{"id":38220,"date":"2022-05-15T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-15T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.omio.com\/window-seat\/?p=38220"},"modified":"2022-06-14T14:33:18","modified_gmt":"2022-06-14T14:33:18","slug":"basel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.omio.com\/window-seat\/countries\/switzerland\/basel\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Things to Do in Basel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Superlative art and architecture, design hotels, vegan gastronomy, river swimming  and historic fountains make the Swiss city of Basel one of Europe\u2019s most surprising destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The official language in Basel is Swiss-German, but there are few places in Switzerland where the same level of diversity and the linguistic mashup of Swiss-German, French and German is electric. Weave your way through the cobbled maze of Grossbasel\u2019s medieval Altstadt (Old town) or along leafy riverside paths fringed with caf\u00e9 terraces overlooking the Rhine River. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Basel\u2019s romantic city silhouette makes for stunning panoramic views. Credit: Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wedged in the northwest corner of the country, this city uniquely shares more of its cantonal borders with Germany and France than Switzerland. World-class modern art and architecture is Basel\u2019s main draw and an excellent reason to visit any time of year. But summer is when this historic river port really comes into its own: chill over drinks or yoga on the upper deck of a retired cargo ship, sample artisan Swiss gin crafted from cold-smoked chestnuts and alpine salt in a rooftop bar or hobnob over fondue. The annual Rhine Swim takes place at the end of summer and the free late-summer Floss Music Festival with bands performing on a stage afloat the Rhine for a Mediterranean vibe at the Kleinbasel river bank, are among the biggest parties of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n

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