General Information

Basel is situated in the heart of Europe, located in northwest Switzerland on the river Rhine, at the 'three-countries-corner' where Switzerland, Germany and France meet– lying between the Swiss Jura, Germany’s Black Forest and the Vosges in Alsace. Basel is the second largest city in Switzerland, is Switzerland's oldest university city, and also functions as a major industrial centre for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, an important centre for fairs and congresses. Basel was divided two parts by River Rhine, the left bank is named Grossbasel, which is shopping and business centre; the right bank is named Kleinbasel, there are many flower shops, painting rooms and coffee shops. Basel is regarded as one of Switzerland's centres for art, music and architecture. At the time of Erasmus of Rotterdam, the humanist city was the centre of book printing and paper production.

Population 187’332
Language German
Religion Protestant 26%, Roman Catholic 24%, none 31%, other religious communities or unknown 19%
Position 47°33’27.6" north latitude, 7°35’35,4" east longitude, measured at the tip of the Martin Tower of the Cathedral.

Tour Service

For the convenience of tourists, Basel offer Basel Card for tourists from all over the world. Tourists who handle Basel Card can enjoy more than 80 activities discount. Whether be a tour of old town, a visit of the Roman town of Augusta Raurica or the famous Basel zoo.

Handle Basel Card, you can take more advantages:

•	Free guided tour of the city
•	Free ferry boat rides
•	Free entrance to various attractions
•	Reductions on boat trips
•	Reduction and free entrance on wellness offers
•	30% reduction on car rental
•	Reduction at various restaurants

Tourists can purchase the BaselCard at Basel Tourismus and in some hotels.

Tour information about Basel hotels, events, city tour and other else service, tourists can get at Basel Tourismus which located at SBB railway station.

In the other hand, Basel provides  the Museums Pass for museum lovers. It is not only use in Basel, but also more than 150 museums in Germany, France and other cities in Switzerland.

Tourist Attractions

Almost 40 museums make Basel the city with the highest density of museums in the country. Basel features a great number of heritage sites of national significance. Basel is a green city. The Botanical Gardens, several parks and the banks of the Rhine are perfect places to relax and linger for a while.

The Basel Museum of Ancient Art : this museum is the only Swiss museum devoted exclusively to the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean region. The permanent exhibition contains ancient art mainly from Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman cultures, but also includes objects from the ancient Near East and Cyprus.

Anatomisches Museum of University Basel: Original dissections of human body parts, organs and tissues. Prenatal development of the human body. The museum owns a large number of historically important specimens.

The Cathedral : The first discernible traces of a cathedral date from the Carolingian period. This building was destroyed in 917. At the beginning of the 11th century, Emperor Henry II endowed Basel with a magnificent new cathedral. With its red sandstone walls, multicoloured roof tiles and twin towers, the Cathedral is a dominant feature of the city.

Fondation Beyeler : a variety of art collections and special exhibitions are displayed in the 127-metre-long modern building designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano.

Rhine Cruises : excursion boats provide opportunities for views of the city from the Rhine and operate all the way to the big freight ports of Basel and Rheinfelden.

Events Basler Fasnacht  is the most important celebration for the people of Basel. On the Monday following Ash Wednesday the city rises with the "Morgenstraich". At four in the morning on the dot all the lights in the city go out and a colourful and brilliant procession through the streets of the city begins. The Basel Autumn Fair is held on seven squares in the city centre of Basel and in an exhibition hall. The numerous thrill rides, the culinary diversity from roasted almonds to the popular grilled sausages, or the colourful market on the Petersplatz offer something for every visitor. The Basel World Fair is the biggest , famous watch and jewelry trade fair in the world, it held in spring every year. Basel Christmas and Christmas Market : In the heart of the city centre, at around 140 brightly lit stalls and wooden houses, dealers and handicraft workers from across Switzerland and the region offer their wares or demonstrate their skills.

Shopping

If you like to explore a city with shopping bags in hand, Basel is the perfect  place for you. It’s easy to combine shopping with sightseeing.  There are many luxury brands shops, such as Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, etc. And  shoes, fashion, books and specialities; from small boutiques and old antique shops, to chic department stores.

Most shops in Basel is  opened  from Monday to Wednesday on 9:00---18:30, Thursday to Friday on 9:00—20:00, Saturday is opened until 18:00. Sunday and public holiday is closed. There are weekend market on Saturday.

Transportation

The first-class location and the transportation infrastructure make Basel the top logistics center for Switzerland. Basel has Switzerland's only cargo port, through which goods pass along the navigable stretches of the Rhine and connect to ocean-going ships at the port of Rotterdam. Basel airport is operated jointly by two countries, France and Switzerland, there is a customs point at the middle of the airport so that people can "emigrate" to the other side of the airport. Basel has long held an important place as a rail hub. Three railway stations — those of the German, French and Swiss networks — lie within the city (although the Swiss and French stations are actually in the same complex, separated by Customs and Immigration facilities). Basel has an extensive public transportation network serving the city and connecting to surrounding suburbs.

Map of Basel