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Discover Basel's Wonders
Basel
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Description

If ever there was a city that tells a story, that city is Basel. Surrounded by modern buildings, the well-preserved Old Town, the three imposing city gates and the Cathedral (Münster) continue to bear witness to bygone days. Basel’s attractive location on the Rhine and the strategically important Münsterhügel (Cathedral Hill) first attracted the Celts to the bend in the Rhine in the Bronze Age, before the Romans made Basel an important trading centre. Later, after the founding of the first Swiss university in 1460, the city became a centre of the humanist movement and of book printing. What happens next in the story? It’s up to you to decide what chapter you want to immerse yourself in. One thing is certain: you will be able to feel Basel’s history in every nook and cranny of the city.

Useful information
Population:

171'000

Currency:

1 CHF (Swiss Franc) = 100 Rappen

Emergency Info:

Police: 117
Fire brigade: 118
Ambulance: 144

Opening Hours:

Top 5
Basel Cathedral (Münster)

Basel Cathedral (Münster)

Basel Cathedral (Münster)

With its two impressive towers, the Cathedral is Basel’s most prominent landmark. Climbing one of the towers is an unforgettable experience.

BaselCard

BaselCard

BaselCard

The BaselCard is offered as a free bonus with every booking at a Basel hotel. You will receive your personal visitor card when you check in and you can also load it to your smartphone as a web app. Benefits – Free use of public transport – Free Wi-Fi at various hotspots – 50% o­ entrance fees for museums, the zoo and the theatre – Guided tour on the sightseeing bus, tour of the Old Town and boat trip at half price – Use of Guest Bike Basel for only CHF 20 per day

Fondation Beyeler

Fondation Beyeler

Fondation Beyeler

Ernst and Hildy Beyeler commissioned architect Renzo Piano to design a spectacular museum building for their prestigious collection.

Kunstmuseum Basel

Kunstmuseum Basel

Kunstmuseum Basel

The Kunstmuseum Basel is one of the best-known museums of its kind in the world. The museum today comprises the traditional main building, the Kunstmuseum Basel | Gegenwart and the prestigious new building.

The Rhine

The Rhine

The Rhine

The Rhine is Basel’s secret landmark. As one of the most important trading routes, it has had a huge influence on the development of the city. Today, it makes up a significant part of the quality of life that Basel offers its guests and residents.

Experiences
Art Basel

Art Basel

Art Basel

The Art Basel, exhibiting art of the 20th and 21st centuries, is indisputably the world’s leading fair in the international art market. Around 250 selected galleries from around the world present modern and contemporary works of high quality, making the fair the most important temporary museum.

Baloise Session

Baloise Session

Baloise Session

The Baloise Session is a unique music festival where international stars perform in an intimate setting to an audience sitting around candlelit bistro tables.

Basel Christmas market

Basel Christmas market

Basel Christmas market

The Basel Christmas market on Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz is one of the prettiest and largest in Switzerland.

Basel Tattoo

Basel Tattoo

Basel Tattoo

The world’s second-biggest Tattoo takes place against the historical backdrop of Kaserne Basel (former barracks).

Basel Zoo

Basel Zoo

Basel Zoo

The zoo, opened in 1874, encompasses a spacious park and is home to a large number of native and exotic animals.

Basler Herbstmesse (autumn fair)

Basler Herbstmesse (autumn fair)

Basler Herbstmesse (autumn fair)

This huge amusement fair has a history dating back around 550 years and is spread over seven of the city’s squares and a hall at the trade fair centre.

Carnival in Basel

Carnival in Basel

Carnival in Basel

Carnival in Basel starts at 4.00 am on the Monday after Ash Wednesday, and lasts for three days. An unforgettable experience.

Guided tours

Guided tours

Guided tours

Discover Basel on foot and get the insider scoop: for example, take an urban art tour, a brunch tour or a special tour of the Town Hall.

Cuisine
Bel Etage Teufelhof

Bel Etage Teufelhof

Bel Etage Teufelhof

One of two award-winning restaurants at the tradition-steeped guest house and cultural centre Teufelhof Basel.

Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl

Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl

Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl

Here, Peter Knogl and his team enrich French haute cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian influences. One of the top 100 restaurants in the world.

Fischerstube

Fischerstube

Fischerstube

The Fischerstube in Kleinbasel is also a brewery and serves its own beer – Ueli Bier.

Hasenburg | Château Lapin

Hasenburg | Château Lapin

Hasenburg | Château Lapin

The Hasenburg is a pub with a heart in the heart of Basel. Go to this traditional “Beiz” for hearty fare fresh from the market.

Klara

Klara

Klara

Specialities from various countries and lots of culture – this is Klara, the food Mecca in the heart of Kleinbasel.

Markthalle

Markthalle

Markthalle

Under the historical dome of this former covered market, you will find a variety of food stalls and bars, and an organic food shop.

Nomad Eatery & Bar

Nomad Eatery & Bar

Nomad Eatery & Bar

One of the most Instagrammable eateries in Basel. This is where modern design meets good food and extraordinary drinks.

Stucki

Stucki

Stucki

At Stucki, Michelin-starred chef Tanja Grandits conjures up a unique atmosphere in the Bruderholz district with her fresh, aromatic cuisine.

Nightlife
Angels’ Share

Angels’ Share

Angels’ Share

Cosy and uncomplicated: an award-winning cocktail bar in the heart of Kleinbasel.

Balz Klub

Balz Klub

Balz Klub

The Balz Klub is a feel-good sanctuary in the heart of Grossbasel. The combination of di­fferent music styles across two dance floors makes for interesting contrasts.

Cargobar

Cargobar

Cargobar

A trendy bar right on the Rhine, popular with urbanites and artists.

Das_Viertel

Das_Viertel

Das_Viertel

Das_Viertel in Basel’s Dreispitz district combines food, culture and nightlife. The venue’s three floors regularly play host to amazing local, national and international artists.

Elysia

Elysia

Elysia

A techno club with top sound equipment in the popular Dreispitz district. Here, you can dance until dawn.

Kaschemme

Kaschemme

Kaschemme

DJs, live performances, concerts and an underground flavour. The inner courtyard is enchanting. A night out at Kaschemme is a night to remember.

Nordstern

Nordstern

Nordstern

One of Europe’s top nightclubs, on board a ship moored at the port of Basel.

Renée

Renée

Renée

Technically a bar, but also a club. Go to Renée for cocktails, conversation and a dance.

Brunch
Avant-Gouz

Avant-Gouz

Avant-Gouz

The charming café bar on the corner, o­ffering fresh sandwiches, a tasty brunch menu and other great local food and snacks.

Bäckerei Kult

Bäckerei Kult

Bäckerei Kult

Bäckerei Kult bakes its delicious goods in the city’s oldest bakery in Kleinbasel and in their new branch in Elsässerstrasse. The bakery may have a history, but the baking is anything but stale.

Les Gareçons

Les Gareçons

Les Gareçons

The impressive ambience created by this historical space in the Badischer Bahnhof has made Les Gareçons a popular place for brunch.

Silo

Silo

Silo

Enjoy a Scandinavian or Asian breakfast at the city’s first boutique hostel.

Smuk

Smuk

Smuk

At weekends, during the day, this bar transforms into a brunch restaurant with a unique atmosphere.

Shopping
Boutique Danoise

Boutique Danoise

Boutique Danoise

Specialists in Scandinavian design. Here, you will find famous design classics as well as contemporary Nordic interior design brands.

Jakob’s Basler Leckerly

Jakob’s Basler Leckerly

Jakob’s Basler Leckerly

Established in 1753, this is the most traditional place to get a “Läckerli” – Basel’s famous sweet treat.

Johann Wanner

Johann Wanner

Johann Wanner

Celebrities from all over the world buy their Christmas decorations here. A visit to this Christmas paradise is a treat at any time of the year.

Maison Oris

Maison Oris

Maison Oris

This manufacturer of mechanical watches is based in Basel-Landschaft. They showcase their collection in a historical building in the heart of Basel.

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