Things to do in Basel

Best Things to do in Basel

Planning a trip and wondering about the top things to do in Basel? From historic landmarks to modern experiences, the city offers something for every traveller, making it a perfect getaway in 2026.

With over 191 activities in Basel, there is plenty to explore. Visit some of the most popular tourist attractions in , including iconic sites, vibrant neighbourhoods and cultural hubs. Whether you’re exploring bustling markets, sampling local delicacies or relaxing at scenic spots, every corner has something new to discover.

With experiences starting at INR 287, it’s never been easier to plan your perfect trip. Make the most of your visit to Basel in January and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Best Things to Do in Basel for Art, River Views, and Swiss Charm

About Basel

Basel is one of those cities that feels small enough to walk but big enough to keep surprising you. You’ve got the Rhine cutting through the middle, museums that rank among Europe’s best, and neighbourhoods where cafés spill onto cobbled streets. It’s equal parts old town charm and modern art buzz.

Some of the most popular Basel tourist attractions include the Basel Minster, Kunstmuseum, and the Rhine promenade. These spots give you a solid mix of history, art, and riverside life.

So whether you’re crossing the Rhine on a little ferry, exploring museums, or just wandering alleys on a Sunday morning, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Basel that fit right into your trip.

Unique Experiences

Farmer’s Market, Cheese, Chocolate & Pastry Tour

You can wander through a buzzing market, taste Swiss cheeses, bite into pastries, and go for chocolate treats from local vendors. It’s one of the best things to do in Basel if you want to eat your way through local favourites while learning what makes this place tick.

• Where: Marktplatz Marktpl., 4001 Basel, Switzerland
• Pricing: It starts from INR 9,500 per person
• Timing: About 3 hours total; starts at 1:30 PM
• When to Visit: Year-round, but weekends feel livelier with market energy

Express Walk of Basel with a Local (1-Hour)

You can get the city’s pulse in just an hour through Old Town sights, church spires, market vibes, all with a local guide who keeps it real. It’s one of the things to do in Basel on Sunday if you want light but meaningful steps into Basel’s soul.

• Where: St. Alban-Vorstadt 101, 4052 Basel, Switzerland
• Pricing: It starts from INR 3,900 per person
• Timing: 1 to 2 hours only; slots available at 11:00 AM, 2:30 PM and 5:30 PM
• When to Visit: Sundays are peaceful and hauntingly beautiful in Old Town

Walking Tour of Historic Old Town

You can take a two-hour stroll through cobbled streets, climb the cathedral tower for views, drop by Barfüsserkirche, City Hall, and even peek into the Museum der Kulturen. It’s one of the unusual things to do in Basel because it layers centuries in a compact, human pace.

• Where: Tinguely-Brunnen Klostergasse 7, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
• Pricing: It starts from INR 2,800 per person
• Timing: 2 hours total; slots available at 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM
• When to Visit: Anytime, but spring to autumn gives you soft light and open sites

Top Attractions

Basel Minster

You can climb the cathedral towers for sweeping views over the Rhine or just walk its courtyard lined with red sandstone and Gothic detail. It’s one of the most popular Basel tourist attractions, and it connects you to the city’s medieval past in the most visual way.

• Where: Münsterplatz, Old Town
• Pricing: It starts from INR 450 for tower entry
• Timing: Monday to Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sunday 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM
• When to Visit: Clear afternoons give you the best skyline photos

Kunstmuseum Basel

You can step into one of Europe’s leading art collections, from Holbein to Van Gogh and modern masters. It’s one of the top 10 things to do in Basel if art moves you, and the museum itself is as much an experience as the works inside.

• Where: St. Alban-Graben, Basel
• Pricing: It starts from INR 1,800 per person
• Timing: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Saturday to Sunday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; closed Monday
• When to Visit: Late mornings are quieter, giving you space in front of the big pieces

Basel Zoo

You can spend hours watching lions, penguins, giraffes, and more in Switzerland’s oldest and most loved zoo. It’s one of those things to do in Basel that feels just as right for families as it does for a solo wander when you need a slower pace.

• Where: Binningerstrasse, Basel
• Pricing: It starts from INR 2,200 per person
• Timing: April to October 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM; November to February 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM; March 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• When to Visit: Mornings are best to see the animals active before the midday lull

Sightseeing Tours

Basel City Tour: The Essentials

You can take a short, sharp introduction to the Old Town, see Town Hall, Basel Minster, Mittlere Brücke, and more. It’s one of the top 10 things to do in Basel if you’re short on time.

• Where: Meeting point is Basel Town Hall
• Pricing: It starts from INR 3,900 per person
• Timing: Between 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours; starts at 10:00 AM
• When to Visit: Spring and summer mornings

Basel City Sightseeing Bus Tour (Hop-On Hop-Off)

You can ride around town, drop off at museums or views you fancy, and hop back on later. It’s one of the activities that gives you flexibility—choose your stops, keep moving, keep curious.

• Where: Basel
• Pricing: It starts from INR 3,900 per person
• Timing: About 2 hours total if you stay on for the full loop; starts at 10:00 AM
• When to Visit: Any sunny day and windows down make even the route feel fresh

Day Trips

Day trip: Colmar, Haut-Koenigsbourg, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg

You can step into storybook villages, climb into a hilltop castle, and drift through lanes draped in flowers and history. If you’re ticking off top 10 things to do in Basel, this tour checks many boxes in one beautiful sweep.

• Where: Bus station of Strasbourg 1 Parc de l'Étoile, 67000 Strasbourg, France
• Pricing: It starts from INR 13,000 per person
• Timing: 10 to 11 hours total; starts at 9:00 AM with most of the day spent outside the city on winding roads and charming stops
• When to Visit: Spring through autumn, when villages are lit up by warm light and open-air cafés invite lingering

Mt. Pilatus Golden Roundtrip Private Day Trip from Basel

You can train to Lucerne, cruise Lake Lucerne, climb up Mount Pilatus on the steepest cogwheel railway, then float back down via cable car. It’s one of those things to do in Basel in January if you’re after snow-dusted valleys with just enough alpine chill to feel epic.

• Where: Basel, Switzerland
• Pricing: It starts from INR 63,000 per person
• Timing: Around 8 hours; tour starts at 8:30 AM
• When to Visit: Year-round, but January brings snowy peaks and crisp winter light

Boat Tours

Mt. Pilatus Heritage with Lake Lucerne Cruise from Lucerne

This small-group trip combines two of the region’s highlights in one day. You’ll ride the world’s steepest cogwheel railway up to Mt. Pilatus for sweeping views, then return with a calm cruise across Lake Lucerne. It’s a mix of mountain scenery and relaxed water travel that feels balanced and memorable.

• Where: Zentralstrasse 1, 6003 Luzern, Switzerland
• Pricing: It starts from INR 23,500 per person
• Timing: Starts at 10:15 PM, lasts around 5–6 hours
• When to Visit: May to October, when both the cogwheel railway and lake cruises run smoothly

Getting Around

• Trams and buses: They connect nearly every corner of the city, making it easy to hop between Old Town, the Rhine, and other Basel tourist attractions.
• Walking: Many sights sit close together, so you can tick off a bunch of things to do in Basel just by strolling through alleys and riverfront paths.
• Cycling: Bike lanes are well-marked, and riding lets you see Basel at your own pace, an option that counts among the more relaxed activities here.
• Taxis and private cars: Handy if you’re tight on time or planning an evening out. It’s a quick way to enjoy things to do in Basel on Sunday, when public transport runs a bit lighter.
• Day trip trains: With Switzerland’s network, you can easily branch out to Lucerne, Zurich, or Alsace and make day trips part of your Basel base.

Traveller Tips

• Pack light layers: Basel weather can shift quickly. A light jacket makes it easier to enjoy riverside walks or open-air cafés, especially when you’re covering a mix of things to do in Basel in one day.
• Use cash for small buys: Cards work almost everywhere, but stalls and little bakeries sometimes prefer notes.
• Go early for museums: Places like Kunstmuseum get busy later in the day. If you start in the morning, you’ll have more time left for other things to do in Basel, like strolling the markets or sitting by the Rhine.
• Sundays are slower: Many shops shut, but the city doesn’t stop. You’ll still catch markets, quiet streets, and relaxed walks, perfect if you’re looking for easy things to do in Basel on Sunday.
• Leave space for the unexpected: Basel rewards curiosity. You might hear live music, bump into a small street fest, or come across local activities that end up being the highlight of your day.