A 24-hour itinerary for Basel. This guide includes:

📷What to see
🍸Bar and restaurant recommendations
🍽️Local delicacies to try
✔️Tips to help you get the most out of your trip

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Basel, Switzerland

A day in Basel, Switzerland

For affordable accommodation in Basel, stay at the Hotel Rheinfelderhof in the Clara district of the city. Rooms are fairly basic but very comfortable, and the hotel is ideally located for exploring both areas on both sides of the river. 

The old town is around a 15-minutre walk away, with the station reached in 25 minutes. In the immediate vicinity of the hotel, there's a good selection of bars and restaurants, including the majority of the ones noted in this guide. 

Situated close to the border with France and Germany (the airport is actually in France!), Basel is a melting pot of European character. 

Start your morning at Basel Munster, which was originally a Catholic cathedral but is now a reformed protestant church. 

Once you've taken in the beautiful interior, walk around the back of the church and be greeted by spectacular views over the river at the Basler Pfalz viewing platform. 

A short stroll from Balser Pfalz will take you to the Kunstmuseum, the city's museum of fine arts. 

It's free to enter, and don't forget to check out the smaller chapel to the side of the main building. 

Having recently spent two nights in the city, I've rounded up some of my top tips and recommendations to help you make the most of a quick stop-over in the city. 

It's without doubt one of the most famous landmarks in Basel, with its twins spires standing tall over Munsterplatz and the river Rhine. 

The museum is split into three separate buildings: Hauptbau (the main building which is home to local art, modernist pieces and Renaissance works), Neubau (where you will find specialist exhibitions) and Gegenwart (dedicated to contemporary art). 

Entry is 26 CHF, which includes entry to all three sites and all exhibitions - however if you visit between 5pm and 6pm on a Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, or between 5pm and 8pm on a Wednesday, entrance is free. So, try an evening visit if you're travelling on a budget. 

Finish your morning by heading over to the Tinguely Fountain, a cool and quirky water feature designed by Swiss artist, Jean Tinguely. The fountain features multiple mechanical figures which are powered by the water - fascinating to watch and a great place to enjoy a moment of calm in the city. 

Stop for a spot of lunch at Zum Alten Stockli, a cute restaurant serving local Swiss cuisine. 

One thing I loved about this place is they serve fondue in individual portions, whereas other restaurants I visited would only serve fondue if there was a minimum of two people (not ideal when you're a couple and your husband is allergic to cheese!). I can confirm the fondue served there is delicious - with a tangy hint of mustard and an abundance of fresh, crusty bread for dipping. 

Then head over to Markplatz to see the city's beautiful town hall. This striking, rusty red building has an ornate interior, with a statue, clock and intricate paintings on the walls. 

Once you've refuelled, venture just around the corner to Gerbergässlein to see the vibrant, graffiti-adorned wall depicting some of the most iconic bands and musicians in recent history - from Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix to David Bowie and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. 

The graffiti was commissioned by L'Unique, a rock music themed bar directly opposite the wall. It's a must-see for any art or music lover. 

For an afternoon pick-me-up, head to Läckerli Haus to try one of Basel's famous delicacies. Läckerli is a soft, chewy 'biscuit' made with honey, candied fruit, spices and nuts. It's not too dissimilar to German Lebkuchen (or the taste of a British hot cross bun), and makes the perfect sweet snack to eat on-the-go. 

A trip to Switzerland wouldn't be complete without trying another of the country's famous exports: chocolate. There are plenty of chocolate shops dotted around Basel, but one I would particularly recommend is Laderach. 

Here you can pick from around 50+ individual truffles, including pralines, boozy creations and ones with fruity fillings. It's not cheap, with a box of 12 chocolates setting you back circa 20 CHF, but trust me, it's well worth the money! 

Start winding down your afternoon with a walk over the Mittlere Brucke and down towards the Promenade Unterer Rheinweg - a riverside walkway lined with eateries that's the perfect place for a romantic stroll.

If you want to rest your legs, head to the Amber Bar which features a gorgeous rooftop terrace overlooking the river. The pink and gold interior also makes it one of the city's most Instagrammable watering holes!

Conclude your afternoon with a walk to the bottom of the Wettsteinbrucke, which offers the perfect vantage point to watch the sun set behind the old town. 

Kickstart your evening at KLARA 13, a quirky cultural centre with a bar and various food vendors serving up a range of cuisines from Indian to Thai. It's a casual spot with plenty of choice, making it ideal if you're travelling with a big group or a fussy eater. The venue often hosts evening entertainment too, from quizzes to live music and comedy nights. 

From there head to Blaupause, an intimate cocktail den with a lavish teal interior. The menu is very exclusive, with around eight seasonal cocktails to choose from. However, if the creations aren't to your taste, the bartenders will be very happy to make you something bespoke. 

I had a colour-changing, gin-based tincture called the 'blue frog', which was served hot and was light and delicate on the palette - a great post-dinner tipple. 

Continue onto Grenzwert, a vibrant bar with several different rooms - including a retro room and a covered courtyard. The drinks menu here is extensive, with a wide range of local and international beers, cocktails, wines and spirits to keep you going.

Next door to Grenzwert you'll find Derriere, a speakeasy style bar which plays on the fact that it's located in the city's red light district. However, don't let that put you off as the vibes here are seductive and sophisticated, not sleazy! 

Ring the doorbell and you will be welcomed into the dark red, dimly lit interior, where you can cosy up in a candle-lit corner and enjoy a drink or two. 

If you're ready to pick up the pace, head around the corner to Renee - a lively bar that's open seven nights a week. Specialising in inventive cocktails, Renee has a packed programme of events, including funk and soul DJs who are guaranteed to get the party started.

For a night cap, round off your evening at the Auld Dubliner. As the name suggests, this authentic Irish pub is the perfect place to enjoy the craic. The venue often hosts live musicians who come from all around the world to play. Enjoy a sing-song and a pint of Guinness before you turn in for the night. 

- Public transport is free in Basel if you're staying in accommodation in the city centre. When you check in, you'll be given a QR code which grants you access to free travel on the tram and bus network, including the bus which runs from the airport to the city centre (just show your proof of accommodation to the driver). This is a fantastic perk if you're on a budget or are an eco-conscious traveller. It also means you can get around quickly and at no cost if you've only got a short amount of time in Basel.

- Basel is home to a wide range of museums, including ones dedicated to design, cartoons and music. Whatever your interests, you're bound to find something that appeals to you.

- German is the most commonly spoken language in Basel, so practice a few key phrases before you go - particularly in regards to ordering food and drink, as many restaurant staff spoke little to no English. 

- If you want to experience a second city (and country) during your stay, take the train to Strasbourg, France. The journey takes around 1 hour 20 minutes, and costs approximately 60 CHF. 

A day in Basel, Switzerland

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