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

Labels such as Cultural Capital of Switzerland or University City can only be seen as an attempt to give the city, with its wealth of cultural, historical, leisure and enjoyment experiences, a single overarching name.

The Cathedral

With its red sandstone walls, multicoloured roof tiles and twin towers, the Cathedral is a dominant feature of the city. The crypt, the choir, the tomb of Erasmus of Rotterdam, the Galluspforte and the two cloisters are a testimony to the eventful history of its construction over a period of several centuries.

Opening hours
Summer, Easter Saturday till the 15th of October
Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.
Sunday and holidays 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Winter, 16th of October till Good Friday
Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday and holidays 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

The Cathedral is closed on the following days: 1st January, Good Friday, 1st May, 1st August, 24th and 25th December

The Pfalz

The Basler Pfalz offers a magnificent view over the Old Town and far out into the Three-Countries Corner.
The word «Pfalz» is derived from «palatium» = palace. The terrace high above the Rhine behind the Cathedral is called the Pfalz because the residence of the Bishop of Basel was in the immediate vicinity.

Stairs lead down from the Pfalz to the landing stage of the Münsterfähre (Cathedral Ferry). The ferry is attached to a wire rope stretched across the Rhine, and is propelled across the broad river purely by the force of the current. There are three other ferries in Basel, and all of them are a popular attraction for both young and old.
Through a narrow gate one passes from the terrace into the quiet cloister of Basel Cathedral. Here one finds richly ornamented gravestones of members of well-known Basel families dating from the 16th to the 19th century.

Marktplatz & Town Hall

Every day except Sunday, fresh vegetables, fruit and flowers are on sale here. The Marktplatz is dominated by the Town Hall (Rathaus), the seat of the government of the Canton of Basel-City which at the same time functions as the city council.

Particularly worth seeing are the Council Chambers, the atmospheric Inner Courtyard, the romantic arcades and the imposing tower.

At the time of the transition from historicism to the Art Nouveau style, almost all the old burghers’ houses around the Marktplatz were replaced by larger buildings. One surviving building in the Renaissance style is the house of the vintners’ guild, known as the Geltenzunft, whose members were wine merchants and taverners. They were held in high esteem, for wine, like bread, was one of the most important daily foods and the vintners supervised its quality.

Mittlere Brücke / Schifflände

The first bridge across the Rhine was opened in Basel in 1226. Its builder was Prince-Bishop Heinrich von Thun. As protection for the bridge in which so much money had been invested, he established the fortified town of Kleinbasel (Lesser Basel) on the right bank of the Rhine.
The bridge initially served mainly local traffic, but in the 14th century, when the road over the St. Gotthard pass attained international significance, it became an important Rhine crossing for long-distance trade.

After the introduction of the electric tram, it became necessary to replace the old bridge with the new Mittlere Brücke dating from 1905. A copy of the old bridge chapel, the «Käppelijoch», still reminds us of the original structure.

Today, at the Schifflände, is a landing stage for the pleasure boats of the Basler Personenschiffahrt, which offers interesting excursions on the Rhine.

Basel’s Old Town

Travel through time as you explore Basel on foot. Basel’s Old Town remains as untouched and beautiful as any other in Europe.

In few other cities you will find buildings dating back to the 15th century contrasting with and yet complementing the modern works of internationally renowned architects.

Tinguely Fountain

In the place where the stage of the old Town Theatre formerly stood, in 1977 Jean Tinguely placed amusing machine sculptures in an enormous pool of water. They now create action in place of the actors, singers and dancers.

With this fountain the artist, whose work enjoys great popularity in Basel, endowed the town with a new symbol of its identity.

By air

The EuroAirport links Basel to the rest of Europe. Travellers arriving by air can benefit from the straightforward service and proximity to the city centre.
The city (Swiss/French railway station) is to be reached within 15 mins by bus no. 50 which runs four times an hour.

By car

From Switzerland

Exit Basel City (A2 motorway)

From Germany

Basel/Weil customs point (A5/E35 motorway), Otterbach crossing (Weil), Friedlinger crossing (at Rhine Port Kleinhüningen), four crossing points in Riehen: Riehen/Weilstrasse, Riehen/Stetten, Riehen/Inzlingerstrasse, Riehen/Grenzacherstrasse

From France

Basel/St. Louis customs point (A35 motorway), Hüninger crossing, Burgfelder crossing (incoming only), Hegenheimer crossing, Allschwilerstrasse crossing

Speed limits

• in built-up areas: 50 km/h
• outside built-up areas: 80 km/h
• motorways: 120 km/h

Charges

Sticker CHF 40.00 for one calendar year of unlimited driving on all Swiss motorways. Available from all customs posts, post offices, filling stations, garages, road traffic offices and Basel Tourismus.

Fuel prices

• Approx. CHF 1.55 – 1.70 per litre

By train

The Swiss SBB train station, the French SNCF station and the German Badischer station are all in the immediate vicinity of the city centre.

Frequent, modern trains link the three Basel stations with locations in Switzerland and all parts of Europe. For information on the best connections click here:

• SBB, SNCF, DB

• information on the CityNightLine Hoteltrain.
• Information on the new TGV connection Basel-Paris

Trains from France and Switzerland arrive in the city at the SBB train station, the Basel Central Station. The SNCF station (arrivals from France) is in the immediate vicinity of the SBB station.

Travellers arriving by train from Germany can also alight at the Badischer Station, in the immediate vicinity of Messe Schweiz. The station is in Switzerland, but is German national territory.

It was originally a Celtic settlement of the Rauraci tribe. The name Basilia seems first to have been applied to a Roman fortification mentioned in AD 374. At the beginning of the 5th century, the bishop of Augusta Raurica moved his see there. The city’s university, the first in Switzerland, was founded in 1460 by Pope Pius II, who had been in Basel for the celebrated Ecumenical Council (1431–49). In 1501 Basel was admitted into the Swiss Confederation. With the Dutch scholar Desiderius Erasmus teaching at the university (1521–29), the city became a centre of humanism and of the Protestant Reformation in Switzerland. The Counter-Reformation brought skilled workmen as refugees from other parts of Europe, and by the 18th century political power was in the hands of the trade guilds. In 1831 the rural part of the canton revolted, proclaiming independence the following year; in 1833 it was organized into the half canton of Basel-Landschaft, the city forming that of Basel-Stadt.

The Rhine, bending northward, divides the city into two parts, linked by six bridges. Kleinbasel, to the north, is the Rhine port and industrial section, with the buildings of the annual Swiss Industries Fair. Grossbasel, the older commercial and cultural centre on the south bank, is dominated by the Romanesque and Gothic-style Münster (Protestant); consecrated in 1019, it was Basel’s cathedral until 1528 and has a monumental slab to Erasmus, who is entombed there. Other notable buildings are the late Gothic Rathaus, or town hall (1504–21); the Church of St. Martin, the oldest religious foundation in Basel; and the former 14th-century Franciscan church, now housing the historical museum. There are three surviving medieval city gates, of which the 15th-century Spalentor (St. Paul’s Gate) is one of the finest in Europe. The new university buildings were completed in 1939; the university library contains manuscripts of the religious reformers Martin Luther, Erasmus, Huldrych Zwingli, and Philipp Melanchthon and of acts of the Ecumenical Council. The public art gallery (Kunstmuseum Basel, founded 1662) has fine collections of works by Hans Holbein the Younger, Konrad Witz, and Arnold Böcklin, all of whom lived and worked in Basel.

Basel is an important distributing centre for foreign trade that produces one-third of the total Swiss Customs’ revenue and is the site of the Bank for International Settlements (1930). The city is one of the nodal points of the railways of Europe and is an equally important river port. Regular air services operate from the international airport at Saint-Louis, in French territory 8 miles (13 km) northwest. Also a major industrial city, Basel is the centre of the Swiss chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Electrical engineering and banking and the manufacture of machinery and silk textiles are also important. The population is mainly German speaking and Protestant.

In this compact yet geologically diverse nation, mere miles separate the glaciers and Alpine meadows of Switzerland from her sparkling lakes and swaying palm trees.

The Swiss Travel System — an impressive network of trains, boats, and buses — is what connects the dots. In fact, this first-rate transportation resource is an apt symbol of the country’s vaunted friendliness, efficiency, and intelligence.

Year-Round Attractions in Switzerland

Regardless of the season, there’s always something new to travel to see in Switzerland. Annual spring events include Snow & Symphony in St. Moritz, set against a backdrop of still-white Alps.

Every April, Zurich’s traditional Sechselaeuten is held: Guild members parade through the streets in historical costumes, eager to torch Boegg, an effigy who represents winter. In June, Art Basel – dubbed the “Olympics of art world” by The New York Times — brings together masterpieces and avant-garde works from the world’s most prestigious galleries.

July marks the yearly Montreux Jazz Festival, which today hosts blues, rock, world music, and soul performances as well as classical jazz sets. Hear more beautiful sounds in beautiful surroundings during the annual Music Summer in Gstaad and at Lucerne’s International Music Festival.

Basel’s Autumn Fair, a celebration dating back to 1471, declares the arrival of the colorful season. The Lugano Wine Festival features parades of flower-bedecked floats and tasty cuisine.

Come November, Bern’s annual Onion Market engulfs that city in foods fragrant from the bulb while jesters dressed as onions add a welcome note of silliness. Winter revelry surrounds Ash Wednesday, at carnivals in Lucerne and Basel alive with parades, masked balls, and other high-spirited celebrations.

Museums of Switzerland

Visitors who travel around a country come to understand what it venerates by what it conserves in its museums. Switzerland’s range from the artful to the historic to the downright quirky. Whatever your interest, you’re likely to find a fascinating place to explore it.

The fun and enlightening Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne features interactive displays, the Zeiss Longines Planetarium, Cosmorama, IMAX Theater, and St. Gotthard Tunnel multimedia show. And its HiFlyer — a helium-filled balloon seating up to 25 people — floats 360 feet above the museum for a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding Alpine panorama.

The Olympic Museum in Lausanne captures the most moving moments of Games past in riveting presentations, while the Swiss Open-Air Museum Ballenberg reveals what the country was like before the industrial revolution. It features working artisans, original buildings (many are centuries old), horse-drawn carriages, and serves farm-made fare.

With a BaselCard (available at a 20 percent discount to Swiss Pass holders), you can explore not only the city’s world-class museums; you can also take a city tour, attend the theater, dance performances, and concerts, and get into many other performances free or at reduced rates.

Sporting Life in Switzerland

With more than 2,000 miles of biking paths, Switzerland is a haven for bicyclists of all levels. But you needn’t bring your bike to travel on two wheels: Many Swiss train stations are stocked with current models available for rent.

The price includes insurance, and a Swiss Travel System ticket entitles you to a special rate. Designed for convenience and to help you get rolling, many trains feature special compartments to transport bikes. Rented bikes can be stashed for free, and there’s a minimal charge to carry ones that are not property of the Swiss Travel System.

Since many visitors travel to Switzerland intending to ski the world-famous peaks (at altitudes above 3,000 feet, there’s perennial snow cover), Swiss Rent-a-Sport offers the latest gear, ranging from skis to snowboards.

Magic Mountains

The soaring Alps have challenged some of history’s greatest explorers and athletes. Although Europeans shunned the peaks for centuries (fearing them to be inhospitable realms of icy terror that harbored dragons, witches, and demons), locales such as Davos, St. Moritz, Gstaad, Interlaken, and Zermatt are today choice destinations for skiers, sight-seers, and sophisticates. Each has distinct charms.

The name Interlaken means “between the lakes,” and water flows from its clear mountain streams to waterfalls that spill into Thun and Brienz lakes. Since the early 19th century, this village has been the tourist hub of the Bernese Oberland, and through the ages visitors have admired the awesome views of the Jungfrau Massif.

Most rail lines in this part of Switzerland lead to Interlaken. That makes traveling here convenient and provides easy access to nearby resort area for day trips. Europe’s highest railway, the Jungfrau railway weaves through Interlaken’s Alpine meadows, then plunges into a stone tunnel on its ascent to permanent snowfields and spectacular sights. Other excursions include the Schilthorn aerial cable car, the Schynigge Platte cogwheel railway, and the Brienz-Rothorn-Bahn with its antique steam-driven locomotives.

Ski the Swiss Alps

Also located in the Bernese Oberland, Gstaad is a Swiss resort of fairy-tale and grown-up fantasies, renowned for luxury hotels, shopping, heel-clicking service, and the bevy of international stars it attracts as guests. At night the town’s Palace Hotel is beautifully illuminated, and every little village chalet twinkles with light.

The epitome of ski-scene elegance, St. Moritz is a true winter-sports wonderland. In addition to downhill and cross-country skiing, tobogganing, ice skating, snowboarding, and winter hiking, there’s an unrivalled menu of uncommon diversions. Looking for a new experience? Play winter polo, golf, or cricket in the snow.

Dress warmly (and stylishly) if you’re planning to overnight in an igloo, ride a horse-drawn sleigh, go dog sledding, curling, ice climbing, or ice sailing. You won’t be alone in your newfound passion.

Trains depart from Zurich for St. Moritz frequently, bringing adventurers and bold-face names to the mountain. Après-ski, take your cues from the glitterati: Sip cafe fertig (coffee with a shot of schnapps)… shop at Armani and Cartier…dine at the famous La Marmite…and meet up with fellow sophisticates at the majestic Badrutt’s Palace hotel.

Below the famous Matterhorn, Zermatt is a pristine Alpine village that offers glacier skiing year-round. Since no cars are allowed, you can only arrive in town by narrow-gauge railway or horse-drawn sleigh. The 12,500-foot cable car ride will lift you to the summit of the Klein Matterhorn.

The ultimate challenge for skillful skiers, Haute Route is a back-country circuit connecting Zermatt with Chamonix, France. It crosses some 20 glaciers with a total ascent and descent of more than 25,000 feet and can be hiked in late summer or skied in spring.

Those who prefer their scenic mountain views from the safety, warmth, and comfort of a train will appreciate a journey on The Glacier Express, the “slowest express train in the world,” which connects St. Moritz and Zermatt in just under eight hours. Between them lie 291 bridges, 91 tunnels, and the 6,700-foot-tall Oberalp Pass. Narration provided by STS points out some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe: dense forests, snow-peaked caps, rushing mountain streams, and centuries-old villages.

While scenic Alpine regions are a must for any visit, Switzerland’s cosmopolitan cities are also well worth a visit.

Most incorporate Old Town districts with well-preserved scenic squares, ancient churches, and handsome monuments that attract walkers, picture-takers, and history-lovers. Bustling markets (especially around holidays) keep these areas lively — and especially tempting to shoppers.

Among the most notable: Basel, Switzerland’s only port, has a 15th-century city center that serves as the backdrop for its daily market. Architectural gems from that era include the Town Hall and Basel Cathedral, a symphony in pale red sandstone topped with Gothic towers.

Train travelers to Bern, Switzerland’s capital, arrive in one of the country’s most vibrant and modern train stations. It belies the historic city that stands above it. Thanks to its perfectly intact Old Town, Bern was designated a UNESCO landmark in 1983.

Zurich, at the edge of Lake Zurich and surrounded by forests, is Switzerland’s largest metropolis and a haven for shoppers. Large department stores, small boutiques, flea markets, and world-class auction galleries all contain treasures. Like most big cities, it has museums and galleries, dance clubs, bars, and cultural events to keep visitors entertained. Zurich West is the trendy neighborhood to see.

If you want to explore Zurich on foot, start from the train station, a focal point thanks to its central location and proximity to the wealth of shopping on Bahnhofstrasse. Then head for the Old Town. Climb the hill to arrive at historic Lindenhof plaza, originally settled by the Romans. Its three distinguished churches include the Fraumünster, whose fanciful stained glass windows by Marc Chagall delight and inspire.

Serious without being stuffy, Geneva is home to the European headquarters of the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and many other global organizations. While it’s common to see their representatives hobnobbing in hotel lobbies, the view few can ignore is Mont Blanc, the continent’s highest mountain.

Closer in, Jet d’Eau, a 420-foot-tall water geyser, streams into Lake Geneva. Inline skaters, lovers strolling arm-in-arm, and entire families licking ice cream cones are all drawn to the waterfront parks. The young – and young-at-heart – visit the bistro by the beach for a snack and to watch mouettes (small boats) sail between the banks.

Geneva’s shopping district, with its luxury boutiques and markets, occupies the Left Bank. A waterfront park sprinkled with sculptures and the world’s largest flower clock completes the picture. Its Old Town is dotted with antique stores, art galleries, and small boutiques. And do take time to visit the Watch & Clock Museum.

Sunny communities nestled between Lake Geneva, Montreux and Vevey sport lush vegetation not usually seen in these latitudes, such as palm trees and magnolias, and fig and almond trees. A 9.4-mile lakeside promenade connects the two locales, which are favorite vacation destinations that boast hotels dating back to the Belle Époque and world-class cultural events.

Since these areas’ mild climate yields wonderful wines, pause for a tasting. Vineyards can be explored on foot or by bicycle. Their well-marked trails afford spectacular views, and pleasant beaches invite you to test the waters. A number of train excursions bring visitors to the nearby mountains. The MOB train Golden Pass connects Montreux to Gstaad and continues further to Lucerne.

Beside a lake surrounded by mountains, picture-book-pretty Lucerne is yet another easy-to-reach Swiss city. Its lakeside promenade; historic, car-free Old Town; museums; and cultural events all inspire guests to linger. If you set out on a walking tour, stop and marvel at the covered Chapel Bridge that spans Reuss River.

In the afternoon, take refuge in one of the town’s ten museums – including the Swiss Transport Museum and the Picasso collection. Scenery lovers can hop a steamboat and tour Lake Lucerne, or take a nostalgic mountain railway to one of the surrounding summits. Life looks better, and the air is sweetest, at such aeries.