48 Hours in Basel, Switzerland

Last updated: 25 June 2023

Nestled between France and Germany, Basel is one of Europe’s hidden gems.  Although it feels like a small city, it’s actually Switzerland’s third largest, it’s definitely possible to see the best of Basel in 48 hours.  This medieval market town straddles the Rhine and comes alive at dusk as the sun sets over the water and the city lights begin to twinkle.

Without a doubt, the best way to see the city is on foot, however with a steady and well organised tram system, it’s easy to navigate the network if you want to explore further afield.

Why visit Basel?

With regular, direct and affordable flights from London with the usual low-cost carriers, there’s no excuse not to spend a weekend here.  Flights from London can be found as low as £20/$28 USD.

Known as a culture centre, Basel has over 40 museums and is blessed with an array of theatres and countless art galleries. If culture is your thing, Basel is for you.  Striking architecture of buildings such as the Rathaus, the city’s Town Hall, or The Munster, a two-spired cathedral dominate central squares and the skyline.

If you time your visit right, Basel’s Christmas market is said to be one of the prettiest and largest in all of Switzerland.  Hundreds of chalets cram into the city’s centre to sell their wares.  If your suitcase is already full why not try some of the Swiss culinary delights such as raclette, classic Basel Läckerli (a form of gingerbread), or my personal favourite; glühwein (mulled wine).

How to save money?

If you’re only in Basel for 48 hours, penny pinching might not be so important.  I know many budget travellers that wince at the suggestion of travelling to Switzerland as it has a reputation for being expensive. The good news is that the relatively stable Swiss Franc currency has dropped against the Pound in recent years making it slightly more affordable.

We visited Basel over Christmas/New Year so throughout our extended stay we did need to save some money. For us, self catering is one big money saver but attractions are anther story.

Unlike London, Basel’s museums aren’t free. However if you get yourself a BaselCard, free or reduced entry fees apply to a large number of Basel’s museums and galleries.

Basel in 48 hours – Suggested itinerary

Day One

09:00:  You’ve landed at EuroAirport, found your Swiss exit (you can exit into Germany & France at this airport!) and headed for your hotel. Bus 50 will take you to Basel’s main station, buy a single (approx £2) as you won’t need a return.  Once you check into your hotel, request your Mobility Ticket.  This will entitle you to free public transport throughout your stay.

10.30: Get your bearings by joining a free walking tour of Basel’s old town by using your BaselCard.

12:00 pm – Lunch.  Depending on your style and the weather you have options.  Your BaselCard will give you 50% off your main course at participating restaurants. For me, I prefer lunch on the run so it’s a sandwich and a coffee from Sutter Begg.

2:00 pm – Stroll through Freie Strasse for some window shopping before heading to Münsterplatz to take in the cathedral and some people watching.

4:00 pm – From here head back to the Rhine and cross the river using one of the four motorless reaction ferries that has transported locals for centuries.

6:00 pm – Dinner time is usually the time to splurge.  Find a riverside table overlooking the Rhine, use your 50% off BaselCard, or choose from one of the many Michelin starred restaurants around town.

Day Two

NB: Much of Basel is closed on Sundays so plan accordingly.

9:00 am – If Church isn’t your thing, get up early and head to Basel Zoo.  If using a BaselCard, entry if free.  Don’t miss the Hippopotamus enclosure, Seals & Rhinos.

12.00 pm – Lunch. I had my eye on Fischerstube.  A traditional brewery restaurant located in the heart of the old town of lower Basel and just meters from the Rhine.  At the time of visiting it was unexpectedly closed.  If using BaselCard, you get 2 for 1 on beer!

2:00 pm – Culture time.  Choose one of the many museums or galleries that tempt your interest.  Once again, flash your BaselCard to get a reduction on admission.  The Tinguely Museum came highly recommended for anyone interested in the works of an eccentric Swiss painter.  I opted for the Papier Museum, dedicated to the paper mills and printing history of the city.  With a working water wheel out the front I was intrigued,  however sadly it too, was closed despite checking the website beforehand.

4:00 pm – Time for a coffee break, why not head to Unternehmen Mitte.  We joined Jen (Sidewalk Safari) & Scott (Vacation Counts) for a rest break and discussed all things blogger-related.  This large curved space could easily be the setting for just about anything.  Reportedly used as a playground on some days, evidently a dance floor it had a workers/nightclub feel to it. Bleary eyed individuals slouched over laptops with cords running across the floor and into sockets, you could be confused for thinking it was an internet cafe or some sort of hipster all-night LAN party.  Here the WiFi is reasonable, it’s warm and serves an array of beverages.  Ignore the misleading “fumare” and “non fumare” signage which are now irrelevant since a canton-wide smoking ban came into effect in 2010.

6:00 pm – Heading out in search of food might see you head out for a typical Swiss meal or head out to one of the many theatres.  Flashing your BaselCard will get you a discount on your theatre or cinema tickets.

BaselCard

A 24 hour BaselCard will set you back £15/$22 USD. If you’re seeing Basel in 48 hours, you might be better placed to get value for money by using it for the entire trip.  As you can see below, the longer the duration, the more value you’ll get.

Lessons Learnt

As mentioned above, I had my eye on visiting the Papier Museum.  There was an obvious obvious flaw in our plan as we visited over Christmas when many of the museums are closed. Even checking in advance online we gambled and lost.  If travelling over festive seasons, be prepared to struggle to find anything open, restaurants close early or don’t open at all. Plan ahead to make the most of your time in Basel and savings with a BaselCard.

The Essentials | Basel in 48 hours

• Where: Basel, sandwiched between France & German borders in the north of Switzerland.
• Transport: The best way to see the city is on foot unless you want to use your Mobility Ticket to take advantage of the fabulous tram network.
• Verdict: For a city break or a cultural fix, Basel in 48 hours is the perfect weekend getaway.
• Ticket tip: Most BaselCard options don’t include public transport. This can add to your expenses, however a little known fact is if you’re staying in a hotel, every guest receives a free Mobility Ticket upon check-in.  This allows free use of public transport in the city of Basel for the duration of your stay (max 30 days).

Disclaimer:  While complimentary BaselCards were received for this trip, all views expressed here are entirely our own personal opinions. We were not financially compensated for this post.

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