Let’s go! Art is just a train ride away – Basel to Paris in 3 hrs.
Ready to roam streets steeped in history? Medieval buildings, modern architectural masterpieces – Basel takes you on a journey through time. Spend hours exploring the city before stopping for a musical interlude.
Yes, Basel also has a vibrant music scene. The number of concerts being held will delight fans of classical music, rock and musical theatre alike. Mamma mia!
What should I do in Basel?
Fancy a cultural spring weekend getaway? A coffee with Läckerlis, a morning at the museum and a stroll across the Three Countries Bridge as the sun goes down? Here are our travel tips for an enjoyable city break to Basel, the city of 40 museums:
- Wander around Fondation Beyeler and its unique contemporary exhibits, explore the Vitra Museum of design history and even visit the Toy Worlds Museum as a family or to awaken your inner child.
- Open your eyes and your ears at a musical at the Musical Theater. West Side Story, The Lion King and other modern classics await. After something a little more traditional? Then the Basel symphony orchestra is a good option.
- The wonder starts as soon as our TGV arrives, as the station itself is an exceptional example of contemporary architecture. All you need to do then is walk around the rest of the city and its architectural secrets will be revealed. Renzo Piano, Herzog & de Meuron and Mario Botta have all notoriously left their mark on the streets of Basel. Just look up!
📆 When to go to Basel
📅 Events to attend
- February/March Basel Carnival.
There’s no messing around when it comes to costumes in Basel. During carnival, the whole population lives to the rhythm of Switzerland’s largest carnival. All you need to do is join in with the whimsical crowd.
- June Art Basel.
The biggest international contemporary art fair takes place every year. It’s an event not to be missed by art lovers.
- December Christmas market.
Garlands, mulled wine, fondue, fir trees, lights: in the centre of the city, the largest Christmas market in the country will immerse you in fairy-tale holiday delight.
⛅ Weather in Basel
Basel has a continental climate, with a distinct contrast between the hot, sunny summers and cold, snowy winters. During the summer months, diving into the Rhine from the quay is an absolute must. In winter, take refuge in the museums or, even better, in the region’s thermal baths. Whatever the season, the city has a lot to offer and discover! If the temperature creeps up during your visit in the summer, you don’t need anyone’s permission to have a refreshing splash about in a fountain in Basel!
💡 Our Basel secrets
- In summer, you can swim in the Rhine. Residents of Basel all have waterproof bags so they can put their clothes away before drifting off with the current while admiring the city. Sounds like fun, and just a few hours from Paris by train!
- The Basel region is known as the ‘meeting place for three countries’. Move between Switzerland, Germany and France in a matter of minutes! Lighting fast.
- Basel is the birthplace of famous tennis player Roger Federer, a fact all residents are proud of.
Basel in numbers
| 40 |
72 |
| museums across an area of 37 km², giving Basel the highest density of museums in Europe. | hours is the exact duration of the Basel Carnival. Hours during which the city is fully devoted to partying! |