Things to do in Basel
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Kunstmuseum
The Kunstmuseum concentrates on two periods: from 1400 to 1600, and from 1800 to the present day. The medieval collection includes the world’s largest number of Holbein works. The smaller contemporary collection features Picassos and Rodins.
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Augusta Raurica
By the Rhine, these Roman ruins are Switzerland's largest. They're the last remnants of a colony founded in 44 BC that had grown to 20,000 citizens by the 2nd century. Today, restored features include an open-air theatre and several temples. There's also a Roman Museum which features an authentic Roman house among its exhibits.
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Puppenhausmuseum
Basel’s Puppenhausmuseum attracts teddy-bear fans from all over the place. Indeed, the museum claims to have the world’s biggest collection of teddy bears. There are doll’s houses galore too.
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Tinguely Fountain
Just south of Barfüsserplatz is the zany Tinguely Fountain, with all sorts of wacky machines spewing and shooting forth water. It is a foretaste of the madcap moving sculptures in the Museum Jean Tinguely.
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Weihnachtshaus Johann Wanner
Weihnachtshaus Johann Wanner is a well-known Christmas store – pick up festive decorations year-round.
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Münster
The 13th-century Münster is a mix of Gothic exteriors and Romanesque interiors and was largely rebuilt after an earthquake in 1356. The tomb of the Renaissance humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466–1536), who lived in Basel, lies in the cathedral’s northern aisle. In the crypt are remnants of the cathedral’s 9th-century predecessor. You can climb the soaring Gothic towers (Sfr3) in groups of two or more. The two chunky, red-stone, late-Gothic cloisters, mostly from the 15th century but with Romanesque vestiges, are linked by a broad hall, whose timber ceiling was once richly decorated.
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Acqua Osteria
For a special experience, head to these converted waterworks beside a quiet stream and the club Kuppel. The atmosphere is a heady mix of glam and industrial, with brown leather banquettes, candles and chandeliers - one over the open kitchen made from cooking utensils - inside bare concrete walls and floors. The food is Tuscan and the fact the ever-changing chalkboard menu is written in Italian might be more pretentious if this weren't multilingual Switzerland. Staff will explain all, but do book if you want a table. Basel's beautiful people drink in the attached lounge bar.
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Vitra Design Museum
Pop across the German border to the Vitra Design Museum. Not only is the main museum building by the Guggenheim’s creator, Frank Gehry, the surrounding factory complex of famous furniture manufacturer Vitra comprises buildings by other cutting-edge architects, such as Tadao Ando, Zaha Hadid and Álvaro Siza. Exhibitions cover all aspects of interior design. Catch bus 55 from Claraplatz in Kleinbasel (30 minutes) to the Vitra stop. Border checks are theoretically possible, so take your passport.
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Historisches Museum Basel
One of the most wide-ranging sight in the city, the collections of the Historisches Museum Basel include pre-Christian-era archaeological finds, a collection of religious objects from the cathedral and plenty of material documenting the city’s development. It is housed in the former Barfüsserkirche (the Barefooted Ones Church, after the barefoot Franciscan friars who founded it in the 14th century). Highlights include the fine 16th-century choir stall and 15th-century tapestries.
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Susu's
Downstairs is good for everyday coffee or a casual lunch of spicy corn soup, while the stylish bar/restaurant upstairs is suitable for everything from a romantic tete â tete to a company get-together. The seasonally changing menu innovatively mixes Asian and Mediterranean influences, but usually finishes with Schoggiträume (chocolate dreams) - four shades of delicious chocolate mousse served in a line of shot glasses.
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Museum Jean Tinguely
Built by leading Ticino architect Mario Botta, the Museum Jean Tinguely resonates with playful mischievousness. Unfortunately, you’re not allowed to touch most of Tinguely’s ‘kinetic’ sculptures, which would rattle, shake or twirl if you did, but with springs, feathers and wheels radiating at every angle, they look appealingly like the work of a mad scientist. Catch bus 31 from Claraplatz.
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St Alban Stübli
Set in a lovely quiet street, this looks for all the world like your cosy local tavern. With dim yellow lighting, plenty of timber and fine linen, you are served a mix of local and French cuisine. One of many savoury success stories is the Rosa gebratene Entenbrust an Orangenpfeffersauce mit Gemüse der Saison und Nudeln (baked duck breast in orange-pepper sauce with seasonal vegetables and noodles).
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Fondation Beyeler
In the Fondation Beyeler, sculptures by Miró and Max Ernst are juxtaposed against tribal figures from Oceania, while 19th- and 20th-century works from the likes of Picasso and Rothko hang on the walls of this long, low, light-filled, open-plan building by leading Italian architect Renzo Piano. Take tram 6 to Riehen from Barfüsserplatz or Marktplatz.
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nt/Areal
A meeting point for young Baslers in the former goods yard of the German railways. In summer, outdoor projectors play light shows, while customers tuck into food and drinks inside Erlkönig. From the Areal sign at the intersection of Mattenstrasse and Erlenstrasse, head 300m straight ahead. Either catch tram No 1 or 14 to Musicaltheater or the bus No 33 to Mattenstrasse.
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Schaulager
A kind of art bunker, Schaulager was designed by Herzog & de Meuron. The sharply cornered, mostly white gallery is partly rendered in earth dug out from around the foundations. A huge video screen on the front facade gives you a foretaste of the rolling temporary exhibitions inside. Catch tram 11 from Barfüsserplatz or Marktplatz.
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Acqua
For a special experience, head to these converted waterworks beside a quiet stream. The atmosphere is glam postindustrial, with brown-leather banquettes, candles and chandeliers inside bare stone and concrete walls and floors. The food is Tuscan, and Basel’s beautiful people drink in the attached lounge bar. Sit out in the terrace in summer.
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FC Basel
FC Basel, the leaders of the Swiss football league, play at St Jakob Park, some 2km east of the main train station. The stadium, by Herzog & de Meuron, is the prototype of their mega-famous Munich creation. Its translucent skin looks best when lit up, which only happens during games, every week or so. Take tram No 14 to get there.
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Papiermuseum
Papiermuseum is set astride a medieval canal and complete with functioning waterwheel, it evokes centuries past, in which a dozen mills operated here. This one produced paper for centuries and its museum explores that story. Just to the east stands a stretch of the old city wall.
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Erlkönig
It's a bit of a schlep to reach Erlkönig, but you know you're off the tourist trail. Located in the nt/Areal, it's a very cool merger of squat bar/restaurant and formal dining room, serving Basler and modern international cuisine. Take tram No 1 or 14 to Musicaltheater or the No 33 bus to Mattenstrasse.
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Atlantis
Leather-topped stools are strung behind the long, curving and – on DJ weekend nights – packed bar. Themes change constantly and range from funk to ’90s. Maybe this is why it attracts a mostly 30-something crowd. They have a summer rooftop terrace and do lunch Monday to Friday.
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Charon
In what looks like someone’s home, this understated restaurant with art-nouveau decorative touches offers carefully prepared dishes leaning slightly to French tastes. One of the house specialties is the Seezunge gebraten mit Minikapern (a whole slab of sole baked with baby capers).
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Basler Personenschiffahrt
Between mid-April and mid-October Basler Personenschiffahrt operates city/harbour boat cruises, along with a range of options for long trips to Rheinfelden, or brunch, jazz and dinner jaunts. Cruises depart from Schifflände, near the Mittlere Brücke.
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Oliv
A trendy hang-out not far from the zoo, Oliv leans towards fresh and varied Mediterranean cooking – great for those who can’t bear the thought of more Spätzli. They do a tasty Marseille-style bouillabaisse. You can order half portions.
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