Location: Basel
Top Things to do in Basel
What to do and see in Basel, Canton of Basel: The Best Specialty Museums
Located on the Rhine River near the borders of France and Germany, Basel contains the country's highest concentration of museums. The culture-centric city, site of the world's most influential art market each June, is also home to the lovely Munster Cathedral, made of red sandstone with a multi-colored tile roof. Green spaces abound, including the popular zoological gardens in the city center. Switzerland's largest site of Roman ruins, Augusta Raurica, are an easy day trip to the east.
Restaurants in Basel
1. Jean Tinguely Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 844 reviews
Reviewed By RCSColumbus - Columbus, United States
We had never heard of Jean Tinguely before visiting Basel but we were so smitten by his amazing Carnival Fountain downtown that we were curious to see more. The Museum Tinguely is a beautiful piece of architecture, perfectly designed to display the kinetic sculptures the artist is best known for. Some are as large as an entire gallery; some you can walk through; virtually all can be activated at the press of a button. Whether you come away appreciating him as an artist or not you will certainly fall for his incredible blend of engineering, mechanical whimsy and pure imagination. Who else would ever think to weld all of these found objects into such lively contraptions? Some even seem to have personalities. You can't help but smile and even laugh out loud at a few of them. My wife, daughter and I were mesmerized as were all the other visitors we saw at the museum that day.
2. Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 327 reviews
Special interest museum features a historic variety of play objects including dolls, dollhouses, Teddy bears, carrousels and miniatures from all over the world.
Reviewed By king3434 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
This is an incredibly entertaining museum. It’s maybe more geared at adult visitors looking for some history rather than families looking for an interactive day out. The layout is hilarious: a floor of teddy bears followed by a floor of handbags. With the Basel card, the entrance fee is very affordable.
3. Rappaz Museum Basel
4. Pharmaziemuseum Universitat Basel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By SaraDeb119 - Philadelphia, United States
The museum had a vast collection covering the history of pharmacy as it pertained to history and various treatments modalities found in pharmacies. Easy to read about displays and wander at your own pace. Great museum to visit for someone who enjoys history and medicine.
5. Anatomisches Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By CAmidwife - San Diego, United States
...for those interested in anatomy and physiology and human development. Definitely worth a visit esp for the minimal cost.
6. Basel Historical Museum – Museum of Music
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
With over 3,300 objects to its name, Basel Historical Museum is in possession of Switzerland’s largest collection of musical instruments. Spread over three floors, the Musikmuseum boasts some 650 European instruments spanning five centuries of music history from the oldest drum dating from 1571 and a highly ornate viola da gamba by Joachim Tielke (ca. 1704) to the Weber Unika Orchestrion of 1925. The twenty-four cells of the former prison serve as showcases in which visitors can admire the instruments while calling up countless samples and additional information on an interactive screen. While touring the museum you will therefore hear all sorts of music, from the familiar to the bizarre.
Reviewed By BobStamford - Stamford, United Kingdom
We found this by accident - it is absolutely outstanding, huge range of musical instruments all with accompanying podiums allowing you to hear the music as well as teaching you about the instruments
7. Basel Paper Mill Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 674 reviews
Basel Paper Mill is the national museum for paper, typography and writing. Within the walls of a medieval mill, visitors discover the bookmaking proces from handmade paper to the finished book. On four floors you can experience various workshops with all your senses: crafting your very own handmade paper, write with ink quil, set your name in lead types at the printer's workshop or create your own marbling paper: A lively diversity is the trademark of the museum. With a mix of exhibition and production-workshops the Basel Paper Mill offer a fascinating atmosphere in an authentic environment. A whole range of products is manufactured before the eyes of the visitors for customer orders or sales in the museum shop.
Reviewed By zainec2014 - Bellinzona, Switzerland
Had a tour in the Paper Mill. Many people work on voluntary bases. So they are enthusiastic about their work. Was nice to see all the old printing machines. Making the japanese paper was great for the kids. Worth a visit for young and old and everything in between.
8. Museum Kleines Klingental
9. HoosesaggMuseeum
10. Sportmuseum Schweiz
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2 reviews
