Basel —
the colourful Rhine city and gateway to Alsace
Basel is Switzerland's window to France and Germany — a compact, colourful old city sitting right on the Rhine at the three-country border. Unlike our earlier Interrail visits to Bern and Zurich, our time in Basel was different — not a backpacker blur, but a deliberate stop on a two-country trip combining Switzerland with Alsace. Basel's Old Town is walkable, welcoming and refreshingly unpretentious compared to much of Switzerland. We wandered the trams, took a historical walking tour, and had an unforgettable dinner at Gifthüttli, a classic Swiss restaurant where locals eat and the atmosphere felt genuine and warm.
Compact charm on the three-country border
Basel is one of those places that feels like it sits at a crossroads — geographically and culturally. Switzerland, France and Germany all meet here, and you can feel that influence in the architecture, the language (Swiss German, but with French words floating in), and the general vibe. It's less formal than much of Switzerland, more colourful and somehow more welcoming.
The Old Town (Altstadt) is the heart of Basel — a maze of narrow lanes with colourful buildings, historic squares and the feeling of a real working city rather than a polished tourist destination. There's less "perfect Switzerland" and more "lived-in European city" — which, for us, was a relief and a delight.
The trams are fabulous — an efficient, cheap way to move around the city and explore neighborhoods beyond the main square. Hopping on one and watching the city unfold was one of our favourite Basel experiences.
Walking along the river, watching boats and understanding Basel's history as a river trading city is central to understanding the place.
Colourful, compact and walkable. Narrow lanes, historic buildings and squares where locals actually spend time, not just tourists.
Efficient, atmospheric and a genuine pleasure. Hop on one and explore neighborhoods beyond the obvious tourist squares.
A two-hour guided walk through Basel brought its history to life — the medieval city, the river trade, the Reformation connections.
Classic Swiss food in an authentic setting where locals eat. The atmosphere is warm, the food is genuine Swiss fare and it feels like real Basel.
FlixBus runs direct from Basel to Colmar in about 90 minutes. Easy, affordable and perfect for combining Switzerland with France in one trip.
Basel accommodation recommendations
We stayed at City Inn Basel beside Basel SBB, which was small and fairly simple but incredibly handy for the station. On our final night we stayed at Motel One Basel, which was a completely different experience — stylish, comfortable, central, and one we absolutely loved.
Our final evening also included dinner at Gifthüttli, where we enjoyed a proper Swiss meal before the trip came to an end.
Basel on Two for the Row'd
🏛️ Basel History Museum
A quick look inside Basel's History Museum from our trip.
🏨 Motel One Basel review
See our short review of Motel One Basel and what we thought of the stay.
Getting from Basel to Colmar
The easiest and most affordable way to travel from Basel to Colmar is FlixBus. Direct buses run roughly hourly from central Basel (opposite the train station) to Colmar city center — journey time is approximately 90 minutes and the cost is roughly €15–20 depending on timing and booking.
This makes Basel genuinely one of the best bases for combining Switzerland with Alsace without needing a rental car or dealing with complicated train connections. You can explore Basel and the surrounding Swiss countryside, then simply take a bus straight into Alsace whenever you're ready.
Compare Basel hotels on Klook
Looking for somewhere to stay? Compare current hotel options in Basel before you book.
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Drive From Home — Basel
Want a feel for the city before you go — or fancy revisiting it afterwards? Drive From Home lets you virtually explore Basel from your screen.
GetYourGuide Basel tours and activities
Guided city tours, Rhine experiences, historical walks and cultural activities in Basel — explore options:
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Part of our Swiss travels
🏰 Bern
Fairytale medieval capital from our 2005 Interrail trip — arcades, the Zytglogge and crystal-clear rivers.
🏙️ Zurich
Polished, international and wealthy — Lake Zurich, Bahnhofstrasse and completely different from Bern.
← Back to Switzerland
Full overview of both our Swiss trips, comparisons and packing essentials.