Itineraries for Your Trip to Basel
1 Day in Basel for First Timers
I’m often in Switzerland to ski or hike in the mountains, so most Swiss cities tend to slip under my radar. Basel, however, is a city that’s worth a detour. For me, it’s a great weekend destination, or a stop en route to the mountains or another European city. If you don’t have a full weekend free, don’t despair—you can sightsee and discover its art and culture by planning ahead.
I like to walk around the Kleinbasel and Grossebasel old town areas as most museums and bars are there, but you can save time with trams and ferries. If you only have one day in Basel, get more out of your trip with these tips.
If you only have time for one thing, climb the 200-odd steps inside Basel Minster’s towers for views that sweep the city and the Rhine.
If your one day in Basel falls in the summer, wear your bathing suit under your day clothes and bring a light microfiber towel (exciting news: you can squeeze in a swim).
A busy day in Basel calls for breakfast fit for a king at the luxurious Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois; request a Rhine-view table when you book. You can download a Basel scavenger hunt from the comfort of your seat, then head out to orient yourself around Basel attractions, such as the Mittler Brücke and Basel Minster. Alternatively, get a taste of Swiss cheeses and chocolates with a private guide to lead the way. Afterward, swing past the Bärfusserplatz Tourist Information Centre to buy or rent a Wickelfisch dry swim bag (more on this later).
If you’re still hungry, grab a street food snack from the Markthalle, then pick one of the world-class museums to visit in the Grossbasel neighborhood (the old town on the southern side of the Rhine). Top picks include Kunstmuseum Basel, Toy Worlds Museum Basel, or the Basel Paper Mill (Basler Papiermühle). Cross the river to check out quirky mechanical installations at the Museum Tinguely. Then, head to the riverbank, strip to your bathing suit, put your day clothes in your Wickelfisch, and swim/float down the Rhine River to the exit before the Dreirosenbrücke bridge in Kleinbasel.
After a quick rinse under a free shower on the riverbank, change back into your clothes (dry, thanks to the Wickelfisch bag) and start your evening. Kleinbasel is lively, and you’re close to the bustling Klybeckstrasse with countless bars and restaurants. Of course, you can get to different neighborhoods easily via the trams, opening up possibilities for even more choice and traditional Swiss food options. Or, learn to make focaccia, pizza, and tiramisu in an Italian cooking class.
