Basel is regarded as Switzerland’s culture capital, with almost 40 museums crammed into the small city, showcasing everything from abstract art to toys of years gone by. The city always has somewhere ready to captivate your mind.
Basel is divided by the Lallekeenig (Tongue King) sculpture on the Mittlere Brücke. You’ll find the majority of Basel’s cultural attractions in the Old Town and the Kleinbasel neighbourhood, which has a cooler atmosphere. The Marktplatz is overlooked by the 16th-century Rathaus. You can also visit the 13th-century Basel Minster nearby, a cathedral that blends Gothic and Romanesque styles.
Fondation Beyeler is a must-see. In a house designed by Renzo Piano is a huge collection from Basel natives Hildy and Ernst Beyeler who brought the works of Picasso, Warhol, and van Gogh to the city. Kunstmuseum Basel houses the oldest publicly accessible art collection in the world while Spielzeug Welten Museum is Europe’s largest toy museum, with over 6,000 exhibits.
The Kunstmuseum Basel has the largest Holbein collection in the world, while Vitra Design Museum is housed in the factory building of the famous furniture manufacturer. Round off your explorations at Volkshaus Basel, a gallery, restaurant, and performance space designed by Herzog and de Meuron.
