Basel Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Basel tours and things to do in Switzerland’s cultural capital on the Rhine: wander the medieval Old Town with its red-sandstone Minster and colourful Town Hall, cruise the Rhine, tour world-class art museums, taste Swiss chocolate and cheese, and use Basel as a springboard for the Swiss Alps, the Black Forest and Alsace. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
rating
Explore Basel by interest
Whatever brings you to Basel — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Basel
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Old Town
Minster & lanes.
Basel Minster
Red cathedral.
Rhine River
Boat cruises.
Kunstmuseum
World-class art.
Lucerne & Alps
Mountain trips.
Jungfrau
Alpine peaks.
Black Forest
German woods.
Colmar
Alsace charm.
1 hr awayLucerne
Lake & Pilatus.
2 hr awayJungfrau
Alpine peaks.
1 hr awayColmar
Alsace charm.
1 hr awayBlack Forest
German woods.
City awayOld Town
Minster & lanes.
City awayRhine River
Boat cruises.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Basel visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Mild and green — a lovely time to explore.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Warm and lively, with Rhine swimming and terraces.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Crisp and golden, ideal for the Alps and Alsace.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Cold but magical, with a famous Christmas market.
For Christmas
Basel’s Advent market is among Switzerland’s best.
Best overall
Late spring and early autumn are ideal.
One day
The Old Town, Rhine and chocolate.
Two days
Add a Colmar or Black Forest trip.
Three days
Add a Swiss Alps day trip.
For art
The Kunstmuseum and Fondation Beyeler.
For mountains
Lucerne and the Jungfrau region.
With kids
The zoo and a Rhine cruise.
On foot
The Old Town is small and best explored on foot.
Trams
An excellent tram network covers the whole city.
Ferries
Quirky cable ferries cross the Rhine.
Trains
Fast trains reach the Alps, Colmar and beyond.
Where to stay
Stay near the Old Town or the Rhine.
Swiss franc
Switzerland uses the franc; euros are sometimes accepted.
Free transport
Hotel guests get a free BaselCard for public transport.
See the Old Town
Walk the Old Town and climb the Minster towers.
Cruise the Rhine
Take a boat or the quirky cable ferries across.
Museum city
Allow time for the Kunstmuseum and Beyeler.
Alps day trip
Set aside a day for Lucerne or the Jungfrau.
Spring & autumn
Visit in late spring or autumn for the best weather.
Alps day trips
Swiss Alps tours sell out — book ahead.
Colmar trips
Alsace day trips fill up — reserve early.
Chocolate workshops
Chocolate classes book out — reserve ahead.
Walking tours
Guided Old Town tours fill up — book ahead.
Art Basel
During Art Basel the city is packed — book everything early.
Christmas market
Advent weekends are busiest — reserve ahead.
Walking tour
Around €25–50 for an Old Town walking tour.
Rhine cruise
About €25–50 for a Rhine boat cruise.
Chocolate tour
Roughly €40–90 for a chocolate tasting or workshop.
Alps day trip
Around €90–200 for a Swiss Alps day tour.
Colmar trip
About €80–140 for a Colmar and Alsace day trip.
How to save
Use the free BaselCard and join group day tours.
Basel through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Mild & green.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely.
- Best for
- Rhine & terraces.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lively.
- Best for
- Alps & Alsace.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal.
- Best for
- Christmas market.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Magical.