Welcome to Basel: activities and places to visit

Basel has plenty of activities to offer adults and children on sunny and rainy days alike. Discover the best places to visit here.

Places to visit in and around Basel

Basel is not a big city – which makes its huge range of leisure activities even more astonishing. Outdoor activities top the list: Basel is within easy reach of Alsace and the Black Forest, while Baselland itself has plenty of places for you to relax and unwind. Enjoy nature at its best and fabulous views as far as the eye can see.

As well as all this, the city of Basel also tempts visitors to explore it with countless activities: guided tours of the city, pamper days, shopping trips, a wealth of museums, the city zoo – just some of the things you can do in Basel. Immerse yourself in this colourful, ancient yet modern city – you will love it!

Incidentally, with the BaselCard, which you will receive from us, you can use public transport for free and enjoy a 50% discount on the admission prices of many attractions.

In Basel itself: activities and excursions

There are so many things to do in Basel that it would take you weeks to tick them all off. For a leisurely walk or stroll, you can try Basel's old town with its diverse architecture, the Rhine promenade or the botanical gardens at the University of Basel, for example. City tours are offered on a huge range of themes, from traditional to adventurous, and shopping in Basel is also a definite must: in the pedestrianized zone in the old town, you will discover an eclectic mixture of world-famous quality brands and unique local creations. Or how about taking the plunge on a hot summer's day and taking part in the world-famous Basel Rhine Swim?

Family fun in Basel: activities for all ages

If you don't really fancy visiting a museum or the children are not interested in the city's fascinating history, you can fall back on a host of child-friendly activities in Basel: a day at the pool is nearly always a winner, and Basel Zoo and Lange Erlen Animal Park are also sure to delight the children. One of the top outdoor activities for children in Basel has to be a treasure hunt with Basil the little dragon. Take a look at our collection of ideas for excursions in Basel with children and families.

Places to visit in the Basel region

If you run out of activities in Basel itself, there is so much more to discover outside the city. Just the castles and palaces that you can marvel at in the surrounding area are worth several excursions on their own. If you want to go hiking in the Basel region, there are a whole range of exciting routes with different levels of difficulty to explore nearby. One special highlight for ancient history fans is the ancient Roman settlement of Augusta Raurica, which you can easily reach by public transport.

Places to visit in Basel on rainy days

Just because it's raining doesn't mean you have to stay in the hotel. How about a tour of the city on the sightseeing bus? That way, you won't have to miss out on the city's top sights despite the wet weather. After your tour of the city, you can enjoy a wonderfully relaxing moment with a sauna, pampering session or a massage. For those who prefer a bit more action, the fitness centre or Kletterhalle 7 climbing centre – with over 120 routes – offer a sporting challenge. Of course, the activities don't always have to be something out of the ordinary. Basel boasts a large number of cinemas and theatres, as well as a superb culinary offering. And a tour of the museums is also well worth it on rainy days: as well as art and culture, Basel is also home to some more unusual museums such as the Cartoon Museum and a toy museum (Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel).