The city of Basel is located in North West Switzerland at the very point where Switzerland meets France and Germany. Widely regarded as the country’s cultural capital, this relaxed and diverse city sits on the river Rhein and is surrounded on all sides by beautiful hiking routes and countryside. I have called Basel home for many years so here is my insider’s guide to this fun and friendly city!
Eating Out in Basel
- Enjoy breakfast at: Nomad Eatery. Not only will you enjoy a delicious breakfast, you will also be treated with live music.
- Grab a coffee at: Stadthauscafe. Centrally located just a stone’s throw from Marktplatz, this charming coffee house also offers homemade cakes that you can enjoy inside or out in their delightful courtyard.
- For authentic Swiss hospitality: Gifthüttli. This Basel institution with its beautiful wooden interior, although traditionally Swiss, has a multilingual menu and all are welcome.
- For a hipster vibe: SMUK. This place is famous for its brunch, cocktails and its design savvy and cool atmosphere often offers live music.
- For something more international: Make your way to Markthalle. This beautiful domed building near the Hauptbahnhof was originally a wholesale market but is now home to almost 40 stalls, stands and trucks offering a huge variety of international and local cuisine. The smell as you enter is amazing!
- Dine with the Family at: Vapiano. This is our regular go-to for family dinner and we are never disappointed. They offer a range of Italian cuisine including fire oven pizzas and pasta cooked in front of you – as fresh as it comes!
- For Date night: Boo. With three locations in Basel, eating at this Thai restaurant is always a pleasure.
- For when you need something light: head to Spoon. Customers queue out the door for their soups, salad and light snacks. The menu changes every day and they use local ingredients wherever possible.
- Vegetarians will feel at home at: Za Zaa Lebanese Soul Food. Their motto is “When you have more than you need, build a longer table not a higher fence” – sharing their delicious vegetarian and vegan food with friends is always a treat.
- Try the local speciality: Basler Läckerli. A hard spiced biscuit that includes nut and candied peel that has been made in Basel for 700 years!
- For girls’ night out: Cartell. This Mexican restaurant always delivers on flavour and friendliness! Large tables that you can eat and drink around make for a super fun girls gathering.
- For drinks: The Campari Bar. Just across from the Tinguely Fountain, drinking under the large chestnut trees is cool in the summer and sparkly in the winter!
- Grab something sweet at: Mistifry. What started as a pop up bakery has now developed into one of Basel’s most loved eateries. Their brioche dough and unusual flavours are the best donuts I have ever tasted!
Where to Shop in Basel
- Buy your groceries at: The usual suspects. Coop, Migros (a large one at M-Parc) as well as more upscale food shopping at Manor and Globus food halls.
- Visit the Farmers Market: Regular markets in the city including the Stadtmarkt (Tues – Thurs, Fri and Sat at Marktplatz) and Matthausmarket. Many of the surrounding suburbs and villages all have a regular market day too so whatever day you choose, you will find one not too far away!
- Grab a loaf from: Holzofenbackerei Bio Andreas. A mouthwatering selection of bread and pastries.
- Chocolate lovers shouldn’t miss: Xocolatl – a beautiful ‘world of chocolate’ filled with flavours and blends from around the world, all ethically and sustainably sourced.
- Pick up a souvenir at: Johann Wanner. This spectacular Christmas shop is turned into a house of souvenirs in the summer.
- The best Cheese can be found: at Wirth’s Huus where dairy and cheese products have been sold since 1957.
- Find something for the home at: Micasa. There is a huge branch in the M-Parc shopping mall.
- Buy the kids something at: Franz Karl Weber – and don’t miss their model train and gondola in the windows at the front!
- Hire Skis from: We drive to SportShop Karrer in Laufen (a 30-minute drive from Basel). Excellent service and a wide range of winter sports equipment.
- A great second-hand shop: Jäger und Sammler Brockenhaus in Allschwil.
- My favourite clothing store: Wicky Concept Store. A variety of labels to browse with music and coffee!
- Grab a nice bottle at: Paul Ullrich. There are several stores in the Basel area. Some small, some large but all with a huge variety of wines and spirits.
Acitivites In and Around Basel
- Hop on a bike and cycle: along the cycle paths of the Rhein stopping at the many pop-up coffee stands and food trucks along the way.
- Families love to visit: Basel Zoo – or the Zolli as the locals affectionately call it. This zoo, the first in Switzerland, is visited by over 1 million people every year.
- Take a dip: In the Rhein. Jump in with your Wickelfisch from the beach at Tinguely Museum and take a leisurely float 2.4kms downstream. In my opinion, this is one of the most fun activities in Basel!
- Pull on your hiking boots and: head to Wasserfallen. This large hiking area 30 minutes from Basel is accessed via a gondola from the charming village of Reigoldswil. Hiking of all levels and stunning views across to the Alps.
- For something different explore: the industrial harbour and Rhein port in Kleinhuningen. Here you can also visit Dreiländereck – the exact point where France, Germany and Switzerland meet.
- An easy day trip: into Germany to explore the southern part of the Black Forest. Lakes, forests and cake… what’s not to love?
- If it is raining: head to any of the 40 museums in the city! From the toy museum to the Jean Tinguely Museum and everything in between; you will be disappointed that there are not more rainy days!
- A great playground: at Lange Erlen. Close to an animal park and family-friendly restaurant, this new and modern playground will even satisfy the ‘nearly teenager’ members of your family.
- Don’t miss a visit to: the Basel Münster. And if you’re feeling brave, take a trip to the very top up and through winding staircases and narrow balconies. The view from the top is worth it!
- Locals ski at: Engelberg (90 minutes away) or Feldberg in the Black Forest (an hour’s drive away).
- For the best views: try and get an invite to the restaurant on the 38th floor of the Roche Tower (Building No.1). Only open to Roche employees and their guests.
- When guests visit: we wander the old town on a Sunday morning. Quiet and peaceful it is a treat to walk on the cobbles and take in the unique architecture that this part of town is famous for without the crowds.
All the Locals of Basel Know
- Local festivals not to miss: This is an easy one – the Basler Fasnacht! 3 days in February or March where fun, frivolity and food take centre stage.
- The locals eat at: Restaurant Atelier (im Teufelhof) located on my favourite street in the Altstadt, Heuberg.
- Don’t get caught out at: the shopping area around St Jakob when FC Basel, the local football team, are playing at home!
- It is busier on: the weekend. Lots of out of town visitors enjoy the city alongside local Baslers.
- The best time of year to visit is: Early Autumn. Beautiful turning colours but often still warm enough to swim in the Rhein.
- Best place to watch the sunset: St. Chrischona – the highest point in the canton of Basel Stadt at 522m, this hamlet high above the city is a great place to soak up a sunset.
Getting Around and Hotels Basel
- Best to get around on: tram or bus. The city has an extensive network that will get you everywhere you need to be.
- Closest airport/train station/bus stop: Basel is home to Euroairport which exits into both Switzerland and France. Trains from Basel SBB train station will whisk you away to Swiss, French and Italian destinations. Trains from Badischer Bahnhof will take you to Germany.
- Traffic Tips: avoid all motorways between 4 and 6 pm!
- Rent bikes/Scooters from: WeDoBike has a city location and a store in Oberwil to the south of the city.
- A place to rest your head and not break the bank: Radisson Blu at Heuwaage. Right on the tram line, this recently renovated hotel is also close to the main station.
- A place to rest your head when you want to splurge: Hotel Les Trois Rois. One of the oldest hotels in Europe and bursting with charm and impeccable service
