Basel SBB Railway Station is the main hub of train travel in Basel and one of Europe’s busiest international border stations. Originally opened in 1854 and fully reconstructed in the early 1900s, the neo-Baroque building was inaugurated on June 24, 1907, marking one of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) first major architectural projects. Designed by Emil Faesch and Emmanuel La Roche, its grand structure boasts clock towers, curved domes, and a large Tudor-arched window on the Central Train Square (Centralbahnplatz)-facing facade, setting the station as a heritage site of national significance.

The station connects Basel to Switzerland, Italy, Germany, and France through a complex network of SBB CFF FFS trains, Deutsche Bahn ICE trains, and SNCF TGVs. The western side of the building houses Basel SNCF, which includes customs facilities for French-bound travelers. As a city landmark, Basel SBB is well-integrated with the city’s tramway network and offers direct bus access to the EuroAirport.

Inside, the station showcases a spacious, high-ceilinged ticket hall with timber-lined steel arches and murals from the 1920s, depicting scenic Swiss destinations. Over the years, the station has adapted to modern travel needs: a Passerelle walkway, added in 2003, connects platforms with the Gundeldingen district and provides shopping options under the RailCity concept. This 185-meter-long corridor replaced an older underpass, now reserved for logistics.

Recent renovations included constructing a striking signal box by famed architects Herzog & de Meuron, reflecting Basel SBB’s blend of historical significance and contemporary design. The station's expansions—new tracks, customer service areas, and commercial spaces—continue to enhance its capacity, making it a vital transit and cultural landmark in Switzerland.

Swiss artist Jean Tinguely created this magnificent fountain in 1977. The fountain stands where the city theatre company's stage once stood.

Tinguely created mechanical iron figures. The figures were crafted with scraps of metal and plastic from the dismantled theater.

Tinguely placed the figures in a shallow basin and added the water feature. The ten figures are powered by a low-voltage current and seem to be constantly talking and interacting with each other. The water jets splash back and forth between the figures. This motion and interaction represents the actors, dancers, and mime artists who performed on the theater's stage.

The fountain is lit at night and offers a different perspective on this fascinating fountain. In the winter, the water freezes in motion for yet another artistic display.

The Tinguely Brunnen Fountain is one of Tinguely's most well-known works. Tingley referred to the fountain as Composition of the Six Elements.

Town Hall is home to the Basel government and parliament. This dramatic red brick building with its imposing tower is one of Basel's most attractive landmarks.

The current Town Hall was built between 1504 and 1513 to celebrate Basel's joining the Swiss Confederation. It replaced an older, less grand structure. While the building has undergone many renovations over the centuries, the three iconic arched entrances are from the initial construction.

Artist Hans Holbein decorated the Town Hall's Assembly Hall in 1521. Hans Holbein would later rise to fame as King Henry VIII's court painter.

The Gothic-style Front Chambers were added in the 1600s. The tower was added in the 1800s. At the time, its imposing height was controversial, and a public vote was called before construction was approved.

The exterior facade features depictions of historical and legendary figures. On the balcony, an inscription reminds visitors Here begins Swiss land. The crenellations are decorated with Basel's coats of arms.

The interior is richly decorated. The courtyard features a Roman statue representing Julius Caesar's contemporary Lucius Munatuis Plancus. Plancus founded Augusta Raurica, the nearby Roman city.

Many paintings depict a law and order theme. For example, the Roman goddess of Justice, Justitia, is depicted in a scene over the Front Chambers.

The Cantonal Parliament debates twice a month in the assembly hall. The Cantonal Government meets in Town Hall every Tuesday. The Chancellery and the Department of Presidental Affairs are also located in the Town Hall.

Guided tours in English are available every Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

Basel Minster, one of Basel's most prominent landmarks, boasts striking red sandstone walls and vibrant roof tiles that have stood as a testament to the city's architectural heritage since the 11th century. This cathedral, completed and modified over nearly five centuries between 1019 and 1500, remains among the oldest structures in Basel, with roots that stretch back even further. Beneath the current cathedral, excavations have uncovered remnants from the Celtic period, including ancient walls, gates, and streets, revealing the hill’s long-standing significance.

The first cathedral in Basel was built in the ninth century by Bishop Haito, with a more substantial building consecrated in 1019 in the presence of Henry II, the Holy Roman Emperor, lending the church its nickname, the Heinrich Munster. This Romanesque structure, however, did not remain untouched by time or disaster. In the 13th century, the Minster underwent reconstruction, only to suffer extensive damage in the 1356 earthquake. Rebuilt in the Gothic style, the church was re-consecrated in 1363, marking a new chapter in its architectural evolution.

Two impressive towers define the Minster's skyline: the Georgsturm, built in 1429, and the Martinsturm, completed in 1500. These towers, named after the knightly saints George and Martin, feature notable medieval artwork, including a 1372 depiction of Saint George confronting a small dragon. Visitors who ascend the 242 steps of either tower are rewarded with sweeping views of Basel’s historic cityscape.

Basel Minster also played a unique role in history when, in 1440, it hosted the election of Felix V, recognized as an antipope, during a period of religious schism. Later, during the Reformation in the 1500s, Basel saw significant change, as the bishop was expelled, the monastery dissolved, and many religious artworks were destroyed. One such casualty was a statue of the Virgin Mary, which once adorned the central porch, now left empty. However, the scenes of prophets and kings on the main porch remain intact, as do statues of Emperor Henry II and Empress Kunigunde, preserving a glimpse of the Minster’s storied past.

Why You Should Visit:
The Basel Minster is an architecturally stunning cathedral with a long and storied history. The stained glass windows, arched ceiling, and organ are beautiful.

Tips:
Don't miss climbing one of the towers and enjoying dramatic views over Basel.

Basel's Fine Arts Museum is home to the world's oldest public museum. It began when Basel and the University of Basel purchased a collection of Hans Holbein's works in 1661. The collection has been available to the public since 1671.

The collection features artworks from the 15th century to the present. The Fine Arts Museum features the world's most extensive collection of art by the illustrious Holbein family.

Renaissance works include art by Mathias Grunewald, Martn Schonguer, and Hans Baldung. Notable art from the 17th and 18th centuries includes work by Rembrandt and Peter Paul Rubens. Works from the 19th century include valuable paintings by Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, and Paul Gaugin. The museum also houses works by Vincent van Gogh.

20th-century artists include Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, and Marc Chagall. More contemporary art on display represents Andy Warhol, Francesco Clemente, and Rosemarie Trockel.

In 1939, the Fine Arts Museum acquired numerous artworks created by German-Jewish artists. The Nazi regime considered these works to be degenerate and had planned to destroy them. These artworks are on display in the museum today.

The Basel Paper Mill Museum, officially known as the Swiss Museum for Paper, Writing, and Printing, is a captivating destination located on the historic Saint Alban pond in Basel. Dedicated to the history and techniques of papermaking, book printing, and writing, the museum offers an immersive experience of these artisanal crafts, providing visitors with hands-on activities such as dipping paper, printing on presses, and exploring traditional calligraphy in the Scriptorium.

The museum is housed in the Gallizian Mill, a building that originated as a corn mill for Klingental Abbey in 1428. Converted into a paper mill by Anton Gallizian in 1453, the site remained a hub of production until 1521. Over the centuries, the mill saw ownership changes and structural expansions, including a significant addition by publisher Johann Christoph Imhof-Burckhardt in 1788. Later repurposed as a tobacco factory and warehouse, the building was faithfully restored for the museum's opening in 1980 by the Christoph Merian Foundation.

The museum spans 1,200 square meters across three connected mills: the Gallizian Mill houses workshops and event space; the Stegreif Mill serves as a café and ticket office; and the Rych Mill includes a shop, additional workshops, and displays such as a 1964 Fourdrinier paper machine. A highlight of the museum is the fully functional waterwheel, renovated in 2022 with a 300-year-old oak transmission.

The museum owes much to chemist Walter F. Tschudin, whose extensive research and collection of artifacts on Basel’s papermaking history laid the foundation for the museum. Established in 1971, the Basler Papiermühle Foundation, supported by figures like Eduard Hoffmann-Feer, ensured the preservation and promotion of this craft.

With approximately 40,000 annual visitors, the museum offers a vibrant mix of interactive exhibits and guided tours. Visitors can create handmade paper, try marbling techniques, or print with vintage presses, all while learning the finer points of bookbinding. The museum's commitment to inclusivity ensures participation for all, including those with disabilities.

Nestled in the scenic Solitude Park by the Rhine, the Museum Tinguely in Basel is a celebration of the imaginative world of Swiss artist Jean Tinguely (1925–1991). Designed by renowned architect Mario Botta, the museum opened its doors on October 3, 1996, showcasing the world’s largest collection of Tinguely’s kinetic sculptures and artworks. This institution, supported by the centenary foundation of Roche, not only honors Tinguely's innovative legacy but also serves as a vibrant center for contemporary artistic dialogue.

The museum’s permanent collection spans four decades of Tinguely’s career, from his intricate early reliefs to the monumental mechanical sculptures of the 1980s. Complementing these works are 55 sculptures donated by Tinguely’s wife, artist Niki de Saint Phalle, alongside illustrations, photographs, and documents that provide deeper insights into his life and creative process.

Temporary exhibitions extend this dialogue, featuring Tinguely’s contemporaries and friends, such as Yves Klein, Bernhard Luginbühl, and Marcel Duchamp, as well as modern and contemporary artists who tackle pressing societal issues. Over 120 exhibitions have enriched the museum’s history, blending Tinguely’s universe with innovative artistic interventions.

Museum Tinguely thrives on interactivity, offering a program that engages all the senses. From classical music concerts and DJ sets to family workshops and gatherings for senior citizens, the museum creates a lively cultural hub. Its open workshop, visible through a large glass wall, invites visitors to witness the meticulous restoration of Tinguely’s kinetic works, emphasizing the museum’s dedication to keeping these sculptures in motion.

As a global leader in preserving and studying Tinguely’s work, the museum houses an extensive archive of 1,500 works on paper, including illustrated letters, drawings, and audiovisual materials. These resources are available for research, fostering a deeper understanding of Tinguely’s artistry and his influence on post-war art.

Whether you’re drawn to the dynamic energy of Tinguely’s kinetic sculptures, the immersive cultural events, or the serene riverside setting, Museum Tinguely offers an unparalleled experience that bridges art, history, and sensory exploration.