Basel Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Basel which includes modern architecture
Explore the historic center 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 center filled with antique structures. The River Rhine divides the city into two parts. Grossbasel, which contains the historic center, 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 center 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 kilometers) west of Zurich, Switzerlands largest city, and about a 60 miles drive to the north of Berne.

Where to stay in Basel

Basel showing 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 Basel Cathedral 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 showing street scenes and a house

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
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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
Basel Art Museum featuring night scenes and street 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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St. Johann

2/5(1 area review)

Unique features of St. Johann include the bars and casinos. Make a stop by Novartis Headquarters or Rhine while you're exploring the area.

St. Johann
Basel showing street scenes and a house

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
Hotel Victoria
Hotel Victoria
4 out of 5
Centralbahnplatz 3-4, Basel, BS
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$274 per night from 12 Apr to 13 Apr
AU$274
per night
12 Apr - 13 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (353 reviews)
"Convenient location to the train station and trams. Excellent rooms - clean spacious and comfortable. Highly recommend for a stay"

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2024

Hotel Victoria
HYPERION Hotel Basel
HYPERION Hotel Basel
4 out of 5
Messeplatz 12, Basel, BS
The price is AU$312 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
AU$312
per night
5 Apr - 6 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Great option for business trip
"Great location, easily accessible to all needed parts of town"

Reviewed on 29 Feb. 2024

HYPERION Hotel Basel
GAIA Hotel Basel - the sustainable 4 star hotel
GAIA Hotel Basel - the sustainable 4 star hotel
4 out of 5
Centralbahnstrasse 13-15, Basel
The price is AU$345 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
AU$345
per night
26 Apr - 27 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Basel. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (432 reviews)
"The best thing about the Gaia hotel was the staff. Everyone was universially friendly, professional and proactive. The breakfast was exceptionally good: a great variety; hot and cold options; a wide variety of organic and dairyfree choices. The hotel itself was spotlessly clean and the public rooms ..."

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2024

GAIA Hotel Basel - the sustainable 4 star 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.
Residhotel Mulhouse Centre
Residhotel Mulhouse Centre
3 out of 5
49 rue de la Sinne, Mulhouse, Haut-Rhin
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Mulhouse. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Mulhouse Hotel de Ville and Temple Saint Etienne ...
7.8/10 Good! (694 reviews)
"Nice secure place within easy distance to ceter of town, resturants and tram."

Reviewed on 16 Oct. 2023

Residhotel Mulhouse Centre
Aparthotel Adagio Basel City
Aparthotel Adagio Basel City
3 out of 5
Hammerstrasse 46, Basel, BS
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly aparthotel in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (602 reviews)
Worth the higher price
"One of the best accommodation we had during our EU trip. It's has higher price compared to other hotel but it is practically an apartment with fully functional kitchen which can be great to cut cost on dining. The location is also great."

Reviewed on 22 Jan. 2024

Aparthotel Adagio Basel City
VISIONAPARTMENTS Basel Nauenstrasse
VISIONAPARTMENTS Basel Nauenstrasse
3 out of 5
55 Nauenstrasse, Basel, BS
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions BIS Tower and Offene Kirche Elisabethen are located ...
5.6/10 (8 reviews)
"Room was modern with good amenities. Properties was a short walk from the train station. Check-in was a bit concerning (submit passport and other details in advance and receive key code before arrival) as there was no check-in at the property but all worked well. Basel card (transport and discount ..."

Reviewed on 14 Oct. 2023

VISIONAPARTMENTS Basel Nauenstrasse
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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