The Truth About Basel
Basel is the third-largest city in Switzerland, but it isn’t as well-known as the other two.
The third-largest city in Switzerland is a small metropolis that’s worth a stroll any time of year. It has cute buildings and a food scene that will warm your heart.
Furthermore, Basel is a Swiss city that doesn’t want to be put in a box. It is on the border with France and Germany. Even though the pretty pastel-colored townhouses along the Rhine and the fairy-tale lights of the Christmas market are signs of tradition, the real vibe here is much more out of the ordinary.
For example, you are not only allowed to swim in the city’s many water fountains but you are also encouraged to do so. And its best-known artist uses scrap metal to make loud sculptures. When you add a lot of interesting buildings and a growing street food scene, you have everything you need for a great city break.
How to act
- Look at the Art.
As the city that started the annual Art Basel fair, which is now a global phenomenon with events in Asia and North America, it’s not surprising that you’ll find some pretty cutting-edge art here. If you’re traveling with kids, the Museum Tinguely is the most interesting place to go. It has the largest collection of works by Swiss sculptor Jean Tinguely, whose noisy kinetic sculptures made from scrap metal are both chaotic and joyful. Moreover, the Kunstmuseum is best for people with more traditional tastes, and the building itself is a work of art.
- Join a boat.
The best way to see a city is from the water, and the brunch cruise is a huge hit with both locals and visitors all year long. For 59CHF (£52), you can get on the boat at 10 a.m. and sail between Dreilandereck (where three countries meet) and Museum Tinguely until 2 p.m. while eating as much bread, cheese, and meat as you want. Or, for just 2.50 CHF (£2), you can take one of the four ferries, called “Wild Maa”, “Leu”, “Vogel Gryff,” and “Ueli.” These ferries use the force of the river to move between the two sides.
- Laugh and play like a child.
The Spielzeugwelten Museum Basel is a treasure trove of toys. It has four floors with things like dollhouses and small figurines. One floor is all about teddy bears, and some of them look scary.
Walk down Imbergasslein and you’ll find Hoosesagg, Basel’s other amazing museum (pants pocket). This two-foot-by-two-foot display, which is in the door of a 600-year-old house, is the city’s smallest “museum.” What started out as a way to keep tourists from looking into a private home has become its own thing, with a display that changes often to keep people coming back.
- Go swimming.
A Wickelfisch, which is a dry bag in the shape of a fish and was invented in Basel, is an important part of summer in the city. You can get in from the pebble beach next to the Museum Tinguely, which is just across the river from the Schwarzwaldbrücke. Stay inside the red buoys and watch out for ferries to keep yourself safe. You don’t have to do much swimming to get to Dreirosenbrücke. The river will gently carry you there. If you can see the Novartis Pavilion, you’ve gone too far; swim back quickly.
- Get festive
Basel has the right architecture, quaintness, and cleanliness for a December or January vacation, just like many other cities in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. On Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, the city’s twinkling Christmas market is open until December 23. For a list of classical concerts happening this month, visit myswitzerland.com. You can also skate at the Eglisee rink until February 23, 2023.
Who to stay with
Silo is a boutique hostel in a converted grain store. It has only been around for a short time. The style is a mix of industrial chic and minimalism. It’s a little bit outside of the city center, but public transportation is good. Room-only prices start at 110CHF (£96) for a private double room or 35CHF (£31) for a bed in a four-bed dorm.
Krafft Basel has been around since 1872. It is in one of those townhouses right by the Rhine. You can still see things from the old days, like the colorful tiles and the spiral staircase that goes up to the fourth floor, but the rooms are clean, modern, and well-equipped. If you can, book a room with a balcony and a view of the river. Room-only double rooms start at 190 CHF (£166).
The Gaia Hotel is right next to the Basel SBB station, so it’s easy to get there late at night or leave early in the morning by train. The family-run property puts a lot of emphasis on green living, with things like an organic breakfast, a “zero waste” plan, and, of course, recycling bins. As part of your stay, you also get an hour to yourself in the sauna, which is a nice bonus. B&B double rooms start at 249 CHF (£218).
How to find food
On the weekends, Basel’s restaurants are packed, and the most popular ones are always booked up at least a week in advance unless you’re willing to wait until 9 p.m. to sit down since most Basel residents eat early.
Fine dining moreover is mostly French, and traditional Swiss food is right in the middle. However, this is a university city, so there are also a lot of cheap and walk-in-friendly food halls. The largest is the huge Markthalle, where you can try dishes from Afghanistan to Thailand for around 10 to 20 CHF (£9 to £18). Don’t go on Sundays because most shops are closed.
Klara is a smaller, daily-open alternative. The cool coworking space has a bar in the middle and nine food stands on all sides. The dishes at the Indian and Greek stands are among the best. You can go there as part of a 33CHF/£27 self-guided food tour of the city.
If you don’t mind a short walk through the red light district (or a less frequent tram ride), Restaurant Union is a cool place to get big burgers and small bites. There is also a courtyard that is full of people in the summer.
How to get a drink
Basel is at its best when everything moves outside in the summer. After going to the nearby Tinguely Museum, you can go to Le Rhin Bleu for a drink. The pontoon-style building, which is almost on the Rhine, is a dream for watching the sun go down. Or, you could save some money and do what the locals do: buy a bottle of something cold and go sit by the water.
Most bars also have a winter menu. Take the Sandoase. In the summer, it’s a “beach” bar with sand on the floor. In the winter, it becomes a Christmas market with chalets and fairy lights.
The Campari Bar is where people meet before dinner, after the theater, or on a summer night. The sun-dappled courtyard is shaded by chestnut trees. In the winter, you can just stay inside and enjoy the warm glow of the bar. Most of the drinks on the menu are new takes on classics, but there are also a few wines. But since the Kunsthalle Spritz is its signature drink, you might as well start there.
Places to shop
The main shopping street is Freie Strasse, where you can find all the big international brands and high-end flagship stores like Kurz, where you can buy Swiss watches and jewelry. But if you’re looking for small boutiques with unique designs, Spalenberg is your best bet. It’s worth it just to see the Johann Wanner Christmas House, where you can buy Christmas decorations any time of the year.
Go to Jakob’s Basler Leckerly to get a bag or box of Lackerli before you go home. Further, Basel is known for its spiced biscuits, which are made with flour, honey, almonds, candied peel, and spices. They are just sweet enough to go with a cup of espresso.
Feature of architecture
If you like things that are new, the Novartis Campus in St. Johann is hard to beat. The micro hub is set up like a city within a city. It further has office buildings, apartments, shops, and restaurants. Every building was made by a different architect. The Cloud building by Frank Gehry is one of the best, so fans can find a lot to like in one place.
Bolts and screws
Interesting Facts I Bet You Never Knew About Basel
What money do I need?
Francs Suisse.
What is their language?
German.
What’s the difference in time?
They are ahead by one hour.
How do I get where I need to go?
Basel is very walkable. Your BaselCard, which is free when you book a hotel room for the night, gives you access to all of the city’s buses and trams.
Where can you get the best look of the city?
From the Main Bridge (Middle Bridge).
Insider tip?
Unless it says otherwise, all of the city’s fountains give out drinking water, so fill up often.
Is your goal to fly less?
The fastest way is to take the Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, then take the metro for about 10 minutes to Gare de Lyon, where you can switch to the TGV Lyria to Basel.
All set to fly?
Further, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, which is in France, is the closest airport. British Airways and EasyJet both fly there from the UK, and it takes just over 20 minutes by public transportation to get to the center of Basel.
