Travel to Basel

Travel to Basel

Basel is situated in the northwest corner of Switzerland, near the borders of France and Germany. Basel sits near the oldest known Roman settlement on the Rhine River, Augusta Raurica. The city itself was once a Roman fort called Basilia, which thrived around 370 AD. The colony of Augusta Raurica was founded in 44 BC, though evidence of older Celtic settlements has recently been unearthed in the area.

Transportation to Basel

EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg is located about four kilometres away, on the French side of the border. Frequent flights link EuroAirport to locations in the rest of Europe. Currently, direct flights outside of Europe only connect to Cuba, Jamaica and the United States. Facilities at the airport are sufficient for most travellers and include a bank, ATMs, a bureau de change, a duty-free shop, a restaurant and some bars as well as disabled traveller access and assistance. Switzerlands rail system is so well developed that it is possible to fly into Geneva or Zrich and catch a train to Basel.

What to see

Basel and the surrounding area are filled with historical relics dating back to Roman times and earlier. The market plaza in the centre of town is surrounded by Renaissance buildings. Rathaus, in the market plaza, was originally a Renaissance palace, but currently serves as Basels town hall. Along the Rhine River, a Gothic cathedral, which was built from 1356 to 1500, still stands.

Basel Zoo, near the market plaza, is one of the largest zoos in Switzerland. The zoo, built over 130 years ago, encompasses 10 hectares (26 acres) and houses some 4,500 animals from over 600 species. Etosha House is a particularly impressive section of the zoo. The facilities emulate savannah conditions and contain animals native to the African desert such as cheetahs, meerkats, dung beetles and wild dogs.

Daytrips

Many sights, scenic and historical, are within easy driving distance of the city. Frances Alsace region and Germanys Black Forest are only a short drive away. Rolling hills offer fantastic views of the beautiful countryside. Old castles are scattered throughout and the ruins of Augusta Raurica are only 10kms away. Bern and Zrich are only an hour away by car and the Swiss Riviera is a 1-hour 30-minutes drive past Bern.

Activities and leisure

In warm weather, swimming in the Rhine is a common way to pass the time. The river is perfect for cooling off during warm summer afternoons. Basel is small enough to get around on foot. Many visitors enjoy strolling along the charming cobbled lanes, flanked by nostalgic shops and cosy cafs.

Safety issues

By and large, Basel is a safe place to visit. However, the sheer volume of tourists passing through draws pickpockets and scam artists. Keep track of belongings at all times. Currents move swiftly in the Rhine, and can pull unlucky swimmers into boating traffic, bridge pylons or another country. While we hope that such unfortunate or unusual incidents dont intrude on your vacation, we encourage you to carry travel insurance wherever you go.