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Things to do in Canton Basel

Our most recommended things to do in Canton Basel

From Zürich: Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls

1. From Zürich: Stein am Rhein and Rhine Falls

Travel out of Zürich for a scenic tour through dramatic natural landscapes and historic landmarks. Come across quaint villages and vast vineyards, and take the lift to the Rhine Falls. Depart Zürich and journey towards the Swiss/German border of northern Switzerland. Travel through a beautiful wine-growing region of charming farming villages and picturesque landscapes en route to Laufen. See the splendid medieval castle of Schloss Laufen and the mighty Rhine Falls and experience Europe's biggest waterfall. Get unique views from the panoramic lift and discover what it looks like when an average of 700,000 liters of water per second plunges into the basin below. If you are feeling adventurous, take the optional boat ride and experience the falls from below. Continue via Schaffhausen with its famous Munot Fortress. Soak up the views of the gently rolling vineyards and farming villages en route to Stein am Rhein. Upon arrival, learn about the well-preserved old town during a stroll. See distinctive medieval buildings such as the church and former monastery of St. George's Abbey. Look at the half-timber frame townhouses, along with the city gates and towers, the Town Hall, and the Armory. Admire the delicate wooden window frames of many of the buildings and marvel at their exceptional frescoes.

Swiss Travel Pass: Swiss All-in-One Pass on Train, Bus, Boat

2. Swiss Travel Pass: Swiss All-in-One Pass on Train, Bus, Boat

Explore the beauty of Switzerland as you travel with a Swiss Rail pass, valid all over the country. Have the benefit of unlimited usage of public transport and free entrance to over 500 museums across the country.  This ticket offers hassle-free and unlimited travel throughout Switzerland on the Swiss Train Network, buses, and public boats. This pass includes the Glacier Express, Golden Pass Line, Bernina Express, and others. This pass includes museum admission, boat rides, and discounts on many mountain excursions. Choose between a 3-, 4-, 6-, 8-, or 15-day pass and discover the beauty of Switzerland in your own way. 

Walking Tour through Basel Old Town

3. Walking Tour through Basel Old Town

Basel is situated in the heart of Europe, on both sides of the Rhine River. The city is the center of the idyllic border triangle of France, Germany, and Switzerland, nestled between the Swiss Jura, Germany's Black Forest and the Vosges in Alsace. Describing Basel in one word is not easy. Sometimes known as the cultural capital of Switzerland or as a university city, Basel boasts a wealth of cultural, historical, leisure, and enjoyment experiences. This traditional tour is ideal for first-time visitors to Basel as well as visitors who already know the city but want to learn more. During the 2-hour walk you will follow the traces of a very eventful past, from the tranquil Tinguely Fountain to Cathedral Hill, the town hall, and through the winding streets of the well-preserved old town. In addition to the public city tour, many other interesting, exciting, and thematic tours are offered.

Swiss Travel Pass: Unlimited Travel on Train, Bus & Boat

4. Swiss Travel Pass: Unlimited Travel on Train, Bus & Boat

The Swiss Travel Pass is a must-have for any traveler to Switzerland. You can enjoy unlimited access by public train, bus, and boat to over 90 cities and towns and benefit from free entrance to 500+ museums, discounted city tours, and access to private and scenic trains with a pre-requisite seat reservation. There are two broad types of Swiss Travel Pass: Continuous and Flexi, with an option to choose from 3, 4, 8, and 15 days. Apart from it being an ‘all-in-one’ pass which allows a traveler to access all modes of public transportation within the country, it also offers numerous other benefits on the mountain excursions. So be it the adventurous, the avid or the leisure traveler, you will have the chance to make the most of your Switzerland Travel Pass.

Welcome to Basel: Private Tour with a Local

5. Welcome to Basel: Private Tour with a Local

Transform the way you travel and make it as much about the people you meet as the places you see. Get a welcome to Basel from a local eager to share all the tips to help you make the most of your stay. Meet at your hotel or accommodation and get familiar with the neighborhood. Learn insider tips, such as the best places to eat, buy groceries and the easiest ways to get around. Alternatively, arrange to meet at a central landmark or intersection to start your walking tour. Hear about the top things to do, customized to your interests. By the end, you will feel more comfortable navigating the city with all the information you need.

Basel: Self-Guided Food Tour

6. Basel: Self-Guided Food Tour

This tour is self-guided, so you choose when you want start and how much time you want to spend on the tour. However, it's recommended to start before 11 AM so you can arrive right on time for lunch at the KLARA food court. Here you can look forward to delicious lunchtime snacks (until 2 PM). The tour voucher (handed out on the first stop) contains all the information about directions you need to find each stop as listed below: Start at Bäckerei KULT "Elsi" Here a young team has breathed new life into Basel’s oldest bakery. Everything from the jam to the vanilla cream is handmade. Stop here, find out what a “Basel Gold” is and get one to try. Then go further to Basel Unverpackt, your second stop on the tour. Anyone who is keen to take a more conscious approach to life will know this shop. The team’s priorities are zero waste, recycling, and sustainable preservation of foodstuffs. Here you can fill up on organic products. Afterwards, head over to your third stop. At KLARA you can enjoy international dishes in a laid-back atmosphere. Sample 3 delicacies from around the world with a drink of your choice.   The last stop of the day is a traditional place, Jakob's Leckerly at Spalenberg.

Basel: Nighttime Walking Tour in German

7. Basel: Nighttime Walking Tour in German

Explore the third largest city in Switzerland with the night watchman Rudolf Streiff and wander through the street and alleys of the fabled suburb St. Alban at nighttime. Follow in the footprints of the people who lived there in the 18th century and learn about the adventures and stories of times long gone. Listen to anecdotes about life in the St. Alban-Valley ‒ Basel's "Little Venice", learn about Streiff's unfulfilled love, who still crosses his path there from time to time, and more. The actors turn this scenic walking tour into a vivid experience and also lead you to the famous Zschokke-fountain, the time-honored house "Zum Sausewind" as well as the St. Alban-gate.

Basel History Tour for Groups

8. Basel History Tour for Groups

Through an interesting tour of the city, discover Basel's romantic winding alleyways and well-preserved Old Town. Immerse yourself in the city's history and admire the imposing structures, cozy squares and many more highlights. Beginning at the Tinguely Fountain at Theater Basel, make your way through the Basel oppidum, known as Basel-Münsterhügel, to the Rotes Rathaus (Town Hall), which dates back to the 16th century. Pass Basel Minster and "Barfüßer Kirche," a former church that now houses the Basel Historical Museum, as well as other sites capturing the spirit of the city. See the most beautiful sights in Basel and let a friendly tour guide teach you all about the history and landmarks of the breathtaking Swiss city.

Basel Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Audio Tour

9. Basel Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Audio Tour

Get to know Basel at your own pace on this interactive scavenger hunt walking tour played on your phone. Decipher riddles, interact with the most important attractions of the city, and unlock interesting facts and legends. An ideal outdoor activity for first time visitors, couples, groups, families, and children. Can be used as a great team-building activity. After downloading the scavenger hunt tour on your mobile device (via a link and login credentials received upon booking), use the mobile app and integrated maps to reach 10 of Basel’s most important attractions on foot. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle that can only be solved if you reach the specific location. Use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to unlock the correct code and reveal the next destination of the city sightseeing game. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle that can only be solved if you reach the specific location. Use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to unlock the correct code and reveal the next destination of the tour. As you walk through the city, enjoy the flexibility to pause your game at any time to take a break, snap the perfect photos, stop for lunch, or visit a museum. Choose to continue the tour later or save the rest for another day. You can start the activity at any time. Start your tour at the Strassburger memorial, a place with enormous symbolism! Visit the Elisabethenkirche with its beautiful architecture, and explore the Basel Museum of Fine Arts with its unique exhibits. Photograph the Basel Cathedral with its unique aesthetics and admire the Natural History Museum with the unique ancient history it carries. Then the Basel Town Hall awaits you with its unique red facade. Still Spalentor one of the 3 old entrances of Basel will continue your beautiful journey in the heart of Basel. Admire the unique Peterskirche church! The Mittlere Brücke will amaze you, while the Rhine River that runs through Basel will be the icing on the cake of this unique tour.

From Basel: Zermatt and Mt. Gornergrat Small Group Tour

10. From Basel: Zermatt and Mt. Gornergrat Small Group Tour

See the Matterhorn in person on your trip to Switzerland. Visit the alpine village of Zermatt with its typical chalet-style homes, surrounded by high alpine peaks and a constant view of the Matterhorn. Follow alongside your tour guide as you discover the old part of Zermatt and the Gornergrat mountain, from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Matterhorn. Your expert local guide will be with you all the way from the beginning of the tour, and will show you the changing landscape and answer your questions about the country and its people. Your guide knows the way and will show you a few places away off the beaten path.

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Other Sightseeing Options in Canton Basel

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What people are saying about Canton Basel

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 1,134 reviews

Martin, our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. Thank you to our driver Francesco. It was a very beautiful trip down to Rhine falls which is magnificent to view from the observation decks. Stein am Rhine was a quaint little town with beautiful history. I would have loved to hear more stories about the history of the town, rather than spend so much time exploring it though. An hour was a long time in the winter, when there weren’t as many stores open. However, it gave us enough time to enjoy a yummy hot chocolate at the bakery. Highly recommend this tour, we had a blast!

Used this to board a ferry from the transport museum to the Lucerne train station and a bus ride. Most of the train travel was covered by Eurrail. This works with the glacier express too but we tried to book a little too late so there were no reservations. Yet used regular trains running the same route for that visual experience.

We made use of the Swiss Travel Pass. It was amazing. The ticket arrived right and fast. And great value. I recommend

Worth a 2-week journey as we used the trains a lot. Also it works as a museum pass as well.

Trains and busses on time - what a wonderful experience!