Basel city and football guide
Basel: the city
It's at the crossroads of Europe. That is possibly one of the most overused phrases (certainly on this website) but Basel really does fit slap bang into this category of crossroads cities.
That's because it's er, at the crossroads of not two countries but three. Step one way you're in Germany. A quick long jump and you're in France.. well, nearly. But Basel is Swiss, very Swiss - in the very Swiss cosmopolitan European sort of way.
German is the spoken language in this, the most densely populated corner of Switzerland. Don't get too carried away by thinking it's cramped though, we're not talking Victorian back to back houses here - this is crowded on Swiss terms, which frankly means not that much.
All the bits you'll want to see are in the compact old town, based around the impressive Marktplatz (or market place, if you're really struggling with the lingo. I mean really struggling).
These things are always in scaffolding when I go: The cathedral in the distance close to the Rhein.
Everything's within a short walk of here - although not always on the flat. The platz is in the balley of Basel which rises on two hills on their side.
One, heading towards the River Rhein, has the glory - the chocolate box Rathaus or town hall, still in use by the Basel regional government today. Whilst on top of the hill perches the city's cathedral, worth a quick look inside. The Rhein (or Rhine as we know it) is not particularly stunning through the city but from the banks you get a cracking view across the river towards the Black Forest.
Take a walk (or more of a hike) up the other side from the square and you're in a jumbling labyrinth of streets that used to be Basel's trading hub. Among Hat Street and Pepper Street you'll find jewellers, craft makers, pipe sellers and even a world-famous Christmas shop - you name it, it's there and the goods inside are usually expensive.
Happy Christmas: The Christmas shop - and more - in Basel.
There is where you will also find a good selection of street bars/ cafes/ restaurants and by the time you trekked up those hills you'll need them.
For more regular high street shopping the Freuestrasse is the main drag, running half a mile out of Marktplatz.
If museums and art is your thing there's no shortage of attractions. The tourist office in busy Barfusserplatz in the old town can help you out on a myriad of tours.
No fog on the Rhine (have I used that line before?) The river.
However if organised parties or galleries aren't your thing it's worth picking up a leaflet there with five walks to head out on your own - some short, some long, but will give you a fair taste at this city in an afternoon.
Getting there and around
Basel does have its own airport - it's Euro Airport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg on, ironically on the French/ Swiss border. The airport doesn't have a rail link so the best option is the bus shuttle on Line 50, which takes 20 minutes to do the short journey to Basel main train station (SBB).
It runs daily from 4.55am from Basel and 5.20am from the airport, with the last ones leaving Basel at 11.25pm and the airport at 11.5pm. There are up to eight times an hour on weekdays, and every ten minutes at weekends. If you're staying in Basel your hotel reservation confirmation will be enough to get you free transport from the airport to the city. Not bad!
Check here for timetable information
Taxis will do the route for around 40 swiss francs.
Train is an option too - via Eurostar from London St Paris to Paris Nord, then a quick walk around the corner to Paris Est for direct trains to Basel. A 7.27am departure from London will see you rolling into Basel SBB main station at 3.51pm.
You could also take the last train of the night to Paris, stop over and get an early ride to Basel. Prices for the entire journey start at £119 return. More advice, as ever, at seat61
Welcome to Basel: Basel main station (SBB).
Once in Basel, you can take in all of the centre on foot. The main train station is a 15 minute walk form the old town. On exiting the front of the station head straight ahead and then left. Click here for a map that's far more helpful, I hope.
Alternatively you can catch Tram 8 to the centre of the old town. If you're staying in Basel one big Billy Bonus is that you get free use of public transport during your stay via a Mobility Ticket you get on arrival. And your reservation confirmation even gets you free public transport from either the airport or the main station to your hotel.
The middle: Barfusserplatz, a main tram intersection. The tourist office is off to the left of this picture and inside the town casino.
If you're going to FC Basel you will need a tram or local train to get there and back - but your match ticket will cover your journey to and from the stadium on matchday.
Where to stay
I've yet to stay in the boundaries of Basel so it is the blind leading the blind here. What I can say is that all the big name hotel chains are in town, and yes, it's Switzerland so don't expect too many bargains.
If the prices are a bit daunting I could flag up staying an hour away in stunning Freiburg over the border in Germany, on the edge of the Black Forest. Trains are regular, into the early hours. You'll have to weigh up if the slightly cheaper hotel prices are wiped out by the train fare.