Basel: The Don'ts of Visiting Basel, Switzerland

[@madurodam]

The First Sunday of each month all the cantonal museums (Basel Stadt) are for free, so if you like visiting museums take this info in your plans.

[@gregorscapades]

I live here but wasn’t even aware of that!

[@bakuryukenji3802]

Isnt not just the last hour on sunday?

[@fghdrdthtgfghjhdf2540]

@@bakuryukenji3802 definitely whole day. And it’s so worth it! Basels Museums are amazing, some of the best in the world!

[@mnk9073]

It is utterly strange to see someone be really excited about the city you slog to for work Monday to Friday. I guess an outside perspective is what is needed to turn the things you're used to into the fun and beautiful things they actually are.

[@wrek]

Absolutely, I hated my hometown and couldn't wait to escape it, went away for 10 years and came back and now I can see it's charm.

[@mikatu]

Basel is amazing. The best swiss city to live in. Nice, quite, close to Germany and France for grocery shopping..... the best!

[@Originalman144]

You could always be slogging around in Paris

[@Kaffeemacher]

Hey Wolter, next time in Basel don't miss to visit our coffee academy and roastery right behind the Basel SBB train station and to meet us, to learn everything about coffee, while visiting with us our coffee shops. Cheers, Benjamin

[@goodbyexxl]

By far the most chill and welcoming of the bigger cities in Switzerland. Don't forget to enjoy the river as well and in Summer; go for a swim! We are happy to welcome you in our beautiful city which we all love

[@orchardhillshomestead]

We were just in Basel a few weeks ago. It was amazing! We did see the Museum Tinguely while there after a walking city tour. Definitely need good walking shoes for this city. Another fun day trip that you didn't mention is Mount Pilatus and Lucerne. Basel is a city we definitely want to go back to!

[@swissfoodie3542]

The good thing about Switzerland, is that the public transport is great (but expensive) and you can go to many places within an hour or less. If you return, I can recommend Mount Rigi (near Lucerne), which is a also great for hiking and there is also a beautiful thermal bath there (so its worth spending the night), taking a ship on the Vierwaldstättersee (can easily be combined with Mount Rigi), spending the day in Berne, or if you are into history - visiting Augusta Raurica, an ancient roman town just 10km away from Basel. Also the Zoo in Basel is well worth a visit.

[@catwoman04]

Cool video, loved it👍 The Lange Erlen animal park is another worth free thing to do. The Hafenmuseum is really cool, with a lot of interesting history, then walk along the Rhine until you end at the three country corner, you have a view to Germany and France and stop at the Sandbar right there you get a little bit of beach feeling.

[@judithcohen2073]

Checked out this youtube because I'm homesick. Nothing has changed in the past 40 years as far as attractions are concerned. Tramli fahre, Laeckerli, Faehri, Tingueli Brunne and of course das Puppenmuseum. Thanks you Wolter for the trip down memory lane.

[@ninachiflada]

Basel is so quiet and unbelievable!!! The ferry ride ⛴️, the cristaline waters of the rhyne, the beautiful streets next to the Kasserne. I stayed there and went to see Lucerne, Bern and Interlaken ❤

[@yellowflash7303]

Marry me, live in Basel!

[@hamsupgweilo]

Wow, you are in my town. I am a fan for years and just by concidence saw your video today. great as always!

[@slugslaughterer6676]

I am absolutely gonna show this to my fiancée. She moved to switzerland a couple years ago. And after we met, in with me close to Basel. We have been exploring the city like tourists - never did I, since it was the place I would go for parties, shopping and the like, ever since my teens. I came to say, it is an amazing city and there is a ton to see (as you mentioned) off the main streets. Go explore your own city everyone, it is well worth it (not only Basel).

[@tommyedodson2412]

'don't be anti-stairs'...love it. Goes ell for a lot of Europe. The day trip advice is great. Thanks

[@Fan652w]

One very important don't you did not mention, and this is applicable in all larger Swiss towns. Don't board a tram or bus unless you already have a ticket. You buy the tickets from machines at the stops (some in Basel do take Euros). In the larger Swiss towns you cannot buy a ticket on the tram or bus. Unless you have a Swiss Travel Pass (valid on all Swiss public transport) buy a one day ticket for the city you are in.from the stop machine. (I first visited Switzerland in 1971 - even back then it was not possible to buy a ticket on city trams and buses.)

[@fufu1405]

Or just don't buy a ticket :) 99% of the time nobody is gonna check.

[@simonwelser6973]

@@fufu1405 but when they check you, you will pay... a lot!

[@fufu1405]

@@simonwelser6973 You practically get your moneys worth considering the fine is 100 bucks. You can get a monthly card, which costs like 70 or 80 bucks nowadays. Chances are you will not encounter any controllers, so if you get controlled once every couple months, you get your moneys worth. To be fair its very swingy and even I usually end up buying tickets. It just sucks cause I usually get controlled once a year. Tickets and monthly cards have gotten extremely expensive over the past 10 years. I remember when a monthly card used to be 50 bucks and a regular ticket like 2.80. They have gotten over 30% more expensive.

[@BaselTourismus]

When you stay overnight in Basel, you will get a free BaselCard. Throughout your entire stay (maximum of 30 days), the BaselCard entitles you to ride on all public transport in Basel - including your initial journey to your hotel.

[@wassermellonie]

there are less and less ticket machines every year. which means that downloading the individual transportation apps on your phone (for example SBB for national train travelling) and buying your ticket online is a more convenient way. or don't buy your ticket via app because you need internet to show it to the ticket inspector, i think

[@Aymeric91360]

I live in Basel for 3 years now, and it's an amazing city ! Good video

[@sams3015]

Great tips. I went to Colmar for Christmas markets a few years ago and stayed in Basel and it worked out cheaper for hotels than Colmar or Strasbourg

[@fghdrdthtgfghjhdf2540]

There are also two great museums right outside of the city, that you can reach by tram - Fondation Beyeler (very expensive - 23chf for a ticket, but also very famous and absolutely worth it!), and Vitra Museum just across the German border. Vitra is especially great with kids.

[@milokt5391]

Your best video in a while, Mark. I know using stock footage makes producing these a lot easier but it feels a lot more special when all/most of the exemplary footage is your own. Just my opinion!

[@valkyr8]

I'm heading to Basel in December so this is very timely! I'll be interested to see what the sites will be like at that time of the year. I already have our air b and b booked in Saint Louis and will be taking the train to Basel. Very excited! Thanks!

[@RandolphMcguttersmelf]

I’m not

[@MrFirderis]

December is a great time - let's hope COVID isn't back too strong than. Basel has a great christmas market, hope you will love it. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask them :)

[@tobi8676]

St. Louis is really just around the corner. There even is a tram starting directly at the border at St. Louis, going into the city within just a few minutes. Basel in December is great.

[@TheEpicload]

how was it?

[@valkyr8]

@@TheEpicload really nice. Great city to visit!

[@r.b.6550]

The town of Rheinfelden (Switzerland) just 20 minutes outside of Basel has an absolutely beautiful medieval old town definitely worth visiting

[@DM-hd4xm]

Always great videos from you, short and to the point, thank you.

[@pascualgudel1376]

Nice review of my hometown :) thanks - hope you enjoyed it :)

[@nehashrestha738]

Hie could you let me know if this place called Hotel Rheinfelderhof named hotel exists or not? And if yes,is it a good hotel?

[@Baummusic]

Great job Mark! It's really nice to see my hometown from another perspective. One more thing that you should go and get in Basel: puffpastery chocolate croissant at Confiserie Bachmann. They're still warm and gooey early in the morning ;)

[@TheSilzy]

Did ALL that at the end of May! Two nights in Basel, 4 nights in Strasbourg and a day trip to Colmar! Enchanting places, all of them! Freiburg and the black forest I did on a separate trip a few years back, also a gem! Have you tried their black forest cake? To die for!

[@mgtmusic2926]

Another highly recommended activity for the more experienced swimmers in the Rheinswimming. Go to the Tourist office and buy a "Wickelfish", a floatable bag to store your personal belongings in, which is made in basel, and then walk up the Rhein to the Museum Tinguely (the best starting spot in my Opinion). Now bare in mind, the Rhein isnt a lazy river. It has strong currents, boats and ferrys traversing it and most importantly the bridge pillars. If you avoid these and plan where to leave the rhein (all entries and exits are marked on the "Rhylax" map) you should be good to go.

[@rebecagarcia3335]

That's super expensive, it's better to buy it online

[@swissfoodie3542]

What is really important: if you go swimming in a river in Switzerland, only go if you are a very good swimmer. Dont go alone, and if possible, go with a local who knows what to look for. Every year foreigners drown in Switzerland :-( because they didnt follow those rules.

[@Toraih-YT]

Yeah, swimmers should keep a safe distance to all obstacles in the river and only swim in the green zones: slrg-basel.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Kantonspolizei-BS_Flyer-Rheinschwimmen_2020-07_englisch.pdf

[@Toraih-YT]

@@rebecagarcia3335 They cost 20 CHF, it's not cheap but good quality. True, you can find good and inexpensive ones online, but everyone should be aware there's also a lot of cheap ones with crappy quality to buy (especially if made china).

[@fuchurZero]

Pleaaaaaaase....dont go for a swim unless you are a good and experienced swimmer and know the place. Swimming in a river is not as easy as it seems, there are a lot of dangerous undercurrents. And dont go because there are plenty of other swimners. The locals know the river and its dangers. Every year there are a lot of tourists drowning because they underestimate the river

[@anjalidastur7132]

So informative. Thank you 😊

[@rincemind8369]

Another nice place to visit from Basel closeby is Augusta Raurica (Augst, 15min by train) which is a (partly) reconstructed Roman village that was one of the earliest Ancient Roman settlements north of the Alps. There is an attached museum, also. In the summer there are Roman festivals by occasion, or concerts playing in the still existing actual roman amphitheatre. An easy-going alternative if you don't have the time to visit Rome. 😉

[@K8E666]

We went when I was a teenager and I loved it, we self catered alongside meals out and it was expensive then in the 90’s..

[@ritahorvath8207]

Don't forget to visit "Fondation Beyeler", a wonderful museum of art . 🪞

[@pgiatrakis]

Very very beautiful. Thanks for the info. Can’t wait to go back. 👍🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@peterboil4064]

Pro Tip: Don't get the Läckerli from Läckerli Huus, the ones from the Migros supermarket are even better (and cheaper)!

[@joostverra9130]

I just came back from a short trip to basel and i have to say it's a nice city. You can also swim in the river if you want but i would ask some advice from the locals. The free basel card i got from my hotel also gave me free public transport for my entire stay! So see if you can get that one too! Also Bern is around 1 hour by train and even more beautiful. Beware though, trains are super expensive in switzerland! Also i never had to use cash except for maybe once, you can use your card basically everywhere.

[@Fan652w]

If you are doing a lot of train travelling in Switzerland, buy a Swiss Travel Pass. That makes travel a lot cheaper.

[@naturallycurlymama5344]

The city is beautiful

[@teaganduff3570]

Lived here 11 years, great city :)

[@mionsnojkorn]

Hi there, Swiss person here, who happens to live right next to Basel! The Euro is accepted in the whole country, but the cashiers give out the exchange in Swiss Francs. The more you know:)

[@jean-emmanuelrotzetter6030]

One hint should have been added: the "Basel card" is complimentary when staying overnight in Basel, good for free public transport and a few other advantages. And regarding trips from Basel: Paris (Gare de Lyon) is at 3h and a few minutes by French direct high speed trains.

[@EcstaticTeaTime]

Yeah, and that museums are closed on Mondays. I was just there from August 7th to the 9th. My first day was Sunday so I immediately got off the train and went to all the museums because I wouldn't have time on the 9th. When I checked in and got the Basel card, I almost cried seeing I could have gotten those museums half off.

[@jean-emmanuelrotzetter6030]

@@EcstaticTeaTime That museums are closed on Mondays is not specific to Basel. Not even to Switzerland.

[@henrythomasbarthram6065]

Yes, but if you want a cheap service, change in Mulhouse (Gare de Lyon) or Strasbourg (Gare de L'Est) The only nightmare I had was connecting to my Eurostar once as SNCF were on strike, and instead of my usual Paris route, I had to get the Eurostar from Brussels and travelled to there from Basel via Frankfurt. I wouldn't recommend it lol.

[@jacquelinehertzog6664]

I grew up in Basel . Another good thing to mention is that Basel may be one of the cheaper cities in Switzerland

[@philippbischoff9135]

& swimming in the Rhein, it’s a must do in Summer and basically a tradition in Basel for locals. You can get in at Tinguely Museum and then stay for a 2 bridges. You can check online a few guidelines & grab a original Wickelfisch it’s also cult.

[@subcyber]

also dont forget to visit Freiburg. it is a very beautiful, old and laid back city as well. around 45min by train from Badischer Bahnhof of Bahnhof SBB. Trains leaving every half an hout to an hour. and not to mention: euros are ok everywhere in the border region of Switzerland! they take only bills in the shops and you get Swiss Franks back. Enjoy!

[@kubrabenelli9117]

Swiss wine is excellent yes.

[@baum1818]

Make Swiss friends and keep in touch with them, so over the years you get a nice friendship! When you travel to Switzerland they might invite you to sleep at their place because they know how expensiv it is to sleep in a hotel😅 not everyone will invite you but if you find the right friends that should be a possibilty😁

[@PhantomOfDarkness]

this was exactly what I needed to see! staying rubigen Switzerland but I'm curious to see the villages around, like Saint Urssanne!

[@kylewagner2004]

You mention from time to time how you hang out with the locals from different places you travel to, so I was wondering if you could make a video on how to talk with the locals and how you approach them and all that stuff.

[@salife549]

Advice from a local: just start talking. Be friendly but don't act right away like best buddys. We are open and like to chat and have fun.

[@mikatu]

In Switerland don't talk to anyone. The swiss people make all their friends in kindergarten and afterwards they close their friends book. But the expats are always open to meet new people.

[@jacquelinecollet9952]

Respekt - I couldn't have described Basel better. I live 20 minutes away from it 🥰🇨🇭👌

[@berisha6057]

Thaks gut job....i live in basel best kanton vrom swiss

[@terrak7609]

in Basel, you can pay everywhere with euros but you will be returned Swiss francs. Very nice and informative video, congratulations !

[@tobiojo9454]

Awesome video

[@eyesontheinside5776]

great video & great guy !

[@nineteenseventy4588]

Till the end of August you will get a regional train (public transport) ticket for 9 Euros / month in nearby southern Germany. With such you can travel to Basel Badischer Bahnhof (German Railway Station) from nearby German locations and stay e.g. somewhere between Freiburg and Basel.

[@mikatu]

As any seasoned travel, he knows not to get in German trains... they one of the Europe's worst.

[@andeeharry]

I kept pronouncing it as Basil lol....anyway, thanks for sharing.....beautiful place.

[@Baselfreak]

We pronounce it wirh a long aah. Something like „ Baaah-sell“ 😊

[@andeeharry]

@@Baselfreak thanks for that

[@thomasmusso1147]

👍 Good advice. I live in Rheinfelden, some 20-odd km upstream of Basel. Forest Rambles .. there are plenty within easy reach, well serviced and safe. The transport infrastructure in Switzerland is excellent .. one does not necessarily need (even inhabitants) a personal motor vehicle. And .. it runs like the proverbial 'Swiss Clock'.

[@MarkSillezaVerra]

Welcome in Switzerland Sir !

[@Yendori.]

As a Swiss living in Zug: pretty informative. Was rarely in Basel. Should probably give it another try.

[@woltersworld]

Thanks!

[@highlanderNC-mr8fe]

Nice town. If you don't like raw hamburgers don't get one in Basel. I got one near the train station at a very nice restaurant.. It was beautiful along with all the trimmings. When I bit the burger it was raw. I asked them to cook it well done, they brought it back it was charred on the ends but still raw in the middle. Folks were nice about it though lol. On the other hand i tasted the best chocolate I've ever had in Basel.

[@ChristisAdonai-u6l]

For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

[@SebsWorld]

The museum shown at 4:26 is not the art museum, its the natural history museum

[@outofdewoodz1919]

great content

[@duchong9677]

Thank you for your video on Basel. I will make a trip there one of these days. Have you visit Santiago de compostela?

[@woltersworld]

Glad the video helps. I have been to santiago but i didnt di any videos there sadly. Cathedral is beaitiful. Seeing the pilgrims coming in is amazing. The peppers there are good too

[@simon4365]

You forgot to mention the zoo. It's not particularly big, but it's worth going there.

[@jacobsen7005]

Go to the Restaurant close to the Theater there is the bigest lamp from verner panton.

[@tillmangold]

There is also a beautiful Christmas tree 🎄 in the courtyard but of course only in December😅

[@kamranshabbir6258]

hi, thanks for such a great video. r u from wyoming?

[@stansjesteiger374]

For money savers: Läggerli you can also get in the grocery stores. During summer: Just grab some food and wine from the grocery store and have a picnic at the waterside or at one of the parks. If you are in Basel on the first Sunday of the month, some of the museums will also offer free admission (not the privately owned museums though and just the basic collection for example @kunstmuseum). Also: Basel is a bike city... it is easy to get around and for every hill up, one goes down. Enjoy the breeze! During Summer there also lots of free concerts!

[@henrythomasbarthram6065]

Also there is the night of the open museums in January! One of the best nights I had in Basel. Was a bit odd being in an art museum at 11pm on a Friday night though lol

[@BaselOnYoutube]

I really enjoy your Video. If You come next Time you have to visit the "Fasnacht" and the "Tattoo Parade". Thank's and See you in Switzerland 👋👋

[@TrashMetal1995]

I cannot stress how serious the sign "Do not jump from the bridge" should be taken. On the edges of the river, along the banks, people swim in the river all throughout the summer months and I'm pretty sure that water is not deep enough (given the height of 4 of the 5 bridges in the city) and middle of the river is used year round for commercial shipping and river cruises. Jumping from the bridge could lead to fatal collisions hence the sign.

[@ph_chmajareve]

Hillo there from Basel

[@Tamar-sz8ox]

Nice1 ❤️❤️❤️

[@merrilllowes6139]

Loved Basel, stayed opposite the train station for a few nights which was so central before our Rhine cruise

[@henrythomasbarthram6065]

I lived there for a year 2015-2016 and went on a couple of trips in 2017, not been back since, but it's by far the best place I've lived in abroad and I miss the place so much! It was horrible having to leave in summer 2016.

[@sarahjasminera]

So nice to see you in my home region where I grew up (in France veeery close to Basel). You should definitely make a video about Freiburg!! It is in my opinion the most beautiful and cozy city in the world. And if you can go to haut-kœnigsbourg near Colmar. It’s a very cool old castle.

[@sarahjasminera]

And also go on the 3 Ländereck at the border. It’s were all 3 countries meet. And the passerelle between Weil am Rhein and Huningue (all just one or two km from Basel) it’s very cool.

[@yoyoitsme]

well done Sir

[@woltersworld]

Thank you!

[@fiedelmina]

there are four ferries, you don't have to take the one that goes to the cathedral

[@bakuryukenji3802]

Dont take the Tourist Läckerli from Läckerli Huus. Take the Jakobs Läckerli, its not far from the Läckerli Huus. They are the oldest one, the realy original one and still handmade. Not in a fabrik and they taste better.

[@checkyourrelationtoreality3327]

I can recommend alot of festaurant in basel for about 10chfr/menu and you get alot of food

[@amorfati_band]

In summer definitely go swimming in the river Rhein! You can buy waterproof bags for all your belongings and then have a drink/snack in one of the "Buvette" at the Rhein. Also I love the flea market on Petersplatz every Saturday. And very close by you can walk down "Spalenberg", super nice part of the old Town, leading you down to "Marktplatz" (market place)!

[@niccinicnic9335]

By the way we have over 40 museums in Basel 😊

[@ThomasWyser]

You can pay everywhere with EURO, but not with coins. And they will always give you the change in Swiss Francs.

[@chocaren4602]

How can I travel to the black forest? i don't have that much time but I do want to visit!

[@davidknox5929]

First European city I ever visited.

[@thomasreiser]

Check with your hotel to see if they give you a transit pass

[@Toraih-YT]

You forgot to mention at least 35 more museums in Basel... But you are forgiven, since even we can't make a truly complete list. 😂

[@mikatu]

Yes, the city with the highest concentration of Museums in the world.

[@Scotzie69]

Most important "Don't do that" in Basel (or most parts of switzerland): never ask people if they are from zurich

[@glaubhafieber]

I moved to Bangkok and yt suggest me to watch videos about my home town lol

[@viktoriakim2465]

Basel is the city of Museums:) sad that i did not saw you :(

[@Wellch]

What topic do you teach as a professor?

[@DreamTravelGuide]

Hike up to the Münster?? Hike??? u serious? 🤣 these are just some stairs. You will survive lol

[@mikatu]

He is American... anything with more than 2 stairs is a hill!

[@markosteinbach2777]

My cityyyyyyyyy

[@ddtrader1755]

most important of all Don'ts: do not say that you like Zurich

[@henrythomasbarthram6065]

Freiburg is best at Christmas, but Alsace is best in the Spring.

[@thomasmosch8113]

there are 26 museums in Basel, so take your time😊

[@ratscha8698]

Also don't get confused by the train stations. Make sure you're travelling from the right one. Most trains go from Basel SBB. But trains to/from Germany often only serve Basel Bad Bf.

[@Fan652w]

Important point. But note that trains to France go from the SBB station.

[@mikatu]

@@Fan652w Not from SBB Station but inside that station, since the french part of the station belongs to SNCF

[@Fan652w]

@@mikatu Local trains to Muilhouse do go from the SNCF platforms, but the TGVs to Paris have come from Zurich and use the main SBB platforms.

[@Seattle41791]

Now that I have my MBA, I'd love to travel as much as you do.

[@shortfattoad7317]

You don't need an MBA to travel, just a passport and money. Lot's of money.

[@travelwithwill1]

Great video... I vlog in Geneva, thanks for the info

[@fiedelmina]

and don't go into the museum Wolter shows us here at 4:24 thinking that it is the Art museum because it isn't . that's the natural history museum in the image.

[@cugloo]

I don't even know why I'm watching.. I grew up and live in this city...

[@mountainlover830]

Basler Läckerli is the best! Just don’t expect super sweet.

[@stevebartley628]

No day trips to places in Switzerland ??

[@ShoutAtMeElmo]

Funna, Läckerly is what we call a dog treat usually.

[@13579zcbm]

Swim or float in the Rhine!

[@kimgoalie]

No way, you are in my hometown!

[@peacevkw]

I will arrive in Zurich airport at 6am and planned to drop my luggage in zurich airport and straight to Rhine fall. Later in the noon will back to airport and collect my luggage and straight to Basel, plan to do half day and next morning head to Colmar. What do you think?

[@skevbeats]

Don’t get hit by the trolleys, I saw at least 1000 trolleys I was only there for a day