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.
In short
The five things to see in Basel Old Town are Marktplatz and the red Rathaus, the steep Spalenberg lane, the Spalentor city gate, the Mittlere Brücke with the Rheinsprung lane, and the Münster with the Pfalz terrace above the Rhine. They are close together and best seen on foot: the short walk below links them in one route.
Marktplatz & the Rathaus
Marktplatz is Basel’s central market square. Its landmark is the red Rathaus, the town hall and seat of the cantonal government and parliament.
Look up at the painted façade, then step through the arches into the courtyard to see the murals.
From Tuesday to Saturday the Stadtmarkt fills the square with fruit, vegetables, flowers and regional produce, with stalls for coffee and lunch. It runs from 8:00 to 14:00 on Tuesday to Thursday and until 17:00 on Fridays and Saturdays; there is no market on Sundays or public holidays. Official information
Basel Tourism: Old TownSpalenberg
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.
Take the side lanes as well: much of the Old Town’s character is in its small squares and courtyards. Spalenberg and the lanes around it also have some of the Old Town’s cafés and wine bars, listed in our guide to food and coffee in Basel.
Basel Tourism: Old TownSpalentor
Spalentor is one of three city gates that survive from Basel’s medieval fortifications, with a square main tower flanked by two round towers.
Walk through it and look at the outer side, facing away from the city: three 15th-century figures show the Madonna and two prophets.
Rheinsprung & the Mittlere Brücke
The Mittlere Brücke links Grossbasel, the Old Town side, with Kleinbasel across the river. A bridge has crossed here since 1226; today’s dates from 1905. The Rheinsprung lane climbs from the bridge 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. Across the bridge, the Kleinbasel promenade is where Basel spends its summer evenings: more in the Rhine in Basel.
The Münster & the Pfalz
Basel Münster is the red-sandstone cathedral on Münsterplatz. Behind it, the Pfalz terrace looks out over the Rhine.
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. Dates for both are in events in Basel.
Each of the two towers, the Georgsturm and the Martinsturm, has about 250 narrow steps. They can be climbed during the Münster’s opening hours, in groups of at least two, until half an hour before closing; there is no entry during midday prayers (12:00–12:20). Entry costs CHF 6, and children under 14 go free. Official information
Basel Tourism: Basel Münster Basel Tourism: Pfalz terraceBarfüsserplatz
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. For trams and the BaselCard, see getting around Basel.
Basel Tourism: Historical Museum at BarfüsserkircheA 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.
- Spalenberg and its side lanes
- Marktplatz and the Rathaus courtyard
- Mittlere Brücke, for the view along the river
- Up the Rheinsprung lane
- 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. With a second day, Basel in two days adds a museum or the river.
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 .
Notes from a local
What the usual guides leave out
Basel has more than 200 public fountains with free drinking water, many of them in the Old Town. Bring a bottle and refill it as you walk.
Official informationArriving with heavy luggage? Many Old Town lanes are steep and cobbled. From Basel SBB, take a tram to Barfüsserplatz rather than walking up (getting around Basel).
For a quiet moment, step into the Münster’s 15th-century Gothic double cloister, open daily from 8:00 until dusk (20:00 at the latest).
Official information
Checked against the linked official sources on 4 October 2026.