The cosmopolitan and sophisticated Swiss city of Basel, nestled on the Rhine where the French, German and Swiss borders collide, is a cultural paradise with tons of museums and fascinating structures. The number of interesting sights is fantastic for a city of Basel’s petite size, with zoological gardens, pleasant plazas and plenty of shopping opportunities among the many highlights.
Basel’s relatively small cup overflows with cultural attractions: the Kunstmuseum (Fine Arts Museum) is the oldest museum in Switzerland and is home to collections of works by Van Gogh, Picasso and Klee among others; the Basler Zoologischer Garten is one of the best zoos in the world; while the imposing gothic architecture of the Basel Cathedral is impressive.
The beautiful countryside that surrounds the city, stretching majestically into Switzerland, Germany and France, is awash with ancient castles, waterfalls and quaint villages. Strolling through the cobbled city streets – full of shops, restaurants and cozy cafés – is a delight. If the weather is warm enough, a dip in the Rhine is essential.
Highlights
Kunstmuseum: enjoy collections from some of the world’s finest artists at the oldest museum in Switzerland.
Basler Zoologischer Garten: built over 130 years ago, the Garten is considered to be one of the finest zoos in the world. ****
Basel Cathedral: built in 1019 and rebuilt after an earthquake 1356, this fabulous gothic building is a must-see.
Stadtcasino: full of quality nightspots and the best place to catch big live concerts.****
The Rathaus: Basel’s town hall was built in 1504 and features spectacular frescoes.
Historisches Museum Barfüsserplatz: rare 15th century tapestries and ecclesiastical art can be found in this spectacular 14th century church.** **