Basel

Things to do

Basel Zoo

Known affectionately to locals as Zolli, Basel Zoo is something of a landmark. It opened in 1874, making it Switzerland’s oldest zoo. It is also home to some 600 species, including meerkats, snow leopards, gorillas, spider monkeys, giraffes, penguins and parrots. The penguin walks that take place outside the Vivarium during the winter are not to be missed. Visitors themselves enjoy taking a walk there in the summer, when the zoo’s grounds look really pretty. The zoo is currently constructing a huge marine aquarium, Ozeanium, which is scheduled to open in 2020.

Restaurants

La Fourchette

La Fourchette is the go-to address for straight-up French-inspired cuisine.

Bars and pubs

Consum

Consum is a favourite on the Basel bar scene. If you’re new to Swiss gastronomy, this would be a low-effort place to start.

Time Out says

Art

The best Swiss art galleries and museums

Home to the planet’s most important annual contemporary fair, Basel has a huge selection of art to discover

Basel bars and nightlife

Restaurants

Das Schiff

Anchored on the edge of the River Rhine, Schiff is a cultural centre with a restaurant and bar that extends over three decks.

Time Out says

Kuppel

One of Basel’s most popular clubs, this place has a diverse line-up of party nights, DJs and live music covering a wide range of genres.

Nightlife

SUD

Making good use of the spacious former Warteck brewery building, this cocktail bar, music venue and cultural centre has a wide range of events, from concerts and theatre to DJ nights and LGBT club events.

Nightlife

Hinterhof

While the location might not seem too promising, stranded in no man’s land between Basel-Land and Basel-Stadt, it’s ideal for Hinterhof and its youthful and edgy clientele.

Basel restaurants and cafés

Restaurants

La Fourchette

Opened in 2014, La Fourchette is the go-to address for straight-up French-inspired cuisine.

Restaurants

Chez Velo

A bike shop, ChezVelo is actually also a café renowned among locals for its cosy and unusual setting.

Time Out says

Bars and pubs

Hamabama

The juice bar strives to make healthy eating tasty and accessible for everyone, and to take one look at its appetising menu is to see this philosophy in action.

Restaurants

Restaurant Union

There’s something of a beer hall about Restaurant Union, but for a younger and edgier crowd.

Basel shops and spas

Shopping

kleinbasel

Although not to be confused with the area in Basel, label kleinbasel does share creative characteristics with its geographical namesake.

Restaurants

Yumm Cupcakes

The aroma of fresh baking that infuses the shop in Kleinbasel is irresistible – as is the selection of cupcakes, which range from chocolate and vanilla to mango or white chocolate and raspberry.

Shopping

Riviera

The shop should come with a warning, so we’re warning you: the well-cut pieces hanging from its rails are nothing short of irresistible thanks to their luxurious materials and modern and classic styles.

Shopping

Claudia Güdel

At fashion designer Claudia Güdel’s headquarters in a former garage in Kleinbasel, you can see the magic happen. Behind the rails of clothing is a collection of sewing machines, samples and pattern pieces.

Where to stay in Basel

Les Trois Rois

Hotel D

Hotel Brasserie Au Violon

More things to do in Basel

Museums

Kunstmuseum Basel

The planet’s largest collection of paintings by the Holbein family is the centrepiece of Basel’s most venerable art archive, and works from 1400-1600 and the 19th-21st centuries its broader main attractions.

Museums

Vitra Design Museum

A tad cheeky, perhaps, to claim the fabulous Vitra Design Museum for Basel as it lies just over the border in the German town of Weil am Rhein. Established by the eponymous Swiss furniture design company in 1989, the museum shares a sprawling campus with striking buildings by Zaha Hadid – her very first – and the Japanese boxer-turned architect Tadao Ando.

Things to do

Basel Zoo

Known affectionately to locals as Zolli, Basel Zoo is something of a landmark. It opened in 1874, making it Switzerland’s oldest zoo.

Things to do

Kleinbasel

On the other side of the Rhine to Basel old town, Kleinbasel is characterised by diversity, creativity and art.

Things to do

Dampfbad Basel

Whether you are local or in town for shopping, a meeting or an event, the Dampfbad in northern Basel’s St. Johann is the perfect retreat.