Our most recommended things to do in Basel

Walking Tour through Basel Old Town

1. Walking Tour through Basel Old Town

Basel is situated in the heart of Europe, on both sides of the Rhine River. The city is the center of the idyllic border triangle of France, Germany, and Switzerland, nestled between the Swiss Jura, Germany's Black Forest and the Vosges in Alsace. Describing Basel in one word is not easy. Sometimes known as the cultural capital of Switzerland or as a university city, Basel boasts a wealth of cultural, historical, leisure, and enjoyment experiences. This traditional tour is ideal for first-time visitors to Basel as well as visitors who already know the city but want to learn more. During the 2-hour walk you will follow the traces of a very eventful past, from the tranquil Tinguely Fountain to Cathedral Hill, the town hall, and through the winding streets of the well-preserved old town. In addition to the public city tour, many other interesting, exciting, and thematic tours are offered.

Swiss Travel Pass: Unlimited Travel on Train, Bus & Boat

2. Swiss Travel Pass: Unlimited Travel on Train, Bus & Boat

The Swiss Travel Pass is a must-have for any traveler to Switzerland. You can enjoy unlimited access by public train, bus, and boat to over 90 cities and towns and benefit from free entrance to 500+ museums, discounted city tours, and access to private and scenic trains with a pre-requisite seat reservation. There are two broad types of Swiss Travel Pass: Continuous and Flexi, with an option to choose from 3, 4, 8, and 15 days. Apart from it being an ‘all-in-one’ pass which allows a traveler to access all modes of public transportation within the country, it also offers numerous other benefits on the mountain excursions. Trips up to Stoos, Brunni, Klewenalp, Stanserhorn and Rigi are included in the Pass. A 50% reduction is offered on most other mountain and cableways (Gornergrat, Titlis, etc). Enjoy free entrance to museums like the the FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich, the National History Museum of Bern, the Paul Klee Center in Bern, and the Natural history museum in Geneva. Explore with access to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Château de Chillon, and the Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum. So be it the adventurous, the avid or the leisure traveler, you will have the chance to make the most of your Switzerland Travel Pass.

Welcome to Basel: Private Tour with a Local

3. Welcome to Basel: Private Tour with a Local

Transform the way you travel and make it as much about the people you meet as the places you see. Get a welcome to Basel from a local eager to share all the tips to help you make the most of your stay. Meet at your hotel or accommodation and get familiar with the neighborhood. Learn insider tips, such as the best places to eat, buy groceries and the easiest ways to get around. Alternatively, arrange to meet at a central landmark or intersection to start your walking tour. Hear about the top things to do, customized to your interests. By the end, you will feel more comfortable navigating the city with all the information you need.

Basel: Self-Guided Food Tour

4. Basel: Self-Guided Food Tour

This tour is self-guided, so you choose when you want start and how much time you want to spend on the tour. However, it's recommended to start before 11 AM so you can arrive right on time for lunch at the KLARA food court. Here you can look forward to delicious lunchtime snacks (until 2 PM). The tour voucher (handed out on the first stop) contains all the information about directions you need to find each stop as listed below: Start at Bäckerei KULT "Elsi" Here a young team has breathed new life into Basel’s oldest bakery. Everything from the jam to the vanilla cream is handmade. Stop here, find out what a “Basel Gold” is and get one to try. Then go further to Basel Unverpackt, your second stop on the tour. Anyone who is keen to take a more conscious approach to life will know this shop. The team’s priorities are zero waste, recycling, and sustainable preservation of foodstuffs. Here you can fill up on organic products. Afterwards, head over to your third stop. At KLARA you can enjoy international dishes in a laid-back atmosphere. Sample 3 delicacies from around the world with a drink of your choice.   The last stop of the day is a traditional place, Jakob's Leckerly at Spalenberg.

From Colmar: Christmas Markets Across 3 Borders

5. From Colmar: Christmas Markets Across 3 Borders

Depart Colmar at 10:00 AM from Colmar with your private driver and travel to the fortified town of Neuf-Brisach. This planned city is notable for its octagonal layout and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Next, visit the Christmas market of Freiburg across the border in Germany. Following this, travel to Basel in Switzerland to discover its Christmas market at night. Explore all cities at your own pace and fall in love with their charm and decoration for the Christmas season.

Basel: Switzerland/ Eurpoe eSIM Roaming Mobile Data Plan

6. Basel: Switzerland/ Eurpoe eSIM Roaming Mobile Data Plan

Say goodbye to the hassle of physical SIMs and finding mobile network operator stores with our e-SIM service. After purchase, you'll receive a QR code that you can scan on your compatible device to install the e-SIM wherever and whenever you need it. Choose from a range of data volumes, validity periods, and coverage options in different countries to stay connected with ease. Most iPhone models beyond XS support e-SIM, and follow our instructions in the photo session to check compatibility for other devices. Share the QR code via AirDrop or scan it to another device. Install the e-SIM by connecting to WiFi or a network, and remember to turn on roaming for the e-SIM. If you have trouble connecting to the network, consult our self-troubleshooting guide. lf you have a connected trip in Europe, just simply select the 42 European countries option, which covers:Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Aaland Islands, Isle of Man, Jersey, Russian Federation, Guernsey, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Gibraltar, Turkey. If your data is used-up? Simple, just buy another e-SIM to top-up. APN (Access Point Name): iboots Local Network:Swisscom/Sunrise

Basel History Tour for Groups

7. Basel History Tour for Groups

Through an interesting tour of the city, discover Basel's romantic winding alleyways and well-preserved Old Town. Immerse yourself in the city's history and admire the imposing structures, cozy squares and many more highlights. Beginning at the Tinguely Fountain at Theater Basel, make your way through the Basel oppidum, known as Basel-Münsterhügel, to the Rotes Rathaus (Town Hall), which dates back to the 16th century. Pass Basel Minster and "Barfüßer Kirche," a former church that now houses the Basel Historical Museum, as well as other sites capturing the spirit of the city. See the most beautiful sights in Basel and let a friendly tour guide teach you all about the history and landmarks of the breathtaking Swiss city.

From Basel: Jungfraujoch & Interlaken Small Group Day Tour

8. From Basel: Jungfraujoch & Interlaken Small Group Day Tour

Your guide will meet you at Basel SBB station as you head to Jungfraujoch through Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Kleine Scheidegg. Overlook the charming Swiss town of Grindelwald as your fly with the Eiger Express to Eiger Glacier Station As we head along the Jungfrau line through Zweilütschinen, Grindelwald and Kleine Scheidegg, your guide will share stories about the people, cultures, and history of each town and city you pass. Your train will climb steadily through the Alps, passing glacial lakes and staggering rock faces. The view from the train is one of the best in the world, offering a birds eye view of this epic area. The journey to “the top of Europe” will include the opportunity to take in the stunning view from Eismer Station, the second highest railway station in the world after the Jungfraujoch. Back on the train the sights only get better, as you reach an elevation of 3,466 metres approaching Jungfraujoch. The station is perched on a glacier saddle on the upper snows of the Aletsch Glacier and is a must-visit for anyone interested in the Alps. The icy air will provide welcome refreshment as you explore the viewing platform, discovering the many ice sculptures and frosty vistas dotted around the area. Next, you will head to Interlaken, weaving your way through the small town of Wengen, whose views are as mesmerizing as they are legendary. Watch as rocky climbs give way to lush Alpine valleys, and the skyline rises and falls along with the surrounding peaks. Your ride will pause at Lauterbrunnen, a valley town set within dramatic rock faces and epic waterfalls. Here we will take a walk to the iconic Staubbach Falls, whose water drops a whopping 297 meters from the overhanging cliffs to the pool below. The sight of the water dissolving to spray as it falls is striking. Our guide will share the stories behind the falls, and you will have the opportunity to take photos of the stunning surroundings. Set between twin glacier-fed lakes, the bustling town of Interlaken is a hub of activity, surrounded by stunning alpine scenery. As you tour the city you will learn about how it became the gateway to the Swiss Alps, and enjoy the pretty timber houses, sidewalk cafes, and live buskers which line the historic streets. In the summer, the clear waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz provide a perfect retreat from the midday sun, and you can enjoy the azure waters from the shore as you walk the promenade. You will also have the chance to explore the numerous gift and souvenir shops here, selling traditional Swiss wares, artisan food and drink, and adventure equipment. At the end of your tour, the guide will escort you back to Basel

Basel Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour

9. Basel Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour

Get to know Basel at your own pace on this interactive scavenger hunt walking tour played on your phone. Decipher riddles, interact with the most important attractions of the city, and unlock interesting facts and legends. An ideal outdoor activity for first time visitors, couples, groups, families, and children. Can be used as a great team-building activity. After downloading the scavenger hunt tour on your mobile device (via a link and login credentials received upon booking), use the mobile app and integrated maps to reach 10 of Basel’s most important attractions on foot. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle that can only be solved if you reach the specific location. Use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to unlock the correct code and reveal the next destination of the city sightseeing game. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle that can only be solved if you reach the specific location. Use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to unlock the correct code and reveal the next destination of the tour. As you walk through the city, enjoy the flexibility to pause your game at any time to take a break, snap the perfect photos, stop for lunch, or visit a museum. Choose to continue the tour later or save the rest for another day. You can start the activity at any time. Start your tour at the Strassburger memorial, a place with enormous symbolism! Visit the Elisabethenkirche with its beautiful architecture, and explore the Basel Museum of Fine Arts with its unique exhibits. Photograph the Basel Cathedral with its unique aesthetics and admire the Natural History Museum with the unique ancient history it carries. Then the Basel Town Hall awaits you with its unique red facade. Still Spalentor one of the 3 old entrances of Basel will continue your beautiful journey in the heart of Basel. Admire the unique Peterskirche church! The Mittlere Brücke will amaze you, while the Rhine River that runs through Basel will be the icing on the cake of this unique tour.

From Zurich: Day Trip to Lucerne with Optional Yacht Cruise

10. From Zurich: Day Trip to Lucerne with Optional Yacht Cruise

Visit the charming old town of Lucerne on this day-long excursion. Your tour will take you over the Albispass and along Lake Lucerne, the Lake of the Four Cantons, to the town itself. There you will take a small guided tour of the most important sights in the city such as the Chapel Bridge, the Town Hall, the Jesuit Church, and the concert and congress centers. After this, you will have 6 hours to yourself, in order to explore this town, its culture, and traditions, on your own. Visit the Verkehrshaus, the museum of transport and communication, or the Rosengart Museum, housing works by Picasso and Paul Klee. Take a boat trip on beautiful Lake Lucerne, or ride on the City-Train, a road train taking you around the city in 40 minutes (April to October). The picturesque back-streets and alleyways of the old town would entice anyone into strolling down them, to explore their hidden charms. Do a bit of shopping in unique surroundings. Enjoy a relaxing day out from Zürich to Lucerne.

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Frequently asked questions about Basel

What are the best day trips and excursions from Basel?

The best day trips and excursions from Basel are:

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What people are saying about Basel

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 1,086 reviews

The best investment to get to know Switzerland. The 4-day pass is valid from 00:00 on the first day and ends at 05:00 on the fifth day. So it gives a good margin. You don't have to activate anything, just show the pass to the conductor or at the museum ticket office.

This is a must when traveling to Switzerland. Easy to use. Bought it last October so I got the 30% off. The ticket with QR code (SBB) will be sent to your email after few minutes once paid.

It was a great experience. Plenty to eat. We did get a bit confused with the Kults bakery and went to the wrong one to start with so be aware!

We made use of the Swiss Travel Pass. It was amazing. The ticket arrived right and fast. And great value. I recommend

Worth a 2-week journey as we used the trains a lot. Also it works as a museum pass as well.