This site contains product affiliate links. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links (at no additional cost to you).Basel is the third biggest city of Switzerland. It is laying on the river Rhine at the border with France and Germany. It has a size of almost 24 km2 and is home to 173.000 inhabitants. Basel is a cultural and art hub. It represents one of the greatest art selections of Switzerland.
A big part of the city’s economy is the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. The headquarters of two big world renown life science companies are based in Basel.
Basel is a city and canton at the same time. Switzerland is divided into 26 cantons, you can compare them to states. Every canton has their own parliament, they make their own laws and have their own regulations.
Atmosphere of the city
Basel seems like a small city with well functioning infrastructure. It is by far one of the greenest cities I’ve been to. The parks and greenery in the city are astonishing. The atmosphere is calm and relaxed.
Even going home at 1 am after a blast on the dance floor there is nothing to worry about. Basel is safe and has very low crime rates. Soak up the relaxed atmosphere in the cafes along the Rhine promenade or in any of the parks.
What Basel stands for
Basel is a city that holds on to its traditions and is still open to new innovations. You can see that by the architecture of the city. For instance at St. Alban Tal you can discover traditional houses of Switzerland with the tall new office buildings in the backdrop.
Around 40 % of the city are foreigners and while attending a meet up and talking to foreigners I realised there is no big homogeneous ethnic group. Or as the girl from Uzbekistan put it, she just blends in. That’s what you can also see/hear while walking through the city. Apart from a mix of locals and foreigners you can also hear Italian, French, Spanish and many other languages.
Good to know – all you need to know before visiting Basel
Discounts with the Basel card
The first think you should know about Basel is about the Basel Card. You can get the Basel card at your place of accommodation. Even at a registered Airbnb (ask your host beforehand). With the Basel card you can use the public transportation for free and half price for museum admissions and city tours.
With the Basel card you can even rent a e-bicycle for only 20 Swiss francs. At the main train station is a bicycle rental in the basement or bicycle garage. Unfortunately this discount is not for other bicycles, just e-bikes because they are so much more sustainable (yes I’m being sarcastic here).
Drinking water and cooling off in summer
You can find drinking water throughout the city. There are 360 fountains scattered all around the city. Only three don’t have drinking water but then it is mentioned with the sign “Kein Trinkwasser”. So you don’t need to worry about always carrying a full drinking bottle with you because you can fill it up everywhere.
In summer these fountains are swimming fountains. You can see children playing in them, cooling off from the summer heat. In the evening the adults enjoy a beer in the fountains.
Also important to mention is that the fountains get cleaned weekly.
Public toilets are free
Strolling around a city it is always good to know where the next toilet is. In Basel public toilets are all over the old town, you can search for them on google maps or keep your eyes open. The public toilets are free to use. Additionally, you can even use the toilets for free at bars, restaurants or cafés where you can see the sign “Nette Toilette”. And there is even an app that shows you the free toilets.
Paying with Euros
Switzerland is in the middle of Europe not using the Euro as currency, this might be tricky or annoying as you need to exchange money. But actually don’t need to. You can pay with Euros throughout Basel, this is really good to know before you come to Basel. You can still pay with Euros and you will get your chance in Swiss Francs. At most places in Basel you can pay anyways with your card. This makes money management so much easier.
Museums in Basel
If you are planning to visit Museums in Basel then you should know that many museums have free admission on the first Sunday of the month. The admission at the Basel Historical Museum is valid for 7 days and is also valid for the Haus zum Kirschgarten and the Music Museum.
Other museums that should be on your list are the Fondation Beyeler, an art museum just outside of Basel that’s even a favorite of the locals. The Paper Mill Museum is an interactive museum where you can learn all about the craft of papermaking and writing.
Be aware of the roaming prices in Basel
Since Switzerland is not part of the European Union and nor the European Economic Area, roaming is expensive! If you are from outside of Europe and do Europe trip, check if Switzerland is included in your plan. If you are from Europe, take care! Using mobile data or making a phone call can get very expensive. Therefore, it is important to research your options before visiting Basel.
A good option is to use an eSimCard. Recommendable the Saily eSimcard. They have pretty good deals. With the promo code SPECIAL5 you get 5% discount. But first you need to check if your device is eSimCard compatible. Then you need to download the Saily app. The setup is pretty simple. You can even deactivate your primary sim card in order to not accidentally use the wrong mobile data.
Basel for bargain hunters
Switzerland is expensive, but there are a few ideas of how you can save money on your trip to Basel. For accommodation you can check out various facebook groups for hosts, couchsurfing or bewelcome. Another option is to book an apartment with a kitchen in it so you can save money on eating out. When it comes to food you should download the app Too Good To Go. There many supermarkets, hotels or restaurants publish their dishes/foods that otherwise get thrown away, for a much cheaper price.
And since Basel is right on the border between France and Germany, you can go grocery shopping across the border. In Weil am Rhein you can find a big shopping mall for instance.
Sundays in Basel – that’s what you should know
If it is your first time in Europe you should know that on Sundays and on public holidays all shops and supermarkets are closed in Switzerland. Just like their neighbouring countries, Austria, France and Germany. Sundays are the days that are much calmer. With the closing of many shops the inner city seems a bit empty. However, restaurants and bars are open. And you can still enjoy a cup of coffee in the city center of Basel.
Best souvenirs from Basel
Toblerone and the Swiss pocket knife might be one of the most famous souvenirs of Switzerland. But Basel is famous for its Leckerly. That’s a candy with grounded nuts, spices and honey. It does taste like gingerbread.
If you are looking for any other authentic Basel souvenirs you should check out the shops at the Spalenberg. There you will find small traditional craft shops, including the shops of Basel’s famous Leckerly.
Seasonal travels to Basel – what to expect
Spring in Basel
Spring in Basel is amazingly beautiful. Everything is blooming, the fresh green of the trees and it is not that hot yet. Spring in Basel offers a variety of activities even if the weather is rainy. You can visit one of the 40 Museums, go check out the Greenhouse in the Botanic Garden, or take a Basel city tour with the bus.
Summer in Basel
In summer, there are few places to cool off in Basel. There is the famous Rhine swimming, which is basically floating in the current of the river. You pack your clothes, wallet and phone in a so-callled “Wickelfisch”, a water resistant bag and step into the river to get drifted away by the current. You should only participate if you are an experienced swimmer, as there are also boats to navigate and you will need to pass under bridges.
If you aren’t a good swimmer don’t worry Basel has something else for you. The fountains scattered around Base are also for swimming. So you can enjoy a warm summer evening with a beverage while sitting in a fountain in Basel. This is very unique, because in most of the cities in Europe it is frowned upon to go into the fountains.
Winter in Basel
Winter in Basely is just as lovely, with the Christmas Markets throughout the city in December. As well as the festive decoration. The Christmas Markets open at the end of November and close on the 23rd of December.
Celebrate the New Year in Basel with something special. On Freier Strasse is the Trident Fountain, and on January 1st at 11 am, wine flows from it. A crowd of people will gather to toast the New Year. How great is that?
In February there is a big event in Basel, the Carnival in Basel. The so-called Fasnacht is on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage and is celebrated for three days. It begins on the Monday after Ash Wednesday at 4 a.m., when the whole city turns off its lights and costumed bagpipers and drummers parade through the streets with illuminated lanterns. From music to costumed groups, the Basel Carnival is a mega event of the year.
I hope this guide has given you the most important insights for your visit to Basel. And has prepared you for your trip to Basel. Let me know in the comments which tip was most helpful.
The author of the blog
Lisi is an adventurous, mostly solo traveler from Austria. She likes to travel slowly, discover underrated countries/regions, and of course, learn about cultures. She has been traveling the world and creating travel content since 2016. With a degree in tourism management and a passion for travel and cultures, she wants to tell stories that inspire her readers and help them travel more consciously.
