Art Basel & Messeplatz
Art Basel / Messe Basel
The world's most important modern and contemporary art fair. Each June, hundreds of leading galleries gather, and the exhibition center itself is also worth seeing.
Art Basel was founded in 1970 and is the largest and most influential modern and contemporary art fair in the world. It is held at the Messe Basel exhibition center in mid-June each year. Hundreds of galleries show works by masters and emerging artists, and the Unlimited section features oversized installations. During the fair, the city hosts numerous satellite exhibitions and parties, and hotel prices rise sharply, so book several months in advance. The exhibition center was designed by Herzog & de Meuron. Its 'City Lounge' plaza, with its circular skylights, can be walked through for free on weekdays.
Opening hours
During fair (tickets must be bought in advance); square open all day
Nearby sights
- Rhine Swimming & Kleinbasel Riverbank
- Basel Paper Mill & St. Alban-Tal
- Rhine Ferries
- Basel Minster
- Kunstmuseum Basel
- Middle Bridge
- Museum Tinguely
- Museum der Kulturen Basel