Grossbasel
First-timersThe old town on the south bank: the cathedral, the town hall, the museums and most beds.
Basel city guide
Things To Do In Basel
On the Rhine where Switzerland, France and Germany meet: forty museums, a carnival that starts at four in the morning, and a city that floats home from work down the river in summer.
6
Hostels in the city
8.6
Average, from 6,988 reviews
3
Countries meeting at the Dreiländereck
~40
Museums in the city
4 am
When Fasnacht begins, with the Morgestraich
A museum city that swims down its river
Basel sits on a bend of the Rhine at the point where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, and its suburbs run into both neighbours.
It is Switzerland's museum city, with around forty of them, including the Kunstmuseum, one of the oldest public art collections in the world, the Fondation Beyeler, and the Museum Tinguely, full of the Swiss artist's moving machine sculptures. Art Basel in June is the most important contemporary art fair in the world.
In summer, Basel's great ritual is the Rhine swim. People pack their clothes into a waterproof bag called a Wickelfisch, walk upstream, jump in and float down past the old town, climbing out at steps along the bank.
Fasnacht, the carnival, is unlike any other: it begins at four in the morning on the Monday after Ash Wednesday, when every light in the old town goes out and masked cliques march through the dark with lanterns, fifes and drums. It is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
Overnight guests get a BaselCard with free public transport. Two days.
Where to stay
An old town on one bank of the Rhine, and a livelier district on the other.
Kleinbasel
Bars and the riverThe north bank: the Rhine promenade, the swimming spots and the best bars.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 4 top-rated hostels. Map © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Basel
Swim the Rhine, if you are a confident swimmer. In summer, buy a Wickelfisch — a fish-shaped waterproof bag for your clothes — walk upstream along the Kleinbasel bank, get in, and float down past the old town, getting out at the steps. See the safety section first.
The Kunstmuseum, around CHF 16 (about €17), holds one of the oldest public art collections in the world, including the largest Holbein collection anywhere.
The Fondation Beyeler, in a Renzo Piano building in Riehen, has one of the finest modern art collections in Europe.
The Museum Tinguely is full of Jean Tinguely's kinetic machine sculptures, many of which you can set moving.
The red sandstone town hall and the cathedral, with its view over the Rhine from the terrace, are the centrepieces of the old town.
Cross the river on one of the traditional reaction ferries, small boats pushed across by the current alone.
Free things
Free things to do in Basel
Public transport is free for overnight guests with the BaselCard.
The Rhine promenade and the swimming spots are free.
The cathedral and its terrace over the river are free.
The town hall courtyard is free to walk into.
The Dreiländereck, the point where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, is marked by a monument at the Rhine port and is free.
Several museums offer free admission at certain times; check individual museums.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Basel
Expensive by European standards. A main is CHF 30 to 45 (about €32–48).
Basler Läckerli, a hard spiced biscuit made with honey and candied peel, is the local speciality.
Mehlsuppe, a flour soup, is eaten at dawn during Fasnacht.
Many locals shop over the border in Germany and France, where it is cheaper.
Coop and Migros restaurants are the budget answer.
A beer is CHF 7 to 10 (about €7.50–10.50).
Nightlife
Going out in Basel
Kleinbasel, on the north bank, has the best bars, and in summer the Rhine promenade is where the city drinks, with pop-up riverside bars called Buvettes.
A beer is CHF 7 to 10.
Art Basel in June brings international parties and crowds.
Fasnacht is the great event: three days of costumed cliques, fife and drum bands and lanterns, starting with the Morgestraich at four in the morning on the Monday after Ash Wednesday.
Getting around
Getting around Basel
Trams and buses are free for overnight guests with the BaselCard, issued at check-in.
The old town is walkable, and the reaction ferries cross the river.
EuroAirport, a single airport shared by Switzerland, France and Germany, is about twenty minutes by bus. Check which side of the airport your flight uses.
Trains reach Zurich in about an hour, Bern in an hour, and Paris in about three hours by TGV. Germany is a tram ride away.
Costs
What Basel costs
Expensive. Dorms are CHF 40 to 65 (about €42–69), a main CHF 30 to 45, and a beer CHF 7 to 10.
A day is €95 to €160.
The free BaselCard transport for overnight guests is a real saving.
Pay in francs, though euros are widely accepted here given the borders — at poor rates.
Shopping over the border in Germany is cheaper and is what many locals do.
Safety
Staying safe in Basel
Basel is safe, and the main risk is the river.
The Rhine is wide and fast, with strong currents and heavy barge traffic. The Basel swim is a local ritual done by people who know the river. Only confident swimmers should try it, stay close to the Kleinbasel bank, keep well away from the bridge piers and the shipping channel, never swim after drinking, and get out at the steps where locals do. People drown in the Rhine.
Fasnacht crowds are dense, especially at the Morgestraich in the dark.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Basel
Three countries, a design campus and a waterfall.
Vitra Campus, Weil am Rhein
A design museum and buildings by Gehry, Hadid and others.
Colmar, France
Half-timbered Alsace, with canals.
Rhine Falls
Europe's largest waterfall by volume.
Freiburg, Germany
The sunniest city in Germany, and the Black Forest.
What's on
What is on while you are there
A carnival that begins in darkness at 4am, and the world's leading art fair.
Staff pick
24 Oct – 1 Nov
Swiss Indoors Basel
Swiss Indoors Basel brings the excitement of ATP Tour 500 tennis to Basel, Switzerland, drawing top-ranked players and rising stars to the renowned St.…
Staff pick
15 Oct – 5 Nov
Baloise Session
The Baloise Session in Basel, Switzerland, is a renowned boutique music festival celebrated for its intimate, candlelit club atmosphere at the Event Hall, Messe…
Staff pick
26 Nov – 23 Dec
Basel Christmas Market
The Basel Christmas Market transforms the heart of Basel, Switzerland, into a festive wonderland each holiday season, drawing visitors from across Europe. Set against…
Staff pick
5 December
Night of the Jumps
Night of the Jumps is a thrilling, high-adrenaline event that stands as one of the world's premier freestyle motocross (FMX) competitions. This spectacular show…
30 Oct – 28 Nov
Candlelight: Tribute to Ed Sheeran & Coldplay
Candlelight: Ed Sheeran & Coldplay is a live music experience held in various locations in Basel, transforming venues into stunning concert settings illuminated by…
9–11 October
Swiss Darts Trophy
The Swiss Darts Trophy returns to St. Jakobshalle Basel for its third consecutive year, establishing Basel as the darts hotspot of Switzerland. The event…
16–17 October
Volkshaus Wiesn
Volkshaus Wiesn is a two-day event held at Volkshaus Basel, bringing a festive atmosphere to the venue. The event takes place on Friday and…
18 October
Chamber Orchestra I Tempi
This concert centers on breath as a vital element connecting musicians and shaping sound. Mendelssohn's 'Verleih uns Frieden, gnädiglich' opens the evening with a…
Hostels
Where to stay in Basel
A small scene in both halves of the city. Ask for your BaselCard at check-in. Live from Hostelworld.
When to go
June to August for the Rhine swim. Late winter for Fasnacht.
Jan
Cold
Feb
Fasnacht in some years
Mar
Fasnacht in some years
Apr
Spring
May
Good
Jun
Art Basel
Jul
Rhine swimming season
Aug
Warmest river
Sep
Pleasant
Oct
Autumn fair
Nov
Grey
Dec
Christmas market
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. Fasnacht falls in February or March, on the Monday after Ash Wednesday, so the date moves with Easter.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros — you will pay in Swiss francs, at roughly 1.06 euros to the franc.
Shown in euros for comparison; you pay in Swiss francs. Transport is near zero for overnight guests with the BaselCard.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Basel travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
How does the Rhine swim work?
In summer, locals pack their clothes into a Wickelfisch — a fish-shaped waterproof bag — walk upstream along the Kleinbasel bank, jump in, and float down past the old town, climbing out at the steps. Only confident swimmers should do it. Stay near the bank, keep away from bridge piers and barges, and never swim after drinking.
What is Fasnacht like?
Unlike any other carnival. It begins at 4am on the Monday after Ash Wednesday with the Morgestraich, when the old town's lights go out and masked cliques march through the dark with lanterns, fifes and drums. It lasts three days and is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
Is public transport free?
For overnight guests, yes. Hotels and hostels issue a BaselCard at check-in with free trams and buses.
Can I visit three countries in a day?
Easily. France and Germany are a tram ride away, and the Dreiländereck monument marks the point on the Rhine where all three meet.
What is Art Basel?
The world's leading contemporary art fair, held each June. The city fills with galleries, collectors and parties.
Is it expensive?
Yes. Dorms CHF 40 to 65 (about €42–69), and a day around €95 to €160. Free transport helps, and many locals shop over the border.
What museums should I see?
The Kunstmuseum for old masters and the largest Holbein collection anywhere, the Fondation Beyeler for modern art, and the Museum Tinguely for kinetic machine sculptures.
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare Basel hostels — live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.