Provided it’s summer and the water is warm, the highlight of any trip to Basel is a relaxed float down the
Rhine river with your belongings safely tucked away in a Wickelfisch waterproof bag that doubles as an
inflatable. The best thing? The current is strong enough to whisk you downstream so there is zero effort
required. It’s also the perfect way to sightsee – while gently drifting along – if you’re pushed for time.
Lunch at Le Rhin Bleu
Mediterranean food served in a gorgeous waterfront setting is the vibe at Le Rhin Bleu, a summer-only
alfresco restaurant that spreads elegantly over stilted wooden decking above the Rhine. One half of the
elevated decking is taken up by wooden tables set for lunch, and the other half is a makeshift beach, with
swimmers jumping straight off into the river. It’s the ultimate in blow-dried Swiss glam.
Visit the Munster
Basel’s grandest landmark is the Munster cathedral in Grossbasel, which dominates the medieval old town
skyline with its two imposing gothic spires, bright red sandstone bricks, and green-and-yellow coloured
tiled roof. For eye-popping views across the city, climb the 250 steps in either tower.
Visit the Kunstmuseum
The hulk that is the Kunstmuseum – Switzerland’s premier art gallery, no less – sits on the fringe of the old
town and the Rhine river. It’s been extended since it first opened in the 1930s, and today there’s an
extension across the road (the Neubau: look for a lot of modernist concrete). There are rotating visiting
exhibitions as well as the gallery’s regular hangings, which include local Basel artwork and medieval and
Renaissance pieces.
Buy a bauble from Johann Wanner’s Christmas shop
That traditional Swiss Christmas spirit is celebrated all year round at Johann Wanner’s Christmas and
souvenir shop in Basel old town. For the 11 months of the year that it’s not December, the front of the shop
peddles traditional Swiss chocolates, penknives and alpine dog keyrings. But keep walking through to the
back and it turns into a Christmas miracle, with baubles of all shapes and sizes in Christmassy red, green,
silver and gold.
Do a chocolate making workshop
Posh Swiss chocolatier Confiserie Bachmann throws open its workshop to wannabe makers at its branch on
Blumenrain in Grossbasel, where they can make anything from traditional truffles to a delicious passionfruit
version. (But don’t come hungry: staring at the bubbling vats of milk chocolate is not a good look.) The cafe
and chocolate shop downstairs is a great place to pick up Swiss souvenirs, such as lackerli, the city’s take on
a spiced ginger biscuit.
Take the ferry across the Rhine
To get across from Kleinbasel to Grossbasel, catch one of the distinctive four ferries. The ferry service,
which has been operating for 150 years, is powered purely by the current of the river. Rather sweetly, you