What are the best things to do in Basel?
Top picks in Basel include Kunstmuseum Basel, Museum der Kulturen, Antikenmuseum Basel, Spielzeug Welten Museum. See the full list and itinerary on this Basel travel guide.
Photo: Taxiarchos228 · FAL
Why visit Basel
Travel guide for Basel, Switzerland — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Basel is a stop in Switzerland, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Kunstmuseum Basel, Museum der Kulturen, Antikenmuseum Basel instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 180–350 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds
Weather
Temperate, with warm summers and cool winters
Experiences
Things to do in Basel
1
Kunstmuseum Basel
2
Museum der Kulturen
3
Antikenmuseum Basel
4
Spielzeug Welten Museum
5
Museum Jean Tinguely
Plan your trip
Basel itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Kunstmuseum Basel
- Visit Museum der Kulturen
- Visit Antikenmuseum Basel
- Eat at Mister Wong
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Spielzeug Welten Museum
- Visit Museum Jean Tinguely
- Eat at Brötlibar
Budget
Basel trip cost
Budget
USD 80–135
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 180–350
per person / day
Luxury
USD 400–665+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Basel, Switzerland. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Basel
Estimated total (USD)
$3,965
≈ $1,983 per person · $566 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $265/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Basel mid-range ground costs (budget 80–135 · mid 180–350 · luxury 400–665+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Mister Wong
Good Asian food, as cheap as Fr. 7–8 to around Fr. 16 for a meal, situated at the Steinenvorstadt (near Barfüsserplatz), at the Centralbahnp
Brötlibar
The Brötli-Bar at the Stadthof Hotel, Barfüsserplatz, has a large selection of open sandwiches ("Brötli" to the Swiss).
Hirscheneck
Traditional left-wing, punk-run restaurant. You get a relatively cheap square meal. Always serves vegetarian and vegan food too. Breakfast o
Migros
in Bahnhof SBB, the Swiss train station, a store of the largest grocery store chain in Switzerland, provides sandwiches, tarts, fresh-baked
Lily's Maxim
"Pan-Asian" bench table restaurant (like Wagamama but with more than noodles). Inexpensive good Asian food, outside terrace in summer. No re
SAM'S Pizza Land
The best American style eat out place. Has a take away counter which serves filling Turkish wraps and pizzas for around Fr. 8
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Aparthotel Adagio Basel City
Central 3-star with 77 self-catering studios or 1-bedroom apartments, with contemporary decor.
Münchnerhof Swiss Q Hotel
Three star hotel.
Gaia Hotel
Four-star hotel.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Basel
Renovated, fully air conditioned, great lobby bar and fair restaurants: Steinenpick and Kaffi-Muehli. Pleasant and helpful staff. Standard r
Jugendherberge Basel
Hostel in a converted 19th-century factory, a bit spartan.
Shopping
- Läckerli Huus
- Confiserie Brändli
- choco loco
- Confiserie Sprüngli
- Heimatwerk
- TARZAN
Nightlife
- BarRouge
- Zum Braunen Mutz
- Cargo Bar
- Fischerstube
- Restaurant Linde
- Rio Bar
Museums & culture
- Kunstmuseum Basel
- Museum der Kulturen
- Antikenmuseum Basel
- Spielzeug Welten Museum
- Museum Jean Tinguely
In pictures
Basel gallery
Photos: Taxiarchos228, JoachimKohler-HB, Tilman2007, karlheinz klingbeil — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Basel travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Basel?
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds.
How many days do I need in Basel?
Plan at least 2 days in Basel for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Basel?
Popular stays in Basel include Aparthotel Adagio Basel City, Münchnerhof Swiss Q Hotel, Gaia Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Basel cost?
On the ground in Basel (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 80–135 per person per day, mid-range about 180–350, and luxury about 400–665+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Basel, Switzerland. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
