Basel
An artsy hotspot – perfect for a cultural weekend.
About Basel
Quick overview and handy details
A city at the crossroads of Switzerland, France, and Germany. One of Europe’s top cultural hubs, it hosts the renowned Art Basel fair and is home to dozens of museums, galleries, and theatres. The Old Town blends with cutting-edge architecture and a vibrant university scene.
Interactive map of Basel
Attractions, routes and directions
Attractions
Must-see places and landmarks worth visiting
Basel Paper Mill
An interactive museum of paper, printing, and bookmaking inside a historic watermill.
Nearest airports
Easy transfers to and from the airport
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg
Bern
Getting around
Car hire, transfers, bikes and boats
Where to stay
Hand-picked stays in Basel
Booking.com
World's largest booking service
- Free cancellation on most properties
- Real guest reviews
- Best price guarantee
Trip.com
Global travel platform
- Exclusive deals
- 24/7 customer support
- Convenient mobile app
Top experiences
Curated picks and live widgets
Nearby cities
Interesting nearby places to visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most popular travel questions
Basel is a Rhine-side cultural hub with a strong museum scene and a beautiful historic core. Start with Basel Old Town and add Kunstmuseum Basel or Museum Tinguely.
Late spring to early autumn is best for walking and outdoor cafés, while winter works well for a calm city break and museums. For December travel ideas, see Switzerland in December: weather, Christmas markets and where to spend Christmas and New Year.
2-3 days is ideal for a first visit: Old Town, museums and riverside walks. Add an extra 1-2 days if you want multiple day trips.
The easiest option is flying into Basel Airport and continuing into the city. You can also fly to Zurich Airport or Geneva Airport and take the train; for tickets and rail passes, see How to Travel by Train in Switzerland: Tickets, Prices and Rail Passes.
Central Basel is walkable, and public transport makes it easy to move between neighborhoods and sights. For planning routes across Switzerland, use Transport in Switzerland.
For atmosphere and easy walking, stay near the historic center around Basel Town Hall. If you prioritize train logistics, pick accommodation with quick access to transport lines.
A great first route is Basel Old Town – Basel Town Hall – Basel Minster – Gate of Spalen. For museums, add Kunstmuseum Basel and Museum Tinguely, plus Toy Worlds Museum or Basel Paper Mill if you want something different.
You usually don’t need a car in Basel—walking and public transport are simpler than central parking. If you do need a vehicle for a wider trip, options are in Transport in Switzerland.
Basel isn’t cheap, especially for hotels in peak periods, so booking early and comparing areas helps. Use Best budget hotels in Switzerland: cities, prices and money-saving tips and Most Atmospheric Apartments in Switzerland: Best Areas, Views and Prices to shortlist stays faster.
Basel is generally safe, but keep an eye on valuables in crowded areas. If you’ll travel actively around Switzerland, consider guidance in Do You Need Insurance for Switzerland? Rules, risks and prices.
Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés, but eSIM is often the easiest way to stay connected on the move—see eSIM for Switzerland. For public networks, consider VPN for Switzerland.
Easy classics include Zurich and Bern with Bern Old Town. For lake scenery, go to Lucerne and Lake Lucerne, and for a lakeside Riviera feel choose Montreux with Chillon Castle.