Basel is a very interesting place to visit, but it’s not as well known as Zurich or Geneva. It’s known as a big business and manufacturing hub, but tourists are more interested in the city’s rich cultural history. Basel is a small city, so you only need one day to see the best museums and the historical center. Basel has a lot of great places to see, but you might not have time to see them all in one short trip. That’s especially true if you follow this Basel plan.
Ultimate 24-Hour Adventure in Basel
Best Time to Visit Basel
You should go to Basel at the right time of year to get the most out of your trip. The best times to visit Basel, according to most people, are either before or after summer. You won’t have to worry about high season prices in May, June, September, and October. The days will be warm, and the nights will be cool.
In April and early May, when it rains a lot, you should be extra careful. Also, the busiest months for cruises are July and August. In the summer, though, it can be a lot of fun to go because bars line the river and on August 1, Swiss National Day, there is a party with fireworks. In addition, Basel doesn’t get too hot in the summer.
Basel is not near any ski areas in Switzerland, so the city won’t be too crowded in the winter. If you don’t mind the cold and snow, December through March is a good time to go. You can also go in February to see the Carnival. Also, the city has Christmas markets that aren’t crowded with tourists like some of the busiest Christmas markets in Europe.
Ways to Get Around Basel
Because Basel is the third biggest city in Switzerland, it’s a pretty big, spread-out place. But if you’re a tourist in Basel, you should focus on the city center, which is much easier to get around. You won’t have to go too far to see the sights around the city center, so you should be able to get around on foot.
You can use the public transportation in Basel if you need to. The city buses and trams connect, making it easy to get to different parts of the Old Town. If you’re going from one side of Old Town to the other, these could be useful.
You can buy tickets on the BLT Ticket App, at TNW sales offices, or machines at bus and tram stops. A normal ticket for one zone costs 3.80 CHF and is good for one hour. You can also get day tickets and short-journey passes.
Where to Stay in Basel
It’s important to plan where you will stay before you leave on your trip. Most likely, you will be most interested in the ancient center of Basel, which is one of the country’s biggest towns. In other words, the best places to stay in Basel are those that are close to the city center. You don’t have to stay in the Old Town. You can also check out the area across the river from the city center and the neighborhood of Gundeldingen, which is near the train stop. As for places to stay in Basel, these are some ideas:
The Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, which has a view of the Rhine, is the only place in Basel where you can stay in style. The rooms in this five-star hotel are very fancy, and the hotel has an exercise center and a restaurant with a Michelin star.
If you want to get a good deal, stay at the Hotel Rochat in Basel’s Old Town. This three-star hotel is very well run and has large rooms with a sleek, boutique style. The service is also very good.
You should also check out Airbnb for places like flats. If you use our link, you can get up to $55 off your next Airbnb stay.
It’s not easy to find cheap places to stay in Switzerland, but Hyve Hostel Basel is one of the best choices. This hostel is clean, quiet, and close to the major train stop. The staff is friendly and willing to help.
The Perfect Plan for One Day in Basel
You can see the best of Basel in just one day, even though it might not seem like much. Most of the best things to do in Basel are in and around the city’s ancient center if you follow our plan.
But before we talk about our plans in Basel, we wanted to warn you that you should get travel insurance. You never know what might happen, and we promise you that you don’t want to end up with huge medical bills. It’s said, “If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.” Don’t leave the house without it.
It’s a no-brainer to get travel insurance from SafetyWing since it only costs about $10 a week. You can get a quick quote below that doesn’t bind you:
Basel Minster
The Basel Minster is a great place to start your trip because it is one of the city’s most famous sites. It was built in 1019, but the Minster looks the way it does because it was rebuilt after the 1356 Basel Earthquake. It looks different from other churches around the world because it is made of red sandstone and has a roof with a design of tiles. Inside the church, things are a little less interesting, but the painted glass windows in the apse are very pretty.
You can find the Pfalz viewing deck if you walk around behind the Basel Castle. From the viewing station, you can enjoy nice views of the waterways in the city.
Town Hall
As you go deeper into Basel’s Old Town, you’ll pass each red building until you get to the Basel Town Hall. The bright red paint on the outside of this ancient Town hall makes it hard to miss. There are a few paintings on the building’s front face, but there are many more around the building’s inner courtyard. There are frescoes on every inch of the courtyard walls, which go up several stories. The Town Hall is still where the city government meets, but you can take a tour of the rooms and learn more about the city’s political past.
Rhine Views at the Middle Bridge
The Rhine is one of the most important rivers in Europe and a big part of what makes Basel unique. Basel did well in the Middle Ages by building the Middle Bridge so traders could cross the Rhine, not by making money by crossing the river. The first bridge here was made before 1225, but it was rebuilt in 1905. It is the oldest bridge still standing across the Rhine. One of the best things about the Middle Bridge is the view of the river in Basel.
Spalentor
Basel used to have two rows of city walls to keep it safe. Sadly, only three of those towers from the Middle Ages still stand today. The Spalentor is the most impressive of them. The Spalentor, also known as the Spalen Gate in English, is in a very good state.
It used to be the western entrance to the Old Town. It’s a beautiful reminder of a different time in Basel, with its tiles roof and sculptures on the outside.
Markthalle
It’s always fun to check out the local food scene when you visit, and you can do that at the Markthalle. The food hall in the shape of a dome is full of stands selling food from all over the world and the United States. There is a wide range of food, from breakfast and lunch items to food from around the world. For example, there is sushi next to food stands selling food from Afghanistan and Central America.
Basel Fine Arts Museum
Basel is known for having important museums. The Basel Fine Arts Museum (German: Kunstmuseum Basel) is one of the most important in the city. The museum has one of the largest collections in Switzerland. It has works from the Renaissance to modern art styles like Expressionism, Realism, and Impressionism. This means that inside you’ll see works by Van Gogh, Monet, Munch, and Picasso. The museum also has collections of modern art, mostly by American artists, such as Andy Warhol’s work.
Natural History Museum
The city’s Natural History Museum (German: Naturhistorisches Museum Basel) is another important museum in Basel. It studies anthropology, geology, biology, and insects. It has shows of dinosaurs, mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, and many other dead animals that stay open all the time. Geological forces like volcanoes, earthquakes, and ocean tunnels are also shown in parts of the museum. Permanent shows teach us a lot about the natural and physical world, and there are also special displays and showcases held there all the time.
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