Stay central
Staying in or near the Old Town means day one needs no transport at all.
Basel guide · Weekend
Baselin two days.
A two-day plan: the Old Town and the Rhine on foot, then one outing chosen by what you love.
Two days is a good length for Basel. The first day is for the Old Town and the river, all on foot. The second is for one outing chosen by interest, with time left to wander.
- MorningStart with coffee on Spalenberg, then walk down through the lanes to Marktplatz. Step into the Rathaus courtyard to see the painted arcades.
- Late morningCross the Mittlere Brücke for the view along the river, come back and climb the Rheinsprung lane to Münsterplatz.
- MiddayThe Münster and the Pfalz terrace above the Rhine. Climb the tower if it is open. Lunch in the Old Town.
- AfternoonOne museum in the centre: the Kunstmuseum for painting, or the paper mill in St. Alban for something hands-on. Or walk up to Spalentor instead.
- EveningIn summer, a drink on the Kleinbasel riverbank. In winter, a glass of wine at the top of Spalenberg. Dinner in the Old Town.
- For artFondation Beyeler in Riehen: modern art and major exhibitions on the edge of the city. Give it half a day.
- For designThe Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, just across the German border, with its campus of landmark buildings.
- For summerStay by the Rhine: walk upstream on the Kleinbasel side, swim if conditions allow, and end at one of the riverside buvettes.
- For rainMuseum Tinguely and its moving machines, the paper mill, or a bouldering session at Elys Boulderloft.
- Before you leaveBack in the Old Town for a last coffee, and a cookie from the courtyard on Andreasplatz.
Other ways to do it
If it rains, with children, or without museums
If it rains
- Museum Tinguely and its moving machines; on Thursdays it is free from 18:00 to 21:00.
- The Basler Papiermühle, where you make a sheet of paper by hand.
- The Kunstmuseum Basel, from old masters to contemporary art; free at set times on weekday evenings and on the first Sunday of the month.
- A bouldering session at Elys Boulderloft.
With children
- Museum Tinguely: moving machines, and free for children under 16.
- The paper mill, where children make their own sheet of paper.
- A ferry crossing over the Rhine: CHF 1 for children.
- Basel Zoo, one of the attractions with a discount on the BaselCard.
- Pizza by the slice at VITO, easy with a group.
Without museums
- The Old Town walk, from Spalenberg to the Pfalz terrace above the Rhine.
- A ferry crossing, then the Kleinbasel promenade along the river.
- In summer, a Rhine swim with a Wickelfisch, if conditions allow.
- Tram 8 to Kleinhüningen for the Dreiländereck, where Switzerland, France and Germany meet.
- The Tinguely Fountain on Theaterplatz, in motion all year.
LA
A surprise tasting menu from chef Matthieu Judenne, listed in the MICHELIN Guide, in the elegant St. Johanns-Vorstadt.
Mystifry
Handmade vegan brioche doughnuts and coffee from a tiny shop. It closes for the day once the doughnuts are sold out.
Spale Bar
A wine bar with a wide choice of wines by the glass, gin and single malts, and cold platters to share.
Before you go
Four things
for a smooth weekend.
Check the calendar
Fasnacht, the autumn fair, the Christmas markets and Art Basel change the city completely. Plan around them, or book early.
Reserve dinner
Popular restaurants fill up at weekends and during fairs.
Check museum days
Opening days differ between museums. Confirm before you set the order of your weekend.
Questions & answers
Yes, for the essentials. One day covers the Old Town and the Rhine on foot; a second day lets you add an outing such as the Fondation Beyeler or the Vitra Design Museum.
Museum Tinguely, the paper mill, the Kunstmuseum Basel or a bouldering session at Elys Boulderloft. Museum Tinguely is free on Thursday evenings and the Kunstmuseum at set times.
Museum Tinguely (free for children under 16), making paper at the Basler Papiermühle, a ferry crossing over the Rhine and Basel Zoo, which has a BaselCard discount.