Beautiful Basel has a wonderful setting spreading out over both sides of the Rhine, stunning architecture, both old and new, an amazing collection of museums and art galleries and an historic Old Town which really knows how to celebrate Christmas. If you prefer your hotels old and elegant you’ll find many of the best places to stay in Basel are in the Old Town or Grossbasel on the south bank of the Rhine. But if you like modern design then spread your net just a little wider and you’ll find some really special properties on our Guru’s list of the best hotels in Basel.
Basel is a regularly overlooked destination, but it’s one of Switzerland’s most important cities, and the closest thing it has to a seaport. So there’s a wealth of history to be uncovered here, as well as some seriously impressive art museums, built by some seriously talented architects. Basel is a true delight for creatives...
If you’re a serious art lover then you’ll already know about Art I Basel, one of the world’s premier modern and contemporary art fairs, a five day event showcasing the work of virtually everyone in the art world dating from the late 19th century up to right now. Basel has numerous other festivals, including several great music festivals, an international jewellery fair, a wonderful Christmas market, an Autumn fair and Fasnacht, which is a bit like Carnival, but totally different and definitely worth reading up on if you’re planning to visit around ash Wednesday…
The treasures of the Old Town include a Romanesque Münster, the Renaissance Rathaus, or Town Hall, the main market at Marktplatz and the remains of Grossbasel’s fortifications.
Basel is in the north-west corner of Switzerland, neighbouring Germany’s Black Forest and the Alsace region of France, as well as being close the the Jura Mountains, Zürich and Lucerne.
Where To Stay - which neighbourhood?
- Altstadt Grossbasel, the city's Old Town, is ideal for those wanting to see all the sights and be surrounded by beautiful architecture.
- Altstadt Kleinbasel, located just across the river from the Old Town, is full of buzzing squares, bars and restaurants. There's definitely a distinctly Mediterranean feel to the place (for all the right reasons!).
- Gundeldingen is located slightly further out, and so is a fairly cheap place to stay. It's still a great spot - featuring a wide variety of cultural influences which are most reflected in the diverse array of eateries dotted around.
What Not To Miss
- If you're here for the art then it's hard to know where to start. The Kunstmuseum is an obvious choice, and it’s probably worth visiting the Museum Jean Tinguely, because it’s so unusual, the Vitra Design Museum and, at the opposite end of the scale the Antikenmuseaum Basel, the Foundation Beyeler and the Schaulager.
- Baseul Münster, complete with red sandstone walls, colourful roof tiles and an imposing structure, is one of the city's most unforgettable landmarks.
- Its main rival for that title would have to be the Rathaus (or Town Hall). This stunning 500-year old building has maintianed its vibrant red exterior throughout all these years, with striking pieces of artwork also adorning the outside walls. Plus, it's totally free to go inside and have a look around!
Don't forget that this city is busy especially around Christmas market time, and when the various fairs and festivals are on. Be warned, if you want to book a room in one of the best places to stay in Basel during any of these periods, you'll need to be organised and plan well ahead.
