We can state with easy conscience: Basel is a cultural pearl! Maybe not that well known, but this makes it more convenient to you, enjoying your visit.

With more than 20 museums Basel provides the visitor a lot of opportunities to spend a day (or more) even if the shops are closed, as they are on Sundays, or the weather is bit uncomfortable. One of the advantages is that most of the "old town" attractions in Basel are in walking distance between Basel Zoo (just south of the Basel SBB train station) and the Rhine.

Starting with the architectural highlights of Basel you have to see the Gates to the walled city. After the great earthquake in 1356, when most of Basel was destroyed, a ring of fortification was constructed to provide a safe environment for the nearly 20,000 inhabitants. A few of the medieval buildings can still be seen as they are: Spalen Gate (Spalentor), St. Alban Gate (St. Alban Tor) near Aeschenplatz and St. Johanns Gate (St. Johanns Tor), near the river Rhine. The most impressive single building is Basel Cathedral (Basler Münster), built and rebuilt between the years 1019-1500 in Romanesque and Gothic style. Best is to walk up from Marktplatz or Mittlere Brücke to Münsterplatz (Cathedral square) to see Basel's cathedral and the surrounding medieval buildings. The highlight of the cathedral is the Gallus Gate (Galluspforte) on the western façade, which is considered to be the most important Romanesque sculptural work in Switzerland.

Walking to the main façade to the south you will find figures (mostly Romanesque), including St. George slaying the Dragon. Don’t miss the inside which has, among other things, a lectern most delicately carved out of sandstone (19th century), and a crypt with tombs of early bishops of Basel. You should also climb St. Martin's tower (completed 1500), which is 62 meters high but 3 meters shorter than St. George's tower which was completed in 1492 after the 1356 earthquake destroyed an earlier version. Enjoy spectacular and breathtaking views over the Rhine, our other destinations Alsace and Black Forest in the distance. However Basel has more architectural amenities for you: you just have to explore them for yourself, strolling through the side streets.

The most exquisite place to enjoy art is the Museum for Art (Kunstmuseum Basel). It is an impressive permanent collection of 19th and 20th century works (comprising a whole room filled with masterpieces by Picasso), as well as an extensive collection of medieval and renaissance paintings from European artists (Hans Baldung Grien, Hans Holbein etc). Only 10 minutes walk away you find the Museum for Recent Art (Museum für Gegenwarts-kunst), which is part of the Kunstmuseum. It is focused - as the German name says - on contemporary art. Along with the Beyeler Foundation, you find in a suburb of Basel, both collections are must-sees for art lovers. The Beyeler Foundation shows amongst excellent temporary display, works from colour-field painter Mark Rothko and Claude Monet. The Schaulager, the Kunsthalle and the Kunsthaus Baselland are some more spots that are worthwhile to visit for the cultural interested. These houses are focused on temporary art and changing art shows. For something completely different, we recommend the Museum Jean Tinguely. Here you find some fantastic animated mechanical works dedicated to Swiss artist Jean Tinguely and other similar "kinetic" modern artists. Also a great experience for your kids.

But maybe you just want to enjoy Basel as a synthesis of arts. Then be sure to spend some time in the afternoon enjoying the sun by the Rhine, walking along the 2 miles promenade on the Kleinbasel board, walk over the bridges, which offers you excellent vantage points to see the most important river in Europe and river banks life. Even better - cross the Rhine by Faehri, a ferry driven only by the power of the river Rhine.

These places are definitely favourites for your city break in Switzerland and we look forward to your booking to see it for yourselves!