This is the most beautiful city you haven’t been to yet
Travel writer Ben Squires has a quick stopover in the beautiful Swiss city of Basel.
Basel probably isn’t the first city that comes to mind when most Australians plan their adventure to the continent, but 24 hours was all I needed to realise those willing to make the journey to this charming Swiss city will be amply rewarded.
A couple of minutes in the beautiful old town (and a strong coffee) the weariness from my long journey to the city instantly melted and I was ready to explore the town. Although it’s not necessarily known for long stopovers you could easily spend a week immersing yourself in Basel’s historic landmarks, antique bookshops, cute boutiques and gorgeous art installations.
Basel is an art lover’s dream, and there’s plenty to see from Richard Serra’s Intersection to René Küng’s Moon Ladder, but if you’re pressed for time the one attraction you can’t afford to miss is the Carnival Fountain (also known at the Tinguely Fountain). Created in 1977 by Swiss artist Jean Tinguely, this fountain plays homage to the old city theatre that once stood in its place, with moving mechanical figures representing the artists, actors and dancers who used to perform at the site. Take the time to observe the fountain from different angles, as you’ll find each vantage point offers a slightly different experience.
Basel is the museum capital of Switzerland, with 40 different institutions to visit. Most visitors will pop into the Basel Art Museum and the Museum of Cultures, where you can happily while the hours away perusing the masterpieces, but if you’re short on time (as I unfortunately was) it’s worth checking out the Hoosesaggmuseum, which is located entirely in a window front in the old town.
I didn’t think to pack swimmers, but if the sun’s out and you have a couple of hours to yourself there’s nothing nicer than taking a dip in the Rhine. Waterproof bags for your phone, wallet and clothes, which double as flotation devices are readily available on the river bank, and the water quality is as good as it gets. Even if you don’t feel like swimming, there’s plenty of spots along the river to sit down with a beer or coffee and enjoy the view.
Gourmands will find plenty of places to eat in this beautiful city and there’s a diverse variety of cafes, traditional inns and award-winning restaurants. I was lucky enough to sample some local Swiss fare at the Zum Braunen Mutz brasserie which has a lovely boulevard terrace for sunny afternoons, and take in a gourmet dinner overlooking the Rhine at Restaurant Krafft But there are so many great dining options that you’ll surely find something to your taste.
With all these drawcards and the fact that in an hour you could be anywhere you want to be in Germany, Italy or France, there’s no reason why Basel shouldn’t be your first stop on a trip to Europe or a broader tour of Switzerland.
The writer travelled courtesy of Switzerland Tourism.
Visit www.myswitzerland.com for more information about Switzerland.
And visit www.myswitzerland.com/rail for the Swiss Travel Pass which allows holders unlimited access to all Swiss public transportation including buses, boats and trains, up to 50% off mountain railways and cableways and free access to more than 500 museums around the country.