Basel

A university and museum city on the Rhine at the border with France and Germany: the red sandstone Minster above the river, the Kunstmuseum, the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen and the Vitra Design Museum just over the German border. In summer people float down the Rhine with a waterproof swim bag (Wickelfisch). Basel Fasnacht, three days of fife and drum from 4 am on the Monday after Ash Wednesday, is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list. Under an hour from Zurich by train.

Highlights

• Basel Minster and the Pfalz terrace over the Rhine
• Red Rathaus on the Marktplatz
• Kunstmuseum Basel
• Fondation Beyeler
• Swimming down the Rhine in summer
• Current-driven Rhine ferries
• Vitra Campus architecture
• Basel Fasnacht in February or March

Things to do

• Old Town walk: Marktplatz, Rathaus and the MinsterMorning · 2h
• Kunstmuseum BaselAfternoon · 2h 30m
• Fondation Beyeler in RiehenAfternoon · 2h 30m
• Rhine ferry crossing and riverside eveningEvening · 1h 30m
• Rhine swim with a Wickelfisch bagJun–AugAfternoon · 1h 30m

Tours & tickets

When to go

Best time: May – September

• Basel Fasnacht — Three days and nights of masked fife-and-drum cliques, from the Morgestraich at 04:00 on Monday when the city lights go out. On UNESCO's intangible heritage list. Hotels fill months ahead; the date follows Easter.
• Christmas markets — From late November to just before Christmas: Basel's on Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, Zurich's in the station hall and on Sechseläutenplatz, Montreux Noël along the lake. Weekend crowds; mulled wine and raclette stalls.