Tag: Basel

This is Basel Switzerland: Basel Food and Attractions

From its landscapes to its architecture, Basel, Switzerland offers an amazing European experience. My local guide spent a weekend showing me her favorite spots and attractions! If you’re looking for what to do in Basel, I have some recommendations for you.

American Living in Germany: Know Before You Go

Depending on where you live in Germany, this city on the northwestern tip of Switzerland can be a long day trip or a short weekend visit. It’s less than a 6-hour drive from Grafenwoehr, almost a 5-hour drive from Garmisch, and just 3 1/2 hours from Kaiserslautern.

Planning to drive? Check out our guide to shipping your car overseas!

And be sure to buy a vignette when you reach the border. As of 2020, the annual vignette for Switzerland costs 40 Francs. (They don’t sell 10 or 30 day vignettes like Austria and Czech Republic.)

And speaking of Francs, you’ll need some currency! Some places will accept Euros, such as gas stations and tourist shops. But if you don’t want to withdraw cash, most places will also accept card.

Last but not least, bring your tourist passport! Your Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) passport isn’t a valid travel document – it just allows you to reside in Germany.

Where to Eat in Basel

Even though it’s not a major European city, Basel still has a diverse and delicious food scene!

Markthalle

Markthalle has numerous kiosks with a wide variety of cuisines. We had a cheese platter from Mylk, which was coated with juniper berries and fresh herbs – and that was just the board itself. The spread included cheese, chutney, yogurt, and a loaf of bread from the Cool Beans Bakery.

And if you’re craving something untraditionally Swiss, try La Arepera for some South American food.

If you have a chance to eat more than one meal here, the Markthalle also has Indian food, burgers, pizza, and a full bar to enjoy. Vino e/y Vino offers a variety of wines, and will be happy to help you choose your next favorite.

Schiesser Confiserie

Operating in the same location since 1870, this Swiss chocolate shop comes highly recommended by my local guide! Sit down for a few pieces of your choice, along with a Viennese style coffee, a cup of tea, or even a glass of wine.

Switzerland’s incredibly high production standards are part of what makes their chocolate so exceptional. That, and their innovative obsession with the confection.

Acqua

Acqua’s terrace is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon. But if the weather isn’t agreeable, the interior is just as nice!

The chairs are unusually designed, but are still very comfortable, and the decoration is like something out of a fairy tale book (to be fair, all of Switzerland is basically a fairy tale).

If you love the Swiss countryside, you have to visit Grindelwald!

And the food is pretty good, too! This Italian restaurant may not be suitable for children, but I recommend that you treat yourself to a meal and a couple glasses of wine.

What to Do in Basel

After you spend your day walking around and eating great food, you’ll want to dance it off at one of the clubs!

Don’t forget to check out my Top 8 Attractions in Basel!

Nordstern

This unique venue is inside of a ship, but has been “decked” out with a top-of-the-line sound system and reconstructed for the best acoustics. Nordstern hosts regular programming every Thursday night, with rotating guests every Friday and Saturday.

Campari Club

If electronic music isn’t your scene, Campari Club is the place to be! The Campari Bar at the Kunsthalle Restaurant transforms into the Campari Club on the last Saturday of every month.

Dance it out to grooves from the 70s, 80s, and 90s or simply enjoy the warm weather on the patio.

Frequently Asked Questions about Basel Food and Travel

Still have questions about visiting Basel? Ask me in the comments!

Where to stay in Basel?
You have a lot of great options! There are plenty of convenient hotels in Basel Old Town if you want to have quick and easy access to the main attractions. But if you want a quieter (and more affordable) stay, Hotel Maximilian has a beautiful view of the Rhine.

Any other Basel food recommendations?
You won’t run out of options if you know where to look! There are a bunch of Basel street food-type options around the Matthäus district, as well as cheap eats throughout the city. And you’ll find a wide variety of restaurants in Basel Old Town, from small cafes to michelin star eateries.

Best Things to Do in Basel!

Basel has so much art, food, and culture for you to experience. Take a weekend to explore this beautiful Swiss city!

For more travel tips, subscribe to my Youtube channel and follow me on Instagram

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October 21, 2020
What to Do in Basel Switzerland: My Top 8 Basel Attractions

You can enjoy Basel, Switzerland without waiting in long tourist lines, paying huge sums for a photo op, or speaking the language. The majority of Basel attractions are breathtaking architectural accomplishments that you can easily walk through or observe from afar. If you’re looking for what to do in Basel, these are my top 8 recommended attractions!

American Living in Germany: Know Before You Go

Basel is on the northwestern tip of Switzerland. It’s less than a 6-hour drive from Grafenwoehr, almost a 5-hour drive from Garmisch, and just 3 1/2 hours from Kaiserslautern.

Have questions about bringing a car to Germany? We have a PCS guide for that!

If you drive, you’ll need a vignette. But unlike Czech Republic or Austria, Switzerland only sells annual vignettes. As of 2020, the annual vignette for Switzerland costs 40 Francs.

And speaking of Francs, you may want to pick up some currency! But some places will accept Euros, such as gas stations and tourist shops. You can easily withdraw cash from the ATMs in Switzerland, or pay by card wherever you go.

Last but not least, be sure to bring your tourist passport! Your SOFA passport and your military ID are not valid travel documents on their own.

What to Do in Basel Switzerland

You can easily explore Basel over a long weekend. Just make sure to bring a comfortable pair of shoes!

Basler Münster (Basel Minster)

This Romantic and Gothic style church is the most iconic structure in the Basel cityscape and a top attraction. You can climb the two towers (named after Saint George and Saint Martin) for a spectacular view of Basel.

Rheinfähre (Rhine Ferry)

These five Rhine ferries are pulled by ropes, using the natural current of the Rhine river to get from one side to the other. It’s the easiest (and possibly most scenic way) to get from Kleinbasel (small Basel) to Grossbasel (big Basel).

Mittlere Brücke (Middle Bridge)

For centuries, the Mittlere Brücke was the only bridge connecting the two sides of Basel. It may not be the original Middle Bridge from the 13th century, but it is still a busy location for locals and tourists alike. You can find people kayaking, grilling, and just laying out by the bridge.

But on a corner on top of Mittlere Brücke, you’ll find Bettina Eichin’s sculpture Helvetia on the Journey. Helvetia, named after the Helvetii tribe that inhabited the land before the Romans, is the personification of Switzerland. You may notice Swiss license plates or websites are identified by “CH”, which stands for the Latin Confœderatio Helvetica.

Can’t get enough of Switzerland? Zurich is just an hour away!

Spalentor (Gate of Spalen)

The Gate of Spalen is just one of three remaining Basel city gates, and considered one of the most beautiful gates of Switzerland. If you’re looking for a fairytale experience, just walk through the archway!

Looking for what to eat and do after hours? Check out my local friend’s tips!

Tinguely Fountain

Designed by Swiss artist Jean Tinguely, this fountain (also known as Carnival Fountain) has nine figures that play with the water and seem to interact with each other. And the performance aspect of it is fitting: it’s located where the stage of the old city theater used to be.

Tinguely was influenced by the Dada movement, and you can see more of his work at the Tinguely Museum.

Zivilstandsamt (General Register Office)

Anyone who gets married in Basel has been here, but you can visit without a fiancée. My local guide recommends it as a beautiful building to see.

Offene Kirche Elisabethen (Elisabeth Church)

Built in the 19th century, this church is more than just a holy place of worship. You can rent the space for events, attend a yoga class, or go to a concert to hear local musicians!

City Hall

This building truly stands out, primarily because of its bright red exterior! You can walk through its corridors and enjoy the courtyard as if you’re a high noble in your favorite fairytale story.

You can also take a guided tour of the Basel Town Hall in English on Saturdays, and in German on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays (only on Thursdays and Saturdays from November to March).

Looking for an outdoor adventure? Visit Grindelwald, Switzerland!

Frequently Asked Questions about Basel Old Town and Things to Do

We’ve answered some of the most common questions about visiting Basel. But if you still have questions, let me know in the comments!

Where to stay in Basel?
It depends on what you want from your visit! If you want to stay in Basel Old Town, there are plenty of convenient hotels in the neighborhood. But if you want a quieter (and more affordable) hotel with a beautiful view of the Rhine, Hotel Maximilian is a great option.

Where can I find the best Basel food?
Of course you can find fancy Swiss chocolates and local cuisines in Basel Old Town, but I recommend Markthalle for an assortment of authentic food from all over the world. Check out my local tips to learn more!

Visit Basel Switzerland

I highly recommend visiting Basel for a relaxing change of scenery. There is plenty to see and do in the small city, and it’s just a (relatively) short drive away. Experience the beauty of Switzerland!

For more travel tips and tricks, subscribe to my Youtube channel and follow me on Instagram

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October 14, 2020