The city of Basel lies on the river Rhein, where the Swiss, German, and French borders meet.
It was founded in pre-Roman times, and its favorable strategic position and good relations with Strasbourg and Mulhouse contributed to the fact that it is the only canton asked to join the Swiss Confederacy and not the other way around.
The fact that the only cargo port in Switzerland is located here and Basel’s perfect location are the reason transportation and trade are dominant in the city’s economy.
Banking is extremely important to Basel, as it hosts UBS AG central offices, the Bank for International Settlements, and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision.
Basel is mainly a German-speaking canton but French and English are also common.
If you are visiting Basel, do not miss the opportunity to visit the largest zoo in Switzerland and marvel at the sensational insight into the Namibian Savannah.
Basel is full of places for relaxing and strolling such as the banks of the Rhine, beautiful parks, and the botanical gardens.
If Christmas is near, visit the Basel Christmas Market – the prettiest in Switzerland.
Basel is an architectural mosaic.
Full of historic landmarks like the Market Square with its 16th century Town Hall and the late Romanesque-Gothic cathedral, it also offers many modern buildings engineered by famous architects.
We recommend you take a stroll around beautiful Basel Old Town and marvel at an unparalleled variety of architecture styles.
Basel hosts around forty museums, many of them with international stature such as the Basel Art Museum, the Foundation Beyeler, and the Museum of Cultures.
We recommend the Jean Tinguely Museum – with an impressive glass hall and the original metal sculptures made by Tinguely.
The famous Basel’s Minster (Cathedral) is listed as a heritage site of national significance and is one of the main tourist attractions of the city.
Built between 1019 and 1500 in Romanesque and Gothic styles, it was severely damaged by an earthquake, pillaged by citizens and later renewed.
The Minster cathedral with its colored roof tiles, red sandstone architecture, equestrian sculptures, and icons adds to the beauty of the Basel city landscape.
