The Complete Guide to a Walking Tour through Basel Old Town in Switzerland

The historic old town of Basel is a magnet for thousands of tourists every year. Located on the border between Switzerland, Germany, and France, it’s a cultural and linguistic crossroads that offers plenty of things to do, from exploring its medieval architecture, to tasting the renowned local culinary delights. One of the most popular activities for tourists is a walking tour through Basel Old Town. Read on for the complete guide to planning and enjoying an amazing walking tour through Basel Old Town.

Why Take a Walking Tour through Basel Old Town

The medieval core of the city is its most unmistakable feature; cobbled lanes intertwine and wind their way around 13th-century houses and churches, each seemingly more beautiful than the last. Wherever you turn, you can admire stunning architecture, exquisite period features, and plenty of historical artifacts tucked away in secret little courtyards and alleyways. Rather than getting yourself lost among this historical maze, taking a guided tour ensures you experience some of the most interesting places while learning how they’ve contributed to Basel’s history and culture over the centuries.Signing up for a walking tour also takes away any worries as to safety; thanks to your guide’s expert navigation of the streets on a route specifically designed to highlight the gems of Basel Old Town, you don’t need to worry about getting lost or overwhelmed. You’ll be able to ask any questions about the sights and learn about all the best places to rest and take photos on your journey.

Choose Your Tour

Thankfully, there are plenty of options for organizing a guided walking tour of Basel Old Town. Each tour operator has their own unique itinerary and promise to showcase different aspects of Basel’s past while bringing its history and culture vividly to life. Make sure you book in advance; this popular tourist activity sees regular travelers throughout the summer months.

GetYourGuide’s Interactive Walking Tour of Basel Old Town

One of the best walking tours available is GetYourGuide’s Interactive Walking Tour of Basel Old Town. This incredible experiencing promises to transport its visitors through time to explore the old town’s sleepy cobbled lanes like never before. The tour departs from one of Basel’s most beautiful churches and centers around some of its most iconic points of interest – hidden gardens, masterpieces of architecture, and more. Along the way, your guide will share stories behind the sights and add unique insights into Basel’s fascinating past. What’s more, during this two-hour walking tour you’ll also be equipped with an interactive tablet to enhance your experience with remarkable digital content. Get a glimpse into Basel’s many historical mysteries – unlock digital trivia cards, take an audio-guided tour of the main sights, or even explore 3D landmarks with lots of fascinating anecdotes along the way. No matter what you choose to do, interactive audio content, digital maps, interactive photo galleries and lots more promise to make it a wonderful adventure for travelers both young and old.

Your Guide to Basel Old Town

Regardless of your tour choice, here’s a look at some of the amazing sights that you are likely to see on your walking tour through Basel Old Town:

• MÜnster Schnitz: Originally built in 1027 as a Benedictine monastery, this stunning church later became a Gothic cathedral that was finished in 1519. Inside, visitors can admire frescoes from the 16th century alongside stunning Baroque gems brought into being by the Italian stonemasons and master masons of Basel.
• Marktplatz: Marktplatz (known as Marktplatzl) is where many people gather to mingle, get some fresh air, or take a breather amongst lovely surroundings. This vibrant square is surrounded by delightful baroque buildings, some dating back as far as 1027.
• Tinguely-Brunnen: Fans of kinetic art will adore Tinguely-Brunnen — one of Switzerland’s most widely known sculptures. This creation brings together seven huge metal figures all splashing around in its cascading waters, making this sculpture one of Basel’s most impressive sights.
• Kasernenareal: This baroque inspired area is actually a former military camp built between 1777 and 1780. These days it is home to many restaurants and boutiques that are open at night from Thursday to Saturday.
• Kleinbasel: If you’d like to explore the area outside Basel Old Town proper, Kleinbasel is well worth visiting. This lovely pocket has some gorgeous little cafes and boutique shops — perfect for taking a break during your walking tour.

Best Time to Visit

Basel experiences all four seasons – spring (March to May) is perhaps the best time to visit thanks to mild temperatures, but Basel remains beautiful in autumn (September to November) when gorgeous hues of red, brown, and orange adorn many trees. Tourists please be aware that temperatures may drop below zero celsius during winter months (December to February). Although snow is possible during winter, it is usually not very thick or long lasting.

How to Get There

Basel has excellent connections by public transport – trains will drop you off directly in the centre in around 10 minutes from the main station; trams run everywhere throughout the city; and buses link all points within easy reach. The city also has 2 good airports – one called Euro Airport which serves several international destinations– many airlines including easy Jet offer direct flights from many European destinations– , and then there’s Basel/Mulhouse airport serving domestic routes passing through London City Airport or Paris Charles De Gaulle.

Where to Stay

Basel has prestigious luxury hotels in generous proportions but also plenty more affordable options as well. There are two parts – Basel and Kleinbasel – both sides have plenty of great hotels from budget/mid-range to luxury accommodations like Radisson Blu or La Residence. Most hotels are within walking distance from city center and offer great discount rates for longer stays.

Conclusion

Thanks for staying with us throughout this complete guide on taking a walking tour through Basel Old Town. Whether you’ve chosen GetYourGuide’s Interactive Walking Tour or something similar, we hope you now feel equipped with all the information needed for planning your adventure! So what are you waiting for? Book your walking tour now and come explore Europe’s oldest city in style!