Basel

Basel is the oldest university city in Switzerland and combines an international atmosphere and tradition in a wonderful way. In the city on the Rhine, buildings from the 15th century and modern architecture complement each other to create a harmonious picture. The cultural city in the north-west of Switzerland is home to more than 40 museums, historical landmarks, such as the Münster (minster) and Basel Carnival, which is a UNESCO World Heritage. The international art community meets at the renowned “Art Basel” every year. 

The Rhine is a vital part of local life – whether for swimming, walking or sport, it is a popular place to relax. People sit on the riverbank in the sunshine and enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere of the city at the border triangle. The Rhine divides Basel into two parts: Großbasel Old Town on one side and Kleinbasel on the other. You can experience the city’s landmarks from the water on a boat trip – an experience not to be missed. 

Outside the city lies the beautiful Baselbiet region, officially known as the canton of Basel-Landschaft and is often referred to as Baselland. The local recreation area with its wooded hills, castles and palaces is ideal for hiking and cycling trips. The Wasserfallen region in the upper Baselbiet region is a popular hiking area. Beautiful lookout points and hiking trails can be reached by cable car. A visit to Liestal, the capital of the Baselbiet region, with its picturesque Old Town is highly recommended. Arlesheim is home to Switzerland’s only cathedral. A boat trip on the Rhine is also an experience, for example, to Augst and the Roman town of Augusta Raurica, an open-air museum with an ancient theatre. In winter, three smaller ski resorts can be reached easily from Basel. The largest of these is in Langenbruck. 

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