Basel Top Attractions

Münster (Cathedral)
Basel's cathedral, the impressive münster, dominates the Old Town with its combination of gothic and romanesque features, red sandstone walls, colourful roof tiles and twin towers. Inside the cathedral is the tomb of the greatest of the European Renaissance humanists, Erasmus of Rotterdam. The views from the Pfalz terrace alongside embrace the Rhine, the Vosges Mountains, the Black Forest and the Jura.

Münsterplatz
Tel: (061) 271 2182.

Museum Tinguely and Tinguely Fountain
Devoted to the work of local kinetic artist Jean Tinguely (1925-1991), this museum is as unusual as his art, and is full of objects that move, rattle, crash and jump. You can see one of his creations, the Tinguelybrunnen (a fountain with moving sculptures and waterpipes), in the city centre, in front of the Stadttheater (Theaterplatz).

Paul Sacher-Anlage 1 (Museum)
Tel: (061) 681 9320.
Website: www.tinguely.ch

Zoo Basel
Basel's zoo, fondly referred to as the zolli by locals, was established as long ago as 1874, and it is one of Switzerland's most popular attractions. Over 6,000 animals (including lions, giraffes, gorillas and kangaroos) attract around a million visitors each year.

Binningerstrasse 40
Tel: (061) 295 3535.
Website: www.zoobasel.ch

Kunstmuseum Basel
The oldest art museum in Switzerland contains the world's largest collection of works by the Holbein family as well as many works by other Swiss Renaissance artists, and an impressive collection of modern art, from impressionism to cubism, German expressionism and abstract expressionism.

St Alban-Graben 16
Tel: (061) 206 6262.
Website: www.kunstmuseumbasel.ch
 
Basel Paper Museum
Housed in a medieval paper mill, this museum traces the development of paper, writing, printing and bookbinding. Paper is still made here using the old devices and machines on display, and visitors are encouraged to make their own.

St Alban-Tal 35-37
Tel: (061) 272 9652.
Website: www.papiermuseum.ch