Districts of Basel

Anyone who moves around Basel’s various districts will soon find it to be a city of many faces. From idyllic residential neighbourhoods to picturesque alleys in the old town to urban settings reminiscent of big cities like Hamburg or Berlin – you’ll find all these and much more. Let yourself be inspired by what awaits you in Basel’s diverse districts.

Grossbasel city centre and St. Alban

Not surprisingly, Basel’s old town contains nearly all the sights that are generally connected with Basel. And yet this district offers much more: world-class museums, shopping delights for individualists of every kind, traditional pubs and new favourites, and a spot – the St. Alban-Tal, also known as the “Little Venice” of Basel – that melts the heart of every romantic.

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Gundeldingen, Bruderholz and Dreispitz

Basel’s southern districts are notable for its diversity: discover magnificent villas in the Bruderholz quarter, the “Gundeli” (Gundeldingen), a melting pot of cultures, and the gritty industrial charm of Dreispitz – one of Basel's fastest-developing districts.

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Iselin, Gotthelf and Bachletten

The western part of Basel is very popular as a residential area. But the reason why so many visitors also end up here is because it’s home to Basel Zoo. If you sit outside one of the district's cafés or restaurants, the background noises might even make you feel as if you’ve suddenly been transported to Africa.

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St. Johann

As a former workers’ quarter, St. Johann has always been a place where a wide variety of cultures come together. This tradition has continued in recent years – thanks to the Novartis Campus, which is gradually developing into a “city in the city”.

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Matthäus, Klybeck and Kleinhüningen

A whiff of the sea: the port of Basel is more than just the place where three countries come together; here you can actually feel the wanderlust. This is partly because of the ships that arrive and depart here and set you thinking about the big wide world, but also because of the port’s industrial ambience, which has a special charm of its own.

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Kleinbasel’s Old Town and Wettstein

Kleinbasel is a good example of the way public perception can change. What used to be referred to disparagingly as “das mindere Basel” (“Basel minor”) is today a very popular district.

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Basel Nord and Riehen

Riehen has already had the honour of being named the Swiss municipality with the highest quality of life. The award was no coincidence: Riehen attracts attention with its large amount of green space and a very attractive city centre. The town is also a cultural hotspot as the home of the famous Fondation Beyeler.

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