Basel is the third largest city in
Switzerland, located some 10 km to the north-east from
Binningen, 10 km south-east of France border. The capital city
Berne is in 90 km to the south-west. The population of Basel is about 164,500 people (census of 2014). Basel is a popular tourist destination thanks to its zoos and art museums and galleries.
Basel is served by Bale Mulhouse (IATA: MLH) airport, which is 10 km away.
Best things to see in Basel
The Zoo Basel is located in the city of Basel, Switzerland. Established in 1874, it is Switzerland's oldest and largest zoo (by number of animals) and a major tourist attraction with nearly 1. 7 million visitors per year.
The Kunstmuseum Basel houses the largest and most significant public art collection in Switzerland, and is listed as a heritage site of national significance. Its lineage extends back to the Amerbach Cabinet purchased by the city of Basel in 1661, which made it the first municipally owned museum. Its collection is distinguished by an impressively wide historic span, from the early 15th century up to the immediate present. Its various areas of emphasis give it international standing as one of the…
The Basel oppidum, known as Basel-Münsterhügel, is an Iron Age fort (oppidum) constructed by the Celtic Rauraci in the second half of the 1st century BC (late La Tène), after the battle of Bibracte (58 BC). The fort was situated on what is now the Münsterhügel in the Swiss city of Basel. The site was excavated by Furger-Gunti in the 1970s.
The Basel Münster (Basler Münster) is one of the main landmarks and tourist attractions of the Swiss city of Basel. It adds definition to the cityscape with its red sandstone architecture and coloured roof tiles, its two slim towers and the cross-shaped intersection of the main roof. The Münster is listed as a heritage site of national significance.
The Gate of Spalen (in German Spalentor) is a former city gate in the ancient city walls of Basel, Switzerland.
The Gate of Saint Alban (in German St. Alban-Tor or Sankt-Alban-Tor) is a former city gate in the ancient city walls of Basel, Switzerland. It is one of the three remaining gateways and a heritage site of national significance.
The Gate of Saint John (in German St. Johanns-Tor or Sankt-Johanns-Tor) is a former city gate in the ancient city walls of Basel, Switzerland.
The City of Basel Music Academy (German: Musik-Akademie der Stadt Basel) is an institution for music education, located in Basel, Switzerland. It comprises a music school, college of music, and a center for early music research and performance. The Academy is affiliated with the University of Applied Sciences Northwest Switzerland.
If you have already seen Basel, there are still plenty of things to do on the outskirts of the city. If you are around, try one of the following places:
Be sure to check out photos of the area taken by other travellers.