Basel

An arts capital on the Rhine where three countries meet, famed for its nearly 40 museums and Art Basel, with the Fondation Beyeler and Vitra Campus showcasing contemporary masters, and summer floats down the river.

Basel is Switzerland's third-largest city, set on a bend of the Rhine where it borders Germany and France. The river divides the city into Grossbasel, the Old Town on the south bank, and Kleinbasel on the north bank. This is Switzerland's capital of culture and pharmaceuticals, with an astonishing density of around 40 museums: the Kunstmuseum Basel, Fondation Beyeler, Museum Tinguely and the Vitra Campus just across the border make up an art-and-architecture tour, while the Minster, the Town Hall and the medieval city gates link up an Old Town walking route. Basel is worth visiting year-round: February–March brings the 72-hour Carnival, June's Art Basel draws collectors from around the world, in July–August you can pack your clothes into a waterproof bag and float down the Rhine, and December has cozy Christmas markets. Basel SBB station connects to Zurich (about 1 hour), Lucerne, France and Germany, while the EuroAirport lies on French soil. Hotel guests receive the BaselCard, which gives free trams and buses in the city and half-price entry to some museums. Plan on 2–3 days, plus an extra day for the Roman town of Augusta Raurica or Mulhouse. Bring your passport for the Vitra Campus and France; Switzerland is expensive, and most shops close on Sundays.

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Itineraries