Basel travel guide

Home to plenty of top attractions, Basel is more than just a wonderful city in Switzerland. Basel is a travel hotspot and a great place to experience a mix of the traditional and modern culture of Switzerland.

One fascinating sight in Basel is the unforgettable Basel Minster. Considered one of the most well-known attractions in the city, a visit to this spectacular travel destination is something you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Basel.

For more information about what you can expect during a vacation in Switzerland, check out our list of top attractions in Basel below. Discover the best places to visit in Basel, including the fascinating Basel Minster, Mittlere Brücke, Tinguely Fountain, Fine Arts Museum Basel, and Kannenfeldpark.

Use this map to find the location of all top attractions in Basel.

Traveling is all about gaining new experiences. You can have that and more in the city of Basel.

Basel offers numerous tours and activities for travelers to choose from. Historical Tours, Walking Tours, and Guided Day Trips are only a few of the many experiences you can book for your holiday in Switzerland.

Explore the most popular experiences you can join in Basel by clicking on one of the top-rated tour categories below.

Travelers in Basel can choose from 14 categories of top-rated tours and tickets. If you're curious about what the most frequently recommended experiences in the city are, Shore Excursions is the answer.

The most popular tour in Basel is the fantastic Basel’s Old Town Heritage Private Tour. By joining this highly recommended tour, travelers get to learn more about what makes Basel one of the best travel destinations in Switzerland.

Basel also offers plenty of budget-friendly tours and activities that promise travelers a unique experience in the city. The affordable Basel Self-Guided Audio Tour is the cheapest tour in the city, and is a popular Historical Tour. This experience costs around 5 EUR and allows travelers a great time in Basel. This Historical Tour is available in 9 languages: German, Portuguese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese.

Secure an unforgettable experience for your upcoming trip to Basel and book a top-rated tour in the city. Discover the best tours, activities, and tickets in Basel below.

Discover the best things to do in Basel. Choose from 66 fantastic tours and activities available in the city.

Select your dates and number of travelers in the search bar below to receive the best recommendations for your vacation in Basel. Click the green button to view your options.

Basel, the cultural heart of Switzerland, offers a gastronomic journey that will tantalize your taste buds. The city's culinary scene represents a fusion of Swiss, German, and French cuisine, with an array of dining options that range from street food at Marktplatz to high-end restaurants in Kleinbasel. You must try the city's traditional dishes such as the Basel-style roasted flour soup, Läckerli (a hard spice biscuit), and Basler Leckerli (a type of gingerbread). The best places to eat in Basel include the Old Town, where you'll find cozy bistros serving local dishes, and the Rhine River banks, known for their outdoor restaurants. For a more upscale dining experience, head to the St. Alban district, which boasts several Michelin-starred establishments. Don't miss out on the local markets where you can sample regional cheeses, meats, and the famous Swiss chocolates. A visit to Basel would not be complete without trying a glass of local wine, preferably in a traditional ‘Wystube’ (wine lounge). Happy dining!

Basel comes alive at night with a bustling nightlife scene that caters to all tastes and preferences. The city is renowned for its unique night culture, with Kleinbasel district being the best area for bars in Basel. Here, you'll find an array of watering holes lining the Rhine's banks, each offering a unique ambiance and a wide selection of spirits, wines, and craft beers.

Steinen is another popular district, featuring some of the city's top nightclubs where you can dance the night away. A must-visit establishment is Bar Rouge, the highest bar in Basel offering breathtaking views of the city. For those who prefer a quieter night, a stroll through the beautifully lit Old Town is highly recommended.

Basel's nightlife scene is not just about bars and nightclubs; the city is also home to an array of theatres and music venues. The Theater Basel, for example, offers a wide range of performances from opera to ballet, making it a great option for a memorable night out. Regardless of what you choose, Basel's nightlife is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.

No trip to Basel, Switzerland, is complete without indulging in a spot of shopping. Basel's Freie Strasse is the best place to go shopping in Basel, famous for its high-end stores and local boutiques, offering a fusion of international brands and Swiss craftsmanship. This pedestrian-friendly street is perfect for leisurely strolls and window shopping.

For a more traditional shopping experience, visit Basel's Marktplatz. Here, you can browse through stalls selling fresh produce, local crafts, and Swiss souvenirs, including the iconic Swiss watches and cowbells. Don't forget to sample some Swiss cheese or chocolate, known for their superior quality.

The Stücki Shopping Center is another must-visit destination, housing a wide array of stores, restaurants, and entertainment options. Basel's distinct fashion, characterized by simplicity and elegance, is evident in its local boutiques and designer stores. Practical information such as opening hours and credit card acceptance is usually posted at the entrance of the shops. We recommend carrying some cash for markets and smaller shops.

Shopping in Basel is not just a retail experience, but a cultural immersion that complements your Swiss journey.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and rich history of Switzerland with the best free things to do in Basel. Start your journey at the mesmerizing Rhine River, where you can take a serene stroll along its banks or have a refreshing swim during summer. The city's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts picturesque streets, medieval churches, and stunning fountains that are free to explore. Discover Basel's artistic side at the Museum Tinguely, which offers free admission on the first Sunday of every month. Venture into the botanical garden of the University of Basel, home to a diverse array of plants from around the world. It's a haven for nature lovers and a serene escape from the city's hustle. For a sweeping view of Basel, hike up to the Wartenberg, a trio of ancient hilltop castles. Don't miss out on the iconic Basel Minster, a red sandstone cathedral with striking twin towers, open to visitors without charge. These free experiences offer an authentic taste of Basel, melding the old with the new, the natural with the urban, and the artistic with the historical.

The most popular way to experience Basel is by visiting the city as part of a road trip across multiple destinations in Switzerland. However, it is also common for travelers to go to Basel on both shorter and longer getaways, to get a break from everyday life, relax, and experience something new.

With Guide to Europe you can find road trips, city breaks, and weekend getaways in Switzerland, ranging from budget to luxury. Whether you’re planning a multi-day road trip across Switzerland, or you just want to enjoy a few days exploring Basel, there is a vacation package for you.

Discover the most popular vacation packages in Basel below.

Travelers have a great selection of vacation packages to choose from in Switzerland. In fact, you can choose from as many as 30 different top-rated vacation packages to take you to Basel, and even more if you expand your search to include a bigger area of Switzerland.

To help narrow your choices down, here are some of the best vacation packages for exploring the city of Basel.

For an epic vacation, discover Basel and other top destinations in Switzerland on a top-rated holiday like the 10-Day Switzerland City Break in Basel. This vacation package provides travelers with tons of opportunities to experience not only the most popular attractions in Basel, but also in other top places to visit in Switzerland. If Museum of Natural History Basel, Mittlere Brücke, Palatinate (Pfalz) Viewing Platform, Basel Minster, and University of Basel Botanical Garden are on your bucket list, this is the perfect vacation package for you.

If you would like to go on a budget vacation in Basel, book the popular Cheap 3-Day Switzerland City Break in Basel and spend as little as 376 EUR. This vacation will take you on a journey to experience some of the most incredible attractions and sights in Basel, including the fantastic Kannenfeldpark, Mittlere Brücke, Tinguely Brunnen, Zoo Basel, and Basel Minster.

Get more Basel vacation ideas on this site and discover the greatest selection of vacation packages in Europe. Scroll down to find the best vacation packages in Switzerland that match your needs and budget.

Discover and compare 30 vacation packages that take you to the wonderful city of Basel.

The best flights, hotels, and activities in Basel get fully booked quickly. Use the search tool below to find the best vacation packages in Switzerland. Your customized holiday package to Basel is only a few clicks away!

Over the years, more airlines have started offering flexible and direct flights to Basel, making it one of the most accessible travel destinations in Switzerland. However, it is usually cheaper to fly to Basel, Switzerland, in May.

The cheapest one-way flight to Basel costs around 18 EUR and is offered by the airline Vueling.

The cheapest round-trip flights to Basel cost approximately 93 EUR in total. The departure flight leaves on November 3 and the return flight is scheduled on November 26. The flight time is around 4 hours per way.

The return flight is operated by EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg.

Use the search tool below to find the cheapest flights to Switzerland and the city of Basel from your city of departure.

Travelers visiting Basel in Switzerland can fly to Euro Basel Mulhouse Freiburg airport directly from 2082 destinations worldwide.

The three most popular routes to Euro Basel Mulhouse Freiburg airport and the city of Basel in Switzerland depart from Euro Basel Mulhouse Freiburg airport in Basel, Switzerland, Albany airport in Albany, Australia, and Greenville–Spartanburg International airport in Greenville, the United States.

Travelers can fly to Switzerland by choosing from from 4 weekly flight(s) from Basel; from 1 weekly flight(s) from Albany; and from 2 weekly flight(s) from Greenville.

The airline that operates most flights to Switzerland is Cambodia Angkor Air. Cambodia Angkor Air offers 3 scheduled flight routes to Switzerland.

Discover the most popular flights to Basel below. Click to view flights to Basel, Switzerland from destinations all across the globe.

A trip to the fascinating Basel, Switzerland, means opportunities to relax at any of the 3 different types of places to stay in the city. Overall, travelers can choose from the following: 107 hotels, 34 vacation rental apartments and 1 guesthouse. While each type offers varying amenities and rates, there is no denying that Basel provides a great selection of lodging options ready to cater to every kind of guest.

Among all these choices available in the city, Radisson Blu Hotel Basel is one of the top picks of travelers in Basel.

The hotel is located at Steinentorstrasse 25 and boasts many great utilities, including 24-hour front desk, Air conditioning, and Airport shuttle.

Budget accommodations are also incredibly popular among travelers in Basel. Cheaper alternatives allow travelers to save on accommodation costs and have more to spend on other experiences.

In Basel, travelers looking for an economical yet top-rated place to stay usually choose Basel Backpack. For approximately 36 EUR, guests can book a comfortable Unknown at this popular hotel.

Below is a list of all 3 different types of places to stay in Basel. Select the type you prefer to compare options under each category and find the best accommodation.

Hotels are travelers' go-to accommodations in Basel for the unique experience they provide. So if you're the kind of traveler who prefers staying at hotels, you'll be glad to know that the city is home to around 142 hotels.

Besides offering basic amenities, many hotels in Basel provide meals and extras, such as shuttle services, spa facilities, tour desks, and other services. But because not all hotels in Basel are created equal, finding the best in the city often requires careful research. For your convenience, we've done all the research to make it easier for you to check out all the top hotels in Basel.

If comfort, convenience, and affordability are your non-negotiables, check out Radisson Blu Hotel Basel, the top 4-star hotel in the city. When all you need is a pleasant place to rest and sleep in between your activities in Basel, the highest-rated 3-star hotel, B&B Hotel Basel, is for you.

Below is our hand-picked list of the best hotels in the Basel. Travelers are encouraged to book early as these hotels quickly reach capacity.

Click the arrows or swipe the list to see each hotel's ratings, reviews, locations, rates, and more. You can read detailed descriptions of each hotel by clicking the cards.

Use the Accommodation Search tool below to find available stays in the city of Basel on specific dates. This handy feature also allows you to compare prices and amenities.

Enter the preferred check-in and check-out dates. Then, select the number of guests and rooms. Click the Search button to find all the available hotels and places to stay in the city of Basel that match the information provided.

Discover and choose from our broad range of popular car rental options in the city of Basel to find the best car for your travel plans. Travelers in Basel can choose from small cars, medium cars, large cars, estate cars, mini vans, SUVs, convertibles, premium cars, camper vans, mini campers, vans, cars. All car rentals come with CDW insurance for added protection throughout your trip.

Renting a car is a popular choice among travelers who want to explore Switzerland at their own pace. The most popular type of car rental among small groups of travelers in Basel is a TopLevel.

Another very popular type of car to rent in Basel is a TopLevel. This car is particularly popular among couples and solo travelers touring the city of Basel.

Check out all options available in Basel and book the car rental for your upcoming adventures in Switzerland below.

Get ready to hit the road and explore the beautiful city of Basel. Find the best deals on a variety of popular car rentals in Basel, Switzerland, or any other destination in Europe by using the search tool below.

Enter your pick-up and drop-off location, driver's age, and dates. Click the green button to view your options.

When unsure of where to go next, use the map below. This map shows the locations of all the best destinations in Switzerland. Use the map to plan your trip and find the best routes.

Travelers in Switzerland can catch flights to domestic airports in Zürich, Geneva, Thal, and Bern. Domestic flights in Switzerland are operated by 8 airlines: easyJet, Wizz Air, Wizz Air Malta, Ryanair, and British Airways. There are around 12 scheduled flight routes operating to Basel on a weekly basis.

From Basel, travelers can book scheduled flights to 4 domestic destinations. The most popular flights from Basel depart to many top-rated destinations in Switzerland and are offered by easyJet, Wizz Air, and Wizz Air Malta.

Traveling to another city or region in Switzerland? Use the flight search tool below to quickly find the cheapest one-way or round-trip flights from Basel to different local destinations.

Enter all the necessary information and click or tap on the Search button to see a list of the available domestic flights in Switzerland on the selected dates.