Basel

Switzerland

Things to do in Basel:

View the Gallery Rhine River at Night

Basel Restaurants

Cheap (22)

Restaurant Veronica

This reasonably priced, simple restaurant has perhaps the best location in Basel - on the Rhybadhysli (Rhine bath house) above the flowing waters of the Rhine. It's a pleasant 15-minute walk... read more
Affordable (31)

Restaurant Schnabel

A pleasant, brasserie-style restaurant serving traditional Basler food, often with ingredients from the area. The restaurant is best known for its "die falsche Schn�gge" (fake snails), which are... read more
Good quality (39)

Winstub Henriette

This cosy restaurant near the cathedral offers Alsatian cuisine a cut above that served by many other restaurants, as well as a great selection of local wines. read more

Basel Nightlife

Chilled (31)

Le Poussin Vert

This bar, where the young artists of Colmar hang out, has lots of outdoor seating in a private garden on warm spring evenings. Open mic on Wednesdays. read more
Live Music (27)

Le Charlie's

In its lovingly restored art-deco lounge, Le Charlie's stages live jazz every night of the week to a chilled-out crowd. Come and sip a dry martini or whisky sour - the epitome of cool. In the same... read more
Clubbing (33)

Hotel Restaurant Klingental

If it's late and you're looking for a huge piece of meat, a beer tap that's still running and nocturnal waiting staff, this is the place to go. read more

This Month in Basel:

By Richard Harvell

Shopping: In search of the best bread in France? L�onard Helmstetter (11-13 Rue des Serruriers, Colmar) would be a good place to start. His succulent loafs are the standard in all the top local restaurants, though if you make the trip, it's worth indulging in something sweet.

Sightseeing: 2012 is the 500th birthday of the Rhine Valley's most celebrated work of medieval art. The Isenheim Altar in Colmar's Unterlinden Museum is just as grotesquely stunning as it ever was, and this year it can be viewed alongside other more modern works of celebrated art at the museum.

Key areas: Lesser Basel is Basel's grittier side, but is also the location of many of the best night and eating spots, particularly if you're looking for a bargain.

Day trips: From Basel Schiffl�nde you can escape up or down the Rhine, with both swanky dining ships, as well as more basic (and economical) voyages to Rheinfelden. Info at the kiosk at the docks or at bpg.ch.

Basel News & Gossip

Triathlon de Belfort

JUNE

The Franche-Comt� countryside is most commonly associated with long strolls, picnics and alfresco glasses of local vin de paille, but for one weekend in June, it's all about strained muscles, energy drinks and one of the most fearsome physical challenges known to man: the triathlon. On 2 June, competitors will face a 1.9km swim, a 90km bike ride and a thigh-busting 21km run, while the following day's race is for the fainter of heart - merely a 1.5km swim, 38km bike ride and 10km run. After that lot, even spectators will deserve their wine and cheese. triathlondebelfort.fr

Basel Trivia

May: In a landlocked country, Basel's place on the Rhine makes it by far the most important shipping destination in Switzerland, with between 10 and 25 per cent of all imports coming into the city's three harbours.
April: Basel-land's distinctive black cherries were traditionally used for making Kirsch, a type of cherry brandy. Only in the 1950s did the world discover they were good for eating, making this small tract of hills the most important cherry-growing land in Switzerland.
March: In 1792, as news of the French Revolution stirred discontent in the countryside around Basel, several towns left Switzerland and formed the Rauracian Republic with parts of neighbouring France. This "daughter republic" of France lasted only three months before dissolving back into France and Switzerland.