Basel - Travel & Tourism Guide Basel - Suisse

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Situated 10 km from France and Germany, Basel is naturally multilingual, even if this German-speaking city doesn't make concessions to French in its inscriptions. Situated in the Rhine Valley, Basel's sunny microclimate is influenced by a Mediterranean air flow up the Rhone Valley to the gateway to Burgundy. It is the "cultural capital of Switzerland", renowned for its carnival and Art Basel contemporary art fair. The city is home to some forty museums, galleries, historic monuments and contemporary buildings that place art at the forefront. The medieval old town, with its narrow, steep streets, beautiful cathedral, meandering Rhine, old streetcars and 19th-century mansions all add to the charm of this city of art and history. Basel's economy is based primarily on the chemical and pharmaceutical industries of the Roche and Novartis groups.

What to visit Basel?

FONDATION BEYELER

CATHÉDRALE DE BÂLE (BASLER MUNSTER)

MUSÉE D'ART CONTEMPORAIN

MUSÉE D'ARTS (KUNSTMUSEUM BASEL)

S AM SCHWEIZERISCHES ARCHITEKTURMUSEUM

KUNSTHALLE BASEL

GUNDELDINGER FELD

HÔTEL DE VILLE (RATHAUS)

MUSÉE DES CULTURES (MUSEUM DER KULTUREN)

OFFENE KIRCHE ELISABETHEN (EGLISE STE-ELISABETH)

HOLZPARK KLYBECK

SKULPTURHALLE BASEL

MUSÉE HISTORIQUE DE BÂLE

MUSÉE DU PAPIER (BASLER PAPIERMUHLE)

MUSEUM JEAN TINGUELY

MUSÉE DU DESSIN HUMORISTIQUE (CARTOONMUSEUM)

HEK (HOUSE OF ELECTRONIC ARTS BASEL)

MUSEUM FÜR WOHNKULTUR (MUSÉE DE L'HABITAT)

MUSÉE DES ANTIQUITÉS (ANTIKENMUSEUM)

MUSEUM D'HISTOIRE NATURELLE

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Suggested addresses Basel

The best transportation

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The best outings

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Sport and leisure activities

The best naughty points

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The good plans

When to go to Basel?

When to go to Basel? Basel has two peak tourist seasons: July-August, and December-March for winter sports. Basel is a pleasant place to stay all year round. In spring or autumn, you can avoid the crowds of tourists and benefit from lower hotel rates. But don't forget to take an umbrella! You have great events all year round in Basel: a show jumping competition (Longines CSI), in January the biggest carnival in Switzerland, in early March the biggest art fair in the world (Basel Fair/Art Basel), in June a famous tennis tournament (Swiss Indoors Basel), in October the huge autumn fair (funfair) which has been held for more than 5 centuries at the end of October/beginning of November, not to mention the Christmas market and the Christmas illuminations The best time to go to Basel is the one you choose according to your interests!

Weather at the moment

Weather all year round

Basel's climate is semi-continental with very contrasting seasons. As a rule, winters are cold and harsh, summers hot and sunny. In summer, severe thunderstorms sometimes occur. Average temperatures range from 1.6 °C in January to 20 °C in July.

Budget

The Swiss currency in Basel as in the rest of the country is the Swiss franc. If it is possible to pay in euros in most cases, it is preferable to have Swiss francs on you (which you can withdraw from an ATM). It will be cheaper and there is no lack of banks in Switzerland! If the prices include the service, leaving a tip is common (around 10%). As far as the budget is concerned, Switzerland has the reputation of being an expensive country: a reputation that is well deserved!

Procedures

Although Switzerland is at the crossroads of Europe, it is not a member of the European Union. However, no particular formalities are required to stay in Basel for less than three months, only a valid identity card or a valid passport are necessary. For stays longer than three months, a visa is required.

Health

There is no risk in going to Basel. Just make sure your vaccinations are up to date (DT Polio, etc.). In case of illness, contact the French consulate which will help you and provide you with a list of French-speaking doctors. Switzerland has a very good reputation in terms of health care, even if prices are obviously expensive... Classic medicines (headaches, stomach aches, lozenges...) are delivered without prescription in Switzerland. There are of course exceptions, but these do not concern the usual medicines; for the others and the treatments, take what you need with you.

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How to go to Basel? Our advice & tips

There is a wide variety of tour packages available in Switzerland. Some agencies will propose you winter sports stays (accommodation, travel, ski pass...). Others will specialize in city breaks (three days in Bern, Geneva, Basel or Lausanne for example). Another possibility is themed stays: cruises, ecotourism, spa treatments, etc.

Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destination

Switzerland is a country where you can go alone without any problem. It is a very safe destination. On the spot, the organization is perfect. The tourist offices will inform and help you. Internet reservations for accommodations are a well established practice. And they speak French, German and/or Italian depending on the canton. Moreover, English is understood by almost all Swiss people. It's up to you to organize your stay without ruining yourself...

The public transport network is very dense in Switzerland: plane, train or bus. All the lakes of Switzerland are navigable and can be visited in single trip or excursions. Very pleasant to discover the country. If you plan to combine train, boat and bus transportation, opt for the Swiss Travel Pass. Finally, the most advantageous way to get around may be by car (your own or a rental car). As long as your car is well equipped for the mountains and the snow... If you use a highway, you must pay the annual vignette.

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