8 June 2023
It may seem odd to include a post about Basle in our travel blog, since this is where it all started from, just over a year ago. Mylene lived here for around 30 years and I worked here for about the same period of time (travelling in every day from nearby France). So, what’s new?
After having visited many different towns and cities all over the world in the past 12 months, we had come back to Basle for a short stay (for some business as well as to catch up with family and friends). Strolling around the town once more, we tried to take a fresh look at familiar sights, as if seeing it for the first time - like any new visitor to Basle would. How does it compare with those other places we have recently been, could we really recommend it to anyone as worth making a detour for?
The answer is YES, absolutely.
The truth was that whenever people we met on our travels learnt that we were from Switzerland, they tended to wax lyrical about their holiday in Zurich, or Geneva or the Swiss Alps. But no-one who had ever been to this country mentioned Basle.
More’s the pity because Basle does really a lot to offer, for a rather small town (population about 200’000). It may not have the swagger of Zurich, or the picture postcard scenery of Lucerne or be less cosmopolitan than Geneva but it does have its very own original vibe (as well as being the birthplace of Roger Federer…).
So, in coming here you probably done have that much time (who does?) and just want to see the main sights, Well, here they are, in no particular order (and apologies for those I may have missed). Don’t worry if you don’t manage all of them, you can always come back…
Our advice in coming here is to relax and go with the flow, literally. Buy your own Wickelfisch (a fish-shaped waterproof bag to stow your clothes in) and jump into the Rhine, a popular pastime here. Let the rapid waters of the Rhine pull you through the centre of Basle, past the spires of the gothic cathedral and under the arches of the city’s oldest bridge. However, don’t get caught in the strong current or you may end up in Rotterdam (as I nearly did the first time I tried it). If you don’t fancy getting wet, four motorless ferries use the combination of the Rhine’s strong current and a fixed overhead cable to cross the river.
That gothic cathedral you would have swam past is a must-see. Gothic and imposing, the building dates back to the 11th-century. Originally a Catholic Church, the Münster is built in a beautiful blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles. It’s also worth noting that it’s free to enter inside the red sandstone building, making a trip to Basel’s Cathedral one of the best (and few) free things to do in Basle.
It is also worth lingering in the Münsterplatz (cathedral square), the heart of the original city and still lined with medieval houses. The cathedral and old town sit on the site of what was once a Celtic settlement. The mansions were for the bishops and wealthy Huguenots who settled here later and developed a thriving silk ribbon trade — the dye industry associated with that trade is the foundation for the city’s pharmaceutical industry.
Not far from the cathedral you will find the city’s first museum — now the Natural History Museum and with a sign that simply says “museum” above its door. Basle is famed for its museums and art galleries and hosts the annual Art Basel fair each June.
Basel was once a fortified city and you can still see parts of the Old City Wall. The Spalentor gate is a fairytale-like gate that has been standing since the 1400s.
The Rathaus (City Hall) is the crown jewel of Basel standing proud in the center of Marktplatz. Its 500-year-old red façade is one of the most beautiful in Europe. With its red façade and colorful frescoes it is particularly beautiful. The Town Hall is still a working city hall and is the current base of Basel’s government and its parliament. Most people look at it from Marktplatz, but make sure to go inside the inner courtyard.
Les Trois Rois is the swankiest place in Basel and overlooks the Rhine. It is a deluxe 5-star hotel which has been welcoming visitors since the 17th century.
It is a small city, but Basel boasts 40 museums, countless theaters featuring musical theater, ballet, and stage productions. With 300 days of sunshine a year, Basel has plenty of outdoor festivals, cinemas, and markets. It has its own carnival too. Basler Fasnacht is a three-day festival that is the biggest festival in Switzerland featuring masked musicians and performers.
The vast Kunstmuseum is Basel’s fine arts museum offering some stunning collections but our preference is take the No 6 tram to Fondation Beyeler in the suburb of Riehen. The contemporary art gallery designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano has a permanent collection of modern art as well as high-profile temporary shows — a total art immersion experience.
For those of you who are fascinated with teeny-tiny things, then a trip to the Dollhouse Museum is simply a must on any visit to Basel! A hidden gem of Basel, the Toy Worlds Museum is the largest of its kind in Europe. Home to a collection containing some 6000 artefacts. And how could we not mention Basle Zoo, heaven on earth for the kiddies…
There aren’t many places on earth where you can stand in one place and stand in two other countries but at the Dreiländereck (Three Country Corner) you can stand at the Grand Tour of Switzerland photo spot and be in three countries at once! This is where France, Switzerland, and Germany meet. The industrial neighborhood is transforming with bars lining the river. Deck 57 is a cool bar situated in an old ship, or you can have cocktails directly above the Dreiländereck as you watch the ships come in.
Should you wish to prolong your visit, it’s worth noting that Basle’s prime position on the border of Switzerland, Germany, and France means that a venture into any of the three countries is an easy trip. From the city, it’s possible to see the fairytale towns of Colmar and Lausanne, visit the glittering Lake Geneva, or discover the beauties of the Black Forest in neighbouring Germany.
There is something for everyone in Basle and almost all can be reached on foot. So, get walking and enjoy!
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