Things to Do in Basel
Discover 15 activities and experiences in Basel, Switzerland — from outdoor adventures to cultural events. Curated from real traveler recommendations.
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Theater Basel
Box office, is a three stage public theater in the city center. The '''Grosse Bühne''' (grand stage), in the theater's main building on Theaterplatz, is primarily used for operas and ballet. The '''Schauspielhaus''', re-opened in 2002 in a new building on nearby Steinentorstr. 7, offers drama and comedy plays ('''in German''' and sometimes Swiss-German). The '''Kleine Bühne''', also in the main building, is used for smaller drama productions or other unclassifiable genres. The repertoire of all three stages typically features a mixture of classic European canon (plays by Schiller, Chekhov, Ibsen, etc., operas by Mozart, Verdi, and the like) and contemporary, sometimes experimental, shows that may defy genre borders. Even classical plays or operas will generally be given a contemporary treatment. Not for a traditionalist's taste but enjoyable for the adventurous spectator. Both the drama and opera productions garner attention beyond Basel and are reviewed by the German speaking press all over Europe.
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Chienbäse
Combine Fasnacht with the amazing fire spectacle of Chienbäse parade in nearby town of '''Liestal''', capital of the neighboring canton Basel-Landschaft (15 minutes by train from the SBB Station), which starts at 7:15PM on the Sunday evening preceding Morgestraich. Locals clad in (kind of) fireproof garb parade through the narrow and spectator-lined streets of the town, carrying large burning wooden brooms (''bäse'') above their heads. Other groups are drawing iron carts with huge bonfires - which they even rush through some of the old town gates, as the flames lick the structures above. There are a number of inconclusive interpretations of this pagan-seeming custom but, again, you don't necessarily need to understand any of them to appreciate the eerie and even mildly threatening beauty of the parade.
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Basel Herbstmesse
Two weeks beginning on the last Saturday of October every year. Rides, booths, shooting alleys and lots of food in several locations all over the city, including ''Messeplatz'' (biggest site with most attractions, including rollercoaster and the like), ''Barfüsserplatz'' and ''Münsterplatz'' (where you get nice views from the ferris wheel). Recommended: the cosy market at ''Petersplatz'', near the main ''University'' building, where you can take a leisurely stroll and buy almost anything you never needed - from china, spices and tea, hand-drawn candles, knitted sweaters, leather goods to the latest household cleaning tools - and of course tons of tasty fast food, from healthy corn on the cob to less healthy ''Wurst'' varieties.
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Atlantis
Is probably the most venerable venue for all kinds of popular music Basel has to offer. It's been around since the 50s and is, after many incarnations as a jazz club, theater, rock venue, now one of Basel's most popular dance clubs. A national and international set of DJs turns the tables nightly and finds an audience aged between 17 and 30. But the spirit of Rock is still alive, and the '' 'Tis'' also provides a stage for numerous local bands, with concerts taking place about five times a month.
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- Klosterberg 13, city center near ''Heuwaage''
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Symphony Orchestra Basel
is the opera orchestra of the ''Theater Basel'' (''see above''), and also performs classical symphonies and other pieces on the ''Grosse Bühne'' and in another venue, '''[http://www.casinogesellschaft-basel.ch/ Stadtcasino Basel]''', which features an excellent grand auditorium. Tickets for the Orchestra are generally available via the Theater Basel box office (''see above'')
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BaselWorld
''International Watch and Jewelry fair''. Late March-Early April. The world's biggest watch and jewelry trade show. The city's population more than doubles during this convention. The watch displays are particularly elaborate, with the exhibition space set up like an indoor version of New York's 5th Avenue.
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Das Schiff
Club, lounge & restaurant located on a boat at the port close to the German border. Keep one eye on the club program and watch out for the well-known international and local DJ's that frequently set foot on the boat to entertain the crowd on the small and often-packed dancefloors.
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- Westquaistrasse 19, Kleinhüningen station
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SkuBar
This venue is run by students and open every Thursday evening during lecture period. Climb down the stairs to the cellar of the university and enjoy the cheap drinks and friendly people. The music played and live acts on stage are subject to constant, chaotic change.
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- Petersplatz 1, Universität station
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Hinterhof
Live acts, bar culture, exhibitions. This place opened its doors in winter 2011 and has been vibrant ever since. Suitable for short visits to the rooftop bar and dancefloor, since they offer frequent parties with no entry fee.
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- Münchensteinerstrasse 81, M-Parc station
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Basel ferry
The Basel Rhine ferry is an icon of the city and a visit to Basel without a ride on a ferry would be incomplete. It only takes two-three minutes but it offers a great view (during sunshine).
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Roche'n'Jazz
A jazz event every last Friday of the month, except September, starting at 4PM, in the galleries of ''Museum Tinguely'' (see ''See, Museums'' for address details).
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Nordstern
Club & lounge with a reputation for good electronic music. Free entry Ragga & Dancehall parties on Mondays.
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- Voltastrasse 30, Voltaplatz station
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Kaserne
A concert (Indie Rock, Electronic Music, Hip Hop, Drum'n'Bass), theater and dance venue.
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- Klybeckstr. 1b, Kleinbasel
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the bird's eye
A casual jazz club and home to mostly local talent.
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- Kohlenberg 20, city center
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Exploring Basel: A Traveler's Guide to Activities
Basel rewards curious travelers with an exceptional range of experiences. Whether you have a weekend or several weeks, the city's 15 documented activities cover the full spectrum — architectural landmarks and world-class museums at one end, local neighborhood festivals and underground cultural scenes at the other. The activities listed on this page come from Wikivoyage contributors who have personally explored Basel and written detailed, practical descriptions to help you plan your visit.
The most rewarding way to experience Basel's activities is with company. Solo travelers who arrive without plans often find that meeting a fellow traveler at a hostel, cafe, or through the Nomax app opens up entirely new itineraries — a museum visit becomes a half-day exploration, a street food crawl turns into an evening of discovery, a day trip to a nearby site becomes an adventure. Basel has an active traveler community, and the city is designed to reward those who explore it with open curiosity.
When planning what to do in Basel, consider mixing well-known attractions with neighborhood-level experiences. The city's most photographed sights are popular for good reason, but Basel's character lives in its quieter corners too — the local markets, the parks where residents spend their weekends, the small performance venues where the next generation of artists and musicians are finding their voice. The 15 activities on this page include both categories, ordered by the richness of their traveler-written descriptions.
How to Get the Most from Basel's Activities
Timing matters in Basel. Many of the city's best attractions have shorter queues and better atmospheres on weekday mornings. Major cultural sites — museums, galleries, historic monuments — often run free admission windows on certain days or evenings; check before booking. Outdoor activities and walking tours are best enjoyed in the morning before the city heats up or fills with tour groups.
Budget-conscious travelers will find that Basel has a strong free-to-access layer. Public parks, open-air markets, architectural walking routes, and many community events cost nothing. The price information included with activities on this page (where available) helps you plan a realistic daily budget. A mix of free and paid activities across a week in Basel is entirely feasible for most traveler budgets.
For travelers who want to do more than just sightseeing, Basel offers organized activities through local guides, tour companies, and traveler apps like Nomax. Group activities — cooking classes, cycling tours, kayaking excursions, photography walks — are a natural way to meet people while experiencing the city. Many travelers who use Nomax in Basel coordinate these types of group experiences together, splitting costs and building memories that last beyond the trip itself.
Activities for Different Travel Styles
Not every traveler wants the same experience. History enthusiasts will gravitate toward Basel's museums, heritage sites, and guided historical walks that reveal the layers of the city's past. Outdoor and adventure travelers will focus on the parks, cycling routes, climbing areas, and day trips to surrounding natural areas. Food travelers will treat Basel's markets, restaurants, and food tours as the primary activities of each day. Culture seekers will fill evenings with concerts, theater, gallery openings, and street performances.
The 15 activities documented on this page span all these categories. Use the numbered list above to browse in order of description quality — longer descriptions generally mean more detailed, firsthand traveler knowledge. For each activity, the address and opening hours (where available) give you everything you need to plan your visit without needing to search elsewhere.
Connecting with Travelers in Basel
One of the best things about traveling to Basel is the community of international travelers already there. Backpackers, digital nomads, long-term expats, and short-trip tourists all share the same city at any given moment. Nomax makes it easy to find who is in Basel right now, see what activities they are joining, and coordinate plans. Whether you want a hiking companion, someone to split museum entry with, or a group for an evening out — the app connects you to people with the same itinerary in minutes.
Download Nomax before your trip to Basel to set your travel dates and start discovering who else will be there at the same time. The app is free, requires no subscription, and works across all the major traveler destinations worldwide — meaning the community you build in Basel often extends to your next destination too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Basel?
Basel offers 15+ activities and experiences for travelers. Top highlights include Theater Basel, Chienbäse, Basel Herbstmesse, and much more. This page lists every documented activity in order of description quality, so you can find both the major attractions and the hidden gems.
Are there free things to do in Basel?
Yes — Basel has a strong selection of free activities. Public parks, open-air markets, walking routes through historic neighborhoods, and many cultural institutions offer free admission on specific days. Scroll through the list above and look for activities marked with free or no price information — these are often the city's most authentic experiences.
How do I meet other travelers while exploring Basel?
Download Nomax — a free travel companion app that shows you other solo travelers currently in Basel. You can join group activities, chat with travelers at the same spots, and plan outings together. Many travelers in Basel use Nomax to find companions for day trips, museum visits, and evening activities.
What activities can I do with travel companions I meet in Basel?
Basel has activities for every interest — guided tours, food experiences, outdoor adventures, cultural events, and nightlife. Use Nomax to coordinate with other travelers: join a group for a walking tour, split a day-trip cost, or simply explore the city together. The app makes spontaneous plans easy.
Explore Basel with fellow travelers
Download Nomax — find travel companions, join group activities, and chat with solo travelers in Basel right now. Free forever.
Travel tips by Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 3.0). Content may have been updated since publication.
