Serving as the gateway to Western Europe and loaded with plenty of history of its own that begs to be explored, Basel is an excellent destination for a quick weekend getaway.
This two-day itinerary is packed with just about what you’ll need for your weekend in Basel: a guide through Basel’s top spots for sightseeing, eating out, and making the most of your stay. Without further ado, let’s get right to it!
Table of Contents
Where to stay
Since we only have two days and we want to see as much of Basel as possible, your best pick would be the Altstadt Grossbasel, literally “Old Town Greater Basel”.
This is very much the heart of the city, closest to all the major attractions, and arguably the part of Basel most rich in history.
If you’re on a smaller budget or want to maximize convenience, then I’d suggest Gundelinen. With plenty of cheap accommodation options and within extreme proximity of the main railway station, this is among the best places to be in Basel for shorter stays.
How to get around
Compared to European metropolises like Paris or Berlin, Basel is quite compact and very easily walkable.
Still, there’s an excellent, well-maintained public transportation system should you ever feel the need to use it.
What’s more, every booking at a Basel hotel comes with a BaselCard free of charge, which lets you hop on any bus, tram, or train free of charge for the duration of your stay! It also serves as a discount card for many of the city’s most important sights and attractions – neat, huh?
Day 1
Morning: Exploring Altstadt Grossbasel
Start your Basel adventure on the right foot by heading out into the Old Town in the morning.
You’ll quickly notice Old Basel’s charm. Narrow half-timbered houses and cobblestone paths split into what feels like millions of tiny alleyways, littered with shops, restaurants, bars, and fountains.
About those fountains, by the way: the Old Town claims to have over 300 of them. How many can you spot during your trip?
For breakfast, you have plenty of options. You can do it like the locals and stop by the first best bakery you see on your way – trust me, there’ll be plenty.
If you want a more diverse set of options, you can head in the direction of the Town Hall (follow the signs, as those aforementioned alleys can be very confusingly laid out to first-time visitors). This way, you should soon make it to Basel’s market square.
From Monday to Saturday, people assemble here before noon to buy and sell fresh produce, snacks, little souvenirs, as well as houseplants, flowers, and the like.
There are also plenty of nice shops and places to grab a bite all around the Square. My personal recommendation goes to the Confiserie Schiesser, which is like a treasure trove of all things sweet and Swiss.
With a full stomach, get ready to explore the magic of Old Basel further. Not far from the market square and the impressive Town Hall with its medieval tower lies the Basler Münster, the city’s main cathedral.
The piazza surrounding it remains a popular public square for live performances of almost any kind. Tourists also love climbing up the Pfalz, a medieval kind of terrace, to get a look at the beautiful riverside scenery.
If you want, you can hire a boat ride across the Rhine towards Bern from the shore. It’s definitely the kind of experience I’d recommend to really get to know Basel from a different angle!
Afternoon: Downtown Basel
The peak of the day is the best time to venture into the bustling heart of the city, so that’s exactly what we’re going to do. Head south of the Old Town in the direction of the Gundelinen neighborhood and the train station.
Consider straying to the west a bit on your way and getting a chance to browse through a few of the many dozen boutiques and artisanal businesses hidden in the alleys of Spalenberg. Don’t forget the chocolatiers!
This will lead you to many of Basel’s most significant attractions – I recommend the Zoo for one, which is among the most impressive I have seen in Central Europe.
There is also the Markthalle, which begs to be explored for hours upon hours on end.
Classier than any mall and with much more fascinating and cosmopolitan options for shopping, eating out, and spending time, this is a favorite afternoon spot among Baslers.
My favorite there is the amazing Vietnamese street food, but you’re likely to find options catering to many other kinds of tastes.
Evening: Crossing the Bridge
The highlight of Basel’s romance is the Mittlere Brücke, the “middle bridge”. Originally built in the 13th century, this is one of the oldest permanent river crossings on the Swiss section of the Rhine.
Feel free to admire the clear waters and excellent views as you make your way along! The Mittlere Brücke arguably makes for some of Basel’s best photo ops, especially come sunset.
Once there, you’ll be greeted with Aldstadt Kleinbasel. Yep, that’s “Old Town Little Basel” to you. Compared to the left flank of the Rhine, this part of the city has an even homelier, cozier feel with less bustle and exactly as much history oozing out of every corner.
Consider heading in the direction of Rosental – that’s northeast of the bridge – to view the hyper-modern beauty of the Messe Basel, the city’s exhibition center.
The biggest yearly events are Baselworld, the globe’s biggest luxury watch fair (of course), and Art Basel, which specializes in the trade of high-value artworks from all periods of history.
And even if it happens to be closed when you arrive, the curves and dramatic openings of the gigantic facade are a marvel to behold in person no matter what.
Further to the east, you can tour the Jean Tinguely museum, dedicated to preserving the life work of one of Switzerland’s most celebrated artists.
Now that should be enough wandering about for one day, so let’s head back for dinner.
I recommend any of Kleinbasel’s best (and sadly overlooked), such as the waterfront Rhywera with its gorgeous views and excellent wines.
Just note that weekend reservations at desirable places like this are on a by-agreement-only basis more often than not. Be sure to call ahead of time!
If you’re in the city looking for some livelier entertainment, it’ll also delight you to know that Kleinbasel offers by far the best selection of bars, nightclubs, and other after-hours venues in town.
Day 2
Morning: The Hidden Side of Basel
After your first day-long adventure, you might have gotten a picture of Basel as a town stuck in time – old, old-fashioned, and very much proud of it.
While that’s true, reconsider those first impressions as soon as you enter the vibrant corner of St. Alban.
To the southeast of the Old Town lies this clash of modernity and tradition, which holds some of my absolute favorite spots in Basel to explore. For starters, grab some breakfast on your way there at the Nomad.
Offering an eclectic mix of international fusion recipes, this is a good primer for the kind of vibes you’re about to experience today.
Just around the corner, you’ll come across a few of the first of St. Alban’s major sights: the Kunsthalle Basel and the Kunstmuseum.
Even if you don’t consider yourself an absolute art fanatic, these two are a must-visit. The former is the oldest museum dedicated to contemporary artworks in Switzerland and by far the most important.
The latter holds an even higher distinction as the oldest permanent art collection worldwide. Works range from European Medieval up to the present day, and of course, almost all of the Swiss classics, in particular, are well-represented.
St. Alban goes far beyond cultural appeal, however. Heading deeper into the neighborhood, you’ll discover the St. Alban Anlage, a huge public park that has become the main hangout spot for Basel’s youth scene.
This is also in very close proximity to the St. Alban-Tor, one of the oldest remains of old Basel’s city gates and surrounding fortifications.
For lunch, consider paying a visit to St. Alban’s oldest pride and joy, the restaurant Aeschenplatz. Surrounded by greenery and with a reputation that goes back centuries, this is really one meal you’ll never regret.
Afternoon: Culture, Culture, Culture…and Sports!
A full stomach is best for gently taking in St. Alban’s other treasures. Consider the Kunsthaus Baselland or the funky Cartoon Museum – both experimental venues that reward your curiosity with the kinds of exhibits you’ll never see anywhere else.
If you can’t get enough of the cultural capital Basel has to offer, I can’t blame you. With over 30 other museums and tons of architectural and historical heritage to explore, I really recommend a dedicated private heritage tour to get the most out of your weekend in town.
You can also hop over to St. Jakob-Park, the largest sports venue in town. As with the rest of Central Europe, soccer (or association football) is the main draw here, so if you’re a fan, prepare to make lots of like-minded friends!
On the way there and all around St. Alban, especially closer to the riverfront, you may also come across the dozens of small canals that litter the area. They gave rise to the nickname “Little Venice”, and they’re just one more reason so many locals are in love with their neighborhood.
To the west, in the direction of the Zoo, there are a few more green areas to explore. One of my favorites is the Benkenpark, which is also conveniently close to the Rialto, the major indoor swimming pool in the area.
Especially in the summer months, this can be one of the top spots to be in Basel for socializing and relaxing while also getting some healthy exercise.
As for the winters, that’s a different story. Most travelers and many locals venture out during the coldest months, for example to the nearby Swiss mountains and mountain ranges like Jungfraujoch, where skiing and other winter sports (as well as the unbelievable views) pull in millions.
Especially for first-timers, the trip can be quite challenging, so consider a comprehensive tour that’ll guide you through the whole adventure and back.
Evening: Back to Center
For your last few hours in Basel, I suggest dialing up the romance and letting time gently, slowly drift past you.
Consider visiting (or re-visiting) some of the city’s most important sights while you still have the chance. The Roche Towers to the east are Switzerland’s tallest, and you should have been able to see them from almost every corner of town.
The area surrounding the Minster and the Market is also worth another look, especially depending on the season. In December, the Christmas market lights up nearly the whole Old Town but especially the big square surrounding the Town Hall during the evenings.
And during March, Fasnacht envelops all of Old Basel in a traditional carnival-like festival that’s equally a sight to behold and take part in!
For your last dinner in Basel, it’s worth going for the best. The Kulinarium at Schloss Bottmingen is the one that’s on every backpacker’s list, and if you can afford it, it’s the perfect sendoff.
Set inside an actual 18th-century castle, the Kulinarium features arguably the most intense fairy tale vibes you can get this side of a movie set.
With stuccoes galore, genuine baroque furnishings, and the most stunning chandeliers ever put in a restaurant, this is what “dining like royalty” really feels like.
Swiss to no end and among the best places in all of Europe to have dinner – what more could you want from Basel?
Apart from being situated by the riverfront with an excellent view of the water, Schloss Bottmingen also offers you a perfect connection to the Old Town and the main railway station on foot as well as by its own, dedicated tram station.
This will make packing up and getting back home a breeze, so you shouldn’t need to worry about the time while finishing your fifth course.
