Basel City Trip
Ideas
Basel is a fascinating city that is perfect for a city trip. In the Basel tri-border region of Germany, France and Switzerland, you will encounter a mix of art, architecture and Mediterranean lifestyle on the Rhine. A metropolis full of contrasts. Here the old town, there modern buildings. Between culture and nature, a colourful mix of innovation and tradition.
Basel has something for everyone, whether art lovers, history buffs or connoisseurs. At the same time, Basel, the ‘pocket-sized metropolis’, still has its hidden, unofficial trails. In the warmer months, life in Basel takes place on the Rhine. From ‘Rheinschwimmen’ (swimming in the Rhine), trips on the Rhine ferry and water sports, to Basel's ‘Buvetten’ (open-air cafés) and concerts or open-air cinemas.
Basel is considered the cultural capital of Switzerland. Art, culture and museums as Basel city trip ideas? Basel is known for its high density of museums, a lively art scene with numerous galleries and art events and not least for the Basel Carnival, which has made it onto the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Kunstmuseum Basel, Fondation Beyeler, ART Basel, Museum Tinguely and the Tinguely Fountain are must-sees for every visitor.
Your Basel city trip ideas could also revolve around strolling, shopping and enjoyment. Basel also offers a wide range of options for this. Start with a stroll through Basel's historic old town with its medieval alleyways and impressive 16th century town hall. From the tower of Basel Minster, the city's landmark, you can enjoy a breathtaking view over Basel and the Rhine.
The Rhine promenade is a wonderful place for a relaxing stroll. Small boutiques, old town shops, cosy pubs, restaurants and cafés invite you to shop and enjoy. And another little insider tip: take a detour to the garden of the Old University - a peaceful oasis right on the Rhine. Or enjoy the view from the Pfalz - a small square above the Rhine.
Basel Card
Hotel Euler guests receive the Basel Card at check-in. As a physical card or app on your smartphone, the card combines a mobility ticket and guest card and is valid throughout your stay as a ticket for all* public transport in Basel - including arrival and departure days. With the Basel Card, you also receive a great 50% discount on all museums, Basel Zoo, city tours, city tours, boat trips, Basel Theatre, the Reigoldswil-Wasserfallen cable car, a Jakob's Basler Leckerly Manufaktur tour and much more.
Basel City Trip Ideas
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City TourExplore the historic old town of Basel, hear stories from the dark and distant past, and discover what makes the city so special -
‘Zolli’ Basel ZooThe oldest zoo in Switzerland is affectionately known in Basel as the ‘Zolli’. It houses a vivarium, monkey house and a variety of native and exotic animals -
Botanical GardenOne of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, next to the Spalentor in the historic part of the city of Basel: show houses, open-air facilities, tropical house with cloud forest house -
Museum TinguelyThe world's largest collection of works by the dazzling Swiss artist Jean Tinguely in a museum building designed by Mario Botta directly on the banks of the Rhine -
St. Alban ValleyA stroll through Basel's ‘Little Venice’: whether on a guided tour or on your own - the lovingly restored St. Alban quarter with its half-timbered houses is romantic, intriguing and mysterious, criss-crossed by many canals and a real insider tip -
St. Alban TalEin Spaziergang durch Basels "Klein-Venedig": Ob geführte Tour oder auf eigene Faust - das liebevoll restaurierte St. Alban Quartier mit seinen Fachwerkhäusern ist romantisch, verblüffend und geheimnisvoll, durchzogen von vielen Kanälen und ein echter Geheimtipp -
SpalenbergThe setting for strolling and shopping couldn't be more beautiful: Spalenberg, with its historic alleyways and picturesque old town houses, is home to many boutiques, fine labels, cosy cafés, galleries and plenty of (souvenir) inspiration -
Basel MinsterFormer bishop's church made of red sandstone and colourful bricks, built between 1019 and 1500 in the Gothic style and, alongside the Middle Bridge, the city's most famous landmark. The neighbouring ‘Pfalz’ terrace is one of the most popular vantage points
The most beautiful insights & views
Behind the city's landmark, Basel Minster, borders the Basler Pfalz. Situated high above the Rhine, the viewing terrace behind the cathedral offers a magnificent view of Basel's old town and, on a clear day, as far as the border triangle.
Alternatively, you can climb to the top of Basel Minster. Climbing the tower involves climbing around 250 steps up a narrow staircase. The reward is a unique view over Basel and the border triangle of Germany, Switzerland and France. A special highlight are the ‘night-time’ tower ascents between 16:00 and 18:00 during Advent. They offer a special view over the city's Christmas lights.
The Roche Towers, 205 metres high and designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron, are another modern landmark in Basel. The highest habitable buildings in Switzerland are spread over a total of fifty storeys and can be seen far beyond the city limits. The Top Floor Lounge 47, located on the 47th floor, is the highest bar in Switzerland and offers a breathtaking view over the rooftops of Basel. Access is only possible on Saturdays via one of the public guided tours.
With its shimmering green glazing framed by metal frames, it is impossible to miss, even from a distance: With its 31 storeys, the Messeturm, which is located on Messeplatz, towers high up. On the top floor is the Bar Rouge, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city and neighbouring Germany and France.