Tucked between the borders of France, Germany, and Switzerland, Basel city is a cultural gem with a cosmopolitan soul. This walkable city offers something for every curious traveller, from world-renowned galleries to secret swimming spots in the Rhine, and now, the opportunity to visit our very latest showroom, found in the city’s Spaces Grosspeter Tower. Read on for our guide to 24 hours in Basel:
24 Hours In Basel
Where to Stay
Design lovers, this is one for you. Set in a former office building from the 1920s, Volkshaus has been reimagined by Basel-based architects Herzog & de Meuron. Expect subtle luxury, Art Deco details, and aperitifs served to your bedroom door from a vintage drinks trolley.
volkshaus-basel.ch
Rebgasse 12-14, 4058 Basel City
Art & Architecture
From striking medieval landmarks to avant-garde modern design, Basel is a masterclass in visual contrast. Start your day with a trip to the Basel Cathedral (Münster) and the red sandstone Town Hall, both of which offer a glimpse into the city’s past.
But it's in the city’s museums that Basel’s cultural pulse is most felt, none more so than Art Basel, the global contemporary art fair that transforms the city every June.
Just outside the centre, catch tram no. 6 to Fondation Beyeler in Riehen. This serene space, designed by Renzo Piano, houses an exceptional collection of works by Klee, Miró, Rothko and more. All are beautifully framed by leafy gardens and soft natural light. Take time to explore the surrounding neighbourhood, with its elegant villas and tranquil cafés.
fondationbeyeler.ch
Baselstrasse 101, 4125 Riehen/Basel
The World’s Oldest Botanical Gardens
In the heart of Basel, you’ll find one of the world’s oldest botanical gardens, where over 7,500 different plant species from all over the world are housed in Victoria greenhouses over an 8000 sq foot site. It connects to other older private gardens, used by Basel’s apothecaries and doctors to make medicines.
https://botgarten.unibas.ch/de/
Spalengraben 8, 4051 Basel City
The Best Chocolate in the City
It goes without saying that no trip to Switzerland is complete without chocolate. Confiserie Schiesser has been perfecting its craft since 1870. Opposite the grand Rathaus, this time-honoured shop offers hand-crafted truffles, pralines and vermicelli, a dessert filled with spaghetti-like strings of chestnut paste and finished with cream beloved by locals and tourists alike.
confiserie-schiesser.ch
Market Square 19, 4051 Basel City
Retail Therapy
If you’re ready for something more fashion-forward, plan a trip down Freie Strasse, Basel’s premier shopping street. Whether you're after Swiss-made souvenirs or high-end European labels, this is the city’s retail heartbeat.
bs.ch/en/schwerpunkte/portrait/vivre-bale/shopping
Freie Strasse, 4001 Basel City
Float Away
In summer, locals and visitors alike can be found drifting gently down the Rhine River, using colourful Wickelfisch swim bags to keep their belongings dry. Start near Museum Tinguely, jump in, and let the current guide you past some of Basel’s most scenic riverbanks. It’s part city tour, part wellness ritual, and completely unique to Basel.
basel.com/en/activities-excursions/swimming-rhine
Museum Tinguely, Schaffhauserrheinweg 93
Sip & Stroll
As evening falls, make your way to The Alchemist, an atmospheric bar known for its theatrical cocktails. The ‘Alea iacta est’, a tequila concoction served with dry ice and a syringe of chilli syrup, is a drink you won’t forget in a hurry.
alchemistbasel.ch
Schifflände 1, 4051 Basel City
& If You Only Do One Thing…
Head to our newest showroom in the heart of Basel city, where a warm welcome awaits. Discover a calm, refined space designed for you to explore our collection at your own pace — a quiet moment of luxury in one of Switzerland’s most inspiring cities.
https://www.77diamonds.com/showrooms
Spaces Grosspeter Tower, Grosspeteranlage 29, 4052 Basel City
+41 (0) 615 000 521
