The best things to do in Basel

If you’ve only heard of Basel in relation to its watches (the annual watch fair, Baselworld, takes place here) or for the upscale art festival that spawned a global following (Art Basel) – then shame.

This medieval city, buried in the northwest of Switzerland near the borders with France and Germany, has a quiet, liveable flair to it, with plenty to occupy you on a city break: from the cobbled streets of the old town to the easy-breezy Rhine river, which residents use as their backyard swimming pool during the summer.

The Rhine also splits this compact city in half, between Grossbasel (Greater Basel) and Kleinbasel (Lesser Basel).

Here are the best things to do in Basel.

Float down the Rhine river

Provided it’s summer and the water is warm, the highlight of any trip to Basel is a relaxed float down the Rhine river with your belongings safely tucked away in a Wickelfisch waterproof bag that doubles as an inflatable. The best thing? The current is strong enough to whisk you downstream so there is zero effort required. It’s also the perfect way to sightsee – while gently drifting along – if you’re pushed for time.

Lunch at Le Rhin Bleu

Mediterranean food served in a gorgeous waterfront setting is the vibe at Le Rhin Bleu, a summer-only alfresco restaurant that spreads elegantly over stilted wooden decking above the Rhine. One half of the elevated decking is taken up by wooden tables set for lunch, and the other half is a makeshift beach, with swimmers jumping straight off into the river. It’s the ultimate in blow-dried Swiss glam.

Visit the Munster

Basel’s grandest landmark is the Munster cathedral in Grossbasel, which dominates the medieval old town skyline with its two imposing gothic spires, bright red sandstone bricks, and green-and-yellow coloured tiled roof. For eye-popping views across the city, climb the 250 steps in either tower.

Visit the Kunstmuseum

The hulk that is the Kunstmuseum – Switzerland’s premier art gallery, no less – sits on the fringe of the old town and the Rhine river. It’s been extended since it first opened in the 1930s, and today there’s an extension across the road (the Neubau: look for a lot of modernist concrete). There are rotating visiting exhibitions as well as the gallery’s regular hangings, which include local Basel artwork and medieval and Renaissance pieces.

Buy a bauble from Johann Wanner’s Christmas shop

That traditional Swiss Christmas spirit is celebrated all year round at Johann Wanner’s Christmas and souvenir shop in Basel old town. For the 11 months of the year that it’s not December, the front of the shop peddles traditional Swiss chocolates, penknives and alpine dog keyrings. But keep walking through to the back and it turns into a Christmas miracle, with baubles of all shapes and sizes in Christmassy red, green, silver and gold.

Do a chocolate making workshop

Posh Swiss chocolatier Confiserie Bachmann throws open its workshop to wannabe makers at its branch on Blumenrain in Grossbasel, where they can make anything from traditional truffles to a delicious passionfruit version. (But don’t come hungry: staring at the bubbling vats of milk chocolate is not a good look.) The cafe and chocolate shop downstairs is a great place to pick up Swiss souvenirs, such as lackerli, the city’s take on a spiced ginger biscuit.

Take the ferry across the Rhine

To get across from Kleinbasel to Grossbasel, catch one of the distinctive four ferries. The ferry service, which has been operating for 150 years, is powered purely by the current of the river. Rather sweetly, you ring a bell on either side to call it.

Try some local craft beer

Which city isn’t into craft beer these days? Basel’s iteration is Volta Brau, a microbrewery that takes its name from the Voltastrasse on which it stands. There’s a colourful garden with plenty of alfresco seating, and the red ale (an amber wheat beer) is the bar’s speciality.

Have a drink at one at the buvettes along the river

The Rhine riverside is a hive of activity in the summer, especially as the sun starts to dip behind the river. The buvettes, a series of open-air bars stationed at knockout spots along the Rhine, are ideal for a sundowner beer and snacks. It’s where Basel’s good-life chasers congregate at the end of the day: playing guitar, sipping local brews – and likely taking the odd leap into the Rhine.

Travel essentials

Getting there

British Airways and easyJet fly from the UK to Basel Mulhouse Freiburg airport from £39 return.

Visiting there

Visit basel.com for more information.