Medieval Basel: the Minster, Old Town and a stroll along the Rhine

Basel Minster and the Pfalz terrace

Built between 1019 and 1500, the Basler Munster dominates the city with its twin red-sandstone towers and colourful glazed roof tiles. Its architecture blends late Romanesque and Flamboyant Gothic styles, while the sculpted Saint Gallus portal provides a remarkable example of medieval artistry. Behind the cathedral, the Pfalz terrace overlooks the Rhine and offers a spectacular panorama of Kleinbasel, the Black Forest and the first foothills of the Jura. It is one of the most photographed viewpoints in the city.

The Marktplatz and the Rathaus

In the heart of the Old Town, the Marktplatz hosts a colourful morning market selling fruit, vegetables, flowers and local cheeses. The square is dominated by the Rathaus, the 16th-century town hall whose vivid red facade adorned with frescoes and gilded battlements never fails to impress. Inside, the richly decorated courtyard is open to all. Adjacent lanes such as Spalenberg are packed with independent shops, artisan chocolate makers and cafes where you can taste a Basler Leckerli, the iconic local spiced biscuit.

Swimming in the Rhine: a summer ritual

Every summer, Basel residents plunge into the Rhine for a swim right in the heart of the city. The tradition involves packing belongings into a Wickelfisch, a waterproof fish-shaped bag, then floating downstream with the current for several hundred metres. The bathing zone between the Tinguely Museum and the Dreilandereck is the most popular. The water, fed by Alpine glaciers, stays refreshingly cool even in high summer. Pop-up bars along the quays serve drinks and snacks for those looking to soak up the sun a little longer.

Practical tips for visiting the Old Town

The Old Town is easily explored on foot in a single day. Start at Munsterplatz in the morning to enjoy the quiet, then head down to the Marktplatz and the Rathaus. After lunch, cross the Rhine via the Mittlere Brucke, the city's oldest bridge, to explore the Kleinbasel quarter and its art galleries. In summer, pack a swimsuit and a Wickelfisch for a Rhine dip. In winter, the Christmas market on Barfusserplatz and Munsterplatz transforms the city into a fairy-tale setting with 180 illuminated chalets.