Basel is the third largest city in Switzerland. Right at the border to France and Germany it is a city with lots of languages and history. After Swiss German, English is the most spoken language in the city.
Basel offers a variety of activities. It is a real art hub. But no worries if you aren’t into art. There are plenty of other things that you can learn and discover about Basel.
Take a city tour in Basel
Ask the locals
There are various options for going on a city tour in Basel. The card game “Locals Know It Best” is a really great way not only to discover the city from a locals view but also to learn more about the locals in Basel. You can get the card game at the tourist office for 5 CHF. Then you are off on the streets of Basel, step out of your comfort zone and talk to strangers. You get the cards with the categorie morning, afternoon, .. together the local has to draw a card and tell you all about the question that’s on the card.
You receive first hand local recommendations for fun activities in Basel.
Take a guided tour
The tourist information offers varieties of tourist tours. From bicycle tours, art tours with augmented reality, treasure hunt for kids to old city tours.
The old city tour takes you through the old town of Basel. In the 2 hours you will learn a lot about the fascinating history of the city including also parts of the present. That’s why this tour should be on your Basel itinerary. The tour starts at the Tinguely fountain and takes you through the old town of Basel. That includes the Barfüssersquare, the city hall, the Münster, the shopping street Freie Street, the Spalenberg with the walk of fame of Basel. It covers Basel’s old town and the most famous sights.
A self guided city tour
There are multiple apps that offer city tours. For instance the GPSmycity. You can create your own city tour by the sights on the app. Or you can also just inform yourself about the most famous sights in Basel before you go on a guided tour. The app is great if you want to have independence and decide yourself how long the city tour should take. Of course the downside is that you need your phone for it and you might not be fully present.
Basel and it’s trees
This city tour is also app based and lets you discover the amazing nature of Basel. It’s all about the trees in Basel and fits really well to the cityscape of Basel, because there are 500 tree species. The app is only in German and it names the trees in various places and next to well-known sights as well as the history of the trees.
Even without the app you can discover the flora of the city. Some trees have signs with their species on. If you are into exploring the flora of a city then Basel gives you a great opportunity to do so.
A bicycle tour through Basel
Cycling in Basel is a very common mode of transportation. If you aren’t used to cycling in cities, take it easy, cycle on paths that you feel comfortable on and wear a helmet.
If you want to discover beyond the city of Basel take the small three country cycling path. This takes you through the two neighbouring countries, France and Germany. The 41 long mostly flat cycling route is partially in the city but also takes you out to a beautiful nature setting in France. Along the Canal de Humingue and the Grand Canal d’Alsace you can enjoy the serenity of nature. Definitely a must do in Basel – you don’t have to travel far to discover three countries in one day. 😉
The Concrete Structures Tour is another way to discover Basel by bike. This tour is 14 km long and leads you to seven different concrete structures. In one hour you have the chance to see the architecture of the 1950-1970.
Going out and nightlife in Basel
Basel has definitely a lot to offer, if you just want to go for a drink or look for a dance floor. Great spot for an afternoon drink is the Rhine promenade. Right at the river you can enjoy the view of the old town. At the Kaserne Basel you can also enjoy a drink in the sun. Next to the bar is a meadow with plenty of space for a picnic.
Another great way to round off the evening is to enjoy the sunset from a rooftop bar. The Bar Rouge next to the exhibition center is on the 31st floor and offers stunning views over the city! They have a great selection of cocktails, including non-alcoholic. Make sure you use their toilets. 😉
If you are a bigger group make a reservation. It’s for sure a place where you can have good drinks and good time with your friends or even alone.
If you are looking for a rooftop bar with terrasse you can check out the Amber bar. It is on the 4th floor of the Barracks main building. Here you can also get cocktails and some bar snacks.
Around the street Birsig-Parkplatz you find a lot of bars and clubs. The Baltazar Bar, for example, sometimes has DJs, a decent dance floor, and a huge patio.
Visit a museum in Basel
Basel has 40 museums, so there are plenty of activities to do in bad weather. Basel is also called Switzerland’s Cultural Capital. When it comes to art and culture Basel is a must-visit!
The Museum Tinguely is an interactive museum with lots of mechanical art pieces from Jean Tinguely, as well as modern art from other artists.
The Fondation Beyeler is actually just outside the city of Basel, in a suburb called Riehen. You can even cycle there as it is next to a huge park. The museum is a must-see for art lovers visiting Basel and displays art from a variety of artists. The admission is free for young adults under 25 years.
The Basel Paper Mill features everything from making paper to genesis of writing and print. It is an interactive museum. So next to all the information you receive you can put your hands on, whether creating your own paper, writing with a typewriter or quill. You can easily spend the whole afternoon there and even have a bite to eat at the restaurant next door.
At the Basel Historical Museum in the Barfuesserchurch you learn about Basel’s history. You can find displayed artifacts and some items they saved from the catholic church this building once was. But not only late history is featured in the museum, but also recent history of the 20th century. It is a great addition the city tour. If you are deciding between the city tour or the museum, I would recommend the city tour. Unless you want to have in-depth historical information about Basel.
Other museum that might spick interest are the Museum of Cultures, the Art Museum and the Natural History Museum.
Explore Basel’s science side – visit a world-famous pharma headquarters
Important pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have their headquarters in Basel. Such as Novartis, Roche, Lonza, Bayer, Syngenta, Straumann and Moderna. This is the biggest industry in Basel, a big contributor to its economy and of course also attracts foreign employees.
Novartis and Roche are two biggest players. You can visit both of them. The Novartis Campus is in the north of the city. For visiting the Novartis Pavillion, you need to book a ticket online, it includes a time slot and it’s only 5 CHF with the Basel card. Or you can also discover the campus on a private or public tour (always Saturdays).
Roche’s headquarters dominate the city’s landscape. The tall white buildings are not only their office but also the highest office buildings of Switzerland. The guided tours of the office buildings of Roche also take place on Saturdays. The views from the tower are incredible. At the 38th floor you can enjoy a beverage or snack at the Pebbles bar.
As you can see Basel holds lots of activities – either to discover the city or to take in the atmosphere of it. If you are traveling in summer you have additional fun activities to cool off. Like the Rhine swimming or fountain bathing. Yes, these are also things you can do in Basel. But to swim in the river you need to be a good swimmer, to cool off in the fountains you just need to relax, have a cold drink and enjoy the summer atmosphere in Basel. There are some things you need to know before visiting Basel, for instance with the Basel card you can get a lot of discounts.
You can reach Basel easily via train from many cities of Europe. Public transportation in Europe allows you to travel easily in between cities.
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.
