Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Basel?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Basel?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Basel, Switzerland? Most people spend one to three days in Basel during their visit. After all, the historic city will let you tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, admire the wonderful scenery, and go shopping.
Many people head to Basel because it's a convenient transit stop when traveling by train. The city is beautiful and has a charming old town. It is filled with museums, shops, restaurants, and historical sights. When the weather is warm, tourists and locals alike head to the river to cool off and relax for the day. On hot days, you'll also find locals taking a dip in the many fountains around town.
Do you have one or two days to visit Basel? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Basel?
One day is usually not enough time to experience the historic city of Basel, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, admire the wonderful scenery, and go shopping. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside one to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.
How to spend a day in Basel
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Basel a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.
Basel is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Situated along the river, this city is beautiful to explore on foot.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Discover Basel's Charm: Exclusive 3-4 Hour Private Walking Tour ($236)
- Private City Walking Tour in Basel-Customizable ($56)
- Basel : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Local Guide ($82)
Basel is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Basel?
Two days or a full weekend in Basel is often considered the right amount of time to spend here, as many tourists take around one to three days for their trip in the area. A 2-day trip would usually give you enough time to check out the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, the beautiful scenery, and the shops and boutiques. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.
Basel, Switzerland
How to spend 2 days in Basel
Having a weekend (two to three days) in Basel will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Discover Basel's Charm: Exclusive 3-4 Hour Private Walking Tour ($236)
- Basel’s Historical Old Town Tour ($147)
- Stories of Basel's Old Town ($28)
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Basel's Cheese, Chocolate, and Local Pastry Tasting Private Tour ($168)
- Local Swiss Chocolate Tasting ($22)
Public transit in Basel is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Basel, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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