Basel, Switzerland is a city whose charm lies in its Old Town, where architecture from the Middle Ages to the modern era is packed tightly together. This time, I walked the classic “first‑timer’s route,” a path I highly recommend if you’re exploring Basel on foot for the first time.
- Rough route overview
- Arriving in Basel — excited by the “tram city” atmosphere
- Into the Old Town — stone pavements where history blends into daily life
- The red Town Hall at Marktplatz — striking and unforgettable
- The Rhine River and Basel’s beautiful cityscape
- Basel Minster — a place where history settles quietly around you
- To wrap up — next time, I’ll introduce Porrentruy
Rough route overview
- Basel SBB (Central Station)
- Walk along the main street where trams run into the Old Town
- Marktplatz and the red Town Hall (Rathaus)
- A riverside walk along the Rhine, crossing the bridge to the opposite side
- Basel Minster (Münster)
Each point is very close to the next, making the entire walk smooth and easy without ever feeling lost.
Arriving in Basel — excited by the “tram city” atmosphere
After an hour‑long flight from Berlin, I landed at Basel Airport.
A 20‑minute bus ride brought me to Basel SBB, the city’s main hub.
The classic station building gives you that warm feeling of “my Switzerland trip has begun.”
Multiple trams run in and out of the square in front of the station, immediately showing how the city’s movement revolves around tram lines.
Since I headed straight to Porrentruy to see my friend on that day, I saved the Old Town walk for a later visit.
The first day was sunny, but when I returned a few days later it was cloudy—
a contrast that felt strangely fitting for travel.
Into the Old Town — stone pavements where history blends into daily life
On the way toward the Old Town, the tram tracks shape the character of the streets.
It doesn’t feel overly touristy; instead, you sense the calm rhythm of local life.
The colors of the buildings, the shapes of the windows, the designs of the doors—
each slightly different—make walking here quietly exciting.
It’s the kind of place where you think, “Ah, so this is the beauty of Swiss streets.”
The red Town Hall at Marktplatz — striking and unforgettable
Walking deeper into the Old Town brings you to Marktplatz,
where the red Town Hall (Rathaus) stands in vivid color.
It’s even redder than it looks in photos.
The murals and decorations are beautiful down to the smallest detail,
and it’s easy to lose track of time just looking at them.
The square often hosts local markets, where everyday life and history overlap naturally.
One of Basel’s most iconic landmarks is the bright red Rathaus at Marktplatz. It looks red in photos—but in real life, it feels even redder. The façade decorations are also beautifully done.
The Rhine River and Basel’s beautiful cityscape
Leaving the Old Town, the view suddenly opens up to the Rhine River.
Its wide, steady flow and the quiet rows of buildings on both banks
create a scene straight out of a storybook.
Walking along the river and crossing the bridge gives you a more three‑dimensional view of Basel.
Even under cloudy skies, the atmosphere is lovely—different from a sunny day, but equally beautiful in its own way.
The Rhine is what completes Basel.
It feels like the river is the very backbone of the city’s charm.
Basel Minster — a place where history settles quietly around you
On a hill in the Old Town stands Basel Minster, one of the city’s most iconic buildings.
The red sandstone walls and twin towers give it a distinctive presence,
and the surrounding calmness adds to the sense of history.
Behind the cathedral lies a viewpoint overlooking the Rhine—
one of those moments when you think,
“I’m really glad I came to Basel.”
To wrap up — next time, I’ll introduce Porrentruy
This time, I enjoyed Basel’s classic walking route at a relaxed pace.
It’s compact, full of highlights, and perfect for a first visit.
And yes — I truly believe the Rhine River is what makes Basel so beautiful.
Even though the weather turned cloudy later, I hope you enjoy these photos of this charming city.
Next time, I’ll introduce Porrentruy,
a small town about an hour and a half from Basel by train —
a lovely place with Swiss nature and medieval scenery woven together.
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