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
- For authentic Swiss hospitality: head to Walliserkanne – my go-to option when we want to show visitors a classic Swiss meal. The schnitzel and fondue are both excellent, and atmosphere is particularly cosy in the colder months.
- For something more international: Markthalle was a brilliant initiative of a few years ago, where they turned the beautiful old market hall near the train station into a food market, with stalls serving food from all around the world. I can never resist the Vietnamese, followed by Basel’s best gelato at Eisuru.
- Dine with the Family at: Markthalle, mentioned above, also has a play area for small kids and a big tunnel slide for the bigger kids. It also happens to be a 10 minute walk from the Zolli (the Basel Zoo), so makes for a great day out
- Vegetarians will feel at home at: Most people in Switzerland will know Tidbits as a reliable option for good vegetarian food, and in Basel this is no different. Tidbits is also in a nice central location, with plenty of seating over two levels.
- Try the local speciality: Pop into the many Läckerli stores around the town to pick up a bag of this local version of gingerbread. Delicious! Personally, I like mine a little stale & chewy
- For Date night in Summer: I recommend sitting outside on the river at Roots, a Michelin-starred restaurant with a relaxed yet delicious menu.
- For Date night in Winter: get in early to make a booking at Baracca Zermatt, the chalet that is set up only in winter, out the front of the restaurant Acqua, and that does an incredible fondue (so many different flavours you can try) in a really cosy atmosphere, complete with fire.
- For drinks: All the Buvette’s along the Rhine are a great option in warmer months and a cocktail at Les Trois Rois is a nice treat. For some ‘proper’ drinking and nightlife, head to Steinvorstadt later in the evening – it is lined with bars (Soho and Buchelis do great cocktails) and packed with people!
Where to Shop in Basel
- Buy the kids something at: Spielkiste, right near Spalenberg, my favourite street in Basel!
- Hire Skis from: Karrer Sport in Laufen. Quite a drive for us, but the service, range and price is excellent! Hiring for a season is the same price for a couple of days in the mountains.
- My favourite clothing store: Head to Freiestrasse (‘the shopping street’) to find a big selection of high street stores, including staples such as Zara and H&M. A selection of nice brands can also be found in PKZ and Globus.
Acitivites In and Around Basel
- Families love to visit: The Zolli (the zoo) is a great option when the weather is nice, and when the weather is terrible our boys beg to go to Aquabasiliea – the indoor water park in Pratteln, a few kilometres out of Basel
- Take a dip: The ultimate swimming option in Basel is of course the Rhine! Floating down the Rhine with your Wickelfisch is an iconic Basel experience, but there are also a couple of ‘pools’ based along the Rhine, where you can just jump in and out for a dip.
- Pull on your hiking boots and: head to Wasserfallen in Reigoldswill. You get the mountain feel with the gondola station at the bottom; if you are with little ones then you can take the gondola up and take one of many nice walks up the top, but if you are wanting a ‘real’ hike, then it will take about 2 hours to walk up, along a lovely forest path. To get down, daredevils rent a Trottinet (or a sled in winter), and I watch them from the safety of the gondola
- An easy day trip: Being Australian, I feel like the whole of Switzerland would be acceptable as a day trip, but the closest way to get a proper mountain fix is Engelberg, only a 90 minute drive away. For lakes, jump on many direct trains to Zurich, Luzern or Zug.
- A great playground: our favourite is the Brunnmattspielplatz in Liestal, but for something a bit more central you can head to Schutzenmattpark.
- Don’t miss a visit to: the Münster – the beautiful old church sitting high alongside the Rhine. Take the steps to walk down to the river, and then catch the little ferry that goes back and forth across the Rhine all day (I don’t think they’ve changed their price from CHF 1.60 for years)
- Locals ski at: Sorry, no skiing in Basel. For day trips we head to Engelberg, but are more likely to take a weekend or week and head further afar, out west (to Bettmeralp, a favourite skiing destination for many Basel Land residents) or out East (to Graubünden, and any one of their many beautiful ski resorts)
- When guests visit: We take them on a walk around the city, being sure to take in Spalenberg (a beautiful winding street in the old town, lined with cute boutiques), the Munster, the Rhine promenade on the Kleinbasel side, and on a ferry across the river (as mentioned above)
All the Locals of Basel Know
- Local festivals not to miss: Fasnacht! Three days of the year when Basel goes a little bit crazy. The carnival is comprised of several different events. You can head out to Liestal for Chienbäse on the Sunday night (a fire parade through the old town), then be back in Basel for Morgenstraich at 4.00am (a parade of lanterns and piccolo players through a pitch black city), join the kids parade on the Tuesday and then witness the messy participants on the Wednesday (many who have barely slept or showered since it began).
- Other Basel Festivals not to miss: the Herbstmesse (the Autumn fair) & the Christmas markets are also beautiful, based across several locations throughout the city.
- The best time of year to visit is: Of course life along the river comes alive in the warmer months, Basel is a great place to visit all year round
Getting Around and Hotels Basel
- Best to get around on: trams, and occasionally a bus
- Closest airport/train station/bus stop: The main train station is Basel SBB, but there is a second train station, the Badischer Bahnhoff (known to many as the ‘German train station’). The closest airport is the Euroaiport in Basel – it is only a 20 minute bus ride (Bus 50) into Basel SBB.
- A place to rest your head and not break the bank: Nomad is all Scandi and concrete, with a great restaurant on the ground floor (worth a visit even if you’re not staying there)
- A place to rest your head when you want to splurge: For old school luxury it’s Les Trois Rois on the Rhine, but for something more modern and edgy, check out a new offering in town – Art House.
