Basel is a real treasure located on the banks of the Rhine at the crossroads of three borders Switzerland, France, and Germany. Basel is the third largest city in Switzerland, after Zurich and Geneva, and could be better known in terms of tourism, which is very surprising. When thinking of Switzerland, most people picture the country’s mountains and other natural landscapes rather than its cities. Basel is undoubtedly worth visiting! It has the charm of a small town and the cultural assets of a big city. Along the Rhine, there is a gorgeous natural setting that is perfect for swimming. There is a lot to see, so plan to spend at least a weekend there if you can.
Places to Visit in Basel
With a total of 40 museums, Basel has the highest density of museums in Switzerland. Every year, in mid-June, it also becomes the world capital of contemporary art, holding Art Basel, the world’s most significant modern and contemporary art fair.
Fondation Beyeler
The Fondation Beyeler is one of the most well-known museums. It has 200 pieces of art by artists like Monet, Cézanne, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Warhol. The museum offers a beautiful harmony between art, architecture, and nature with the garden and the surrounding fields. Created in 1997, it combines more than 320 modern and contemporary artworks. The foundation also offers temporary exhibitions.
Museum Tinguely
World-renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta designed the Tinguely Museum. This iconic Basel museum takes its name from the Swiss artist Jean Tinguely, who grew up in the city. This place dedicated to art was created following the legacy of his works left by his wife, a plastic artist, sculptor, and painter named Niki de Saint-Phalle. Tinguely’s sculptures are worthy of the most eccentric masterpieces and will surely surprise you. Plans, sketches, and modern sculptures come and discover a particular universe out of the ordinary. The most impressive piece in the Tinguely Museum is the work “Utopia,” which real name is “Grosse Méta-Maxi-Maxi-Utopia.” With 140 m2 of floor space, it is a sculpture machine more than 4 meters high that can be climbed using stairs and mechanical walkways. When the mechanism is turned on, it moves an amazing system of wooden wheels and metal parts. This is a great place for kids and adults to visit.
Basel Minster
The Protestant cathedral in Basel is a work of art from the Middle Ages and a good city symbol. It is easily accessible from the Basel CFF station in the city center. The pink sandstone blocks that make up this cathedral, which was built in 1018, make it stand out. Built over a cathedral hill, Basel Cathedral is one of the most popular tourist sites in the city. The patterns on the cathedral’s roof tiles are easily recognizable by their vivid colors. It was built from the 9th to the 13th century with red sandstones from Vosges, France. The church was built in Gothic style after an earthquake in 1356. During this rebuilding, many parts of the church were preserved. The Protestants destroyed the high altar of the cathedral and its many pieces of furniture in 1529. Inside the cathedral is the tomb of the famous theologian Erasmus, a significant figure in European culture.
Places to Stay in Basel City Centrum
There are many hotels you can stay at during your visit to Basel. You can choose the most suitable place for you from the points in the city center or close to the city center. Basel has different options, from ultra-luxurious hotels in the city to ordinary places to spend the night. These are the best places to stay in Basel Switzerland.
Hyperion Hotel Basel🔗
Hyperion Hotel Basel, which has one of the highest buildings in Basel with a height of 105 meters, offers its visitors an unforgettable city view. Located in the city center, the hotel is within walking distance of Basel Messe, the old town, and the Badisch Bahnhof train station. The modern rooms allow you to enjoy the city view while relieving the day’s tiredness. One of the essential advantages of the hotel is that it provides free BaselCard to its visitors. With the BaselCard, you can enter museums and other touristic places in the city with a 50% discount. Hyperion Hotel is an excellent place in Basel where to stay.
Radisson Blu Basel🔗
The Radisson Blu Basel is one of the best options for a quiet and comfortable place to stay in the city center. It is possible to explore the city on foot with its location close to the train station, zoo, and other essential city points. At the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Filini, you can choose from various dishes, from delicious risotto to Italian-cooked pasta. If the weather is nice, the glass window completely covering the restaurant’s façade opens. In this way, you can dine under the lights of the city. The hotel’s indoor pool is open to guests for 24 hours. Radisson Blu Basel is amongst the best place to stay in Basel.
Mövenpick Hotel Basel🔗
Mövenpick Hotel offers a feast for the eyes from its lobby with its minimal and modern design. You can enjoy the luxury and comfort of the hotel, which has stylishly designed rooms. You can enjoy local and seasonal delicacies and taste valuable wines at MP’s Bistro & Bar, located inside the hotel. In the hotel’s other restaurant, PURO, you can choose unique dishes from modern Latin American and Asian cuisine. The hotel offers a gourmet experience in both restaurants and alternatives suitable only for your palate. You can explore the important places of the city by taking advantage of the bicycle rental service of the hotel, which is located in the center. Mövenpick Hotel Basel is one of the best luxury hotels in Basel Switzerland.
Places to Visit in Basel for Couples
Basel, in Europe, is not one of the first places that come to mind when it comes to a romantic holiday. Basel may not be as famous as other European cities. But it has many hidden beauties. This does not mean you will not have a beautiful and unforgettable holiday. While exploring the city together, you can relieve the exhaustion of the year at the same time.
Old Town
Basel is also not a city where you have to spend all your time in museums because its historic center is beautiful with alleys and traditional houses full of charm. It almost feels like a village, with the most pedestrianized streets, many fountains, and half-timbered façades. The two historic buildings not to be missed are the town hall, astonishing with its bright red façades and murals. You will find more murals in the Hausgenossen guild house at 34. The Rathaus Basel, a blood-red building richly decorated with murals, was built in the 16th century. It is one of the must-sees in Basel. It hosts the town hall but also the government of the canton. You can also admire the paintings that represent scenes of Renaissance life. They are also colorful; they are lovely to see. Inside its courtyard, you will see the imposing and gilded statue of Lucius Munatius Plancus, former lieutenant of Caesar. If you are considering what area to stay in Basel, Old Town is the best choice.
Rhine River
Life develops around rivers; in Basel, this is also the case! Students, business people, retirees, families, couples, and everyone comes to relax on the banks of the Rhine, the number one symbol of life in Basel. Ending a beautiful sunny day by walking along the banks of the Rhine to enjoy the local atmosphere and soak up a little more of the Basel way of life. Hundreds on the banks of the Rhine swim, listen to music, drink a cocktail at one of the many refreshments, and even have a barbecue in the appropriate spaces made available to the public. You’ll find a friendly atmosphere on the banks of the river. It is a great way to explore daily life in the city.
Marktplatz
Explore some of Switzerland’s iconic architecture while you’re there. You can walk through the many shops and restaurants around. The word “Marktplatz” comes from the German word for “marketplace,” which is an excellent way to describe the heart of Basel. This square is on a long street with many brand stores and jewelry stores. The name “Marktplatz” suggests it is a place to buy fresh produce, and indeed it is a market square. The Pharmacy Museum at the University of Basel is close to the square and is one of the biggest museums in the history of pharmacy.
Best Hotels to Stay in Basel for Couples
You may still be deciding where to stay during a romantic holiday in Basel because there are many hotel options for couples in the city. You can stay in one of the oldest hotels in Europe and have a dream vacation. If you are looking for a romantic place where to stay in Basel Switzerland, these are some of the bests.
Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois🔗
Queen Elizabeth II, Napoleon Bonapart, Empress Michiko of Japan, James Joyce, Pablo Picasso, and Thomas Mann. These names are some of the visitors of Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois. Located in the old town and on the banks of the Rhine, the hotel is one of the oldest in Europe and has been in service since 1681. Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois is a dream destination with its fantastic view, well-thought-out decoration, and classic-style rooms. The Cheval Blanc, located within the hotel, has 19 Gault Millau points and 3 Michelin stars. You can have an unforgettable dinner at the restaurant managed by the world-famous chef Peter Knogl. Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois where is the best place to stay in Basel. Although the hotel is not one of the best hotels Basel, it is among the top-notch places to stay in the whole of Europe.
Sorell Hotel Merian🔗
Sorell Hotel Merian, one of the hotels on the banks of the Rhine river, is located right next to the Middle Bridge. The hotel is within walking distance of many places such as Tinguely Museum, Spalentor, and Basel Cathedral, and the city center, offers an unforgettable experience. You can have a wonderful dinner at the luxury restaurant on the hotel’s terrace with views of the Rhine river and Basel. Moreover, Sorell Hotel Merian has one of Basel’s most famous fish restaurants. Sorell Hotel Merian is one of the best places to stay in Basel for couples.
Hotel Marthof Basel🔗
Hotel Marthof Basel is one of the eye-catching hotels with its excellent exterior. The four-star hotel is located right next to the old town part of the city, close to many major tourist attractions. Enjoy a romantic dinner at the hotel’s terrace restaurant with a stunning view of the Basel cathedral. The spa center at Hotel Marthof Basel is a hidden paradise for couples who want to renew while discovering a new city. The old town is the best district to stay in Basel, and Hotel Marthof Basel has a perfect location.
Places to Visit in Basel with Kids
Spending time with children on vacation is essential but can also be problematic. For this reason, add places that may interest them on vacation. In Basel, you can find places where you can’t understand how time passes with children and have fun there.
Zoologischer Garten
Only 5 minutes by train from the city center and the train station, Basel Zoo is the largest and oldest in Switzerland, opening in 1874. It is an ideal place to visit if you are traveling with kids. Many species, from the best known to the rarest, are represented, allowing you to discover all the secrets of the animals. Kids can approach some of the animals and touch them, and from the age of 8, they can participate in the work of the farm. A fun and entertaining break during your stay in Switzerland that will delight the little ones. There are no less than 600 different species from all continents! Elephants, tigers, giraffes, hippos… You won’t be disappointed! There are even thematic exhibitions to understand, for example, the importance of preserving monkeys. The zoo is more than 13 hectares, so you’ll need plenty of time and a good pair of walking shoes. Zoo Basel is among the most visited places in Switzerland.
Toy Worlds Museum Basel
Toy Worlds Museum Basel is the largest museum of its kind in Europe. With a collection of over 6,000 toys, including dolls, stuffed animals, dollhouses, model stores, and carousels, Toy Worlds Museum Basel is an excellent place for kids, but not just kids. Dollhouses are unique not only because they are old but also because they are made by artists who make tiny rooms and shops on commission. A section about the Neapolitan folk art of nativity scenes shows how people lived in early Naples and had characters dressed in very detailed clothes. The museum’s collection of 2,500 teddy bears is considered the largest in the world. Six windows that face the street are used to change displays of the collections based on the season, other themes, or special exhibitions that are going on at the time. Temporary exhibitions are also organized from time to time.
Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel
This world-class museum at the University of Basel is all about the history of medicine. It is housed in a historic building. The artifacts inside are almost overwhelming, and it features floor-to-ceiling ceramic vessels. There are mortars, first-aid kits, lab instruments, whole pharmacy interiors with cabinets and strange devices for practicing alchemy, and the remains of old medicines that have been kept. But the books by doctors Johannes de Cuba and Leonhart Fuchs from the 1500s and 1600s may be the most interesting. At the beginning of the 16th century, there was a printing press here that was partly owned by Johann Froben, a close friend of Erasmus who often visited.
Places to Stay in Basel with Kids
In order to enjoy the holiday with children in Basel, it is necessary to be careful about the hotel to stay in and think about the places to go. Generally, hotels with large rooms and services for children are among the ideal choices in this regard. If you are thinking about where should I stay in Basel with children, these are the best hotels you can choose. Especially if you are considering finding a place where to stay in Basel for one night, the hotel choice becomes extremely important.
Hotel Basel – Da wohnen, wo Basel Lebt🔗
Hotel Basel – Da wohnen, wo Basel Lebt is one of the best places to stay in Basel with kids. With its vast, well-lit rooms and central location, Hotel Basel is one of the ideal places to stay with children. In the hotel’s famous restaurant, meals that may attract children’s attention are carefully prepared.
Pullman Basel Europe🔗
Another of the best hotels to stay with children is Pullman Basel Europe. You can have fun with the children in the lush interior garden of the hotel and spend quality time together. Pullman Basel Europe is located in the best area to stay in Basel Switzerland. You and the kids can visit the essential spots of the city after a couple of minutes walk. You can have fun with your children in the soundproofed rooms of the hotel.
Essential by Dorint Basel City🔗
Located in the triangle formed by the city’s cultural, modern, and traditional faces, Essential by Dorint Basel City is one of the most suitable hotels for those who want to explore the city with children. The hotel’s famous restaurant, Côté Jardin, offers the most critical tastes of Swiss cuisine. The hotel’s lush garden is one of the ideal places to spend time with children. You can spend an unforgettable holiday and get to know a new culture closely at the hotel. If you are considering where to stay in Basel, you should give a chance to the Essential by Dorint Basel City.