Basel NotesA local guide to Basel

Basel guide · Altstadt

BaselOld Town.

Market square, medieval lanes, a red cathedral above the Rhine. What to see in Basel’s Altstadt, and a short walk that links it together.

The painted red façade of Basel Rathaus on Marktplatz.
The Rathaus on Marktplatz

Marktplatz & the Rathaus

Marktplatz is Basel’s central market square, a marketplace since the Middle Ages. Its landmark is the red Rathaus, the town hall and seat of the cantonal parliament.

The red tower and painted façade of Basel Rathaus against a blue sky.
The Rathaus tower

Look up at the painted façade, then step through the arches into the courtyard to see the murals. On market days, stalls sell fresh produce, flowers and food.

On market days (Tuesday to Saturday; no market on Sundays or public holidays) the Stadtmarkt fills the square with regional produce. Times vary by day. Official information

Basel Tourism: Old Town

Spalenberg

Spalenberg is a steep historic lane climbing from the Marktplatz area up towards Spalentor, known for its old houses, independent shops, cafés and wine bars.

A cobbled lane in Basel Old Town with colourful historic houses and autumn leaves.
Rittergasse, in the Old Town

Take the side lanes as well: much of the Old Town’s character is in its small squares and courtyards.

Basel Tourism: Old Town

Spalentor

Spalentor is one of the few surviving gates of Basel’s medieval city wall, with a tall square tower flanked by two round towers.

Walk through it and look back: the outer and inner faces are quite different.

Spalentor, Basel’s medieval city gate, with its tiled roof and two round towers.
Spalentor
Basel Tourism: Spalentor

Rheinsprung & the Mittlere Brücke

The Mittlere Brücke is the oldest of Basel’s Rhine crossings, linking Grossbasel with Kleinbasel. The Rheinsprung lane climbs from it towards the Münster.

Rheinsprung is lined with old houses and has glimpses of the river between them. It is one of the loveliest short walks in the city.

The Münster & the Pfalz

Basel Münster is the red-sandstone cathedral on Münsterplatz. Behind it, the Pfalz terrace looks out over the Rhine.

The twin red sandstone towers of Basel Münster above Old Town rooftops.
Basel Münster

The towers can be climbed for a view over the rooftops. Münsterplatz also hosts one of Basel’s Christmas markets and part of the autumn fair.

The two towers, each about 250 narrow steps, can be climbed during the Münster’s opening hours, in groups of at least two; last entry is half an hour before closing. There is a small fee. Official information

Basel Tourism: Basel Münster Basel Tourism: Pfalz terrace

Barfüsserplatz

Barfüsserplatz is a lively square and tram hub on the edge of the Old Town. The Barfüsserkirche houses the Historical Museum Basel.

It is also a site for the Christmas market and the autumn fair.

Basel Tourism: Historical Museum at Barfüsserkirche

A short Old Town walk

Start on Spalenberg, walk down to Marktplatz, continue to the Mittlere Brücke, climb the Rheinsprung to Münsterplatz and finish on the Pfalz terrace above the Rhine.

  1. Spalenberg and its side lanes
  2. Marktplatz and the Rathaus courtyard
  3. Mittlere Brücke, for the view along the river
  4. Up the Rheinsprung lane
  5. Münsterplatz, the cathedral and the Pfalz terrace

Add Spalentor at the start if you want to see the city gate. Timing depends on your pace and how many stops you make.

Staying in the Old Town

Staying in the Old Town means walking to the market square, the cathedral and the Rhine. The lanes are quiet at night, and trams run along the edges of the centre.

Some lanes are steep and cobbled, which matters with heavy luggage. Kleinbasel, across the river, is an alternative with more going on in the evening.

Compare areas to stay in Basel

Landmark information checked against the linked official sources on .

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