Basel

Travel Guide

Basel showing a city and a river or creek
Basel which includes modern architecture
Basel showing street scenes
Basel featuring modern architecture
Basel
Explore the historic center and museums of this quaint Swiss town. It borders France and Germany and fuses all three cultures.

Basel is a historic Swiss city that lies on the country’s borders with France and Germany. It is home to many museums, galleries and a charming center filled with antique structures. The River Rhine divides the city into two parts. Grossbasel, which contains the historic center, is southwest. Kleinbasel has an active nightlife.

Visit the Basel Art Museum (Kunstmuseum Basel) which contains the largest assortment of artwork by the Holbein family, the German gothic and renaissance artists from the 15th and 16th centuries. International works date back many centuries. See paintings by Van Gogh and Cézanne in the 19th-century exhibits. Browse works by cubist and impressionist artists, such as Picasso and Braque.

Learn about five centuries of the history of melody and composition at the Music Museum, where you’ll find more than 650 musical instruments from the last 500 years. Find out about antique parades, dances and festivals and hear the intriguing sounds of Old World music. The remarkable museum is located in the cells of a former prison. See an old cell that has been left as it was when the prison was active.

Attend one of Switzerland’s biggest carnivals, Basler Fasnacht, which takes place on the Monday after Ash Wednesday and lasts for three days every year. Watch parades, singers and many acts and events.

The city is in the center of the Dreiländereck (Three Countries’ Corner) region in northwest Switzerland. Although the official language is German, many locals speak a dialect called Baseldytsch. You will find a lot of people who speak English and French as well.

Basel has warm summers and cold winters with a postcard-pretty skyline when its quaint landmarks are covered in snow. Basel is around 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) west of Zurich, Switzerlands largest city, and about a 60 miles drive to the north of Berne.

Where to stay in Basel

Basel showing modern architecture

Basel City Centre

4/5(87 area reviews)

Museums, art galleries and historical sites highlight some notable features of Basel City Centre. Make a stop by Basler Muenster or Munsterplatz while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Marktplatz Tram Stop or University Tram Stop to get around town.

Basel City Centre
Basel showing street scenes and a house

Old Town

Museums, art galleries and live music are just a few things travellers like about Old Town. Sights like Basel Town Hall and Marktplatz are spots to explore, and you can get around the greater Basel area at Marktplatz Tram Stop.

Old Town
Basel showing street scenes and a house

Altstadt Grossbasel

If you're spending time in Altstadt Grossbasel, you might enjoy attractions like Basel Town Hall and Marktplatz. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at Marktplatz Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Altstadt Grossbasel
Basel Art Museum featuring night scenes and street scenes

Vorstädte

If you're spending time in Vorstädte, you might enjoy attractions like Theater Basel and Basel Art Museum. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's ample dining options before hopping on the metro at University Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Vorstädte
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Sankt Alban

4/5(15 area reviews)

While visiting Sankt Alban, you might make a stop by sights like St. Jakobshalle and St. Jakob-Park.

Sankt Alban
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St. Johann

3.5/5(4 area reviews)

Unique features of St. Johann include the bars and casinos. Make a stop by Novartis Headquarters or Rhine while you're exploring the area.

St. Johann
Radisson Blu Hotel, Basel
Radisson Blu Hotel, Basel
4 out of 5
Steinentorstrasse 25, Basel, BS
The price is €175 per night from 21 Mar to 22 Mar
€175
includes taxes & fees
21 Mar - 22 Mar
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (394 reviews)
"Nice stay. Would definitely recommend this hotel to friends"

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Basel
Pullman Basel Europe
Pullman Basel Europe
4 out of 5
Clarastrasse 43, Basel, BS
The price is €173 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
€173
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (749 reviews)
"Really good location. Hotel is big and clean, room was lovely and huge and got very good light. Reception staff could not have been nicer."

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2025

Pullman Basel Europe
Basel Marriott Hotel
Basel Marriott Hotel
4 out of 5
Messeplatz 25, Basel, BS
The price is €167 per night from 21 Mar to 22 Mar
€167
includes taxes & fees
21 Mar - 22 Mar
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (591 reviews)
Perfect for business or for exploring Basel.
"Fantastic stay, perfect location. Close to everything and very friendly staff. Highly recommend the breakfast for 29 swiss francs if you book ahead of time."

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2025

Basel Marriott Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Aparthotel Adagio Basel City
Aparthotel Adagio Basel City
4.5 out of 5
Hammerstrasse 46, Basel, BS
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (659 reviews)
"Nice and clean hotel with spacious rooms close to old town and very comvinient public transport. Great breakfast with amazing choices and lots of options. Very friendly staff at the reception."

Reviewed on 27 Feb 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Basel City
City Pop 2Night Basel
City Pop 2Night Basel
2 out of 5
Badenstrasse 1, Basel, BS
Stay at this hotel in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (669 reviews)
"Far from central"

Reviewed on 28 Feb 2025

City Pop 2Night Basel
limehome Basel Münzgasse
limehome Basel Münzgasse
2.5 out of 5
12 Münzgasse, Basel, BS
Stay at this aparthotel in Basel. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Theater Fauteuil and Pharmacy Museum Basel ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (28 reviews)
"This was a great experience. I really liked the downtown area, how easy check-in was, the bed, and my bathroom. Two things I missed were a worktable (the tiny kitchen table was too small) and a bed stand."

Reviewed on 7 Jan 2025

limehome Basel Münzgasse
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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