Stay a while. It’s worth it.

Where to start? And how ever to finish? Basel’s wealth of culture and contrasts makes it a difficult choice. Embark on a voyage of discovery.

Fountains, nightlife, gourmet dining

Business, paintings, bathing

From art to zoo

From ferry to architecture

From street art to fine art

Where would you like to stay overnight?

BaselCard

Discover more with the free BaselCard! When you stay overnight in Basel, you will benefit from discounts on numerous cultural and recreational activities and other exclusive advantages.

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Fountains, nightlife, gourmet dining

Go bathing in the heart of the Old Town, savour award-winning haute cuisine or party until dawn – why not? One after the other, if you like.

Cheval Blanc Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois Basel

Gourmet restaurants

A stellar selection

From Michelin stars to GaultMillau points, through to top chefs – Basel has all the ingredients for your new favourite meal, with over 20 international-award-winning restaurants waiting to regale you with their culinary delights. 

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Going out and dancing

For night owls

Hip beats in hip locations – Basel offers everything party-goers could wish for. And if you’d rather sit down than dance, there’s no shortage of cocktail bars and pubs that stay open well into the night. 

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Fountains bathing

Cool down in the Old Town

At the height of summer, what could be better than cooling off with a view of Basel’s venerable architecture? Enjoy a dip in one of the many historic bathing fountains dotted around Basel’s Old Town and suburbs.

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Business, paintings, bathing

The best thing about doing business in Basel is everything you get up to beforehand and afterwards. Simply go with the flow – start by meandering from one work of art to the next before heading off down the Rhine.

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Swimming in the Rhine

A cheerful buzz

The Rhine is awash with colour and activity in summer, when bathers flock to the river with their swimsuits and Wickelfisch swim bags. The number of swimmers making their way down the Rhine peaks at the annual “Basler Rheinschwimmen” event.

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Museums

Nearly 40 museums

Basel is considered Switzerland’s art and culture capital, and with good reason – you can draw inspiration from the old masters and contemporary art at almost 40 museums in the city and its environs. 

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From art to zoo

Beholding contemporary artwork at Art Basel or observing exotic animals up close? If you don’t want to miss a thing, simply choose both.

Exhibition

Basquiat

Age 21, the remarkable artist Jean-Michel Basquiat created some of his most famous works in Modena. 40 years later, his “Modena Paintings” can be viewed together for the first time, at the Fondation Beyeler.

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Zoo Basel

Basel “Zolli”

Paintings and other works of art are not the only things on view in Basel – animal lovers will also find everything their hearts could desire in the city. The zoo, known locally as the “Zolli”, has been around for almost 150 years and is home to species from near and far – all awaiting your visit. 

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From ferry to architecture

Basel is truly overflowing with stunning architecture. So why not admire the city while sitting aboard one of the four ferries that traverse the Rhine?

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Ferries

A tightrope act

Besides the beautiful bridges, there is one other way to cross the Rhine in Basel. Passengers are welcome on board its four ferries, pulled serenely from one bank to the other by steel-wire ropes and the natural power of the river’s current. 

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Serena Confalonieri, Basel, Best of

Architecture

Beautiful buildings

When it comes to top-class architecture, Basel is right up there with the best in the world – nowhere else will you find so many masterpieces of contemporary architecture so close together. 

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From street art to fine art

Basel provides a stage for all manner of art forms, with a rich variety of offerings set to inspire you – from concerts to plays to graffiti walls.

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Culture

Culture rules!

Basel is the home of prestigious stage culture – on several fronts. Be it larger multipurpose theatres or smaller cabarets, the city thrills international artists and performers, not to mention their audiences.

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Street art

For graffiti fans

Anyone who thinks Basel’s art is confined to museums and theatres would be mistaken, as the city also has a vibrant street art scene. Discover large-scale murals painted by established professionals alongside exciting works by talented up-and-coming artists as you stroll around the city. 

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