With only one day to spend in Basel, I felt overwhelmed with what to put on my itinerary. There’s so much to see and do in the city and I wanted to see it all!

Basel is the third largest city in Switzerland after Zurich and Geneva. The town shares borders with France and Germany, located in the north-western corner of Switzerland.

The oldest university of Switzerland was founded in 1460 and from there, Basel became a learning and book printing centre. This has attracted many of Europe’s greatest minds came to Basel including Bernoulli, Euler and Erasmus! And Erasmus was buried in the town’s Münster.

Plan Your Trip on the First Sunday of the Month to Basel!

Many museums in Basel are free on the first Sunday of the month. They called this day as Happy Day! Basel is famous for the art and has several world class art museums. It is just incomplete if not to visit Basel museums in your trip. Click here for the list of all Basel museums, NOT all museums offer Happy Day. However, please take note that most shops are closed on Sunday.

#1 The Best Place to Start Your City Tour by Walking along Rhine Promenade.

This is the best place to start your visit to Basel. Start here as an introduction to the entire city and the history. You are standing at ‘Kleinbasel’ (Little Basel) and facing the ‘Grossbasel’ (Greater Basel) which divided by the river. Come here on a sunny morning and adore amazing panorama.

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#2 Passing the Largest & Oldest Bridge Crossing Rhine River at Middle Bridge of Basel. 

The Middle Bridge, known as Mittlere Brücke in Basel, is the largest and oldest bridge crossing the Rhine river. The bridge was built in 1225 used as a medieval trade route and was rebuilt in 1905 entirely of granite stone to accommodate street traffic and trams.

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#3 A Great Entrance Way into Basel Old Town through Spalentor Tower.

Spalentor, also known as the ‘Gate of Spalen’ is a former city gate in the ancient city walls of Basel. It was constructed in 1356 to protect Basel from natural calamities. This beautiful gate was one of three surviving city gates that formed part of the early city fortifications.

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#4 Admire the Town Hall for Centuries at Basel Rathaus & Markplatz.

Basel’s old town is dominated by the bright red Rathaus, or town hall. It was built in the 16th century and the town hall was extended and substantially reconstructed following extensive growth of the city in 1901. The Rathaus is a beautiful, historic building, yet has been the town hall for centuries!

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#5 Discover the Old Town at Basel Altstadt by Walking or Tram Tour.

Basel’s Old Town is one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in the city. This is the place where you can see buildings from the 15th century as well as contemporary structures. Basel Old Town is small enough to get everywhere by walking around. However, one of the perks of staying in Basel is that all hotel guests get a free pass for local trams and buses. So, when your feet got tired, you still can see the city from the tram.

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Now is the fun part, free admission to Basel museums on Happy Day!

There are 8 museums altogether. My personal suggestion, it is highly recommended to visit Fine Arts Museum (Kuntsmuseum) and Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum).  The rest you still can visit if you have time and if art is your passion.

#6 Fine Arts Museum | Kuntsmuseum Basel | Official Website

One of the best museums in Europe. This museum is a must see in Basel. It is one of the premier museums and considered the finest collection of paintings in Switzerland, representing both old masters and modern art.

Happy Day: First Sunday of the month. (Except special exhibition)
Happy Hour: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 5pm – 6pm.

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#7 Natural History Museum | Naturhistorisches Museum Basel | Official Website

Probably the best exhibition of historic animal life over centuries including dinosaurs and seeing the different extinct species. Learn exciting facts about exotic animals to the age of dinosaurs, even the formation of the Earth.

Happy Day: First Sunday of the month. (Except special exhibition)
Happy Hour: Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm – 5pm. (Except special exhibition)

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#8 Basel’s Museum of Antiquities and the Ludwig | Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig | Official Website

The Basel Museum of Ancient Art is the only Swiss museum devoted exclusively to the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean region. The permanent exhibition contains ancient art mainly Egyptian, Greek, Italic, Etruscan and Roman cultures.

Happy Day: First Sunday of the month. (Except special exhibition)
Happy Hour: Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm – 5pm. (Except special exhibition)

#9 Museum of Cultures | Museum der Kulturen Basel | Official Website

Happy Day: First Sunday of the month.
Happy Hour: Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm – 5pm.

#10 HMB – Museum für Geschichte | Official Website

Happy Day: First Sunday of the month. (Except special exhibition)
Happy Hour: Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm – 5pm. (Permanent Exhibition)
Happy Hour: Tuesday to Saturday the last 30 minutes before closing. (Special Exhibition)

#11 HMB – Museum für Musik | Official Website

Happy Day: First Sunday of the month. (Except special exhibition)
Happy Hour: Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm – 6pm. (Permanent Exhibition)
Happy Hour: Wednesday to Saturday the last 30 minutes before closing. (Special Exhibition)

#12 HMB – Museum für Wohnkultur | Official Website

Happy Day: First Sunday of the month. (Except special exhibition)
Happy Hour: Tuesday to Saturday the last 1 hour before closing. (Permanent Exhibition)
Happy Hour: Tuesday to Saturday the last 30 minutes before closing. (Special Exhibition)

#13 Skulpturhalle Basel | Official Website

Happy Day: First Sunday of the month. (Except special exhibition)
Happy Hour: Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm – 5pm. (Except special exhibition)

I had an absolutely amazing time on one day trip to Basel and encourage anyone visiting Basel to come on the first Sunday of the month!