Basel, located at the intersection of Switzerland, France, and Germany, attracts attention with its perfect blend of old and new, despite having a population of less than 200,000. Beneath the postcard-perfect cobbled streets and classical architecture lies an unusual coolness, visible in every corner from interesting public sculptures to avant-garde art galleries and breathtaking modern architectural buildings. This city is quite rich in art, from the giants of the art scene like Fondation Beyeler to independent art galleries. Additionally, the food scene, influenced by Switzerland, France, and Germany, offers serious flavors and often carries a rebellious atmosphere. Basel has something to offer for everyone, no matter what your interests are. Here is my guide to exploring Basel on a budget. PS If you are planning a trip to Switzerland, here is my budget-friendly Switzerland guide and also my budget-friendly Lucerne and Zurich guides. Also, check out my previous guide on the best things to do in Chur.
Dorms, Hyve Basel
Where to Stay: Hyve Basel
Hyve Basel is located a short walk from the main train station and offers various accommodation options catering to all types of travelers and budgets. If you are looking for your own space, fully equipped apartments with private balconies are available. The beautifully designed private double rooms and family suites feature large windows that let in plenty of light. The most popular part of the hotel is the hostel-style Japanese capsule beds. These are the best-designed capsule beds I have seen in any hostel in Europe. The bed is quite comfortable, there is a socket to charge your devices, and there is also a large side mirror that makes the capsule feel less enclosed. Additionally, there is an air duct to ensure good airflow.
The shared bathrooms and showers work quite well and are regularly cleaned. A significant feature of Hyve Basel is the common lounge, which is favored not only by guests but also by the local Basel residents. The common area is a great place to work during the day and offers excellent coffee. In the evenings, it takes on more of a living room atmosphere as people eat, read books, work, or gather around the fire on the lovely open terrace. There is a regular events program ranging from lively comedy shows to board game nights. The hostel also has an excellent self-catering kitchen, which is a great advantage for visitors to Basel. There is a local market around the corner and further down, next to the train station, a Coop Supermarket. Other notable amenities include a washing machine and dryer for 5CHF, and there is also a pool table area. Lastly, the staff and hosts here are extremely helpful. Everyone I met, Esra, Suzanne, Alex, Sarah - were all incredibly helpful and gave me great tips.
You can also use the code for a 15% discount at Hyve Basel and other locations: CAPSULE15, which currently also applies to Lucerne and Capsule Hotel Alpine Garden.
Street Art - The Best Spots in Basel
Basel has a diverse and interesting street art scene, and you will find an eclectic mix of murals, graffiti, and installations wherever you walk in the city, especially on the outskirts. You can find impressive graffiti and murals along the tracks between the Swiss SBB train station and the Schwarzwaldbrücke bridge, as well as around the Schänzli area near St. Jakob-Park and Sommercasino. The port also hosts impressive street art. Additionally, the Bell area showcases Basel's largest installation, a 1,700 m² wall created by over 30 artists during the Change of Colours event in August 2020.
Here are my favorite spots:
1.Gerbergässlein
4001 Basel
This is probably Basel's most famous street art - a large piece featuring world-renowned musicians like the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Ozzy.
2. Malaga loves Basel – Kohlenberg
Kohlenberg 13, Basel
Dest Jones from Basel and urban artist Lalone from Malaga created this mural as a tribute to Pablo Picasso and his influence on the cities of Basel and Malaga.
3. Sommercasino
Münchensteinerstrasse 1,
4052 Basel
Sommercasino, a social house from the 19th century, is a popular venue for concerts and parties, as well as a popular meeting point for local graffiti artists, where you will find impressive artworks and motifs along its entire facade.
4.Space Invaders
Clarastrasse,
4005 Basel
You will find 20 Space Invaders made by Paris-based Invader all around Basel; he is one of the leading figures in the urban art world. The most famous of the 20 pieces is located in Kleinbasel, at the corner of Messe Basel. Created in 2019, “The Golden Pot of the Art World” is one of the largest in the world.
5. Port
Uferstrasse, 4057 Basel
Along the far edges of Klybeck, up to the Dreiländereck, also known as the "border triangle" where three countries meet, you will find a fantastic mix of murals and graffiti art adorning everything from industrial buildings to freight cars.
3 Great Museums You Can Visit for Free
1.Kunstmuseum Basel
Kunstmuseum Basel hosts the second largest public art collection in Switzerland; this collection comes after Kunsthaus Zürich and is listed as a heritage site of national significance. Its origins trace back to the Amerbach Cabinet, which included a collection of works by Hans Holbein purchased by the city of Basel and Basel University in 1661; this made it the world's first municipal museum and thus open to the public. The collection spans a wide historical range from the early 15th century to the present day. Its different areas of emphasis give it an international standing as one of the most important museums of its kind. These areas include works by artists active in the Upper Rhine region between 1400 and 1600, as well as pieces from 19th and 21st-century art.
The collection can be visited for free on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Wednesdays and Fridays from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and on the first Sunday of each month.
2.Museum Tinguely
Visiting Museum Tinguely is a must to gain insight into the life and genius of Jean Tinguely, one of Basel's most famous citizens. The museum, covering a career spanning over 4 decades, houses the largest collection of his works; ranging from early, finely crafted reliefs to monumental machine sculptures from the 1980s. Inspired by Tinguely, Museum Tinguely has a very entertaining and interactive structure; the various activities and exhibitions inside will reveal the artist within. The museum is free on Thursday evenings.
3.Hoosesaggmuseum
In the heart of the charming and steep Imbergässlein, where Basel's spice traders once gathered, lies the interesting Hoosesaggmuseum (Pants Pocket Museum). There is no entrance fee, but it is not possible to enter this museum; the entire collection is displayed in a two-foot by two-foot window at the door of the 600-year-old house of Dagmar and Matthias Vergeat, located in this narrow pedestrian street in Basel's Old Town.
This unique museum showcases miniature collections small enough to fit in your pocket. Anyone with a special collection of more than 30 items can exhibit here for a limited time and add a personal and fun touch to the displays.
Great Places to Eat in Basel
1. Sapori Del Sud
Right next to Spalentor, Sapori Del Sud is a little slice of Italian and Sicilian heaven run by Antonio Russo and his mother Grazia, specializing in panini and signature pastrami sandwiches; one bite takes me to New York. Prices are quite reasonable - 11 CHF for a Jumbo Sandwich, enough to satisfy two people.
2. Za Zaa
Za Zaa, a chic Syrian-Lebanese restaurant in the heart of Basel, offers a lovely menu featuring traditional salads, excellent hummus, a variety of both cold and hot appetizers, and great falafel options.
3. Lily Maxim
Lily Maxim, offering a mix of classic Thai, Indian, and Chinese dishes, will delight you if you are looking for a casual dining experience with fast and good service. The dishes are adapted to local flavors, but there is a good variety of spices to customize your meal to your taste.
4. Klara
Another great dining option is Klara, which offers culinary delights from Japan, Argentina, Thailand, and Africa. Locals rave about the hummus and pita from Yoya Pitabar and pasta and pinsa from Lamia Pastaria. One of our preferences is the rustic Landstelle by the Rhine River for a fresh beer or cocktail after swimming in the river from the nearby pier.
5. Markthalle
Located in a beautiful protected building near the train station, Markthalle has been redeveloped as an international food hall since 2014; here, dishes from around the world are offered at quite reasonable prices. There is a wide range of options from delicious empanadas to ceviche, kebabs to tasty curries. When we visited, we also stumbled upon a fantastic second-hand clothing market filled with locals late on the weekend.
6. Coffee at Café Unternehmen
This architectural marvel dating back to 1912 is the former Swiss Volksbank and is Basel's unofficial living room; here you can find people working on their laptops, tired shoppers sipping coffee in stylish Eames chairs, or locals enjoying delicious cakes and pastries on the lovely terraces.
Tip: Marktplatz, dominated by the vibrant red Rathaus from the 16th century, is worth strolling through, especially when it is a busy weekly market where locals come to buy fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers.
7. Jakob’s Basler Leckerly
A trip to Basel is not complete without tasting the famous Basler Leckerli, a popular gingerbread from the region. You are in the right place to try Basler Leckerli at Jakob’s Basler Leckerly, Switzerland's oldest cookie manufacturer dating back to 1753.
Swimming in Basel Style in the Rhine River
Wickelfisch and Buvette Culture
In late spring and summer, the most popular thing for locals to relax and cool off is swimming in the Rhine River. Every time we walked in Kleinbasel, we saw people of all ages floating in the river. Most people swim along the city using a swimming bag called “Wickelfisch,” which allows them to safely store their clothes and valuables. There are many places in Kleinbasel where you can dry off. I was quite impressed by the number of shower and toilet facilities along the river - this city really knows how to enjoy summer. Also, don’t forget all the wonderful buvettes for a great drink. Our recommendation is Flora, which offers affordable wine and beers.
Note: You can rent a Wickelfisch from the Basel Tourism Information Point for 10 CHF. It’s also worth remembering that the current can sometimes be quite strong, so it’s a good idea to check the conditions before swimming - the Basel tourism website is a good place to check.
Hop on the Rhine River Ferry for Just 2 CHF!
A Rhine River tour in my style - for 2 Swiss francs, you can cross the river in Basel: you can choose one of the four Rhine river ferries named “Wild Maa,” “Leu,” “Vogel Gryff,” and “Ueli”; these connect Grossbasel to Kleinbasel. These boats, which are attached to a long cable, are completely driven by the current of the Rhine River.
To cross the Rhine River, after wandering around the elegant area at St Alban, we boarded the Wilde Maa ferry from Grossbasel to Kleinbasel.
Exploring Klybeck
If you’re looking for something a bit more alternative, I definitely recommend visiting Klybeck, an old industrial area by the Rhine River that became a popular attraction for artists and culture lovers since its establishment in 2014. Holzpark Klybeck reminds me of Holzmarkt25 in Berlin and is filled with many great pieces of street art, as well as pop-up bars and restaurants made from containers and wooden pallets. I recommend having a beer or cocktail at the friendly Patschifig. Also, I suggest the rustic Landstelle by the Rhine for a drink after swimming in the river.
Free Basel - Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour
If your time is limited and you prefer the independence of exploring the city at your own pace, the free Basel City App is the app you need to download. There is a rich history and story at every corner of Basel’s Old Town, and this app offers all the stories and places you can discover. There are 5 different walking tours to choose from, and they all start and end at Marktplatz.
Basel Nightlife
Basel’s nightlife is quite vibrant for its size. There’s something for everyone. You’ll find stylish, dimly lit bars spread from cozy spots to the lively Rheingasse in popular Steinenvorstadt and the hip Klybeck area. If you’re looking for a nice evening drink by the Rhine River, you can’t go wrong at Landstelle.
Then, there are underground clubs like Nordstern that pulse with electronic rhythms until the early hours of the morning.
Transportation in Basel
Transportation in Basel is a dream thanks to its efficient and well-connected transport system. The backbone of the city is the extensive tram and bus network operated by BVB. Trams cross the city, while buses fill in the gaps.
Visitors staying at Hyve Basel get a great advantage - a free Basel Card! This magical card offers you free public transport and discounts at attractions. If you don't have your Basel Card, you can purchase tickets from the machines at the stops or through the BVB app.
Basel's compact size makes it perfect for exploring on foot or by bike. As I mentioned earlier, take a ride on one of the Rhine River ferries for a unique experience. These cable-guided boats offer a fantastic way to cross the river.
Also, if you're coming from the airport, bus number 50 will take you to the city center in about 20 minutes. This bus is included in your free Basel Card. (remember to download it to your phone). And if you're arriving by train, Basel SBB station is right in the city center, and you can easily walk to Hyve Basel.
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