Things to do & places to visit in Canton of Basel, Switzerland

Canton of Basel #7 destination in Switzerland 2023. The average rating score is 4.42 based on 18.7k traveler reviews, of 165 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Zurich, current date and time: Monday, May 06, 2024, 11:16.

Top things to do (31)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 FLYFSX.CH (34 reviews)
- Amazing
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Game & Entertainment Centers

Bewegliche Flugsimiulatoren in Basel, Riehen, Schweiz Geniessen Sie ein einzigartiges Flugerlebnis in unseren Simulatoren. Flüge bereits ab CHF 30.00. Neben Einzelflügen bieten wir auch Gruppenevents für Firmen, Abteilungen, Verein und / oder private Feiern wie Geburtstage, Hochzeitsfeier, Aperos, ... an. Auf Wunsch auch mit Catering. JEDERMANN ist bei uns herzlich willkommen. Gutscheine ebenfalls ab CHF 30.00 erhältlich. Wir freuen uns auf Ihren Besuch in unseren beweglichen und einzigartigen Flugsimulatoren. IHR FLYFSX TEAM See more..
5.0 Orachorn Thai Massage & Spa (33 reviews)
- Best of class massage
Monday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Spas

And in particular the lomi-lomi massage. Very professional in the right atmosphere, room, decor, music , and very clean. It s worth every minute of it. See more..
5.0 Wenken Park (29 reviews)
- Christmas Party
Spent 1-2 hours Parks

The place is breathtakingly amazing especially when you step on the entrance gate down to the banquet hall where you can nature within alongside. It is perfect for all occasions. So love it there. See more..
4.5 Basel Minster (2.110 reviews)
- Impressive Cathedral in Altstadt Basel!
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

This magnificent Cathedral is the heart of Old Town Basel, and is a focal reference for both sides of the Rhine River. Once a Catholic church, it is now Reformed Protestant, and the building as it stands today dates back to the 12th century and was completed around 1225. The Basel Minster is an impressive architectural and religious experience, even from the outside. Walking the perimeter, enjoying the quiet cloisters area, and admiring the colorful roof tiles is a humbling experience. Entry to the church is free, with a small fee to go to the top of the East tower. The fun adventure getting to the top, and the beautiful views of the City of Basel, make the trip to the top very rewarding! Basel Minster is an impressive Cathedral, and well worth visiting when in the city. See more..
4.5 Zoo Basel (1.921 reviews)
- Great!
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Zoos

Best zoo I’ve been too with such a wide selection of animals and exhibits. The vivarium was a must see as was the primate building. Don’t miss the penguin parade either! The only thing I wouldn’t 100% recommend is the sea lion show, as an English speaker I missed most of the information and the area was extremely busy. Only other advice would be wrap up warm during the cold months as it’s mostly outdoors! See more..
4.5 Town Hall (1.478 reviews)
- Exceptionally grand
Monday: 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

With its standout red sandstone façade it is an architectural jewel. A centrepiece in the popular square, it has an esteemed history. Replacing an earlier one destroyed in the 1356 earthquake, it is beautifully ornate. An inner courtyard has an extravagance of frescos all relating tales of heroism and segments of history. The roof is tiled in multicolours. A fine tower rises on one side and is crowned with an exquisite turret. See more..
4.5 Rheinfähre (1.364 reviews)
- Quick Rhine River Crossing!
Monday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Ferries

The four Rhine ferries cross the Rhein on four different places Contact: St. Alban Fähre: 0041 79 659 63 66 Münster-Fähre: 0041 77 400 65 41 Klingental-Fähre: 0041 79 659 63 67 St.Johan-Fähre: 0041 79 659 63 68 See more..
4.5 Kunstmuseum Basel (1.242 reviews)
- The building itself is a work of art!
Monday: Spent 2-3 hours Art Museums

The Kunstmuseum Basel is home to one of the largest and oldest public museum collections in Europe with works from the early fifteenth century to the present. See more..
4.5 Basel's Old Town (1.073 reviews)
- Lots of preserved historical buildings
Neighborhoods

We caught the tram to Marketplatz which is located in the old town. There was a market on the day we visited and the historical Rathaus (Town Hall) is is located here. There are lots of narrow alleyways to explore where you will see many century-old buildings. We loved the architecture in Basel Old Town, I sat in one of the laneways on the footpath and enjoyed a local wine. Basel’s Old Town is very beautiful and well preserved. See more..
4.5 Fondation Beyeler (1.017 reviews)
- Lovely museum and setting
Monday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

The Fondation Beyeler is a museum of modern and contemporary art open 365 days a year. It is considered one of the world's most beautiful museums. Its exhibitions of renowned artists of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries have brought the museum international recognition and established it as Switzerland's most popular art museum. The focus is the visitor's personal and sensory experiences in encountering art and nature. The art museum is located in an English park with a historical villa, old trees, and water lily ponds. The museum building, designed by award-winning Italian architect Renzo Piano, fits elegantly into the cultural landscape and offers beautiful views of the park. See more..
4.5 Tinguely Fountain (886 reviews)
- Super melange of activity
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours Fountains

Beside the great Theatre it was terrific to see this super melange of activity. Gifted to the city, it is a unique installation. An appealing symmetry is that the creations constantly dance, move and interact with each another. Mirroring what artists did for decades on the stage where the fountain now resides. Created by the artist unlike no other, it was unveiled to the world in 1977. See more..
4.5 Museum Tinguely (870 reviews)
- Fantastic assemblages
Monday: Speciality Museums • Art Museums

Using detritus and junk that would normally be binned, Tinguely made statements about the multitudes of materials and items that we use in everyday life. It’s a tremendous melange of pieces he compounded from objects both salvaged and intact. On the lower floor are the largest creations. Some can be explored by walking onto and upwards. Regularly they spring into life with wheels rotating, cymbals banging and other great kinetics. Temporary exhibitions were also underway. Dutch artist Anouk Kruithof's Universal Tongue had an installation celebrating the exuberance of dance. Multitudes of screens display ever changing dances in all their ingenuity. A pressing environmental issue is waste in all its manifestations. Territories of Waste concerns itself with this mountainous problem. See more..
4.5 Basel Paper Mill - Swiss Museum for Paper, Writing and Printing (700 reviews)
- In-depth and Immersive Experience for Paper Nerds
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums

Basel Paper Mill is the national museum for paper, typography and writing. Within the walls of a medieval mill, visitors discover the bookmaking proces from handmade paper to the finished book. On four floors you can experience various workshops with all your senses: crafting your very own handmade paper, write with ink quil, set your name in lead types at the printer's workshop or create your own marbling paper: A lively diversity is the trademark of the museum. With a mix of exhibition and production-workshops the Basel Paper Mill offer a fascinating atmosphere in an authentic environment. A whole range of products is manufactured before the eyes of the visitors for customer orders or sales in the museum shop. See more..
4.5 Müensterplatz (433 reviews)
- Elevated square with river views
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

The Munsterplatz is a square encircling the Basel Cathedral. From the Cathedral's front side there's one square with a row of old houses in pastel colors, while another square behind the Cathedral offers spectacular views of the Rhine river with whole city beneath you. Great place to bring a drink and enjoy the views. See more..
4.5 Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel (340 reviews)
- For all young at heart
Monday: Speciality Museums

Special interest museum features a historic variety of play objects including dolls, dollhouses, Teddy bears, carrousels and miniatures from all over the world. See more..
4.5 Tierpark Lange Erlen (225 reviews)
- Free entry to small zoo
Zoos

Great place for both kids and adults at the edge of a large park with miles of paths - good for cycling and walking. Bus no 34 takes you directly outside entrance, Can spend a couple of hours here. Only drawback ( same throughout all of Basel) is information plaques have no English translation beside the German, See more..
4.5 Botanischer Garten der Universität (211 reviews)
- Must visit
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Gardens

We didnt expect much when we decided to visit but at the end, this was a highlight of our trip in Basel. The botanical garden consists of many parts, it is very interesting and ... it is free. We spent approximately two hours and they totally worth it. Dont miss it. See more..
4.5 Rheinufer Basel (210 reviews)
- Walk with amazing views
Spent More than 3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

I recommend a lot planning a walk along side river. Panorama of the city, architecture is amazing. I have made it several times. City looks different at sunrise, during the day and sunset. See more..
4.5 Augusta Raurica (198 reviews)
- Surprising location for Roman ruins
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums • Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins

The Roman town only a stone’s throw from Basel in SwitzerlandAn outing for the whole family that offers much and costs little.The imposing Roman theatre, the authentic Roman villa, the mysterious well shaft, the biggest silver treasure of late antiquity, accessible sewer tunnels and the winsome animals in the animal park are only a few of the attractions that you should not miss.Off to roman times! See more..
4.5 Offene Kirche Elisabethen (172 reviews)
- Lovely Gothic Revival
Monday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

The Open Church is a postdenominational church, based in the jewish-christian faith, open for each person of good will, whatever they believe in. Wether you are looking for silence, a blessing or for a lively disco: We cater to your needs. The church is open Mon trough Sat from 10am and to 7pm. On sundays we open after local masses and services @ 12 noon. Our cafe offers exquisit hot and cold drinks from 7am on. You can rent the church for your familiy or business events (www.your-venue-basel.com). Our programm can be found @ www.offenekirche.ch. See more..
4.5 Basel Historical Museum - Barfuesserkirche (170 reviews)
- Not to Be Missed Historical Museum!
Monday: Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • History Museums

Housed in the Barfüsserkirche since 1894, Basel Historical Museum presents selected aspects of the history of Basel from prehistoric times to the present. Especially worthy of note here are the works of pre-Reformation sacred art such as the Basel Dance of Death and Basel Cathedral Treasury. The section called «Understanding the World» installed in the basement comprises a magnificent array of medieval tapestries with their fantasy worlds and scenes of real life, the Renaissance and Baroque collections grouped together in one «Great Cabinet of Curiosities», and Basel’s rich archaeological heritage. Among the other highlights here are the coin cabinet and Burgundian Booty. See more..
4.5 Naturhistorisches Museum Basel (166 reviews)
- Dinosaurs, geology and the natural world
Monday: Science Museums

Close to the river and cathedral this is a good museum full of interesting exhibits. My daughter particularly liked the dinosaurs but my favourite part was the geology rooms. Some interactive features covered up due to coronavirus controls but that didn’t impact the visit negatively. Display information in German. See more..
4.5 Merian Garten (155 reviews)
- Superb with great facilities
Monday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Gardens

An extension expansive lovely green area it has marvellous relaxing walks amongst the voluminous flora. Amongst the many botanical treasures is a great collection of clematis. A fine mansion now hosts a well regarded Cafe. See more..
4.5 Mittlere Brücke (127 reviews)
- City's most famous crossing
Bridges

Replacing a much earlier crossing it dates from the early 1900s. In granite it has a total of seven arches. Notably a Gothic Chapel was built at the central point. It was a replica of the medieval one on the previous bridge and carries on a common practice in those earlier centuries. Two art pieces adorn the structure. Amazon Leading a Horse by the Swiss artist Carl Burckhardt was installed in the 1920s. At the other side Helvetia auf der Reise by Bettina Eichin shows a figure gazing out across the river. See more..
4.5 Pharmaziemuseum Universitat Basel (119 reviews)
- Excellent evocation of early medicines
Monday: Speciality Museums

As a tribute to the long history of pharmacies and medicines in the city, it’s incomparable. With leading global pharma companies such as Novartis and Roche headquartered here, it’s a fitting panegyric. Marvellous artefacts are displayed, from a complete olden pharmacy to multifarious medicines, powders, tinctures and elixir. Raw materials for many of these are shown, comprising plant, animal and mineral. In laboratories chemists and scientists experimented and toiled to produce hoped for improvements and cures for the ill. Distillation was a common technique, as was compounding using copious mortars and pestles. See more..
4.5 Antikenmuseum Basel (82 reviews)
- Fabulous window onto ancient societies
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Natural History Museums • Art Museums

The Antikenmuseum Basel & Sammlung Ludwig is the only Swiss museum devoted exclusively to the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean region. The permanent exhibition contains ancient art mainly from Egyptian, Greek, Italic, Etruscan and Roman cultures. Located in the heart of the city of Basel, the museum is a place where the ancient world is regularly cast in a new light. See more..
4.5 Novartis Campus (80 reviews)
- Great Campus
Architectural Buildings • Educational sites

I came as a visitor to this interesting campus of Novartis. A city in a city with many architectural highlights worthwhile to see and explore. Is this a helpful review? Then please give me a "Thumbs up Thank FrankGeisler" by clicking the button below. See more..
4.5 Region Wasserfallen (69 reviews)
- Beautiful surroundings for hiking
Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks

We did the entire round hike tour (Nr 470). It took us 3.5h for ca. 12 km. You have a few beautiful sightseeing points but the hike is quite tough with very uneven trails and a lot of stones on the way. I wouldn’t go with small kids but it’s worth the effort. The cable car at 22 francs is a bit expensive but ok, this is Switzerland. Enjoy! See more..
4.5 Ermitage (69 reviews)
- Beautiful walk in nature
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites

If you stay in Arlesheim, don't miss walking to the Ermitage, a wonderful area with both nature and culture See more..
4.5 Pantheon Basel (67 reviews)
- For aficionados of vintage and veteran
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM Speciality Museums

A marvellous showcase of multitudes of venerable motors from the 1890s onwards. One of the oldest we saw is an Oldsmobile from 1898 followed by others from the same decade, such as the superbly conserved Patentmotorwagon Popp and Parisienne Victoria Combination. Moving into the first decade of the 1900s great examples are here. Notably a Renault AZ, Charron Typ X, Turicum and a De Dion-Bouton from 1904. A gorgeous Rolls Royce Phantom from 1928 is another highlight. As are a 1952 Mercedes and a 1923 Citroen. A tremendous way of spending an hour or so. See more..