The best museums Basel

Explore Switzerland's largest ethnological museum, with its rich collection of European and non-European cultures. Renovated in 2011 by Herzog & de Meuron, its architecture is distinctly ^19th-century. Discover a permanent collection and current exhibitions, offering an immersive experience to see the world from a new angle. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world's cultural mosaic.

Immerse yourself in the history of Western art at the Kunstmuseum. Three exhibition spaces: the main building (Hauptbau), the new building (Neubau) and the Kunstmuseum Gegenwart. The main building is a treasure trove of seven centuries of artistic history. Holbein, Van Gogh, Gauguin... The collection boasts over 3,000 works. The new building dazzles with its monumental staircase and streamlined rooms. The Gegenwart offers a plunge into contemporary art.

Explore natural history at Basel's Naturhistorisches Museum! From dinosaurs to mammals, discover collections that have been preserved for centuries. Spend an unusual night surrounded by saber-toothed tigers or go fossil hunting for an unforgettable birthday. Whether you're fascinated by the animal world, hungry for scientific knowledge or amazed by life on earth, Basel's Naturhistorisches Museum promises an unforgettable experience.

Located in the heart of the city, the museum displays a unique collection of 6,000 objects on 4 floors and over 1,000 m²: dolls and their homes, miniature teddy bears (the oldest date back to 1904) and contemporary models. The absolutely gigantic collection is not presented chronologically, but seeks to recreate a particular atmosphere. For all those who have kept their childlike spirit and appreciate the world of play.

Discover the world of Jean Tinguely at the eponymous museum designed by architect Mario Botta. This contemporary building pays tribute to the Swiss artist of perpetual motion. The central hall houses up to twenty mechanical sculptures, symphonies of moving metal. The exhibition "La roue = c'est tout" (The Wheel = That's All) until spring 2025 offers an insight into Tinguely's work. Explore his relationship between man and machine through interactive activities. From his fragile youth to his monumental creations, discover his career. The Chez Jeannot bistro invites you to take a gourmet break.

Discover the medieval paper mill, an exceptional site on the banks of the Rhine. Carefully restored, it offers an insight into the ancestral art of papermaking. Explore the four floors of interactive exhibits and workshops, from raw fiber to precious paper. Take part in demonstrations to relive history, with workshops designed for schools and groups. To prolong the experience, take advantage of the bar-restaurant with its terrace (open for lunch and afternoon meals).

The Skulpturhalle Basel now houses over 2,200 casts, offering a representative perspective on ancient sculpture. This unique collection is one of the most prestigious in the world. Don't miss the extraordinary "Parthenon Project". Decades of painstaking work have enabled us to reconstruct, in the form of casts, all the remains of the architectural sculpture of the Athenian temple of the Parthenon, and a series of exact 1:20 scale architectural models offer a breathtaking vision of the temple's architecture.

Since 2016, the Gegenwart, part of Basel's Kunstmuseum, has been dedicated to contemporary art. Housed in a beautifully restored ^19th-century factory, it offers three levels of permanent and temporary exhibitions, including installations and videos. Lectures, debates and guided tours enrich the experience. Explore works by Beuys, Nauman, Trockel... as well as contemporary American art. The Gegenwart is not just a museum, but a promise of discovery, inspiration and wonder, offering a unique sensory and intellectual experience.

Discover Basel's Antikenmuseum, part of the cantonal administration, home to an exceptional collection of Egyptian, Greek, Italian, Etruscan and Roman works of art. Captivating exhibitions offer a unique perspective on antiquity. The Skulpturhalle features casts of ancient sculptures, including the Parthenon. Guided tours and workshops complete this immersive experience. The Antikenmuseum is a dynamic cultural venue to discover.

Immerse yourself in the world of comics, caricatures and cartoons, unique in Switzerland. The Cartoonmuseum Basel offers 3,400 original works of art on three floors of a modern building. This collection is the fruit of a passion and commitment to narrative drawing. With over 10,000 works, the museum celebrates the legacy of this art form. Thematic exhibitions, inspiring workshops, guided tours (in French) and artist talks enrich each exhibition.

Discover the Swiss Architecture Museum (S AM), nestled a stone's throw from the Tinguely fountain. It showcases the city's contemporary architecture, bridging the gap between those in the know and those eager to discover. Basel shines on the European scene with works inherited from modernism and recent creations. The S AM offers three major exhibitions a year, revealing the "History and Present of Switzerland". Debates, guided tours and enriching publications.

Welcome to Basel's Music Museum, housed in the former prison since 2000. With 3,300 exhibits, it houses the world's largest collection of musical instruments. On three floors, discover 650 instruments spanning five centuries of history, including the oldest drum (1571), a viola da gamba by Joachim Tielke (circa 1704) and the "Weber-Unika" orchestrion from 1925. Explore eighty-four refurbished cells with interactive displays and exhibits for complete immersion.

Discover the Historical Museum and immerse yourself in Basel's history through three captivating exhibits: Barfüsserkirche, from prehistoric times to the present day, cathedral treasures, tapestries and dances of death. Musikmuseum, a breathtaking collection of over 650 instruments spanning five centuries of musical evolution. Haus zum Kirshgarten, transformed into a housing museum, offers a journey back in time to the heart of ^18th-century bourgeois opulence. Each room is carefully furnished to immerse you in the atmosphere of this sumptuous era.

Discover contemporary art since 1872 at the Kunsthalle. The Kunsthalle Basel is a worldwide reference for the latest trends in contemporary art. Since its renovation by renowned architects Miller & Maranta in 2004, it has also housed the Museum of Architecture, a place dedicated to exploring the captivating themes of architecture and urbanism, offering a unique immersive experience. Enjoy a restaurant with terrace overlooking the Tinguley fountain for the full experience.

Discover the HeK in Münchenstein, dedicated to digital culture. It explores the visual arts, music, theater, dance, performance and design. It's an interdisciplinary venue where media and technology come together to showcase the digital culture of the ^21st century. Exhibitions, mini-festivals and debates immerse you in this dynamic world. The Genusswerk&co bistro offers a variety of menus, cakes and sandwiches. Enjoy a good time on the terrace!

Founded in 1924, the historical museum of the Pharmacy depends on the University of Basel. In an almost intimate setting, surrounded by a beautiful courtyard with a fountain that is worth the detour, the museum is a symbol of the history of the pharmacy. For francophones, mp are available at the cashier (2 CHF) and blue fact sheets are found in each room and give good explanations about the exhibits. Don't miss the old chapel of this historic house before entering the second floor and ask for the key from the garden to the cashier! After the visit, the shop offers you know, infusions, pastilles and candies…

Using models of machinery and boats and playful information, the Museum of Navigation traces the evolution of transport on the Rhine over the past centuries. It highlights its past and present role in freight transport and its relations with other means of transport: rail, road, air…

The Swiss Architecture Museum, located in Basel, is a space dedicated to temporary exhibitions on architecture and urban planning. Founded in 1984, the museum presents exhibitions on current and controversial themes in architecture. It is housed within the Kunsthalle Basel, close to many of the city's other cultural venues. The museum also hosts numerous parallel events and activities, such as lectures, debates and guided tours. Since its creation, the Swiss Architecture Museum has established itself as a major platform for the architectural world, contributing to the debate on building culture and promoting contemporary architecture.

The Sport Museum has new skin and is now visiting the south-east of the city. It preserves the cultural heritage of Swiss sport and maintains one of the most important collections on the history of national sports: Winter sports, cycling, ball games, bowling alleys…