From its medieval old town to its cutting-edge art scene, Basel, Switzerland, offers a captivating blend of history and modernity. Learn from my experiences and make the most of your visit to this charming city, even if it’s just for a day. Whether you’re stopping by on the Viking Rhine Getaway or planning a dedicated trip, this guide will help you uncover the best of Basel!

My Last Visit to Basel

We began our morning in Paris and boarded our train to Basel at Gare de Lyon. The train ride had much better views than the Eurostar, traveling through Burgundy, the Jura Mountains, and past Dijon and Besançon.

• Top tip – When traveling by train, book your tickets in advance to secure the best prices and seats! If taking the TGV Lyria, consider booking the upper compartment for the panoramic views.

Arriving in Basel around 10:30, we searched for our tram from Basel’s main train station (Basel SBB) to St. Johann’s Dock (Passagierbootterminal St. Johann) in North Basel.

• Top tips – There are tons of trams around Basel, particularly in front of the train station. Make sure to know the tram you’re looking for ahead of time.
• Because Basel is a busy commercial port, traffic can be diverted with only a few days’ notice. Make sure to contact Viking Cruises and ensure you know which dock to go to! There are three options, and they are spread out across the city
• If you stay at a hotel in Basel, you will be provided with a free card for public transportation. If you are only there for the day before your cruise, you can pay a la carte for tickets. Be aware, the tickets essentially work on the honor system. If you are caught without one, however, you will be subjected to a stiff fine.

When you arrive at your Viking Cruise, the staff will take your bags and you’ll be free to explore the city as you see fit. If you arrive in time, lunch is provided at noon and a Welcome Walk is offered shortly afterward. This guided tour of the city was a great introduction to how the Viking Rhine Getaway excursions work and to Basel itself.

After seeing the old town on the Welcome Walk, we headed back to the ship for dinner.

Quick Facts About Basel

Language: In Basel they speak Swiss German. This dialect is considered very challenging by most Germans so don’t necessarily expect to be fluent with your high school or college lessons. Common phrases like “Danke” and “Hallo” are still used, so you should get by though.

Currency: Switzerland has resisted to urge to join the European Union, so they still use the Swiss Franc.

How to Get Around: Basel is pretty walkable, but there is also a very robust transportation system. Trams, buses, and other vehicles are available for public transport through the city, and they are pretty cheap and efficient.

What Else Should You Know: Switzerland can get pricey. In fact, most people who work in Basel actually live across the French or German borders due to the high cost of living. Don’t worry too much, just plan ahead and you’ll be fine!

What We Saw

Our sightseeing in Basel was really just within Viking’s Welcome Walk. Here are some of the sights we saw on that tour:

We parked near the Kunstmuseum Basel and walked through the old town until we reached the following destinations.

Basel Münster and Rheinpfalz – The Basel Münster is a large medieval church and possibly the most iconic landmark in Basel. Make sure to go around the back and also check out the Rheinpfalz, one of the best views of the Rhine in the city.

Marktplatz and Rathaus – Rathaus may sound unappealing, but its just German for Town Hall. Bright red and covered in detailed frescos, both the interior and exterior of the building are beautiful. The surrounding Marktplatz or Marketplace has tons of good shops and restaurants to see as well.

Once we reached the Rathaus we were given some free time to explore the area on our own. We returned to the Rathaus afterward, with the tour taking us back to the bus near the Kunstmuseum.

From the bus we also saw:

The Spalentor – One of three medieval gates in the city, this is perhaps the most impressive and well known of the three.

St. Johanns-Tor – Another of the three medieval gates, this one is located next to the dock at Sankt-Johann.

Where We Ate in Basel

Since we ate lunch and dinner on the ship, we did not eat any proper meals in Basel.

• Top tip – If you’re interested in learning more about the Viking Rhine Getaway’s dining, look no further than my review.  

We did however enjoy some great ice cream at the Lindt Chocolate Shop and Läckerli at the Läckerli Huus. For the uninitiated, Läckerli is a type of cookie made with nuts and candied fruit that is unique to the city of Basel. With its warm spices and overall flavor profile, Läckerli is reminiscent of gingerbread cookies and Christmas bread.

What We Wished We Could Have Seen

Kunstmuseum Basel – The Kunstmuseum Basel is the oldest public art museum in the world. In the 1600s when it was founded, paintings and sculptures were held in private collections, but the Kunstmuseum was paid for by the city of Basel itself. Now it holds works by the masters like Picasso and even the Burghers of Calais by Rodin.

• Top tip – At the following times, the Kunstmuseum is free to attend: Tue, Thu, Fri: 5 p.m.–6 p.m., Wed: 5 p.m.–8 p.m., and the First Sunday of the month!

Rheinschwimmen – Swimming in the Rhine is a popular pastime in Basel, but it’s very important to adhere to safety regulations. Aside from the danger posed by it, the commercial port in the north of the city also affects the water quality, so Basel is your last opportunity to swim in a clean, safe stretch of the river on the Viking Rhine Getaway.

Piccolo Cibo Buvette – Offering traditional Pinsas, Piccolo Cibo is located right on the banks of the river, and seemed to be a great place for a drink or some lunch.

If you’re interested in booking a Viking cruise, look at the first article in this series here.

Don’t forget, by subscribing below you’ll automatically receive access to my Complete Viking Rhine Getaway Guide & Itinerary, which includes a section on Basel and a full one-day itinerary for the city!