Tradition-conscious, open-minded and full of contrasts, Basel is regarded as one of Switzerland’s centres for art, music and architecture. Thanks to its central location at the ‘three-countries-corner’ where Switzerland, Germany and France meet, the city on the elbow of the Rhine is also an important centre of fairs and congresses. The large market square with its richly decorated red sandstone town hall and the late Romanesque-Gothic cathedral are the landmarks of the city.

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Rhine Port / Dreiländereck

Experience the big wide world in miniature. Where Germany, France and Switzerland meet and the ships leave for the North Sea, is also the hub and pivotal point of Switzerland’s raw material supply.

Take a seat in the Restaurant Dreiländereck with its fascinating view of the Rhine, and watch the hectic comings and goings at Basel’s Rhine Port. Dozens of Rhine-ships battle with the current every day, and are sure to have your full attention when they pass within a hair’s breadth of the bridge columns.

Spalentor (Spalen Gate)

The Spalentor is the most imposing of the three surviving city gates that formed part of the fortifications of 1400.
Many important goods for the supply of the city passed through this gate from Alsace.

The side facing away from the town is decorated with three figures from the beginning of the 15th century – the Madonna and two prophets.

Just close by, you can discover the Botanic Garden of the Basel University!

Modern architecture

Celebrity architects such as Richard Meier, Frank O. Gehry and Zaha Hadid have left their indelible mark here by way of sensational shapes and forms. Herzog & de Meuron – Basel’s very own architectural double act could be spotted downtown comparing designs over coffee.

Michael Alder
Gewerbe- und Atelierhaus, St. Alban-Tal 40a

Mario Botta
Verwaltungsgebäude der BIZ, Aeschenplatz 1
Tinguely Museum, Paul Sacher-Anlage 1

Burckhardt & Partner AG
Grand Casino, Flughafenstrasse 225
Hotel Victoria, Centralbahnplatz 3-4

Diener + Diener
Ausbildungs- und Konferenzzentrum der UBS, Viaduktstrasse 33
Basler Versicherung, Aeschengraben 21

Herzog + De Meuron
Zentralstellwerk, Münchensteinerstrasse 15
Altes Stellwerk SBB hinter dem Wolfgottesacker, Walkeweg
St. Jakob Park (Fussballstadion), St. Jakobs-Strasse 395
Schaulager, Ruchfeldstr. 19, Münchenstein (Tram 11 bis Schaulager)

Theo Hotz
Messehalle 1, Riehenring

Peter Märkli
Architekturmuseum, Steinenberg 7

Karl Moser
Antoniuskirche, Kannenfeldstr. 35
Pauluskirche, Steinenring 20

Naef, Studer & Studer
Rosshofareal, Petersgraben 51

Richard Meier
Geschäftshaus “Euregio” Viaduktstrasse / Innere Margarethenstrasse

Renzo Piano
Museum Fondation Beyeler in Riehen (Tram 6 bis Fondation Beyeler)

Schwarz & Gutmann
Stadttheater, Elisbethenstrasse 16

Wilfried und Katharina Steib
Museum für Gegenwartskunst, St. Alban Rheinweg 60

Frank O.Gehry
Vitra Design Museum, Charles-Eames-Strasse 1, Weil am Rhein – DE (Bus 55 ab Claraplatz bis Vitra)

Morger & Degelo
Messeturm, Messeplatz 42
Musikmuseum, Im Lohnhof 9

Zwimpfer & Partner
Peter Merian-Haus, Jacob-Burckhardt-Haus, Peter Merian-Strasse

Hammering Man by J. Borofsky

Since the end of August 1989 this giant with a height of 13.5 metres and a weight of 8 tons has been swinging his hammer in the steady rhythm of a man’s breathing.

According to Jonathan Borofsky, at his location on the Aeschenplatz he is intended to serve as a symbol «for all of us who are working together to make our environment on this planet safe and worth living in».

Fondation Beyeler

Top works of the classical modern period
From Cézanne to van Gogh, Klee, Miró to Warhol and Rothko – within the Fondation Beyeler is one of the most famous private collections in the world, with top works of the classical modern period.
It acquired a publicly accessible home in 1997, in a dignified museum building in Riehen, near Basel, designed by star architect Renzo Piano.

The permanent collection exhibition is regularly supplemented with spectacular and attractive special exhibitions.

Opening hours
Monday to Sunday 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Wednesday till 8.00 p.m.

Kunstmuseum Basel

The leading art house in Switzerland.
In the Basel Art Museum you will come across the oldest public art collection in the world. The museum owns the world’s largest collection of works by the Holbein family.

The Renaissance is also represented with works by Witz, Cranach the Elder, Grünewald, and others. Highlights of the 19th century are paintings by Böcklin, van Gogh, Gauguin and Cézanne.

In the 20th century, the main focuses are on cubism (Picasso, Braque, Léger), German Expressionism and American art since 1950. Contemporary art from the 1960s onwards is exhibited in the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Opening hours
Tuesday, Thurstady to Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed on Mondays