Baselcard
The BaselCard is an attractive little extra, offered for all reservations at our hotel.
We will give you your personal BaselCard upon arrival. You can also download it to your smartphone as an app.
You benefit from the following advantages:
Free :
- Public transport (tram and bus)
- Free WiFi in the city thanks to the hotspots
50% discount on the following tickets *:
- Basel Museums
- Basel Zoo
- Basel Theater (for tickets purchased at the ticket office the same evening)
- Tourist Tour by Bus
- Guided tour of the historic center at 2:30 p.m. (by reserving at the Tourist Office)
- Crossing the Rhine by boat
Special offer:
Electric bike rental at the SBB station for CHF 20.00 per day
* Discounts are only valid once per activity
The undeniables
The Rathaus (Town Hall) is the seat of Basel's government and parliament. Located right in the center of the old town, it surprises with its red facade, its impressive tower and its polychrome murals. The building is particularly worth a visit for the Council Chamber, the beautiful interior courtyard, the romantic arcades and the belfry.
The Cathedral is truly the emblem of the city of Basel. With its pink sandstone walls, colorful tiles and two slender towers, the cathedral shapes the outline of the city. Visit this ancient Romanesque and Gothic style episcopal church, built between 1019 and 1500. The crypt, the choir, the tomb of Erasmus of Rotterdam, the St.Gall's gate and the two cloisters bear witness to a turbulent history through the centuries.
Located in the former space occupied by the municipal theater, the Tinguely fountain, dating from 1977, has since become one of the staples of Basel. It is a playful construction, made up of mechanical anime sculptures in the middle of a pool created by the Swiss artist Tinguely.
No other building symbolizes the city of Basel so much. This bridge, which was one of the very first bridges to be built over the Rhine, from the Bodensee to the North Sea, was inaugurated in Basel in 1226.
Basel Zoo, affectionately known as "Zolli" by the people of Basel, is home to a wide variety of animals from the region as well as exotic species. In summer, the park invites you to come and stroll in the open air and, in winter, you can observe the animals up close in their respective buildings. Those interested in the seabed will discover many maritime species in the vivarium.
In summer, swimming in the Rhine is the most popular sport for the people of Basel. Do like the locals and discover a hobby like no other, by keeping your clothes dry in a colorful “Wickelfisch”, a waterproof swimming bag in the shape of a fish invented in Basel. The Tinguely Museum is the best place to get into the water. From there, you can let yourself be carried for 2 kilometers along the banks.
Our Top 5 Museums
The Basel Museum of Fine Arts is the oldest public art collection in the world dedicated mainly to painting and drawing by Haut-Rhin artists between 1400 and 1600 as well as 19th and 20th century art. . Exemplary works include historic buildings such as the Ducal Palace of Mantua, but also contemporary architectural achievements from the Novecento period.
Located directly on the Rhine, the Tinguely Museum, designed by the Ticinese architect Mario Botta, houses the largest collection of works by Jean Tinguely (1925–1991), one of the most innovative and important Swiss artists in the world from the Twentieth century. The permanent exhibition offers an overview of his work spanning four decades.
Designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano, the Fondation Beyeler is a museum of modern and contemporary art. The works on display highlight important aspects of the twentieth century marked by Monet, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Picasso, Warhol, Lichtenstein or Bacon. The museum is punctuated by temporary exhibitions which always attract many enthusiasts.
The Vitra Design Museum is one of the most famous design museums in the world. It explores and discloses the history and current trends in design, and connects them with everyday architecture, art and culture. In its main Frank Gehry building, the museum presents two temporary exhibitions per year. At the same time, workshops and guided tours are offered.
Kunsthalle Basel is a place dedicated to the exhibition, discussion and reflection on contemporary art since its founding in 1872. It is recognized for its daring and eclectic programming, as well as for its commitment to artists, often before they become recognized. Every curious visitor of all ages is welcome in these spectacular spaces hosting stimulating exhibitions and events.
The big Events
The Basel Carnival, called Fasnacht, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural World Heritage Site, is in the city’s DNA. The Basel Carnival kicks off the Monday following Ash Wednesday at 4:00 a.m. on the occasion of the Morgenstreich. Do not miss the many parades of "Cliques", accompanied by thousands of fife and drummers, who pull their floats with them, illustrated with current affairs topics treated in a typical Basel way: with pride, biting humor and a touch of irony.
Art Basel is an essential meeting place for artists, collectors and other celebrities from the cultural scene. The prestigious exhibitions present different forms of art and varied works of the 20th and 21st century, from contemporary great masters to emerging talents. Art Basel brings the artistic world to life - and this is probably the reason for its success.
Art Basel takes place every year in June.
The Basel Tattoo, the second largest military music festival in the world, takes place every summer in the historic setting of Kaserne Basel. Expect a sensational show, brought to life by the best bagpipes, wind instruments and folk dances, customary to standing ovations. Inspired by the famous Edinburgh Tattoo Festival, bagpipe and wind instrument tunes, impressive choreography and drum rolls give you goosebumps.
The Basel Autumn Fair is more than just a fun fair. This traditional event, steeped in 550 years of history, spans seven large squares and a market hall. The fair offers you many rides and a large choice of culinary delights for two weeks.
Experience the biggest sporting event in Switzerland live. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the unique center court. Each year, the Basel tennis tournament is one of the flagship events of the ATPTOUR500 in the middle of the final sprint for a qualification for the London Masters. Every year in the fall, around 70,000 visitors come to the Swiss Indoors Basel in the St. Jakobshalle and millions of fans follow them on television.
Basel is considered to be the Swiss city with the richest Christmas tradition. The Christmas market remains, of course, the most illustrious example, but there are many others: the many shops, the magnificent Christmas lighting, the spectacular temporary exhibitions offered by the museums, the wish book without forgetting the plethora of concerts and festivities.
Restaurants
Swiss
Gerbergasse 50, 4001 Basel - $$$
Rebgasse 12-14, 4058 Basel - $$$
u. Rheingasse 11, 4058 Basel - $$
Italian
Blumenrain 12, 4051 Basel - $$
Aeschengraben 14, 4051 Basel - $
Vegetarian
Stänzlergasse 4, 4051 Basel - $$
Petersgraben 15, 4051 Basel - $
Asian
Henric Petri-Strasse 12, 4051 Basel - $$$
Gerbergasse 40, 4001 Basel - $
Rosentalstrasse 21, 4058 Basel - $
Bar
Steinenbachgässlein 34, 4051 Basel
Messeplatz 10, 4058 Basel
Steinenvorstadt 54, 4051 Basel
Westquaistrasse 75, 4057 Basel