For a great finale to the journey, our train ride ends in beautiful Basel. Literally on the corner of France, Germany and Switzerland, this cosmopolitan, Swiss city (and the hometown of Roger Federer) is a great base as both France and Germany are just 10 minutes away and it’s only three hours by train to Paris. Wondering what to do in Basel? Read on.
*Budget Tip*
While Switzerland is notoriously expensive, forward-thinking Basel helps you out with transport with their Mobility Ticket. With any stay in a hotel (or even a hostel) you receive a free ticket to ride on the public transport system during your entire stay. Love that.
Basel Overview
The heart of Basel is one of the best-preserved old towns in Europe with charming medieval houses and squares. At the same time, the city is a showcase for modern design with several Pritzker-Prize winning architects such as Herzog & de Meuron and Renzo Piano.
What to do in Basel
Don’t miss the daily food market at the Marktplatz overlooked by colorful City Hall. Just up the street, duck into Café Confiserie Schiesser to sample some decadent Swiss chocolates and then head upstairs for a coffee break and old-world café atmosphere.
Drool over all the gourmet food at Globus, Switzerland’s famous upscale department store. Later on indulge in a meal in the garden at Kunstshalle Restaurant just beneath the art museum.
For more food ideas check out my post on where to eat in Basel.
For a great view of the city, head uphill to the Cathedral. After admiring the Gothic church, head behind it to the Pfalz, the terrace with one of the best vistas over of the Rhine and just take it all in.
My friend Maurits (who I’d met at a hostel in Berlin years ago and then got to see again more recently in Zurich) had raved to me about Basel. This city has a couple very unique attributes, neither of which I would get to experience here in October, but would love to come back for.
Rhine Swimming
During the summer months, you will see heaps of locals swimming in the river. But not just swimming, many are drifting downstream from work to home or a bar and carry a “fish” bag with them—a waterproof satchel for their work stuff and clothes. I LOVE this and so want to go back for a dip. Each summer there is one official Rhine swim day as well. Whether young or old or somewhere in between, thousands brave the waves and join the big swim.
Basel Carnival
Basel’s famous carnival, Fasnacht, is the largest in Switzerland, lasting exactly three days, from 4:00a.m. Monday morning to 4:00 a.m. on Thursday.
At 4:00am on the first day, the city turns of all street lights in the Old Town and only the lanterns of the marchers are seen. Thousands of participants dress up in elaborate, colorful costumes and masks and remain incognito the entire time. There are two huge parades in which the participants throw candy and confetti bombs (all solid colors so if you get doused with mixed, you know it was on the ground!) while marching around playing the drums and the piccolo.
Some restaurants and bars in the old town stay open the entire time, all day and all night for the three days. It sounds like quite the spectacle with a mixture of haunting mystique, fascinating medieval tradition and jovial celebration. Another reason to go back!
Don’t miss Where to Eat in Basel!
Disclosure: I was a guest of Eurail Group, KLM, and Basel Tourism, as always all writing and opinions are my own.
Video: The Upper Rhine Valley in Under a Minute
Wow love the city already. Drifting down the river what a great idea and way to have unwind.
It’s cool there. Have you ever been? I hope to go back to be able to take a dip in the river on a hot day!
No , I haven’t been yet. Definitely would like to in the warmer months.
I definitely want to get to Basel on my next trip to Switzerland! 😀 It looks so lovely.
You should definitely check out Basel, Chanel. It’s a fun place!
The place looks cool! I hope I can go there someday and visit the places you’ve mention here.
been there many times .. like it very much. Rot Haus, the bridge, walk around clarastrasse (during the week end) and even Kantonspital .. not too good but I ever (must) stayed there for 22 days, sometime in 1991
ciao ..
Cool to hear Samali!
Basel has a high density of world class museums and is the host of Art Basel, the word’s biggest art fair (usually in June). If you’re into arts, Basel has to offer you a lot. More information on http://www.museenbasel.ch/en/ and https://www.artbasel.com/en/Basel
Thanks Leo. I am glad you mentioned Art Basel too!
Hey
As a citizen of Basel I have to say this is a great review of my town.
Cheers from Basel
Rod
Grützi Rod! This is so nice to hear coming from a local!
Hmmmmmmmm that’s why my bro’s wife is not leaving this place…..
What does she like about it?
Just FUN, FUN and only FUN… even though she is married and her husband is in USA…
Switzerland is like a heaven on earth.. Every One is interested to travel switzerland in lifetime. It will always great to visit heritage and Scenic Nature Beauty….
I going to basel for the first time next month. I’m so excited. I really glad I ran across your article. It’s very helpful. Thanks so much.
Oh, thanks Nene! Enjoy it! It’s a fun city.
Cheers Lisa for this profound report on my hometown, a city too often standing behind Lucerne or Zurich when it comes to tourism. Did you know that Basel was once chosen as one of Europe’s secret capitals by world renowned Time Magazine? And frankly I couldn’t name any other town in the world that offers that much related to its relatively small population .
Hi Phil! So glad you liked the post. Basel was great! I loved all the unique stuff going on there. I really want to come back and swim in the river and see the Carnival. That must be amazing.
I enjoyed my walks in Basel, although very expensive the food was just not quite what I wanted as far as taste for my money. I will return, would love to see the festival as well as drift in the river.