The 10 best museums in Basel

Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum Basel)

One of Switzerland’s most important museums showcases the wonders of the natural world.

Its collection includes millions of items covering many aspects of the natural world:

• The paleontology collection contains dinosaur fossils and remnants of ancient creatures, showcasing the Earth’s condition millions of years ago.
• The zoology department focuses on the diversity of the animal kingdom, with numerous rare and special species, including extinct ones.
• The anthropology collection documents human evolution and cultures.
• The mineralogy department reveals the geological treasures of the Earth.

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Art Museum (Kunstmuseum Basel)

The museum’s collection and exhibitions range from the Middle Ages to contemporary art, presenting outstanding works and movements in art history.

It has a long history, founded in 1661 based on the Amerbach family collection. The main building is located in the city center, an impressive modernist-style building. As part of the museum’s expansion, a new building opened in 2016, housing the museum’s modern and contemporary art collections.

It features over 4,000 paintings and sculptures, as well as more than 300,000 drawings and prints. The collection includes masterpieces of medieval and Renaissance art, as well as outstanding works of 19th and 20th-century art. The German Expressionism and 20th-century American and European works also must be mentioned.

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Historical Museum Basel (Historisches Museum Basel)

Explore the rich history and heritage of Basel and the region.

The museum’s main venue is the Barfüsserkirche, a former monastery and church building of historical significance. The Gothic-style building was constructed in the Middle Ages and is named after the barefoot (barfüsser) Franciscan friars.

The institution displays archaeological finds, artworks, manuscripts, coins, as well as local industry and craftsmanship objects. Highlights include the medieval sculpture and Renaissance painting collections, and the presentation of city life and bourgeois culture through different eras.

One of its most famous items is the first printed Bible, the Gutenberg Bible, an important piece in the history of printing.

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Tinguely Museum

One of Basel’s most unique and innovative art institutions, dedicated to Swiss kinetic artist Jean Tinguely and his work.

The museum displays a wide collection of Tinguely’s complex, moving sculptures and machines that represent important chapters in 20th-century art and kinetic art. The most famous are the „meta-mechanical” sculptures, machine-like creations that can be set in motion.

The building itself is significant, designed by the renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta, a leading figure in modern architecture. It is characterized by striking geometric forms and strong structural elements.

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Museum of Cultures (Museum der Kulturen Basel)

One of Switzerland’s most important anthropological and ethnographic museums, showcasing the diversity and complexity of cultures around the world.

It was founded during the era of European exploratory voyages and colonial endeavors, when there was great interest in objects and knowledge from distant parts of the world. Over the years, the museum’s collection has continuously expanded, now counting more than 300,000 objects.

The exhibitions include objects, artworks, ritual instruments, clothing, documenting thousands of years of human creativity and cultural development. Outstanding parts of the collection include objects from Oceanic, African, American, and Asian cultures, as well as significant pieces of Swiss and European folk culture.

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Pharmacy Museum (Pharmaziemuseum der Universität Basel)

The museum has one of Switzerland’s most important pharmaceutical collections and operates within the framework of the University of Basel.

It presents the development of pharmaceutical sciences and draws attention to the scientific and cultural heritage associated with medications and their preparation.

The collection includes pharmaceutical tools, pharmacopoeias, pharmacy equipment, medicinal herbs, and medications. Highlights include reconstructions of old alchemist laboratories, authentic 19th-century pharmacy setups, and exhibitions showing the preparation of medicinal herbs and medications.

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Klingental Museum (Museum Kleines Klingental)

The museum showcases the history of Basel’s cityscape and art, as well as the architectural development of the region.

It is located within a part of the Klingental monastery complex, built in the 13th century, once home to the Clarissan nuns. The museum was established in the second half of the 20th century.

Exhibitions showcase the city’s development over time, from medieval architecture to the modern cityscape. The museum features an impressive model collection that depicts the city of Basel in various historical periods in detail.

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Toy Museum (Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel)

As the name suggests, this museum offers an insight into the world of toys. It is Switzerland’s only toy museum.

It houses over 6,000 items. Highlighted pieces include 19th-century antique dolls, intricately designed miniature houses and rooms, as well as various mechanical toys and model railways. The museum boasts one of the world’s largest Teddy bear collections.

The exhibitions are thematically organized, showcasing the development process of toys and objects.

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Cartoon Museum (Cartoonmuseum)

The museum presents the world of comics, caricatures, and visual humor.

From classic comics to modern graphic novels and political caricatures, visitors can see a wide range. Additionally, thematic exhibitions are held, showcasing the most important creators of comics and caricatures, as well as the current trends of the genre.

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Paper Mill (Basler Papiermühle)

Located in a real working paper mill, it deals with the art and history of paper, printing, and bookbinding.

The 15th-century building has retained its original, historical character. The mill is situated in a picturesque part of the city, next to a watercourse that once provided the water power used in paper production.

Visitors can see tools and machines related to paper processing, as well as finished products such as handmade papers, prints, and bound books. Notable are the working printing presses and the papermaking workshop, where visitors can participate in traditional processes.

Find all information here!

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As the country’s third-largest city, located in the northwestern part at the Swiss-German–French tripoint along the banks of the Rhine, it is often referred to as Switzerland’s cultural capital.

Attractions in Basel

Basler Münster

The Basel Cathedral is not only an important religious building in Basel but also one of the most significant in Switzerland.

The current church, mainly built in Romanesque style, started in the 12th century and was completed in the 13th century. It was later expanded with Gothic elements in the 14th and 15th centuries. It acquired its present form after being rebuilt following an earthquake in the 14th century. It became a Protestant church in the 16th century.

Its exterior makes it a dominant architectural symbol in the Swiss Rhine region. The facade and the two massive towers are covered in red sandstone, giving the building a distinctive color. Inside, the spatial arrangement and decorations represent a mix of architectural styles from different eras. The naves are covered by high Gothic vaults, while the stained-glass windows depict biblical stories and local saints.

The church houses the sarcophagus of Queen Anne of Habsburg and her son, Charles. It also features the famous tomb of Erasmus of Rotterdam, a humanist scholar and theologian who died in Basel.

Marktplatz

The marketplace has been a center of commerce, politics, and social events since the Middle Ages.

The most significant building here is the Rathaus, or Town Hall, which stands out with its impressive appearance and ornate facade. Originally built in the 14th century, it has been expanded and modified several times in the 16th century and later, now displaying a mix of Renaissance and Baroque styles.

The square is surrounded by various shops, cafes, and restaurants, and a market is regularly held here.

Spalentor

The Spalen Gate is one of Basel’s best-preserved medieval city gates and an important part of the city’s historic core.

Built in the 14th century, the gate was one of the main entrances to the city. At this time, Basel became an important commercial and scientific center in Europe. Several city gates were demolished in the 19th century, but fortunately, this one was preserved for posterity.

The gate is of solid construction, with high towers covered in tiles. Inside the gate, you can see the coat of arms decorations and Gothic arches.

St. Johanns-Tor

The St. John’s Gate is another significant former city gate that has been preserved.

Also built in the 14th century, it was named after the nearby St. John’s Monastery, which once stood close to the gate. It has been expanded and reinforced over time.

While not as imposing as the Spalentor, it has largely retained its original medieval form. It’s worth a walk here, as the Rhine is just a few minutes away.

Mittlere Brücke

Basel’s iconic bridge connects the old town with the pedestrian street Greifengasse on the opposite side.

Built in 1225, it is one of the oldest surviving bridges along the Rhine. The bridge has played a key role over the centuries as one of the main crossing points on the Rhine, linking Northern Europe with Southern Europe.

A notable feature is the Käppelijoch chapel in the middle, which was built for the protection of travelers. Its tiled roof is decorative, and many padlocks hang on its door grills.

Tinguely Fountain

The fountain is not just an urban attraction. It is also an outstanding example of modern art, where the interplay of movement and water creates a unique experience.

Swiss kinetic artist Jean Tinguely designed and created it in the 1960s. The sculptures are made of metal and are equipped with water-driven mechanisms that set the sculptures in motion.

Offene Kirche Elisabethen

Next to the Münster, it is the other most important and spectacular church.

Built between 1857 and 1864 in the neo-Gothic style, the construction was funded by the city and its citizens. For this reason, it remains an important community venue to this day. This is reflected in its name: open church.

From the outside, the Gothic style is very apparent: tall, slender towers, rich sculptural decorations. Inside, the church is vast, with its most striking feature being the colorful stained glass windows. Alongside traditional Christian symbols, contemporary art pieces also find their place, indicating the church’s openness and diversity.

Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten der Universität)

The garden features a vast variety of plant species, serving not only as a place for outings but also as an important scientific center.

The garden officially opened in the 19th century and has been continuously expanding and evolving to showcase the impressive diversity of plants from around the world. It spans several hectares and consists of various horticultural and landscape elements, including outdoor beds, greenhouses, and thematic gardens.

It includes thousands of species, from local wild plants to rare and endangered species. Among the most famous are the orchids, carnivorous plants, and a multitude of trees and shrubs from tropical rainforests.

Find all information here!

Zoo Basel

One of Switzerland’s oldest and best-known zoos, it opened in 1874.

It is home to about 600 animal species from various continents. The zoo is especially renowned for its successful breeding programs, which have provided refuge for numerous endangered species, such as rhinoceroses, chimpanzees, and marine caimans.

Find all information here!

Best museums in Basel

Basel is considered Switzerland’s cultural capital, so it’s no surprise that it’s home to many museums

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