Tour the historic old town centre
Basel has one of Europe’s best-preserved old town centres. A city walking tour is highly recommended because there is so much to see and learn. A city tour will take you past many of the city’s main attractions and architectural gems, and you’ll see the red sandstone Münster, a cathedral and one of the city’s top attractions.
There’s also the opulent city hall building, which you’ll want to stand and gaze at for a while, admiring the design and artwork on its facade. You’ll pass by the whimsical Tinguely Fountain, which was built on the site of the old town theatre.
A new, larger theatre is located just behind the fountain and is used for various performances. Another notable landmark is the Mittlere Brücke, also known as the Middle Bridge, one of the oldest bridges built across the Rhine.
Take a boat ride on the Rhine
Basel has one of Europe’s best-preserved old town centres. A city walking tour is highly recommended because there is so much to see and learn. A city tour will take you past many of the city’s main attractions and architectural gems, and you’ll see the red sandstone Münster, a cathedral and one of the city’s top attractions.
There’s also the opulent city hall building, which you’ll want to stand and gaze at for a while, admiring the design and artwork on its facade. You’ll pass by the whimsical Tinguely Fountain, which was built on the site of the old town theatre.
A new, larger theatre is located just behind the fountain and is used for various performances. Another notable landmark is the Mittlere Brücke, also known as the Middle Bridge, one of the oldest bridges built across the Rhine.
Visit a wine bar and order a glass of local wine
It’s time to unwind with a glass of wine after you’ve gotten a feel for the city, seen some of the best architecture, and taken the ferry across the Rhine to Kleinbasel.
Consum, a small wine bar with outdoor seating a few blocks past the bridge. Take some time to relax with a glass of local wine and a plate of the famous Swiss cheese.
It would not be a problem if you didn’t take the boat across the Rhine. There are numerous wine bars in the city centre, and Invino is an excellent option, and you can sample a variety of wines from their extensive list.
Take a day trip to the German wine region
Despite the fact that this region of Switzerland is not particularly picturesque, well-known as a wine region, a significant amount of wine is produced in the immediate vicinity. One of the closest wine regions to the city is Markgraflerland in neighbouring Germany, where the Gutedel grape is cultivated.
There are other popular grape varieties in the region include Müller-Thurgau, Grau Burgunder, Weiss Burgunder, and Spätburgunder also known as Pinot Noir.
This wine-growing region of Germany is easily accessible for a day trip. Rent a car in Basel and drive the 20 kilometres or so to Mullheim, the centre of Markgraflerland, or you can take the train and then take a taxi once there. Within a few minutes of Mullheim, you can visit many excellent wineries for a tour and tasting.
Visit the Foundation Beyeler’s art exhibition
Foundation Beyeler is one of Basel’s most popular and well-regarded art galleries. It was built to house and exhibit Hildy and Ernst Beyeler’s nearly 200 paintings and African tribal art collections.
The Foundation is entirely self-funded, and it hosts special temporary exhibits and a permanent collection. We were fortunate enough to visit at the end of the Monet exhibition, and the 20-minute tram ride to get there is well worth the visit.
It’s best to buy your ticket online before heading out. It’s best to avoid the middle of the day because that’s when the lines are the longest.
Walk into Germany
Swatch collaborated with German artist Tobias Rehberger to create the “24 Stops Rehberger Weg,” a cross-border project connecting Switzerland and Germany along a six-kilometre path beginning at the Fondation Beyeler and ending at the Vitra Design Museum.
If you’re already at Foundation Beyeler, why not take a stroll along this 6-kilometre path? While the art can be a little perplexing at times, the colourful sculptures serve as great path markers and encourage you to keep going until you reach the end. The best part about this walk is how slowly it meanders through the vineyards that line the border between the two countries.
Visit a brewery
Basel has many breweries and pubs, and craft beers are now available (look for Unser Bier). You can enjoy a few pints at any brewery’s table or eat some local specialities washed down with a beer or two.
Learn about Basel’s beer culture; you should go straight to the source. Feldschlösschen brewery is located in Rheinfelden, about 10 kilometres east of Basel, in what appears to be a massive castle complete with brewery horses.
We had a great time going there, trying the beers, and eating at the cafe. It was well worth the trip out of town.
Take a chocolate-tasting tour
Go on a chocolate tasting tour in Basel? You’d buy your tickets right away. It would be a heinous sin to pass up a chocolate tour in Switzerland!
Fortunately, I’m telling the truth: a chocolate walking tour in the old town, organised by Xocotour Suisse.
The tour is about 3 hours and includes stops at some of the best chocolate shops and traditional confectioneries; visit a chocolate factory to see how chocolate is made. Of course, there will be a lot of tasting and sampling during the tour, and by the end of it, you might be a chocolate-eating expert.
While Basel has many fantastic restaurants, there are times when you want something a little more casual and unique. That’s when a visit to Markthalle (not to be confused with Marktplatz) comes in handy.
At Markthalle, you can sample a variety of cuisines
The Marketplace building in Basel used to house a traditional indoor market, complete with fruit and vegetable stands and freshly baked bread stands. It has now undergone a significant transformation.
It currently houses over food vendors who prepare cuisine from worldwide. Grab a few things to eat at a table in the hall’s centre during lunchtime. A bar opens in the evening, and music and entertainment begin.
Make a stop at Vino e / y vino, a locally owned wine store that offers a rotating selection of wines from the area and worldwide. They are delightful and helpful.
Visit Tinguely Fountain
I wouldn’t usually recommend paying a special visit to a fountain, but Tinguely Fountain is an exception. It’s truly one-of-a-kind and entertaining to watch. The fountain had stood where the old theatre once stood since 1977 when Jean Tinguely built in a shallow pool of water; he created mechanical sculptures.
The current water powers the mechanisms that give the sculptures to be in the water. It’s hypnotic to sit and watch the fountain in action.
As a bonus, Kunsthalle Restaurant, just beneath some nearby low-hanging trees, has outdoor seating ideal for enjoying a drink and some traditional Austrian food in the summer weather. There’s also a Compari bar located beneath the trees, which is ideal for unwinding after a day of sightseeing.
Look around the Basel Marketplace
The Basel Marketplace (Marktplatz) is home to the City Hall building, a must-see in the city. The Marktplatz, on the other hand, hosts a daily outdoor market where vendors sell local produce and food products.
It’s a lively neighbourhood that you’ll most likely visit frequently while in Basel. A tram transfer point provides the city with well-connected public transportation. Take some time to explore various stalls and sample some local fare.
Consume Delectable Food!
You’ll quickly discover that Basel has a plethora of excellent dining options. In this city, you can eat well. Top restaurants such as Cheval Blanc and Restaurant Atelier im Teufelhof offer fine dining menus.
Alternatively, keep it casual at more traditional restaurants such as Kohlmanns (which has a fantastic location in the city centre) or Bodega Strauss, just across the street. Try Volkshaus Basel in Kleinbasel, which offers outdoor, indoor, bar, and courtyard seating.
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