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.
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
One of the great public art collections, from old masters to contemporary work, across the main building and its newer extension.
Official informationFondation Beyeler
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 informationMuseum Tinguely
The kinetic machines of Jean Tinguely, who grew up in Basel: part engineering, part theatre. Good with children.
Official informationBasler Papiermühle
A medieval paper mill where you can make a sheet by hand and follow printing and bookbinding through the old workshops.
Official informationKunsthalle Basel
Contemporary exhibitions, right beside the Tinguely Fountain.
Official informationVitra Design Museum
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
Prices and free entry
Adult admission and the main free options, from each museum’s own website. Prices change, so treat them as a guide.
| Museum | Adults | Free | With the BaselCard | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kunstmuseum Basel | From CHF 25 (special exhibitions cost more) | Children up to 12. Everyone: Tue, Thu & Fri 17:00–18:00, Wed 17:00–20:00, first Sunday of the month | 25% off | Monday |
| Fondation Beyeler | CHF 30 | Visitors up to and including 25 | CHF 23 | Monday and Tuesday (current hours) |
| Museum Tinguely | CHF 18 | Children under 16. Everyone: Thursday 18:00–21:00 | CHF 13.50 | Monday |
| Basler Papiermühle | CHF 20 | Children up to 5 | Accepted | Monday |
| Kunsthalle Basel | CHF 12 (reduced CHF 8) | Up to 18 | Reduced | Monday |
| Vitra Design Museum | €16 (€26 with the Schaudepot) | Children under 13 | Not valid for the journey (Germany) | Open daily, 10:00–18:00 |
Checked against the linked official sources on 4 October 2026. Kunstmuseum Basel · Fondation Beyeler · Museum Tinguely · Basler Papiermühle · Kunsthalle Basel · Vitra Design Museum
Fondation Beyeler and Vitra in one day
Both are on the edge of the city: the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen, and the Vitra Design Museum just across the German border in Weil am Rhein. They can share a day if you pick it carefully: the Beyeler is currently closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, while Vitra is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Vitra charges in euros, and the BaselCard does not cover the journey there because it is valid only as far as the border. Check the route between the two on the day.
Fondation Beyeler: plan your visit Vitra Design Museum: your visit
Questions & answers
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.
No. Opening days differ from museum to museum, so check the official website of the one you want to visit before you go.
The Kunstmuseum Basel is free on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 17:00 to 18:00, on Wednesday from 17:00 to 20:00 and on the first Sunday of the month. Museum Tinguely is free on Thursday evenings from 18:00 to 21:00. The Fondation Beyeler is free for visitors up to and including 25. Check each museum’s website before you go.
Yes, at many museums: for example 25% off at the Kunstmuseum Basel, CHF 23 instead of CHF 30 at the Fondation Beyeler and CHF 13.50 instead of CHF 18 at Museum Tinguely (checked in October 2026).
More from the Basel guide