Basel guide · Museums

Museumsin Basel.

A small city with an outsized museum culture. Six museums to choose from by interest, each with a link to its official information.

A contemporary museum building with a pale brick façade and a glass ground floor. — Contemporary museum architecture

In short

Basel’s best-known museums are the Kunstmuseum Basel (old masters to contemporary art), the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen (modern art), Museum Tinguely (kinetic art), the Basler Papiermühle (paper and printing) and the Kunsthalle (contemporary exhibitions). The Vitra Design Museum is just across the German border.

Museums

Worth crossing town for

Kunstmuseum Basel
St. Alban-Graben
One of the great public art collections, from old masters to contemporary work, across the main building and its newer extension.
Official information
Fondation Beyeler
Riehen
The Beyeler collection of modern art and major temporary exhibitions, in a calm building on the edge of the city. The “Fondation Beyeler” tram stop (lines 2 and 6) is right by the museum, about 10 minutes from Basel Badischer Bahnhof. Make it a half-day outing.
Official information
Museum Tinguely
By the Rhine
The kinetic machines of Jean Tinguely, who grew up in Basel: part engineering, part theatre. Good with children.
Official information
Basler Papiermühle
St. Alban
A medieval paper mill where you can make a sheet by hand and follow printing and bookbinding through the old workshops.
Official information
Kunsthalle Basel
Steinenberg
Contemporary exhibitions, right beside the Tinguely Fountain.
Official information
Vitra Design Museum
Weil am Rhein, Germany
Design exhibitions in a campus of landmark architecture, just across the German border. The campus has its own bus stop, and a signposted walk (the Designweg) leads from the station in Weil am Rhein. The BaselCard does not cover this trip.
Official information

Questions & answers

Which museum should I visit in Basel?

Choose by interest: the Kunstmuseum for painting across the centuries, the Fondation Beyeler for modern art, Museum Tinguely for moving machines and the Papiermühle for a hands-on visit.

Are Basel’s museums open every day?

No. Opening days differ from museum to museum, so check the official website of the one you want to visit before you go.