Best Things to Do in Basel 2025 | Best Cities #155: Basel

Switzerland's Cultural Gem Along the Rhine

Table of Contents

A. About Basel

Nestled along the mighty Rhine River, Switzerland's cultural capital, boasts over 40 museums, including the world-renowned Kunstmuseum and Fondation Beyeler, showcasing artistic masterpieces.

Basel's architectural landmarks include the Rathaus and Basel Minster, overlooking the Rhine. Home to leading pharmaceutical companies like Novartis and Roche, Basel is an innovation hub in life sciences.

Basel's annual Fasnacht Carnival is a cherished tradition, featuring elaborate parades and celebrating local folklore. A captivating destination, Basel offers a quintessential European experience with its strategic location, pedestrian-friendly design, safety standards, environment, gastronomy, and transport infrastructure.

➕ The Good

The city center of Basel features several pedestrian-friendly areas, enhancing the urban experience.

Basel is renowned for its high level of safety, with low crime rates and a strong sense of security.

The city maintains excellent cleanliness standards, with well-kept public spaces and efficient waste management.

The people of Basel are known for their friendliness and welcoming nature.

The city's efficient transport network seamlessly connects its diverse neighborhoods, offering residents and tourists convenient mobility within and beyond its borders.

# Kunstmuseum Basel 6

The Kunstmuseum Basel is home to one of Europe's oldest and most remarkable collections from medieval masters to 20th-century paintings.

In the halls of the gallery, you can admire the world's largest collection of paintings by the Holbein family as well as one of the most excellent Picasso exhibits outside of Paris.

Accessible from the original museum by a tunnel, a striking new (2016) extension across the street, called the Neubau, holds regularly outstanding temporary exhibits and displays selected items from the Kunstmuseum's permanent modernist collection.

- - Important Masterpieces: 14
  - Highlight: Bride of the Wind, Oskar Kokoschka (1914), 181 cm × 220 cm (71 in × 87 in)

This is our selection of the 10 best paintings of the Kunstmuseum Basel:

1) Bride of the Wind, Oskar Kokoschka (1914), 181 cm × 220 cm (71 in × 87 in) by Wikimedia / Public Domain

2) Seated Harlequin, Pablo Picasso (1923) by kunstmuseumbasel /

3) Senecio, Paul Klee (1922) by Wikimedia / Public Domain

4) Fate of the Animals, Franz Marc (1913) by Wikimedia / Public Domain

5) The Cattle Dealer, Marc Chagall (1912) by Wikimedia / Public Domain

6) The Body of the Dead Christ in the Tomb, Hans Holbein the Younger (1521–22) by Wikimedia / Public Domain

7) The Two Brothers, Pablo Picasso (1905-06) by Wikimedia / Public Domain

8) Macbeth and the Witches, Josef Anton Koch (1829-30)

9) Villa R, Paul Klee (1919) by Wikimedia / Public Domain

10) Isle of the Dead ("Basel" version), Arnold Böcklin (1880) by Wikimedia / Public Domain

Show Top 10 Paintings (click here)

Art Collection and Exhibits: 7/10

Renowned Masterpieces: 5/10

Presentation and Interpretation: 7/10

Architecture: 6/10

Size: 5/10

Overall: 6/10

Show Museum Score (click here)

Fine Arts Museum Gallery Space: ca. 10,000 m2 | Galleries: ca. 110 | Artworks on Display: ca. 1,000 | Established: 1661/1936

(Click on images to open in lightbox)

# Münster 6

The two towering spires of Münster Basel dominate the city skyline, a testament to the city's rich history and architectural prowess. This majestic Romanesque cathedral, with its striking red sandstone facade and intricately carved portals, invites visitors to step back in time.

Climb the 242 steps to the top of the cathedral tower for the best panorama of Basel and the surrounding countryside.

Protestant Cathedral Completed: 1019 - 1500 | Height: 67 m / Viewing Platform: 48 m | Style: Romanesque

by JGS25 / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Zoo 5

Experience the wild wonders of Zoo Basel, one of Europe's oldest and most respected zoological parks, located in a picturesque corner of the city.

Home to over 6,000 animals representing 600 species, this zoo offers a captivating journey through diverse habitats from the Swiss Alps to the African savannah.

Encounter endangered species like snow leopards, pygmy hippos, and tropical birds in beautifully recreated natural environments.

Zoo Opened: 1874 | Land area: 11 hectares | Species: 628 | Animals: 7,000 | Annual Visitors [2022]: 1,180,000

by Хрюша / Public Domain

#10 | Historical Museum 5

The Historical Museum serves as Basel’s city museum, dedicated to showcasing its rich history and heritage. Located in a former Franciscan church (Barfüsserkirche) right in the city center, the museum provides an authentic Gothic setting where visitors can explore medieval art, sacred relics, and historical furnishings that tell the story of Basel’s cultural evolution.

Alongside its permanent exhibits on Basel’s past, the museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, offering new insights into art and history.

City Museum

by James Steakley / CC BY-SA 3.0

– Papiermühle 4

Step inside this atmospheric museum to witness the ancient craft come to life, from the clatter of wooden machinery to the aroma of pulp and ink.

– Spielzeug Welten Museum 4

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of toys at the Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel, where an extensive collection of antique dolls, model trains, and whimsical playthings awaits.

– Merian Gärten 4

Explore the botanical wonderland of the Merian Gärten Basel, a series of lush gardens and conservatories.

– Spalen Gate (Medieval Gatehouse) 4

The Spalen Gate is one of Basel’s three remaining city gates from the 1400s, marked by its gothic architecture and decorative sandstone carvings.

– Tierpark Lange Erlen (Small Zoo) 4

Tierpark Lange Erlen is a free public zoo and park located near the Rhine, offering a naturalistic environment for local and some exotic species. It's popular for its family-friendly atmosphere, walking trails, and large enclosures that emphasize conservation.

– Haus zum Kirschgarten (Museum) 4

Built in the late 18th century, Haus zum Kirschgarten is a luxurious townhouse showcasing a vast collection of domestic artifacts and fine arts. Now part of the Historical Museum, it reflects Basel’s bourgeois lifestyle and traditions of the period. Most of the 50 exhibition rooms are dedicated to showing typical common living space in Basel during the 18th and 19th century. Period furnishings, including ornate chandeliers and gilded furniture, give insight into the interior design trends of Basel’s wealthy families.

– Dreiländereck (Tri-border Landmark) 4

Dreiländereck is a unique monument where Switzerland, Germany, and France meet, symbolizing Basel's role as an international gateway. This spot offers panoramic views and is a popular photo destination for visitors.

– Pfalz (Terrace) 4

The Pfalz is a terrace behind the Basel Minster with stunning views of the Rhine River and surrounding regions. It’s a favorite spot for locals and tourists to relax and enjoy Basel’s scenic beauty and architecture.

– Messe Basel (Exhibition Center) 4

Messe Basel is a premier event and exhibition center hosting international fairs, most notably Art Basel. Its striking modern architecture and versatile facilities make it a central hub for cultural and business events in Europe.

– Naturhistorisches Museum (National History Museum) 4

Basel's Naturhistorisches Museum features natural science exhibits, from fossils to minerals.

– Münsterplatz (Square) 4

Located near the Basel Minster, Münsterplatz is a central square known for its historic buildings and regular community events.

– Vitra Design Museum 4

The Vitra Design Museum, just outside Basel in Weil am Rhein, Germany, with its Gehry architecture and world-class design collections, is a landmark for industrial and sustainable design. It features innovative exhibitions and a campus with buildings by other renowned architects including Zaha Hadid and Tadao Ando.

Colmar (City, 64 km from Basel) 6

Colmar beckons with its quaint streets, half-timbered houses, picturesque canals, and vibrant flower displays, offering a glimpse into the timeless allure of Alsace.

Zürich (City, 87 km from Basel) 6

Zürich, a cosmopolitan hub on the shores of Lake Zürich, pulsates with dynamic energy, boasting a juxtaposition of modernity and tradition with its thriving arts scene, upscale shopping districts, and a vibrant culinary landscape.

Lucerne (City, 100 km from Basel) 6

Nestled amid the picturesque Swiss Alps, Lucerne is a charming city renowned for its stunning natural beauty, historic architecture, and vibrant cultural scene.

Bern (City, 99 km from Basel) 6

Bern, Switzerland's medieval gem, showcases a picturesque old town adorned with sandstone structures, encompassing the charm of its UNESCO World Heritage site, defined by cobbled streets and historic fountains.

Freiburg im Breisgau (City, 70 km from Basel) 6

Freiburg im Breisgau captivates with its picturesque old town, nestled against the backdrop of the Black Forest, a vibrant hub of culture and innovation.

A. About Basel

➕ The Good

➖ Negative Aspects

B. Best Things to Do in Basel in 2025

# Kunstmuseum Basel 6

# Münster 6

# Beyeler Fondation 6

# Old Town 5

# Zoo 5

# Rathaus 5

# Oberer Rheinweg 5

# Jean Tinguely Museum 5

# Antikenmuseum 5

#10 | Historical Museum 5

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Basel

#11 | Tinguely Fountain 4

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Basel

Strasbourg 6

E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Basel in 2025 (including close-by excursions)