Are you thinking about visiting Basel, Switzerland? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Basel worth visiting?
Basel is worth visiting for one to three days so that you can explore everything that the city has to offer. We first visited in the summer of 2022 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with its relaxing atmosphere and riverfront setting. Basel is loved by visitors for many reasons, and is routinely on national "best of" lists, including The Times Best City Breaks in Europe. 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.
Basel, Switzerland
Reasons to Visit Basel
Museums
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.
Historical Sights
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.
Shopping
The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.
Food
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.
Nightlife
The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.
Authenticity
Basel has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.
Is Basel worth visiting in the Summer?
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 21°C (70°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 27°C (81°F).
The peak season for travel is summer in Basel, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is somewhat popular with travelers, and in the high season it's busier than usual.
You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. This is a great time of year to wander through the museums, admire the historic sights, and dance the night away.
Summer Weather in Basel
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| August | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| September | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Is Basel worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Basel. This destination is somewhat busy with tourists, but in the shoulder season you'll find less crowds and better deals.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 13°C (56°F).
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to admire the wonderful scenery, browse around the old town, and browse through museums.
Autumn Weather in Basel
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| November | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| December | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
Is Basel worth visiting in the Winter?
This is the low season for travel in Basel. This destination is fairly touristy, but in the low season you can find fewer crowds and better deals.
The weather in Basel can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 3°C (37°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, and the historic old town. Also, you'll be able to take advantage of the local nightlife.
Winter Weather in Basel
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| February | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| March | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Is Basel worth visiting in the Spring?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 12°C (53°F).
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Basel, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is somewhat busy with tourists, but in the shoulder season you'll find less crowds and better deals.
The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, browse the museums, and admire the wonderful scenery. Also, you can experience the historic old town and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Basel
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| June | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
Related
What is Basel most famous for?
Basel is most famous for its many museums and its nice old town. The city is very popular for its museums, historical sights, and shopping. It's also known for food and nightlife. It is often described as beautiful, vibrant, historic, cultural, museum-filled, and easily accessible.
What is the most famous sight in Basel?
The most popular sight in Basel is The Kunstmuseum Basel. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Basel on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Kunstmuseum Basel and other attractions here.
How touristy is Basel? Is it a popular city to visit?
Basel is more popular with local tourists than with international visitors. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- City tour Basel: $27
- Discover Basel's Charm: Exclusive 3-4 Hour Private Walking Tour: $236
- Basel's Cheese, Chocolate, and Local Pastry Tasting Private Tour: $168
- Basel’s Historical Old Town Tour: $147
- Basel Adventure Tour - The city quiz: $37
- Private City Walking Tour in Basel-Customizable: $56
- Basel : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Local Guide: $82
- Introduction of Basel Tour: $27
How long should I spend in Basel?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Basel is one to three days. Since Basel has activities such as museums, historical sights, and shopping, many visit for up to three days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Basel? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Basel?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.