The city of Basel is situated where Switzerland meets both Germany and France and consequently is influenced by all three countries. It acts as the beginning or finishing point for many of our Rhine river cruises and is a charming city for travellers to explore either before setting off or heading back home. Here are a few things you could get up to whilst you are in town.

Meander Through The Museums

As you wander through the cobbled streets of Basel’s Old Town, there are many different museums for you to discover along the way. Whilst some have themes that you might expect, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Natural History Museum, there are others that are slightly more unusual. The Dolls House Museum is the largest of its kind in Europe and displays more than six thousand miniature artefacts, including a very large collection of teddy bears. The Caricature and Cartoon Museum is another quirky establishment, showcasing a wide range of techniques performed by around 700 different artists from the last two centuries.

Explore One Of The Oldest Zoos In Europe

As the oldest and largest zoo in Switzerland and one of the oldest on the continent, Basel Zoo is a great place to spend the day, especially for animal and nature lovers. It is also the most visited paid-for attraction in the country. Animals include lions, rhinos, elephants, snow leopards, gorillas and work is in progress to build a state-of-the-art aquarium by 2019. Entry to the zoo is CHF 18 (£13) for adults with discounts for children, those aged between 16 and 24, and senior citizens.

Cross The Rhine In A Traditional Way

You can always choose to navigate Basel via the many bridges that are in place, but when exploring a city that owes so much to the river that runs through it, there is a more exciting way to get from one bank of the Rhine to the other. Four traditional Fähri boats are situated around the city, allowing you to cross the water using the current alone. Perhaps the most popular one is that which can be found behind the city’s minster. They are attached to a cable that runs overhead, propelled by the flow of the water and act as a very inexpensive way of getting around.

If you would like to see what Basel has to offer, we can talk you through our different Rhine river cruise options. We can also help you book a pre or post-cruise stay in the city, giving you longer to explore.