of new posts about Switzerland.
Don’t miss our upcoming posts!! I’ll post a link once they’re published.
- Basel City Guide
- Day Trips from Basel and Lucerne (coming soon)
- One Day in Lucerne Switzerland
- A Fantastic Day at Mount Pilatus
- A Day in Rheinfall, Schaffhausen and Stein am Rhein
- Six Day Itinerary in the Mountains and Lakes of Switzerland (coming soon)
- Three Days in Zermatt, Switzerland: Home of the Matterhorn (coming soon)
- Two Days exploring in and around Gruyere, Switzerland: Cheese and Chocolate, oh my! (coming soon)
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22 Comments
Melody Pittman · January 26, 2019 at 2:58 pm
Perfect timing. I’m heading back to Basel in April. I loved exploring Old Town and all of the fountains you mentioned, as well as taking the cool public transportation. I’m bookmarking this post for more things to do when I go back.
Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions · January 25, 2019 at 12:17 am
The Basel Münster looks so beautiful! Love your pictures from a distance and the gargoyle up close. That’s fascinating that there were originally 5 towers, and I totally know what you mean about going up being for the faint of heart: I’ve toured churches where the steps to go up are more like ladders! Basel looks like a fascinating place with so much to do!
Zenja | Bearly Here · January 24, 2019 at 7:47 pm
Ooooh, now I’m super sad I didn’t get a chance to stop there! It looks like a lovely city. I’ve only been to the airport though. Thanks for such a nice list of ideas!
Laura Pedlar · January 24, 2019 at 3:02 pm
There is clearly plenty to see in Basel and you’d need plenty of time to see everything. I liked the quirky things around the town that you can spot and I’ve never heard of läckerli before, but would like to try some. The smallest museum looked cool and I liked the idea of the display changing on a monthly basis.
Yukti Agrawal · January 24, 2019 at 2:25 pm
Basel is a lovely Swiss city and great to know that there are many things to do with kids and some are free too. Swimming in the Rhine, walking along Old Town and drinking fountain waters must be fun things to do here.
Erica · January 23, 2019 at 4:55 pm
What a gorgeous place! I´d love to hop on a Rheinfahre or take a dip in the Rhine, not to mention check out that gorgeous architecture. The Basel Münster looks stunning!
The Travel Bunny · January 23, 2019 at 8:41 am
Basel reminds me of Prague. And I loved Prague so I think I should plan a visit here sometime soon! 🙂 Would have loved to see the Tinguely Fountain in action.
Alison · January 22, 2019 at 10:57 pm
What a fantastic list. I had no idea about the connection between the Basilisk and the city of Basel. I love all the activities centred around the Rhine. I think I would start there! Pinned for future use!
Mohana and Aninda · January 22, 2019 at 1:33 pm
There’s quite a lot to do in Basel! (Plus it’s Federer’s hometown 🙂 ) Those sunflower shaped pieces of bread are the cutest. A walk around the town would be lovely.
Punita Malhotra · January 22, 2019 at 9:10 am
Basel has so much on offer! And we missed this lovely city last time. The architecture has so much resemblance to what one finds in Germany. I would surely go in search of the original gates.
Laureen Lund · January 20, 2019 at 11:24 am
We have yet to make it to Basel and after reading this I sure want to. Thanks for all the great tips!
Nancy | MapandFamily · January 20, 2019 at 10:54 am
Basel looks and sounds lovely, full of history and definitely somewhere to add to the list. I’d love to go there during the winter carnival!
Susanne · January 20, 2019 at 4:17 am
Switzerland is a great destination. As a child I spent countless skiing holidays in the Swiss Engadine and loved it. Unfortunately we never went to Basel. Your tips are great and I should definitely make up for the visit.
Susanne
Alison · January 20, 2019 at 3:07 am
Okay, I have to visit Basel now! 😉 I think for people in Switzerland, Basel equals art (and banks and pharmaceutical companies!), there’s a big art fair each year and the Christmas markets are possibly the best in Switzerland.
Roxanna · January 20, 2019 at 2:15 am
We had one day left and had to make a choice between Basel, and Colmar along with Natzweiler-Struthof. I ended up opting to go into France to see the concentration camp. I don’t regret my decision, but ever since I have thought, why couldn’t I find a way to make one more day. Basel looks so lovely, and I learned several things I did not know from your article. Pinning it so I can refer back when I get another trip to the area!
sue davies · January 19, 2019 at 10:58 pm
Never thought about swimming in the Rhine. Great list of things to do in Basel.
Carol Colborn · January 19, 2019 at 7:20 pm
16 free wonderful things! Wish you had a picture of lackerli. And wish I had known about the Three corners!
Mayi · January 19, 2019 at 2:33 pm
Basel seems to be a lovely town. The kids seem to have had lots of fun immersing themselves in the local culture, being creative and hunting down all the water fountains! What a nice trip! Thanks for sharing
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