Last Updated on March 24, 2023 by hassan abbas
Basel Stadt is located in north-west Switzerland and is amongst the hidden gems of Switzerland. If you ever visit Switzerland, don’t miss out on the top attractions of Basel Stadt. This article will provide you information for 15 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Basel Stadt.
Why visit Basel Stadt?
You might not expect what you find in Basel, Switzerland. Even though Geneva and Zurich are two of the most well-known cities in Switzerland, the country’s third-largest city should not be ignored. Because there is such a diverse selection of activities available in Basel, visitors should plan to spend at least three days there. There are many things to wonder about, including the Old Town and life along the Rhine River, as well as the scenery on the border between Germany and France. One can also easily get a Credit loan in Switzerland easily to explore Basel Stadt and other attractions of Switzerland.
List of the best places and things to do in Basel Stadt
1. Go for Walking in the Town of Basel
In Basel, as in many other cities and towns across Europe, the Old Town is the most popular destination for visitors to the city. This is especially true in Basel. Taking a walking tour is highly recommended for those who wish to become familiar with the Old Town of Basel.
2. Enjoy Paddling and Nature
Paddling along the Rhine in a canoe is one of the most unusual things to do in Basel. A weidling is a type of wooden boat popular in Basel since at least the Middle Ages. Their spiking method allowed their paddlers to travel upriver. If you want to experience what it was like for merchants paddling the Rhine between Venice and the North Sea, you may do it for yourself. Through the Association Waidlig Basilea, you may arrange for water-based city tours, rowing instruction, or a leisurely Weidling ride with an aperitif to take in the cityscape of downtown Basel.
3. Relax and Have fun at the Rhine River
One of the most surprising things about the Rhine in the summer is the number of residents who go there to unwind and have a good time. Among the several ferries, you can see a constant movement of nodding heads. Take a plunge in the Rhine and join the throngs of locals if you can swim well! The Baselers just float with the river’s current.
Everyone in the pool is carrying a blue bag. The group is known as Wickelfisch. It’s standard issue in every home in Basel. They’ll protect your belongings from the water while you float down the river or ride your bike through the storm. In any of the quaint stores that line the Rhine, you’re sure to find a Wickelfisch. Take it with you when you leave Basel!
However, make sure to have health insurance in Switzerland while indulging in such activities. Healthcare is expensive in Switzerland and health insurance is mandatory in Switzerland. You must also use Tiptop – Health Insurance Comparison or PrimApp – Health Insurance Comparison in Switzerland to get the right health insurance for yourself and your family. However, To get the right price and know which health insurance will be suitable in Basel Stadt for your needs, you can use a health insurance comparison tool.
4. Go beyond the Rhine River
Unique experiences abound in Basel, particularly along the Rhine. Getting across the Rhine River may seem like a standard river crossing. By ferry or over a bridge. However, in Basel, you may take a boat over the Rine that neither uses a motor nor requires you to paddle. A cable helps it get across the gap. Reaction ferries cross the Rhine in four different locations in Basel. When you board the boat, the skipper will set the rudder, and the river will carry you through the city.
5. Enjoy an Urban Tour
Despite the city’s long history, Basel is a strong advocate for modern art. Urban Art Tours with Artstübli Basel are a fantastic opportunity to uncover the city’s hidden artwork. The Lällekönig (German for “Tongue Monarch”) is a statue of a king who is depicted as sticking out his tongue from Grossbasel, and this trip will take you to all the secret locations where you may see his likeness.
6. Relax nearby the Fountains
One of Basel’s most well-known painters is Jean Tinguely. Known for his dynamic sculptures, he participated in the Parisian avant-garde movement. While there are several beautiful fountains in Basel, the Tinguely Fountain is the one that everyone should see at least once. Located in front of the new Basel Theatre and adjacent to the Kunsthalle Basel is the Tinguely Fountain, which was built on the location of the previous theatre. It’s definitely up there with the best artwork we’ve ever seen.
7. Observe fine arts at Kunstmuseum
The Kunstmuseum is the best museum in all of Basel. Artworks from the 14th century to the 20th are on display in the museum’s permanent collection. The museum building itself is stunning, and visitors who share our appreciation for 19th-century artists such as van Gogh and Gauguin and 20th-century masters such as Picasso and Léger will feel quite at home here. After 5 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, admission is always free.
8. Travel the borders of three nations
You would think it would be quite challenging to travel to three different nations in a single day. A large portion of the population of Basel experiences this on a daily basis. As a matter of fact, many Basel workers commute from neighbouring Germany and France each day. In Basel, a visit to Dreiländereck is a must. A monument marks the spot where the borders of Germany, France, and Switzerland meet along the Rhine River.
9. Go for cycling
When discussing routes into Germany and France, the Rehberger-Weg is often mentioned as a top option for cyclists. Germany’s Vitra Design Museum and Foundation Beyeler’s Vitra Campus are both accessible through the Rehberger Weg. To sum it up, both of these museums are excellent and you can go cycling here.
10. Visit the mind bending Museum
Foundation Beyeler is worth a trip even if you don’t have time to ride the Rehberger-Weg. The Contemporary Art Museum at the Foundation Beyeler was a highlight of our time in Basel. The private collection of Hildy and Ernst Beyeler is housed at Foundation Beyeler, which is located on a lovely location. There are almost two hundred works of art, including works by Monet, Cézanne, van Gogh, Picasso, and indigenous artists from Africa, Oceania, and Alaska.
11. Enjoy the best design museum of Switzerland and Europe
One of the best things to do in Basel is to ride bikes to the Vitra Design Museum. Even though one could have crossed the border at any time, it is still really thrilling to be riding our bikes in Germany. Twenty-four trail markers, each housing a work of art, lead us to the museum’s cool campus, which features the work of architects like Frank Gehry. Fact: The Vitra Design Museum is widely recognised as one of the finest collections of modern and contemporary industrial furniture design and architecture in the world.
12. Enjoy the Leisure time at Basel Minster
Do not leave Basel without visiting Basel Minster, the city’s largest and most impressive cathedral. Considering the length of time it took to construct the cathedral (1019-1500), it is not surprising that Romanesque and Gothic elements are intermixed throughout its design. Its twin spires may be seen from miles away on each side of the Rhine River. Visit the adjacent Cloisters after you’ve seen the Cathedral. The vaulted-arched passageways provide a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the square outside.
13. Educate yourself at the Papermill Museum
Located on a canal that dates back to mediaeval times and features a running waterwheel, this former paper mill now serves as a museum dedicated to the history of the written word and the products made from it.
Visit the museum to learn about the history of printing from before Gutenberg’s press to the elimination of lead type in the 1980s and observe the painstaking process of making handmade paper and binding books. The evolution of writing systems, from prehistoric pictographs to contemporary typefaces, is charted graphically.
14. Rathaus and Marktplatz
Marktplatz, the heart of the Old Town, is where the vibrant daily market offering fresh fruit, flowers, and regional delicacies takes place. The brilliant red Basel Rathaus, with its vibrant painted front, dominates the square. The original structure, which has arcades and dates from 1504 to 1521, is built in the Late Burgundian Gothic style; the new wing to the left and the tall tower to the right are both 19th-century additions.
The clock is an original component from the structure, which was constructed by Master Wilhelms between 1511 and 1512. Enter the lovely courtyard to observe the wall paintings that were lovingly restored from the originals that date back to 1608-11.
15. Enjoy Cocktails at Les Trois Rois
Even if you can’t afford to spend the night at the luxurious Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, it’s still worth getting cleaned up and heading to the hotel’s Rhine River terrace for a beverage as the sun goes down if you find yourself in Basel. Dating all the way back to 1681, this hotel is one of Europe’s oldest inns. When you approach the lobby, you’ll be greeted by a big chandelier and swept away to the terrace where you can watch the ferries and boats ply the river below. In the peak season, reservations are strongly suggested.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are the top and 15 best attractions and things to do in Basel Stadt. There are several more places and destinations which you should explore on your own and also spend time with locals.
