Basel is often referred to as the cultural capital of Switzerland. Basel has 40 museums, more than any other city in the country. In addition, visitors to Basel will enjoy the historic part of the city, its modern architecture, as well as a picturesque view of the Rhine.
Basel is the oldest university city in Switzerland. The historical sights of the city are a large market square with a richly decorated red sandstone town hall, and the cathedral in the late Gothic style. As you stroll through the old town, you’ll pass boutiques, second-hand stores, and modern designer stores. Stop by the Läckerli Huus to sample a traditional Basel honey pie. Basel respects its traditions but also has a very modern outlook: several modern buildings designed by well-known bureaus and architects such as Herzog & de Meuron, Mario Botta, Diener & Diener and Richard Meyer have been built here.
Almost 40 museums make Basel the city with the highest concentration of museums in the country. The internationally renowned Basel Museum of Fine Arts, the museum dedicated to the metal sculptor Jean Tinguely, the Beyeler Foundation and the Musée des cultures attract many visitors, as do several galleries and theaters. Basel also has symphony and chamber orchestras and a musical theater that presents foreign productions. A wide range of classical and contemporary productions can be found at the Theater Basel and other venues.
Basel is a green city: the Botanical Gardens, several parks and the banks of the Rhine are great for strolling and relaxing. And the Etoscha aviary at Switzerland’s largest zoo offers a glimpse of Namibian savannah life.
In nearby Augusta Rorica near the town of Augst one can find impressive ruins, and in the museum various finds illustrate the lively life of this Roman settlement in the past. The charming surroundings of Basel, with its cherry orchards, present a magnificent picture every spring. Germany and France, the Black Forest and the Voge Mountains are a stone’s throw from the border city of Basel.
The annual carnival is one of the most important events in the life of the citizens. On the Monday after Ash Wednesday (when Lent begins), the city transforms with Morgenstraich – at four o’clock in the morning all the city lights are lit and a festive procession moves through the streets of Basel.
Winter
Basel is rightly considered the cultural capital of the country: the city is literally steeped in art and culture. Stroll through the exceptionally beautiful streets of the old town and visit the museums, of which there are about forty in Basel. Or take a tour of modern Basel, with its stunning examples of twenty-first century architecture.
Summer
The Rhine riverfront is Basel’s calling card. It’s the ideal starting point for exploring Basel. On warm summer days all kinds of people gather here: students, businessmen, tourists, and those who simply like to bask in the sun. It’s a great place to relax, go for a swim or take a boat ride. Get a taste of the Mediterranean in this city on the Rhine.
Conferences and congresses
Basel’s central location, first-class public transport connections and modern infrastructure make it a leading venue for trade fairs and conventions. The Congress Center Basel, located right in the middle of the city, is the largest and most modern convention center in Switzerland. Basel is located in the heart of Europe, straddling the Rhine. The city is at the center of the idyllic area where the borders of Switzerland, Germany and France converge. Getting here is easy, with the EuroAirport only around 15 minutes from the city centre. Rail passengers can arrive at either the city’s SBB railway station or the Basel Badischer station operated by Deutsche Bahn. The city’s proximity to the border means that visitors can also arrive by TGV and ICE.
