{"id":76631,"date":"2026-06-03T02:28:25","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T02:28:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/76631\/"},"modified":"2026-06-03T02:28:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T02:28:25","slug":"6-fun-things-to-do-in-basel-that-wont-break-the-bank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/76631\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Fun Things to Do in Basel That Won’t Break the Bank"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article contains affiliate links. We may receive compensation if you make a purchase using one of these links at no additional cost to you. See our Disclaimers and Terms of Use<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

Although many tourists think of Basel as an expensive riverboat port city, there are many fun things to do in Basel Switzerland that won\u2019t break the bank.<\/p>\n

\"Bird's Enjoying a bird\u2019s eye view is just one fun thing to do in Basel Switzerland.\u00a0| Image: \u00a92foodtrippers <\/p>\n

While talking to fellow passengers during our Viking River Cruise up the Rhine<\/a>, we couldn\u2019t help but hear about how expensive Basel is. We brushed this talk away thinking that much of the hearsay was generated by passengers who don\u2019t travel much. These are the same people who don\u2019t travel independently like we do, who follow tour guides and who see much of the world through the windows of a bus.<\/p>\n

This talk couldn\u2019t be true, we thought. Using our amazing travel instincts to find the good spots during our Basel city break, we would find the non-touristy joints with great food and attractions and make Basel our own. We didn\u2019t worry about what to eat in Basel \u2013 we would surely find something good to eat with no problem in Basel, one of the best places to visit in Switzerland for its art alone.<\/p>\n

Well, our opinions changed after ordering currywurst from one of the pop-up Buvette take out caf\u00e9s along the Rhine. What amounted to a cut-up hot dog<\/a> in curry ketchup with fries cost us the equivalent of $11 USD \u2013 ouch! We then checked out a McDonald\u2019s down the street (for research purposes) and saw the price for a Big Mac at around $12 USD. Double ouch!!<\/p>\n

\"Currywurst We ate these Currywurst and Fries in Basel with a view of the Rhine River.\u00a0| Image: \u00a92foodtrippers<\/p>\n

Basel is a bustling city with amazing art and the lilting sounds of ringing bells on the hour, but it\u2019s also an expensive city to visit. It even makes France, not a cheap country by any means, seem highly affordable. We mention this because you may have just booked a river cruise and are wondering if you should extend your visit and what to do in Basel Switzerland affordably during your stay.<\/p>\n

Not only is the city in Switzerland, whose currency is the strong Swiss Franc, but it\u2019s also a city gilded with pharmaceutical profits. In Basel, prices are easily double compared to cities in nearby France and Germany.<\/p>\n

We thought about heading to the Swiss Alps<\/a> to explore natural beauty and avoid the Basel prices. But, let\u2019s face it, we\u2019re more into city breaks than adventure travel. That\u2019s why we decided to stay in a Basel apartment<\/a> during our brief Switzerland stay and why we didn\u2019t make any reservations for restaurant meals.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t feel too sorry for us though. We had an awesome time during our short visit.<\/p>\n

We spent a couple days in Basel exploring and relaxing. Plus, we researched what and where to eat in Basel so that we could make smart decisions about how we spent our time and money.<\/p>\n

Fun Things to Do in Basel That Won\u2019t Break the Bank<\/p>\n

You could easily spend a fortune when you visit Basel, but it\u2019s possible to explore this Swiss city on a budget \u2013 even if you\u2019re backpacking Europe. Here are six affordable but fun things to do in Basel:<\/p>\n

1. Walk Along the Rhine<\/p>\n

\"River It\u2019s easy to walk for kilometers in Basel Switzerland without ever getting tired of the river view.\u00a0| Image: \u00a92foodtrippers<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s face it, you\u2019ve probably arrived in Basel on a river cruise like we did. But don\u2019t give up on the Rhine, at least not yet.<\/p>\n

The majestic river runs right through Basel, with six bridges providing easy access from one side of the city to the other. People-watch along Basel\u2019s Rhine River promenade, grab a snack at a buvette or eat an ice cream cone. More about ice cream cones later.<\/p>\n

\"Rhysch\u00e4nzli Rhysch\u00e4nzli Buvette Kaserne is one of many buvettes that face the Rhine. These snack shops are a lively place to linger and enjoy a drink with a view, but be aware that snacks are quite pricey. We paid about $11 USD for currywurst and fries \u2013 essentially a glorified hot dog with french fries. (pictured above)\u00a0| Image: \u00a92foodtrippers<\/p>\n

Like many European cities, Basel embraces outdoor culture, especially during the summer months when the Basel weather is warm and the days seem endless.<\/p>\n

The city\u2019s walking\/hiking trail or Rheinpfad runs along the Rhine for 12 km and is highlighted by a number of outdoor snack stands and recreational activities like biking and bocce ball. You can also grab a snack, walk down to the edge of the Rhine, sit down and soak up the sun.<\/p>\n

Get your Basel bearings with a walking tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2. Eat Basel Cheap Eats<\/p>\n

As we already mentioned, Basel is an expensive city \u2013 including the Basel food scene. Fabulous restaurants, like the 3 star Michelin rated Cheval Blanc, are tempting but not feasible if you\u2019re on a budget. Luckily. there are other good places to eat in Basel. Read on for some more affordable Basel dining options.<\/p>\n

\"Doner Looking for cheap eats in Basel? Doner Kebabs are the cheapest food in Basel Switzerland. Be sure to load up on all the toppings for maximum taste and value.\u00a0| Image: \u00a92foodtrippers<\/p>\n

When deciding where to eat in Basel, one option is to eat at an outdoor cafe. Though cheaper than a Michelin restaurant, Swiss caf\u00e9s are still fairly expensive compared to other European cities. However, don\u2019t despair if you\u2019re looking for cheap places to eat in Basel.<\/p>\n

Doner kebab shops are located all over the city, located practically on every corner. They\u2019re yummy. They\u2019re filling. And at around $8.50, they\u2019re relatively affordable. If you\u2019re in Basel on a budget, doner kebabs are the best bet for cheap eats Basel options.<\/p>\n

Pro Tip
When you order a doner kebab, be sure to get all the fixings from the spicy sauce to the lettuce and tomatoes. The flavors combine to make a mighty tasty sandwich.<\/p>\n

3. Get Your Art On<\/p>\n

Basel literally swims with art from world-class museums to street art on building walls. This shouldn\u2019t be a surprise since the city is the home of Art Basel, the preeminent art festival that has become truly international with annual shows in Basel, Miami and Hong Kong<\/a>. In fact, the art scene in Basel is so awesome that it made Journalist on the Run\u2019s list of 50 unique things to do in Switzerland.<\/p>\n

Book a Basel Art tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n

During our Basel visit, we couldn\u2019t pick just one Basel museum\u2026 so we visited two world-class art museums in just two days.<\/p>\n

We spent hours roaming through centuries of art at Kunstmuseum Basel. Located in two buildings right in the center of town, this museum has the largest collection of public art in Switzerland and features notable pieces by Cezanne, Renoir, Warhol & Lichtenstein along with ancient collections that date back thousands of years.<\/p>\n

\"Monet's Daryl channels the Mus\u00e9e de l\u2019Orangerie in Paris<\/a> by viewing Monet\u2019s Water Lilies at Fondation Beyeler just outside of Basel.\u00a0| Image: \u00a92foodtrippers<\/p>\n

However, it\u2019s the Fondation Beyeler that won the prize as our favorite museum in Basel. Between Renzo Piano\u2019s unique, open architecture and the extensive Picasso collection, it is a full art immersion experience.<\/p>\n

Though the museum is located in a bucolic neighborhood on the outskirts of the city, it\u2019s well worth a short bus ride to see Ernst Beyeler\u2019s stunning art collection of paintings and sculptures. Between this museum and his role as a founder of Art Basel in 1970, Beyeler has made a huge mark on the Basel art scene.<\/p>\n

The Vitra Design Museum offers a different kind of art experience. Although it\u2019s technically located in Germany, the museum is just a short ride from Basel. Situated in a striking Frank Gehry building, this museum draws international visitors interested in learning about cutting-edge furniture and interior design.<\/p>\n

These museums may not be cheap, but don\u2019t skip them. Basel Cards<\/a> are a great solution as they include transportation and special discounts as well as reduced admission to many of the city\u2019s museums and other top Basel attractions. Depending on your schedule, you can purchase cards for 24, 48 or 72 hours.<\/p>\n

Kunstmuseum Basel<\/a> is located at St. Alban-Graben 16, 4051 Basel, Switzerland.
Fondation Beyeler<\/a> is located at 101, 4125 Basel, Switzerland.
Vitra Design Museum<\/a> is located at Charles-Eames-Stra\u00dfe 2, 79576 Weil am Rhein, Germany. Note, this museum is not part of the Basel Card since it\u2019s not in the city.<\/p>\n

4. Check Out the Museum Tinguely<\/p>\n

Located in the Solitudepark just off of the Rhine, the fun, interactive Museum Tinguely exhibits kinetic sculpture works by Swiss artist Jean Tinguely. The museum, funded by Basel\u2019s pharmaceutical mega-company Roche, provides a fascinating biography of Tinguely\u2019s life from his humble start as a department store window dresser to his ascension as an internationally recognized genius.<\/p>\n

\"M\u00e9ta-Harmonie The M\u00e9ta-Harmonie II is a stunning work of kinetic art by Jean Tinguely on display at the Museum Tinguely in Basel Switzerland.\u00a0| Image: \u00a92foodtrippers<\/p>\n

Tinguely\u2019s work is part art and part science, making the museum an interesting contrast to the more traditional art displayed at Kunstmuseum Basel and Fondation Beyeler.<\/p>\n

While here, you can stomp your feet to activate a number of interactive kinetic pieces that depend on movement for effect. Pushing these levers easily provides hours of enjoyment to kids of all ages, including big kids like us.<\/p>\n

Our favorite piece was the M\u00e9ta-Harmonie II, which Tinguely constructed in 1979 as a noise field. Press your foot on the lever and sounds clang from every direction in a Rube-Goldberg like frenzy, while at the same time, creating a unique minimalistic, modern, haunting music experience.<\/p>\n

The Museum Tinguely<\/a> is located at Paul Sacher-Anlage 2, 4002 Basel, Switzerland.<\/p>\n

\"Amerena Mindi beats the heat with an amarena ice cream cone in Basel Switzerland.\u00a0| Image: \u00a92foodtrippers<\/p>\n

Pro Tip
Stop at one of the many outdoor glac\u00e9 carts and splurge on an ice cream cone while you\u2019re walking along the Rhine to the Museum Tinguely. We shared an amarena cherry cone, a perfectly satisfying sweet treat on a warm summer day and a great break during a day of Basel sightseeing.<\/p>\n

5. Shop at Basel Markets<\/p>\n

\"Flowers The Marktplatz in Basel is an open-air market with a wide selection of produce and flowers. You can also buy prepared foods at the market.\u00a0| Image: \u00a92foodtrippers<\/p>\n

Like most European cities, Basel has a big public market right in the center of town. Merchants at the Marktplatz send a colorful selection of fruits, vegetables, flowers and more.<\/p>\n

Are the prices high? Yes \u2013 this is Switzerland after all.<\/p>\n

However, the options are great, especially the cheeses. Even if you aren\u2019t shopping for food, it\u2019s worth a visit to take some photos and taste some cheese samples. Seriously, you must try alpine cheese, one of the best Switzerland food products.<\/p>\n

6. Appreciate the buildings<\/p>\n

Switzerland\u2019s architecture is unique, with many buildings topped by distinctively slanting Swiss roofs. Basel has more than its fair share of interesting buildings from the vividly red Basel Rathaus in Old Town Basel to the elegantly refined houses along the Rhine.<\/p>\n

\"Architecture You can\u2019t miss the interesting architecture in Basel since it\u2019s everywhere in the city.\u00a0| Image: \u00a92foodtrippers<\/p>\n

You can see all this and more when you leave your Basel map in the room and wander around the winding streets. Basel may be expensive, but stroll around the city and ogle at the buildings while you dream about how the other half lives.<\/p>\n

Without a doubt, this is one of the best free things to do in Basel.<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udded Basel Travel Checklist<\/p>\n

\u2738 More Things to Do in Europe<\/p>\n

\u2699\ufe0f Disclosures<\/p>\n

Article Updates
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.<\/p>\n

Funding
We self-funded our trip to Basel.<\/p>\n

Sponsorship
We thank Basel Tourismus<\/a> for providing us with Basel Cards.<\/p>\n

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