Luxury hotel holidays to Swiss Cities

Highlights of Basel

Basel sits within the border triangle between France, Germany, and Switzerland; for this reason it brings together a range of cultures, styles, and languages, which makes for a lively and absorbing stay. The Rhine River carves its way through the city centre, establishing many picturesque spots on the course of its meander for lunch in a pavement café, an afternoon walk on the promenade, or simply a long pause to take in the views from one of the bridges. The quirky houses lining the river bank have more than a touch of the distinctive German influence in their architecture, which also spills over into Alsace across the French border. To truly appreciate the views of Basel from the water, take a ferry across from one side to the other, or a longer boat trip.

Cultural highlights of Basel

We would recommend seeking out Basel's most popular artistic venues, be it in one of the museums and galleries, or simply beneath one of the hundreds of statues, carved by the likes of Pablo Picasso, that dot the streets. The Fondation Beyeler is the most visited museum in Switzerland, a reputation it has gained from its millions of satisfied visitors who come to witness the ever-changing exhibitions. The Kunstmusem Basel is believed to be one of the best museums in the world, exhibiting a range of contemporary and more classical works by prestigious names, in a minimalist building that allows the art to take the focus. Scattered across the town are excellent eateries, from the Kunsthalle Restaurant with its tables that spill out onto the pavement, to the guild restaurants that serve food produced from centuries of development and innovation. Basel Cathedral, however, the icon of the city, may well be the highlight. Overlooking the waterside, its distinctive red stone and patterned-tile roof gives it a unique appearance that is unmatched across Europe. Inside, its cavernous halls have an ethereal quality, aided by the light let through the frontal rose window.

Festivals in Basel

On the week after Ash Wednesday, Basel celebrates what is Switzerland's biggest carnival. Between 15,000 and 20,000 people take part in the Fasnacht, which lasts for four days. Costumed musicians parade through the streets; others carry lanterns on the first morning; prose and poetry is distributed to the crowds; past events are acted out; and processions of musicians and spectators march through the narrow streets of the Old Town.