Basel is one of the most historic and intiquring cities in Switzerland! We visited this beautiful destination while on our honeymoon during Christmastime, and it quickly became one of our most favorite places we’ve traveled to.
Nestled along the serene banks of the Rhine River, Basel Switzerland weaves a tapestry of history and culture that enchants every visitor with its history. Founded as the settlement Augusta Raurica by the Romans in 44 BC, this ancient town quickly grew into a vital trade nexus, bridging the realms of the Roman Empire with the northern tribes.
Wander through Basel’s medieval core, where cobblestone streets meander past half-timbered houses and charming squares. The Basel Minster, an I’m posting gothic cathedral dominates the skyline with its rose-colored sandstone and twin spires. Inside, intricate carvings and beautiful stained glass tell tales of the city’s spiritual past. The Town Hall, with its vivid red facade and elaborate frescoes, stands as a testament to Basel’s prosperous mercantile history. Here, vibrant markets and lively festivals echo the city’s enduring spirit.
Today, Basel remains a dynamic blend of old-world charm and contemporary flair, where history and modernity coexist in a captivating partnership.
While on our honeymoon in 2022 we visited Basel Switzerland in the middle of wintertime, a couple weeks before Christmas. We fell in love with this city and the magical winter wonderland that it becomes during the festive time of year.
Basel’s Old Town, with its medieval charm is adorned with twinkling lights and shimmering decorations, creating an enchanting backdrop for its renowned Christmas markets. The scent of mulled wine and warm treats wafts through the crisp air, mingling with the magical atmosphere. The Christmas markets’ vibrant atmosphere, coupled with Basel’s rich heritage and history create an unforgettable holiday experience, earning it a place as the crown jewel of Swiss Christmas celebrations.
Basel, Switzerland captivates with its rich historical and cultural tapestry. The city’s medival charm is embodied will in its Old Town, where the gothic Basel Minister and the vibrant, mural-adorned Town Hall stand as architectural masterpieces. The city is also a cultural treasure trove, housing significant museums like the Kunstmuseum, with its extensive art collection.
Basel celebrates several festivals throughout the year with fervor, Art Basel, the prestigious contemporary art fair further underscores. Basel’s status as a global cultural hub. During the festive season, Basel’s Christmas markets bring the city’s historic streets to life with twinkling lights, artisanal crafts, and traditional treats, creating a magical holiday atmosphere.
Coupled with its unique culinary heritage, including local specialties like Basler Lackerli, Basel offers a blend of historical depth and cultural vibrancy that makes it an enchanting destination for history and culture enthusiasts.
A fun historical fact about Basel:
Basel is home to the oldest university in Switzerland, the University of Basel, which was founded in 1460. The university has an impressive legacy, with notable alumni like the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and the theologian Erasmus of Rotterdam. Its rich academic history reflects Basel’s long-standing reputation as a cultural and intellectual hub in Europe.
This is where we stayed during our three night stay when we visited Basel for the first time. It quickly became one of our favorite boutique hotels that we have ever stayed at. When we travel we like to stay at boutique hotels and local lodgings that give us an authentic feel for the destination. Volkshause does just that.
We had a gorgeous room on the top floor, that had beautiful old windows that overlooked a church. Our first morning staying at Volkshause we woke up to a light flurry of snow, it was truly magical!
Volkshause also has a great restaurant downstairs. Additionally this boutique hotel is a great spot to host events and gatherings.
Another great hotel is the Marthof Basel. This centrally located hotel offers opulent and comfortable amenities and aesthetics and is sure to delight visitors during their winter stay in Basel. This hotel has a great location, and is very near to the main parts of Basel Old Town and the Christmas Markets.
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Basel is a beautiful city that sits at the point of intersection of three countries; Switzerland, Germany, and France. This means that Basel is a rich city when it comes to culture and history, a fantastic combination of all the best of these three European nations.
Breakfast & Coffee Recommendations
When traveling I like to make it a personal goal to try as many local coffee shops and cafes as possible. You never know what treats you may discover!
This great little local cafe is located very close to the Volkshause Basel boutique hotel, and is a great place for breakfast and lunch. Offering both sweet and savory fares, this cafe is sure to set you up well for a full day of exploration in Basel.
This is a great local restaurant that specializes in brunch. If you are looking for a relaxed and delicious sit-down meal to break your fast, this is one of our favorites!
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Activities & Attractions Recommendations
After breakfast its time to explore the city. One of the best areas to get acquainted with Basel is the Old Town. There is lots of history and impressive architecture to explore in this area of the city.
This is the Town Hall of the city, and features an iconic red exterior and stunning architecture. Make sure to poke your head inside, during Christmastime there is a huge Christmas tree that gives off an extra festive atmosphere. This building makes for a great place to capture a photo or two of your time spent in Basel.
Additionally, visitors can sign the visitor guestbook to made a note of their journey to Basel.
A beautiful cathedral, the Basel Minster is a architectural marvel. Make sure to walk all the way around the building, there are some stunning views of the Rhine River to be viewed from the back of the catherdral.
The Basel Minster is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city, with a rich history that dates back over a thousand years! The site of Basel Minster originally housed a church built in the 9th century under the Carolingian dynasty. This church, dedicated to Saint Mary, was part of the bishopric of Basel.
In 1019, Emperor Heinrich II ordered the construction of a new cathedral on the site, which was consecrated as a bishop’s church, shifting the importance of the location. The Romanesque-style structure and architecture included two towers and was dedicated to Saints Mary and Paul.
In 1356, Basel suffered a devastating earthquake, one of the most destructive of medieval Europe, which caused significant damage to Basel Minster. Reconstruction efforts began soon after, marking a shift in architectural style from Romanesque to gothic. The new design included stone carvings, elements typical of the gothic style. By the late 15th century, the twin towers that define Basel Minster’s silhouette today were completed. The northern tower is named St. George, while the southern tower is named St. Martin.
In 1529, Basel embraced the Protestant Reformation, which let to significant changes at Basel Minster. The cathedral was stripped of its Catholic ornaments and relics, and it became a Reformed Protestant Church.
Basel Minster has been a symbol of the city’s identity for centuries, hosting important events like the coronation of Frederick III as Holy Roman Emperor in 1452. The church is also the burial site of Erasmus of Rotterdam, the famous humanist and scholar.
Today, Basel Minster is not only a place of worship but also a major tourist attraction. The red sandstone structure, colorful roof tiles, and its magnificent towers are among Basel’s most recognizable features. Visitors can climb the towers for stunning views of the city, the Rhine River, and the surrounding regions, including the borders of France and Germany.
With its rich history spanning more than a millennium, Basel Minster stands as a testament to the city’s enduring cultural and religious significance.
For those looking to learn more about the history of Basel Switzerland, I highly recommend visiting this museum.
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Lunch & Snack Recommendations
If you have the privilege of visiting Basel during the festive Christmas season, you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a spot for a tasty local snack. During late November and December the Chrismans markets offer countless stalls featuring local food items, both sweet and savory. For this reason,
I highly recommend stopping by the markets for a late afternoon snack. One of our personal favorites was the Fondue Dog, a section of locally made baguette bread hallowed out with warm local Swiss fondue cheese poured inside, the perfect snack during a chilly winter afternoon!
This relaxed eatery features a terrace where visitors can enjoy classic Swiss fare, burgers, and Mediterranean options for their afternoon meal.
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Christmas Markets
And now its time for what you’ve been looking forward to your whole visit to Basel, the Christmas markets! The Christmas markets in Basel are large and some of the most beautiful in Europe. In fact many argue that Basel Switzerland has the best Christmas markets in the world!
There are two main Weihnachtsmarkt (the German word for Christmas Market) in Basel. The first can be located near the Basel Minster cathedral, the second is located a short walk away near Barfussergasse street.
The market near the Basel Minster is smaller, but features some great stalls with handmade items to peruse. The market near Barfussergasse is much bigger, with lots of stalls featuring all sorts of local foods and treats. The market near Barfussergasse tends to be busier, for this reason, I recommend visiting early in the evening or later in the evening.
Remember to pick up a cup (or two) of mulled wine (called Glühwein in German). This delicious drink is the perfect way to celebrate the festive season. Additionally, many of the Glühwein stalls will give visitors cute themed mugs, these can either be kept as a souvenir, or returned for a bit of your money back. We personally loved collecting the different Glühwein mugs during our visit.
This is the location of the Christmas market near the Basel Minster. This market also has some great festive activities for children. Visitors can often catch carolers here, as well as admire the large Christmas tree that is decorated outside of the cathedral.
Looking for a truly local experience? This smaller, lesser-known Christmas market features mainly food options and tends to be much less busy than the other two markets located in the Old Town.
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Dinner Restaurant Recommendatons
I for one love eating my way through the Christmas markets as much as possible during the festive season, and think that it is totally possible to find enough tasty offerings to fill your stomach for the evening. However, Basel has some incredible restaurants that also should not be missed, no matter the time of year that you choose to visit.
For a truly cozy and atmospheric dinner, we recommend this fondue style restaurant. This venue brings a taste of the Swiss Alps to the city with its cozy, chalet-style ambience and authentic Valaisan cuisine. This restaurant is modeled after a traditional mountain hut, complete with wooden decor, warm lighting, and an inviting rustic atmosphere that transports visitors to the heart of the mountain town of Zermatt.
Specializing in classic Swiss dishes, Baracca Zermatt is best known for its delicious cheese fondue and raclette, made with rich high-quality cheeses. This menu also features hearty Alpine specialties such as Rösti, cured meats, and mountain sausages, all of which reflect the flavors of Swiss mountain cheese.
We are sure you will love this Swiss mountain retreat in the heart of Basel city!
Looking for a place to celebrate an extra special occasion? Roots is a fantastic elevated Michelin Star restaurant that is sure to impress. Featuring only local ingredients, this restaurant strives to deliver the best possible dining experience to guests.
This restaurant is located on the banks of the Rhine River, and it is known for its innovative approach to modern European cuisine. Roots prides itself on using locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients to create artfully presented dishes that blend tradition and contemporary techniques.
The restaurant’s ambiance and atmosphere is elegant yet inviting, with large windows that allow diners to enjoy stunning river views while savoring their meal. The menu features a range of tasting courses that emphasize creativity and craftsmanship, inspired by this region of Switzerland. Chef Pascal Steffen leads the kitchen, and his philosophy revolves around simplicity, sustainability, and letting high quality ingredients shine.
Roots is a must-visit for food enthusiasts seeking a refined culinary experience in Basel, blending Swiss precision with artistic flair. We dined here to celebrate our honeymoon and we loved our experience!
Another great local restaurant, this venue also features many traditional Swiss fare and offerings. With both indoor and outdoor dining available, this restaurant is sure to please diners.
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Souvenirs & Shop Recommendations
Of course when it comes to souvenir recommendations, I would say that the Christmas markets have much to explore and peruse. There are also some local boutiques that visitors can find a treasure or two to take home to remember their Basel adventures by.
A great Christmas shop with many ornaments to explore and discover.
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Notes, General Recommendations & Thanks!
Basel Switzerland can become quite cold in the wintertime. For this reason, I recommend packing several scarfs, a warm hat, and gloves. During our visit it did in fact snow quite a bit, It does not always snow in Basel during the months of November and December, however it does occasionally happen.
We recommend bringing some cash and coins with you when visiting the Christmas markets. Many stalls accept card payments, however, cash can make things easier in some circumstances.
We sincerely hope that this travel guide to Basel Switzerland helps you plan the best possible visit! Basel is a magical place, especially in the winter and Christmastime. We recommend spending at least two nights in Basel in order to see the city’s wintertime highlights. Thank you again for reading our Basel Switzerland guide, and we wish you many more pleasant Historic Wanderings!
Welcome to Historic Wandering, where each guide is a labor of love from a lifelong traveler. My passion for exploring the world began at the age of five with a trip to Japan, and it has only grown since. From an unforgettable honeymoon through Switzerland, Germany, and Italy to a recent epic road trip through Scotland with my family, every journey has deepened my appreciation for history and the hidden gems that make each destination unique. Singapore, one of my all-time favorite cities, exemplifies the blend of culture, history and modernity that I seek to share. Join me as we dive into travel experiences that go beyond the surface, uncovering stories and places that bring history to life.
Historic Wandering is your gateway to unforgettable journeys through time. Specializing in travel guides and custom itineraries, we focus on destinations rich in history and brimming with hidden gems. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or an extended adventure, our crafted guides help you explore iconic landmarks and uncover the stories behind lesser-known sites.
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