Attractions to explore and things to do in and around Basel

Ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest in May 2025, we have looked at what you can do in Basel (and beyond) to make sure you make the most of your time in the beautiful country of Switzerland.

Basel is Switzerland's third largest city and is located in the country's north in the German-speaking region.

The city is pretty much on the border of where Switzerland, France and Germany meet each other, and because of this, Basel is considered an international rail hub. As well as having good international rail connections, Basel also has the largest network of trams in Switzerland, making it a perfect location to get out and explore.

Basel is a great city with loads to do, so let's have a look at some of the wonderful attractions you can check out whilst in Basel for the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest!

Basel's Old Town

What better way to start exploring a new city than checking out its oldest area! Basel's Old Town (Altstadt) is a captivating blend of history, architecture and charm nestled along the banks of the Rhine River. Old Town is maze of narrow, cobblestone streets, medieval buildings and colourful townhouses.

Highlights include the iconic Basel Minster, a stunning gothic cathedral with panoramic views over the city (see below for more information) and the Rathaus (Town Hall). The Old Town also features charming squares like Marktplatz, lined with cafes and shops, creating a quaint atmosphere (and also very insta-worthy!). There is so much history here, dating from Roman times to the Renaissance, all while being surrounded by a vibrant, modern cultural scene. Best of all - walking is free!

Basel Minster

Located in Basel’s Old Town, the romanesque/gothic-styled Minster is one of the city’s most striking landmarks and is located on a hill overlooking the Rhine River. The cathedral’s red sandstone exterior and two 65 metre-high towers dominate the skyline. The original Minister had five towers, but three collapsed during the 1356 earthquake and were never rebuilt. Built between the 12th and 15th centuries, the Minster is renowned for its stained-glass windows, beautifully crafted wooden doors and ornate spires. Inside is a richly decorated interior, including medieval frescoes.

The Basel Minster's location offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding region and is open to tourists seven days a week.

Cheese glorious cheese (and other Swiss delights)

Swiss cheese is so good it could have its own article! Two very popular cheese dishes in Switzerland are fondue and raclette. If you are a tourist in Switzerland for the first time, trying cheese fondue is a must! A blend of different Swiss cheeses is served in a heated communal pot, where diners dip cubes of bread (and other yummies) using long forks.

Raclette is where semi-hard cheese is melted and scraped onto boiled potatoes, pickles, and other accompaniments like charcuterie. The cheese is traditionally melted under a grill or broiler.

Other famous foods of Switzerland include their high quality chocolate, of which there are many famous brands to choose from.

If you are a true foodie, one great option is to book a walking food tour, which is a brilliant way to try many different things, including the Swiss national dish, rosti.

The Kunstmuseum Basel

You don't have to be an art aficionado to enjoy an art museum.

The Kunstmuseum Basel, established in 1661, is Basel's number one tourist attraction and houses Switzerland's oldest public art collection. The Kunstmuseum is considered one of the leading art museums in Europe. It houses an impressive collection spanning over 700 years of art history, from the Middle Ages to contemporary works. The museum is renowned for its diversity and includes pieces ranging from Picasso, van Gogh and Monet to Andy Warhol.

In addition to its permanent collection, the Kunstmuseum hosts temporary exhibitions, educational programs and cultural events.

To get the most out of your time here, you can rent an audio guide to complement your visit at the museum.

Pharmaziemuseum der Universität Basel

If you like curiotisites and all things a little odd, the Pharmaziemuseum (Pharmacy Museum) at the Universität Basel may be for you.

The Pharmaziemuseum is dedicated to the history and evolution of pharmacy, medicine and the development of pharmaceuticals. On display is a fascinating array of pieces including early pharmaceutical tools, apothecary equipment, and ancient medical manuscripts. This museum is sure to make you feel grateful for modern advances in medicine!

Basel from the Rhine

Getting out onto the water on a cruise or ferry is always a great way to see a city from a different perspective and Basel is no different, especially in spring! There are multiple options including local commuter ferries, luxury tours that include brunch or dinner, lock cruises, as well as cruises that travel up the Rhine to other locations.

If you plan on doing some travel before or after Eurovision, you may be interested to know that Basel has a cruise ship port on the Rhine River which serves as a major embarkation and disembarkation point for river cruises traveling along the Rhine and other European waterways.

Vitra Design Museum

The Vitra Design Museum in actually located in Germany at Weil am Rhein, which is a 15 minute trip by car from Basel. The museum is dedicated to design, architecture and industrial design and is renowned for its innovative exhibitions, iconic architecture, and extensive collections.

The Vitra Campus where the museum is located is an open-air architectural park, where visitors can explore the buildings designed by world-class architects.

The Swiss Alps and other side trips

If you want to make the most of your time in Switzerland, you can travel to the Alps easily in a day. The train system is so good in Switzerland, it makes it easy to get around, and with Basel being a rail hub, you really are spoilt for choices.

Zermatt / Matterhorn

The Matterhorn is one of the most recognizable mountains in the world and towers over the resort town of Zermatt, a car-free village with luxury resorts, traditional chalets and winter skiing.

To get up close and personal with the Matterhorn, you can take a gondola and cablecar from Zermatt up to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise which is the highest mountain station in the world. From here, you will have stunning panoramic views of the Alps, and the Matterhorn is usually covered in snow most of the year.

To get to Zermatt takes a bit of planning and will take about 3.5 hours from Basel by train, so this option may be best for a stay before or after the Contest.

Lauterbrunnen / Jungfrau

Like Zermatt, Lauterbrunnen is best visited over a few days. The trip via train to one of Switzerland's most beautiful villages will take you past some jaw dropping scenery and then when you arrive in Lauterbrunnen, you will swear you can hear Heidi in the hills.

Nestled in an alpine valley, you will be surrounded by towering cliffs, waterfalls (72 of them!) and picture-postcard beauty. Lauterbrunnen is the gateway to the Jungfrau region and serves as a base for exploring some of the most iconic Swiss scenery. It’s a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts where you can hike and take a cable car to the nearby peaks (including Jungfrau).

If you want a quintessential Swiss experience and want to be at one with nature, Lauterbrunnen is your best bet.

Zürich

You can reach Switzerland's largest city of Zürich in under an hour by train. Wander Zürich's charming Old Town looking at its medieval buildings and historic landmarks. If you love art, Zürich is a hub for experimental and cutting-edge exhibitions. Kunsthalle Zürich often showcases avant-garde art, photography, installations and multimedia projects. Here, sweet tooths can visit the famous chocolate factories of Lindt and Toblerone.

Lucerne and Mount Pilatus

You can reach the beautiful city of Lurcerne in just over an hour from Basel. Situated on Lake Lucerne, there is loads of stuff to see in picturesque Lurcene including the medieval Chapel Bridge, Old Town and the Lion Monument.

Offering breathtaking panoramic views of Lucerne and the surrounding mountains, Mount Pilatus is a must visit those that love spectacular scenery. You can reach the summit via the world’s steepest cogwheel railway or by cable car, or if you are really up for it, you can hike to the top in about 4.5 hours.

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