The Rhine and Basel are closely intertwined, sharing beauty, economic vitality, and a lively calendar of sporting and cultural events. The river is both a thriving artery and a place for leisure, lined with open-air kiosks and inviting spots for a refreshing swim.
Armed with a Wickelfisch—the iconic, colorful waterproof fish-shaped bag used to keep your clothes and valuables dry—locals and visitors alike take to the water for a swim or board ferries propelled solely by the river’s current. Basel hosts unmissable events year-round, from the UNESCO-listed Carnival to the world-renowned “Art Basel” contemporary art fair and the dazzling Christmas markets, renowned for their spicy aromas, enchanting decorations, and radiant holiday pyramid spinning in front of the Cathedral (www.claudiafarina.com/natale-a-basilea).
This affluent city boasts outstanding public transportation within Basel and to neighboring regions. Situated in northwest Switzerland at the crossroads with Germany and France, Basel blends architectural and culinary influences from all three countries. It’s a major hub for finance, business, and industry, at the heart of one of Europe’s most vibrant regions, and part of a cross-border cooperation area. Its port on the Rhine connects it directly to Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Strasbourg.
Basel’s economic strength is matched by its rich cultural scene—in fact, the two go hand in hand. On just 37 square kilometers, you’ll find 40 museums! Medieval, Renaissance, and Neoclassical buildings stand alongside elegant homes from the 18th and 19th centuries.
The city is also a showcase for world-class architecture: from the Tinguely Museum by Mario Botta to the Beyeler Foundation by Renzo Piano and the expansion of the Kunstmuseum by Herzog & de Meuron—no fewer than ten Pritzker Prize-winning architects have left their mark here. Monuments, museums, parks, restaurants, and clubs are all easily accessible on foot or by eco-friendly tram—there’s no need for a car. Basel’s unique appeal also lies in its role as a protagonist in “Switzerland: The Hidden Power” (see final paragraph).
Basel: Two-Day Itinerary
Münster Cathedral
Basel’s skyline is defined by the spires of its Cathedral, a Romanesque-Gothic masterpiece built between the 11th and 16th centuries. From its towers, you’ll be treated to sweeping views over the city and beyond. Inside lies the tomb of Dutch theologian and philosopher Erasmus of Rotterdam, who spent his final years in Basel to freely publish his work before his death in 1536. The striking spires stand above the lively square that hosts Basel’s Christmas markets.
Town Hall
The late-Gothic Town Hall dominates Marktplatz with its majestic tower and vivid red facade adorned with golden decorations. In the 17th century, it was further enhanced by the opulent paintings of master Hans Bock. Today it houses Basel’s Parliament and Government.
Mittlere Brücke
Opened in 1226, Mittlere Brücke is one of the oldest bridges across the Rhine. It connects the Old Town to Kleinbasel, a vibrant district along the river’s banks. The current bridge dates from 1905, built to accommodate Basel’s new electric trams. At twilight, the Rhine reflects shimmering forms and city lights.
Tinguely Fountain
Among the 200 fountains dotting the Old Town, this unique mechanical fountain by Swiss sculptor Jean Tinguely stands out. Built where the municipal theater’s stage once stood, it is characterized by moving mechanical sculptures set in a large black asphalt basin, performing playful water dances. If you happen to visit Basel for New Year’s, bring a mug to dip in the Triton Fountain and toast with spiced wine for good luck!
Roche Towers
Designed by Basel-born powerhouse Herzog & de Meuron, the Roche Towers in the St. Johann district are Switzerland’s tallest skyscrapers: one stands 178 meters high, the other 205 meters, totaling 50 floors. They serve as the headquarters of the pharmaceutical company Roche.
Novartis Campus
This contemporary architectural hub, home to Novartis’s global offices and research center, showcases cutting-edge sculptures, installations, and buildings by world-renowned architects. The most recent addition, the Novartis Pavillon by Michele De Lucchi, opened in 2022. Shaped like a ring, the building dazzles at night with its illuminated facade powered by thousands of solar cells. Open to the public on weekdays since September 2022, it houses the remarkable “Wonders of Medicine” exhibition, exploring the history and future of medical research and the journey from textile to chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Here you’ll discover iconic innovations like Voltaren, Ovomaltine, the contraceptive pill, the adhesive used for Apollo astronaut helmets, even the red Ferrari color. More astonishing inventions are set to be revealed in the near future.
Kunstmuseum
The Kunstmuseum houses Switzerland’s most extensive art collection with more than 300,000 pieces, spanning from the late Middle Ages to the present. The Amerbach Cabinet, the world’s oldest public art collection, was first purchased by the city in 1661 and remains a highlight. Two Picasso masterpieces—“Les Deux Frères” and “Seated Harlequin”—hold special significance: in 1967, when financial troubles led to their possible sale, Basel’s citizens raised six million francs to keep them in the city. Touched by this, Picasso donated three more paintings and a drawing, which now stand alongside works by Matisse, Miró, Klee, and Van Gogh. The museum’s latest wing, designed by Christ & Gantenbein in 2016, hosts temporary exhibitions, while the Kunstmuseum Basel Gegenwart is dedicated to contemporary art (kunstmuseumbasel.ch).
Beyeler Foundation
Ernst and Hildy Beyeler assembled a world-class collection of more than 400 works, ranging from Impressionists to contemporary artists. Renzo Piano designed the stunning museum for their collection, featuring dramatic architectural lines, reflecting pools, and Monet’s water lilies that greet visitors from the park. Regular temporary exhibitions maintain high public interest; highlights for 2024 include shows devoted to Canadian photographer Jeff Wall and Matisse. Located in Riehen, just outside Basel near the German border (fondationbeyeler.ch).
Tinguely Museum
Set in Solitude Park overlooking the Rhine, the Tinguely Museum, designed by Mario Botta, houses the largest collection of Jean Tinguely’s eccentric kinetic art and sound sculptures. Since 1996, it has preserved his imaginative legacy, often showcasing exhibitions inspired by the artist (tinguely.ch/en.html).
Other must-see destinations for art lovers: the Vitra Campus—home to part of the Vitra Design Museum collection just across the border in Weil am Rhein, Germany, in a complex of architect-designed buildings; the Museum der Kulturen, by Herzog & de Meuron, Switzerland’s largest ethnographic museum with a special focus on the Basel Carnival (mkb.ch); and Haus der elektronischen Künste, an innovative center dedicated to the intersection of art, media, and technology, based in a former warehouse in Dreispitz.
Basel Old Town
The historic center is best explored on foot, taking in the colorful timber-frame houses, traditional shops, winding cobblestone streets, and lively outdoor cafés and restaurants. Don’t miss the Toy Museum and its remarkable collection of dolls and childhood figures. If you’re here at Christmas, step inside courtyards and passageways festively decorated for the season.
