Basel Local History

Basel joined the Swis Confederation in 1501. The city was orginally setteled by the Celts in prehistoric times, the Romans, the Alemannic and Frankish people.
The first University of Switzerland was founded in 1460 in Basel and the first Rhine Bridge was constructed in the 13th century. During the industrial revolution silk ribbon munufacturing grew in the city and the world-famous pharamaceutical and chemical industries have their roots here.

Basel Attractions

Basel Shopping

Basel has a wonderfuly lively inner city with a range of boutiques and specialised stores selling everything from watches and designer dresses to fine Swiss chocolate. The romantic Old Town is where you can pick up great souveniers. These two areas, together with the market place, form a huge shopping paradise.

Basel Activities

Zoo Basel - This oasis situated in the heart of the city and incudes a monkey house, vivarium and childrens zoo.

Puppenhausmuseum - Steinenvorstadt 1. This museum houses an extraordinary collection of dolls and teddy bears as well as old carousels, dolls houses and shops. Each floor has interactive information stations and there is a museum cafe and shop.

Discovery trip in a vintage Tram - This unforgetable one hour journey through the 2000 year old town of Basel on a nostalgic vintage tram is a must for all ages. Comentary in English, German, French.

Basel Parks & Gardens

Chinese Garden - Bellerivestrasse. Opened in 1994 it is one of the biggest and most important Chinese gardens outside of China. Open March-October, Mon-Sun 11am-7pm.

Botanical Garden of the University of Zurich - Zollikerstrasse 107. Here you can find a tropical rainforest, Primeval forest with tree ferns, Alpine roses and scents of the Meditteranean. A truly enchanting garden to visit.

Backer Park - Hohlstrasse. Situated in the middle of district 4 this beautiful green area attracts locals and visitors alike.

Basel Restaurants and Bars

Basel has a huge number of top-class retaurants. Many have been awarded Michelin Stars and offer a wide choice of exotic food. The people of Basel particularly like Italian cooking, thereforehere are many Italian restaurants in the City.

The traditional, Historical Inns and Guild Halls as well as old-established pubs and wine taverns serve traditional Swiss dishes such as Cheese fondue.

Basel Restaurants

Angry Monk Dumplings and Breakfast Lounge - Theaterstrasse 7. Serving dumpling specialities from around the world, such as Sha Momo from tibet and Maultaschen from Germany. The restaurant offers casual dining, an outdoor area and is child friendly. Open daily 11am-11pm.

Confiserie Tea Room Schiesser - Marktplatz 19. This classical Vienna style coffee house offers excellent coffee and pastries with a great view of the City Hall and a Summer terrace on the Marktplatz. Closed Sundays.

Restaurant Gambrinus - Falknerstrasse 35. Excellent service at this restaurant serving hearty Swiss cuisine and typical Basel specialities. Open daily 11am-10pm.

Hirscheneck - Lindenberg 23. This quirky restaurant features great vegetarian dishes. Open Monday 5pm-midnight, Tue-Fri 9am- Midnight, Sat 2pm-1am, Sun 10am-Midnight.

Basel Bars & Clubs

Rio Bar - Barfusserplatz 12. The young and old, hip and not-so-hip, prominent and "nobody's" meet at this typically Basel bar. Open daily. Handicap friendly.

Atlantis - Klosterburg 13. Dance to the sounds of rock, reggae and blues at this large bar. Open Sun-Thu 10am-midnight, Fri-Sat 10am-1am.

Queens Disco Bar - Blumenrain 10. Various music styles, well priced drinks and a great atmosphere in an old cellar. Open Thu-Mon 9pm-late.

Birds Eye Jazz Club - Kohlenberg 20. This is the best place in Basel for the Jazz lover. Closed Sun and Mon.

Basel children's activities

Zoo Basel - This oasis situated in the heart of the city and incudes a monkey house, vivarium and childrens zoo.

Puppenhausmuseum - Steinenvorstadt 1. This museum houses an extraordinary collection of dolls and teddy bears as well as old carousels, dolls houses and shops. Each floor has interactive information stations and there is a museum cafe and shop.

Discovery trip in a vintage Tram - This unforgetable one hour journey through the 2000 year old town of Basel on a nostalgic vintage tram is a must for all ages. Comentary in English, German, French.

Basel Weekend Breaks

Top 10 things to do in Basel for a weekend.

• Augst
• Munster
• Old Town
• Doll House Museum
• Town Hall

More