Swiss Basel is located on the banks of the Rhine in the northwestern part of the country. The city borders on France and Germany, constantly attracts a huge number of tourists with a relaxed atmosphere, a perfectly preserved medieval center, an abundance of museums, galleries and historical monuments. Let's consider the most popular sights of Basel with photos and descriptions. We will definitely touch on the surroundings, there are very interesting and beautiful places for travelers. Well, lovers of drawing up an independent route will need a map with the location of all objects.
And finally, we have selected amazing restaurants where you can eat deliciously and relax in a cozy interior after long walks around the city.
Old Town (Altstatt)
Located on both sides of the Rhine River. Its oldest buildings date back to the 14th century. This part of the city has medieval churches, ancient houses, and a large number of national monuments.
Altstatt is great for hiking. The streets of the historic center are covered with cobblestones. In ancient times, the famous humanist of the 16th century, Erasmus of Rotterdam, walked on them.
Basel Cathedral
A beautiful urban landmark that attracts attention with grace and sophistication. The temple has rather high spiers, so it will not be possible to take a photo of it at close range. It consists of two towers, the height of which is 60 m. The church is distinguished by the Gothic style, complemented by Romanesque elements. The cathedral was built in the middle of the 14th century on the site of a Romanesque church destroyed by an earthquake.
The building attracts the eye with its stunning architecture. During the construction of the walls, red sandstone was used, and the roof was decorated with an interesting pattern.
The Cathedral is Basel's most recognizable landmark. If you want to admire the panorama of the city, paying 7 francs, you can climb to the very top of the temple.
On Sundays, the cathedral hosts completely free organ concerts.
- address: Rittergasse 3;
- working hours: Mon-Fri 10.00-17.00, Sat 10.00-16.00, Sun 11.30-17.00;
- The entrance to the cathedral is free, but you need to pay 6 francs to climb the bell tower.
Strasbourg Memorial
Reminds of the events of the Franco-Prussian War. The monument was created by the sculptor Auguste Bartholdi in 1895, and Baron Herve de Gruyère donated it to Switzerland. It was a token of gratitude to the Swiss for helping 1,400 residents of besieged Strasbourg.
The memorial complex depicts two women and a child under the protection of an angel. On the pedestal there is a table with two inscriptions, one of which refers to the events of the Franco-Prussian war, and the other to 1576, when the inhabitants of the country helped the French in a difficult situation.
- address: Elisabethenstrasse 27/29.
Basel town hall
Perfectly complements the central part of the city, where a huge number of tourists and locals come every day to shop. The building is from the 16th century, it is very beautiful and built of red sandstone.
The facade of the building is decorated with numerous details. Its top is decorated with battlements, and 12 coats of arms are depicted on the walls, among which there is also the city coat of arms.
Inside the town hall there is a splendid courtyard with a statue of the city's founder, Consul Planck, created at the end of the 16th century.
Be sure to visit Basel City Hall to buy delicious local products, get to know the history of the city better and take a photo of the city against its background.
- address: Marktpl. nine;
- working hours: Mon-Fri - 8.00-12.00 and 13.30-17.00; Sat-Sun - day off.
Paper factory
Received museum status in 1980. Paper production at this enterprise began in 1453. Educational excursions are held for guests of the factory, during which they tell about the historical methods of paper production. The museum exhibits machines that turn wood into paper sheets.
When visiting a paper factory, those who wish can also make a sheet of paper with their own hands, improve their calligraphy skills using a pen, and print text on an old Underwood printing machine.
The museum building has been restored, it has a gift shop and a hall for temporary exhibitions.
- address: St. Alban-Tal 37;
- working hours from 11 to 17 hours;
- website www.papiermuseum.ch/
Spalentor city gate
An ancient, authentic and colorful landmark. As a result of a strong earthquake that destroyed Basel in 1356, the construction of new houses began, for the protection of which they decided to build a defensive wall with gates and towers. With the development of the city and the expansion of its territory, the need for such a structure disappeared, so at the end of the 19th century it was demolished, but the gate was left.
Now the Spalentor gate is a significant building for the city. The walls of the towers, located on both sides of the gate, are two meters thick. The height of the central pyramidal tower is 40 meters.
If you decide to see the sights of Basel in one day, be sure to visit the Spalentor gate.
Historical Museum
Consists of four buildings. Three buildings are located in the city area, and the Horse and Transport Museum is located in the southeastern part of the country - in Münchenstein.
The museum has a collection of tapestries, coins, and other items from the Middle Ages. Lovers of the past will surely enjoy exploring its exhibits.
- address: Barfüsserpl, 7;
- working hours: Tue-Sun 10.00-17.00, Mon - day off.
- website www.hmb.ch/museen/barfuesserkirche/
City zoo
It surprises its visitors with an incredible variety of species of birds, fish and animals. It has existed since 1874, occupies 11 hectares and is the oldest in the country.
The design of the enclosures is constantly being improved, so restoration work is often carried out at the zoo.
The aquarium of the Basel Zoo is home to over 1,500 species of fish, amphibians and other inhabitants of the aquatic world.
- address: Binningerstrasse 40;
- opening hours: Mon-Sun 8.00-18.30, opening hours vary depending on the season;
- website www.zoobasel.ch/de/
Rhine river
Where is Basel located? On both sides of this river. It is so fast that the ferries sailing on it do not even need to install engines.
There are four ferries running along the river, which serve as public transport.
The Rhine outside Basel replaces the sea for the locals. On the banks of the river, there are beautiful beaches and recreation areas where you can cook barbecues and have a great time in the bosom of nature.
Museum of Ancient Art
Museum exhibits are dedicated only to ancient civilizations. Its first copies were collected in the 18th century. The galleries of the institution surprise their guests with an abundance of sculptures, jewelry and other items.
The museum contains samples of Egyptian, Roman and other civilizations, which are more than three thousand years old. A striking exhibit of the museum is an ancient Greek Laconian vessel designed for pouring wine.
A great contribution to the development of the institution was made by the philanthropist and industrialist Peter Ludwig in 1986.
- address: St. Alban-Graben 5;
- Opening hours: Tue-Wed 11.00-17.00, Mon - day off.
- website www.antikenmuseumbasel.ch
Museum of dolls
Basel is a city in Switzerland with many museums. One of them is the Puppet Museum, which occupies five floors. Both children and adults will certainly want to visit it.
The museum has over 6 thousand dolls, 2.5 thousand bears, as well as a collection of toy houses and miniatures. All this wealth was collected by one person - billionaire Gisela Oeri.
- address: Steinenvorstadt 1;
- working hours: Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00, Mon - day off.
Museum of the History of Pharmacy
Tourists are impressed by the number of artifacts presented, including the books of doctors from the 15th-16th centuries. The museum has equipped entire pharmacy interiors, pharmacy instruments, remnants of historical medicines and other items are exhibited.
- address: Totengässlein 3;
- working hours: Tue-Sun - 10.00-17.00, Mon - day off.
Church of st. Elizabeth
It belongs to the largest Gothic temples in the country, the construction of which lasted seven years and was completed in 1864.The peculiarity of the building, designed by the architect Stadler, is the ribbed brick vaults. Brick in those days in the country was very expensive, so some of its elements were made of wood.
The church is located near the historical museum next to the city theater.
- address: Elisabethenstrasse 14;
- working hours: Tue-Mon 10.00-19.00, Sun - 12.00-19.00.
Modern Art Museum
Located in the building of a paper mill.
The museum exhibits works of art created after 1960 of the last century. Among them are paintings by Marc Chagall, sculptures by Jean Tinguely and other outstanding masters of their craft.
- address: St. Alban-Rheinweg 60;
- working hours: Tue-Sun 11.00-18.00, Mon - day off.
House near the "Cherry Orchard"
A classic late 18th century building that belonged to a silk ribbon manufacturer.
The house consists of 25 rooms, furnished with expensive furniture and objects of arts and crafts, including a collection of porcelain, wrist and wall clocks, Basel silver, etc.
- address: Elisabethenstrasse;
- working hours: Tue-Sat 12: 00-19: 00, Sun 10: 00-17: 00.
Tinguely Museum
If you are thinking about what to see in Basel in 1 day, we recommend this museum, opened in 1996. The guests of the institution really like to contemplate the amazing kinetic creations of the sculptor-innovator Jean Tinguely, which he created over forty years.
The exhibits of the museum seem to be alive, they move, hum and creak.
- address: Paul Sacher-Anlage 2;
- working hours: Tue-Sun 11.00-18.00, Mon - day off;
- website www.tinguely.ch/en
Vitra Design Museum
A magnificent and easily recognizable city landmark, built by the architect O. Gehry. The museum plays a very important role in the design world. It hosts various exhibitions two to three times a year highlighting the historical and current trends in this area.
- address: Charles-Eames-Straße 2;
- working hours: Mon-Sun 11.00-18.00;
- website www.vitra.com/
Roche tower
It is the tallest building in the country. The building is 178 meters high and has a futuristic design, has the shape of an unfinished pyramid and is enormous in size. The tower belongs to the cosmetics company Roche, and it is here that its headquarters are located.
The Roche Tower features an observation deck and a museum.
- address: Grenzacherstrasse 124;
- Opening hours: Mon-Fri 07.30-17.30, Sat-Sun closed.
Botanical Garden
What to see in Basel and where to visit for lovers of vegetation? In this botanical garden located at the city university.
The park was founded in the 16th century. Initially, only medicinal plants for research were grown in it, but over time, decorative specimens began to be planted.
In the botanical garden, you can book a tour and learn a lot of curious from the world of plants.
- address: Spalengraben 8;
- working hours: Mon-Sun 8.00-17.00;
- Free admission.
Mittler Brücke Bridge
Crosses the fast Rhine, connecting Greater and Lesser Basel since 1226. After walking along this bridge, tourists always get an unforgettable experience. While walking, you will come across a sculpture of the Amazon with a horse, by the artist Burckhardt.
Brewery Feldschlösschen
Where to visit in the vicinity of the city? We advise you not to miss a unique object with a very interesting production from a long time ago. Located in a 19th century building 18 km from Basel (25 minutes by car). Its name is translated "little castle". For travelers on the territory of the brewery, excursions lasting two to four hours with tasting of the drink are organized.
We advise you to definitely visit here with the whole family, children will be interested in seeing the entire technical component of the story. Well, for adults, see how real drinks are prepared. On a note, you can taste beer in the hotel beer center.
- address: Theophil-Roniger-Strasse, Rheinfelden.
Basel attractions on the map
Where to stay in Basel?
Where to eat deliciously?
End your walks in Basel with a delicious dinner in a cozy atmosphere. We have selected several establishments where you can eat tasty and inexpensive traditional cuisine. So, our rating of the best restaurants and cafes for tourists:
- A restaurant Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl located on Blumenrain 8 in the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois building. Luxurious place with amazing views of the Rhine. Prices are high as in any European city with good service. Indeed, the staff treats every tourist very well, it is worth putting 5 points for this. The average bill for a dinner for two without alcohol is from 3200 rubles.
- Taverne johann at the address: St. Johanns-Ring 34. Recommended for a relaxing family dinner. The average check is a little cheaper, from 2600 rubles per person. The staff and the food service are up to the mark.
- In the restaurant Ufer7 Basel on Untere Rheingasse street 11, we first of all recommend visiting the summer terrace with an amazing view of the river. It is better to book a table in advance by phone: +41 61 551 00 77. The place is through and there are no free seats after 6 pm. The average bill for a dinner is about 1800 rubles.
- Simple enough place - 1777 Kaffee Restaurant Bar is located at Im Schmiedenhof 10. Tourists often dine here due to its location in relation to the main attractions of Basel. For example, Münster Cathedral is only 300 meters away. For one tourist, a hearty lunch will cost from 800 rubles.
- IN Atelier im Teufelhof at Leonhardsgraben 47, most often locals love to visit with their families and companies. Tourists from Russia cannot be found here, which is why we advise you to visit here and feel the European flavor.
- One of the best restaurants in Basel - Brasserie les trois rois, on Blumenrain 8. Why this place? Gorgeous panoramic view of the river, perfect serving of food, delicious cooking. Fans of gastro travels are recommended to drop by in the evening at the end of the day. The prices are high, but it compares to the emotions received.
Restaurant Brasserie Les Trois Rois
