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World Travel Guide > Guides > Europe > Switzerland > Basel

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Basel Events

Jazz Festival

Jazz and its subgenres take centre stage in this soulful festival.

Date: 24 April 2022 - 30 May 2022
(Date to be confirmed)
Website: http://www.offbeat-concert.ch
Cost:

Various.

Art Basel

This international art show aims to connect collectors, galleries, and artists.

Date: 16 June 2022 - 19 June 2022
Website: https://www.artbasel.com
Cost:

Various.

Swiss National Day

The Swiss National Day is marked by patriotic events and a magnificent fireworks display at night.

Date: 01 August 2022 - 01 August 2022
Cost:

Free.

Basel Herbstmesse

The Basel Autumn Fair, the country's biggest and oldest funfair, is all about fairground rides and culinary treats.

Date: 29 October 2022 - 13 November 2022
Website: https://www.basel.com/de/herbstmesse

Christmas Market

The atmospheric Basel Christmas Market is a wonderful place to find hand-made products and traditional delicacies.

Date: 24 November 2022 - 23 December 2022
(Date to be confirmed)
Venue: Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz.
Website: https://www.basel.com/en/Christmas-in-Basel
Cost:

Free.

'Vogel Gryff' Festival

This traditional festival features three symbolic figures – Vogel Gryff (the Griffin), Wilder Mann (the Savage Man) and Leu (the Lion) – dancing to the sounds of drums.

Date: 13 January 2023 - 13 January 2023
Website: http://www.vogel-gryff.ch/web/agenda

Fasnacht (Carnival)

Basel revels with music and parades during the Carnival Season.

Date: 27 February 2023 - 01 March 2023
Website: http://www.fasnachts-comite.ch/

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Featured Hotels

The Swissotel Le Plaza, graded as four-star superior, is a stylish option a few minutes' walk from the Rhine and the Old Town. The hotel has 238 rooms and offers 24-hour room service, as well as a gym with a sauna and steam room. Its Grill25 restaurant serves up the classics in smart surroundings.

Hotel Rheinfelderhof

A few minutes' walk from the city centre (and even closer to the Messe Basel trade fair venue), this is a well-priced hotel with almost 50 rooms. It's nothing fancy but has all the basics covered, from free wifi to satellite TV. There's a traditional restaurant on site.

Spalentor

Located near the Spalentor city gate in the Old Town, this friendly four-star hotel has 40 comfortable, modern rooms, internet access, fitness equipment, toys and games for kids, DVD rental, a bar and a garden. Another perk: the hotel offers free bike rental for guests.

Pullman Basel Europe Hotel

An upscale chain hotel with a convenient location for the Old Town. It's a sizeable property – there are 141 rooms – and it's popular with business groups thanks to its half-dozen meeting rooms. Other selling points include a fitness lounge and the gourmet Les Quatre Saisons restaurant.

Les Trois Rois

One of the oldest city hotels in Europe, Les Trois Rois is Basel's grandest residence. Over the years, its luxurious rooms and suites on the banks of the Rhine in the Old Town have accommodated such luminaries as Napoleon, Charles Dickens, Pablo Picasso, Thomas Mann and Queen Elizabeth II. It also has a fitness centre and various top-notch restaurants and bars.

Courtyard Basel

Part of the Marriott Group – and consequently a reliable if rather vanilla option for an overnight stay – the Courtyard Basel Hotel is set on the southern outskirts of the city and has 175 rooms and suites with the usual amenities and plenty of meeting space.

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Swissotel Le Plaza