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You are here: Home Moving to Country Facts Basel city guide
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30/06/2009Basel city guide

basel tram Explore shopping, nightlife, art and food in Basel, Switzerland.

Living at the meeting point of three countries, the people of Basel have a great deal of savoir-vivre; good food and drink are as important to them as art and culture. Nearly all the world’s cuisines are richly represented in the city: from starred gourmet eateries to the takeaway around the corner. The street cafés, patisseries, sweet shops and traditional neighbourhood restaurants all provide opportunities to become acquainted with the Basel lifestyle.




The lively inner city and romantic Old Town are a shopping centre offering a range of brands. The traditional daily market held in the square of the historic City Hall serves as a charming and colourful reminder of all things Swiss.

Basel offers limited nightlife for a city of its size. During the week most bars are rarely open after midnight, while more vibrant nightlife takes place during the weekend, when the city’s larger venues are open. Weekends in Basel offer more trendy options for going out, with a wide selection of fancy restaurants, hip nightspots and cosy pubs.



Young people often tour the taverns in multi-cultural, multi-faceted Lesser Basel across the Rhine. Many street cafés along the Steinenvorstadt provide a casual Mediterranean style.

The River Rhine, which cuts the city in two, is Switzerland’s main port and has long been an important trade route into Germany and the North Sea. The Rhine also offers ample space to walk, swim and relax.

Video: Impressions of Basel




3 reactions to this article

Barbara posted: 21-07-2008 | 10:00 PM

Thank you for this helpful and interesting article!

Lionel posted: 23-07-2008 | 12:08 PM

I like the photos. Where can I find information about the Basel Art Fair?

EditorCH posted: 30-06-2009 | 11:25 AM

Hi Lionel, We included Art Basel in the June 2009 What's On feature: http://www.expatica.com/ch/leisure/arts_culture/What_s-on-in-Europe-in-June_-Our-arts-and-entertainment-guide-.html?ppager=2
It already took place but you can check their website for more info for next year.

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