Basel Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Basel showing a city and a river or creek
Basel which includes modern architecture
Basel featuring street scenes
Basel showing modern architecture
Basel

Explore the historic centre and museums of this quaint Swiss town. It borders France and Germany and fuses all three cultures.

Basel is a historic Swiss city that lies on the country’s borders with France and Germany. It is home to many museums, galleries and a charming centre filled with antique structures. The River Rhine divides the city into two parts. Grossbasel, which contains the historic centre, is southwest. Kleinbasel has an active nightlife.

Visit the Basel Art Museum (Kunstmuseum Basel) which contains the largest assortment of artwork by the Holbein family, the German gothic and renaissance artists from the 15th and 16th centuries. International works date back many centuries. See paintings by Van Gogh and Cézanne in the 19th-century exhibits. Browse works by cubist and impressionist artists, such as Picasso and Braque.

Learn about five centuries of the history of melody and composition at the Music Museum, where you’ll find more than 650 musical instruments from the last 500 years. Find out about antique parades, dances and festivals and hear the intriguing sounds of Old World music. The remarkable museum is located in the cells of a former prison. See an old cell that has been left as it was when the prison was active.

Attend one of Switzerland’s biggest carnivals, Basler Fasnacht, which takes place on the Monday after Ash Wednesday and lasts for three days every year. Watch parades, singers and many acts and events.

The city is in the centre of the Dreiländereck (Three Countries’ Corner) region in northwest Switzerland. Although the official language is German, many locals speak a dialect called Baseldytsch. You will find a lot of people who speak English and French as well.

Basel has warm summers and cold winters with a postcard-pretty skyline when its quaint landmarks are covered in snow. Basel is around 50 miles (80.5 kilometres) west of Zurich, Switzerlands largest city, and about a 60 miles drive to the north of Berne.

Where to stay in Basel

Basel which includes modern architecture

Basel City Centre

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

Museums, art galleries and historical sites highlight some notable features of Basel City Centre. Make a stop by Basler Muenster or Munsterplatz while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Marktplatz Tram Stop or University Tram Stop to get around town.

Basel City Centre
Basel which includes a house and street scenes

Old Town

Museums, art galleries and live music are just a few things travellers like about Old Town. Sights like Basel Town Hall and Marktplatz are spots to explore, and you can get around the greater Basel area at Marktplatz Tram Stop.

Old Town
Basel which includes a house and street scenes

Altstadt Grossbasel

If you're spending time in Altstadt Grossbasel, you might enjoy attractions like Basel Town Hall and Marktplatz. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Marktplatz Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Altstadt Grossbasel
Basel Art Museum which includes street scenes and night scenes

Vorstädte

If you're spending time in Vorstädte, you might enjoy attractions like Basel Art Museum and Spalentor. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at University Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Vorstädte
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Sankt Alban

4/5(2 area reviews)

While visiting Sankt Alban, you might make a stop by sights like St. Jakobshalle and St. Jakob-Park.

Sankt Alban
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Kleinbasel

Kleinbasel is popular for its stunning river views, and you can check out Rhine, a top attraction in the neighbourhood.

Kleinbasel
Hotel Schweizerhof Basel

Hotel Schweizerhof Basel

3.5 out of 5
Centralbahnplatz 1, Basel, BS
The price is AU$301 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
AU$301
30 Aug - 31 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"The hotel is beautiful, conveniently located near the train and the rooms are extremely clean and comfortable. We loved our stay. The best part was the staff who were so accommodating. We had an extremely difficult journey to get to Basel due to our train being canceled, and the front desk woman ..."

Reviewed on 27 Aug. 2025

Hotel Schweizerhof Basel
Radisson Blu Hotel, Basel

Radisson Blu Hotel, Basel

4 out of 5
Steinentorstrasse 25, Basel, BS
The price is AU$360 per night from 21 Sept to 22 Sept
AU$360
21 Sept - 22 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (503 reviews)
"Everything was great, it has a unique style for a chain, very comfortable. Loved that the windows properly opened. Free apples and candy a nice touch! Only thing that was a bit annoying is that the pool and sauna was closed on Sundays."

Reviewed on 26 Aug. 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Basel
Steinenschanze Charming City & Garden Hotel

Steinenschanze Charming City & Garden Hotel

3.5 out of 5
Steinengraben 69, Basel, BS
The price is AU$218 per night from 14 Sept to 15 Sept
AU$218
14 Sept - 15 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
Steinenschanze Charming City & Garden Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
City Pop 2Night Basel - Self check-in

City Pop 2Night Basel - Self check-in

4 out of 5
Badenstrasse 1, Basel, BS
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
City Pop 2Night Basel - Self check-in
Aparthotel Adagio Basel City

Aparthotel Adagio Basel City

4.5 out of 5
Hammerstrasse 46, Basel, BS
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
Aparthotel Adagio Basel City
Limehome Basel Münzgasse

Limehome Basel Münzgasse

2 out of 5
12 Münzgasse, Basel, BS
Stay at this aparthotel in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Theater Fauteuil and Pharmacy Museum Basel ...
Limehome Basel Münzgasse
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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