There are many reasons why I love my adopted home of Basel. But the one thing that makes this small city stand out is its incredible museum scene. With 40 museums packed into just 34 square kilometres, Basel has more museums per square metre than any other city in Europe — making it a dream for culture lovers. Here are the best museums in Basel, hand-picked by a local who’s been exploring them for nearly 25 years.
Basel’s obsession with art and culture goes back to 1661 when, according to reports, it became the first in Europe to open a public art collection. Basel Stadt, together with the University of Basel, purchased the Amerbach Cabinet, a family-owned collection of paintings, books and artefacts. (Today housed at the world-renowned Kunstmuseum and the Historical Museum of Basel.)
With so many museums on offer, it is a daunting and somewhat overwhelming task to think about where to begin. So here are my curated 10 must-sees when it comes to the Basel art and culture scene.
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The 10 Best Museums in Basel
1. Kunstmuseum (Fine Arts)
The Kunstmuseum is the ‘pièce de résistance’ in the Basel museum scene and is number one on my must-see list for many reasons. Housing collections from the mid-15th century to the 1950s across two buildings and 10,000 square metres of floor space, the museum is home to the world’s oldest public art collection. Unsurprisingly, it is a listed Heritage Site of National Significance.
My photographic eye loves the juxtaposition of the old original building and the super modern 2nd building (which opened in 2016), connected by an underpass. So on a rainy day, you won’t need to get wet!
2. Foundation Beyeler
The thing I love most about my visits to Foundation Beyeler is its stunning location. Situated 8km northeast of the city centre in Riehen, close to the border with Germany, the museum combines modern, classical and contemporary art with nature and architecture.
From its huge windows, visitors can enjoy views of the parkland surrounding it across to the foothills of the Black Forest. It always makes me feel calm and grounded. I can see why it is widely known as Switzerland’s most popular art museum. See here for more information about current exhibits or to buy tickets.
3. Museum Tinguely
The Tinguely Museum holds a special place in my heart as it is my children’s absolute favourite. Standing on the banks of the river Rhein in Solitude Park, this modern building contains works created by 20th-century Swiss sculptor and painter Jean Tinguely.
His focus on creating ‘kinetic’ or ‘moving’ art from scrap metal or discarded items brings art to life in interesting ways. One of his most loved sculptors, ‘The Illuminator’, has been given a permanent home at Basel Euroairport after spending many years in the ticket hall of Basel Bahnhof, which is fitting since Tinguely insisted that as many people should see his work as possible. If you want to look at this unique exhibition, visit the website for more details.
Visiting more than one museum? The Basel Museum Pass gives you free entry to most of Basel’s museums for a flat annual fee. If you’re planning to visit two or more museums, it pays for itself quickly. More info on the Basel Museum Pass website.
4. Historical Museum
The Historical Museum is the place to discover Basel’s rich history, aiming to educate people about the city’s past and present, as well as look ahead to the future. The main collection, housed in the beautiful Barfüsserkirche (since 1894), focuses on prehistoric to the present day. So prepare to spend a good few hours here!
At the second building, Haus zum Kirschgarten, there is a fascinating display of Basel’s domestic culture. This mansion building was once a family residence, so many of the rooms show visitors how Basel’s affluent bourgeoisie once lived. And finally, its third location, the Musikmuseum, displays five centuries of European music history. Tickets and more info here.
5. Vitra Design Museum
Just across the border in Weil am Rhein, the famous Vitra Design Museum is always a pleasure to visit. I love spending a couple of hours wandering the campus, taking photos of the incredible design pieces and architectural delights. The light and colour that fills the VitraHaus is worth visiting for alone. And if you find yourself in the cafe there, the wild herb salad is delicious!
If you are looking for things to do over the border in German, check out our Black Forest day trips suggestions.
6. Toy Museum
Every Christmas, crowds marvel at the window displays of this impressive museum just off Barfusserplatz in the heart of Basel. The Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel houses a staggering 6000 items and is Europe’s largest display. There are over 2000 teddy bears alone, the oldest dating back to 1904!
Kids love it as the toys are cleverly placed in scenes as if they are interacting with each other. Interactive displays and screens teach visitors the history and stories behind each collection.
7. Paper Mill and Museum
The crowd-pleasing Basler Papiermühle museum, situated along a pleasant leafy section of the Rhein’s north promenade, is an excellent option if you have just a couple of hours to spare. Teaching you all there is to know about paper, the written word and even bookbinding, kids (and kids at heart) can make their own paper using centuries-old techniques, write with a goose quill and even experiment with marbling techniques. Visitors can also watch the masters at work using traditional machinery to demonstrate their expert craftsmanship!
8. Basel LEbrickGO Museum
I first spotted this museum a few years ago while driving my son to a playdate in the Basel suburb of Binningen. His “Can we go there tomorrow? Pleeeeease?” exclamations from the back seat did not surprise me as both boys were obsessed with those little coloured bricks that are loved by young and old the world over. With 570 square meters of floor space and a dedicated play zone, this small but perfectly formed museum has just the right balance of exhibits and hands-on fun. There is also a LEGO shop on site with a huge variety of sets to purchase.
9. Cartoon Museum
The only Swiss museum dedicated to the art of narrative drawing, the Cartoon Museum and shop brings together over 10,000 works of art, from comics to graphic novels and animated videos. As well as the permanent collection and temporary exhibits, they also offer workshops and educational opportunities for young and old. This museum might be small, but if drawing and animation are your thing, this is definitely worth visiting!
10. Museum of Natural History
Affectionately known as ‘the dinosaur museum’ in our house,the Museum of Natural History rounds out my top 10. Kids will love the huge woolly mammoth model and various skeletons, and if they feel brave, they can even stay over after the doors close! Their phenomenally popular ‘Night at the Museum’ events are held each year and include breakfast.
Art Basel: The World’s Biggest Art Fair
Apart from its 40 museums, Basel also hosts the famous Art Basel. The huge annual event in early summer, the world’s largest temporary collection, brings together over 4000 artists and 200 galleries, connecting them with collectors from all corners of the world. Art Kids has also been a popular initiative amongst art-loving families in recent years. Kids get to hang out and learn about, enjoy and create art (as well as enjoy yummy treats) while their parents meander the main exhibitions. Encouraging and educating the next generation of art enthusiasts! Art Basel takes place every June. Visit the Art Basel website for upcoming dates and tickets.
How to Visit Multiple Basel Museums in One Night
As a Basler, I have visited these and many more, but I am nowhere near experiencing all 40! For locals, an easy way to see a few all at once is to visit the annual Museumsnacht. Participating museums are open until 2 am, often holding special events and exhibitions for the occasion. Public transport is free for Museumsnacht ticket holders (in addition to the free shuttle buses that taxi visitors between museums). Museumsnacht takes place once a year, usually in January. Check the official Museumsnacht website for the next date.
If you’re exploring beyond Basel, don’t miss our guides to Lugano, Lucerne and Zug
FAQ Museums in Basel
Basel has around 40 museums within just 34 square kilometres, making it one of the most museum-dense cities in Europe.
Yes — the Basel Museum Pass gives you entry to many of the city’s museums for a flat fee. It’s great value if you’re planning to visit more than two or three.
Many Basel museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month. The Museum Tinguely and some smaller galleries also have regular free or reduced-price days — check individual museum websites for details.
Families love the Museum Tinguely (interactive kinetic art), the Toy Museum (Europe’s largest), the Paper Mill (hands-on paper-making), and the Natural History Museum, which even runs monthly ‘Night at the Museum’ sleepovers.
I feel so grateful to live in a city that values culture and the arts, and I agree with Herr Tinguely that it should be accessible to as many people as possible! Let us know if you have visited any great museums recently. We would love to hear your recommendations!
