Basel Old Town is one of Switzerland’s most character-rich historic centres. Shaped by the Rhine and spread across two gentle hills, the city blends medieval streets, Renaissance humanism, world-class art, and a unique position at the meeting point of Switzerland, France, and Germany. Compact and walkable, Basel rewards travellers who explore it slowly and on foot.
This guide brings together five standalone themed walks through Basel Old Town, each inspired by a historical or cultural figure closely connected to the city - designed to complement Basel’s official Old Town audio walks. Scroll all the way down for our recommendation to experience a "Highlights" walking tour.
For travellers planning a wider Switzerland itinerary, Basel pairs beautifully with Zurich, Lucerne, and the Alsace region, making it an ideal cultural stop at the crossroads of Europe. Check out our complete guide for more insider tips.
Walk 1: The Intellectual Heart of Basel
This walk explores Basel’s role as one of Europe’s great centres of learning during the Renaissance, when printing houses, universities, and scholars shaped ideas that travelled far beyond the city walls.
The route begins near Rheinsprung, one of Basel’s oldest river access points, and leads uphill toward Münsterhügel, the historic core where religious, academic, and civic power once converged. At the heart of the walk stands the Basler Münster, whose red sandstone towers dominate the Old Town skyline. Within the cathedral complex lies the tomb of Erasmus of Rotterdam, the Renaissance humanist who lived and worked in Basel during the city’s intellectual golden age. His writings, published here, promoted education, tolerance, and reform across Europe.
From the cathedral, the walk continues onto the Pfalz, a terrace offering sweeping views over the Rhine, before descending toward Marktplatz and the richly decorated Basel City Hall. Nearby, the Blue and White Houses mark the transition from religious authority to civic life, reflecting Basel’s evolution into a self-governing city of scholars and merchants.
This route offers an ideal introduction to Basel’s historical identity and works well as a first walk through the Old Town.
Walk 2: Old Walls and the Creative City
Art has long been embedded in Basel’s streets, and this walk through Spalenhügel reveals how creativity continues to shape the city’s character.
Beginning near Marktplatz and City Hall, the route heads west through streets once lined with workshops and studios. It passes locations connected to Irène Zurkinden, one of Basel’s most influential 20th-century artists, known for her portraits, urban scenes, and circus-inspired works. Her life and art captured the everyday rhythm of Basel beyond its grand monuments.
The walk follows traces of the former city wall before reaching the imposing Spalentor, one of the best-preserved medieval gates in Switzerland. From here, the atmosphere softens as the route loops past the Botanical Garden of the University of Basel, a peaceful green space reflecting the city’s academic tradition.
Small details such as the Gemsbrunnen fountain, quiet courtyards, and local streets make this walk especially rewarding for travellers interested in Basel’s lived-in, creative side.
Walk 3: From Faith to Medicine Across Two Hills
Basel’s two historic hills — Münsterhügel and Spalenhügel — still define its cityscape, and this walk connects them through stories of belief, science, and progress.
Starting at Marktplatz, the route passes Basel City Hall and continues toward Martinskirche, one of the city’s oldest parish churches. Along the way, historic residences such as the Blue and White Houses reflect Basel’s mercantile past.
This walk is inspired by Paracelsus, the Renaissance physician and scholar who lived and taught in Basel. Rejecting traditional medical dogma, he championed observation, nature, and practical experience — ideas that transformed European medicine. His legacy comes into focus at the Pharmacy Museum, where historic instruments and remedies reveal how Basel became an early centre of scientific innovation.
The route concludes near the Pharmacy Museum, which houses historical medical tools and provides insight into the practices of Paracelsus’s time. With noticeable ascents and steps, this walk reflects Basel’s topography and its layered intellectual history.
Walk 4: Tradition Meets Movement and Modern Art
Basel’s ability to balance history with bold artistic expression is the focus of this walk, which moves from medieval streets into the city’s playful modern identity.
Beginning again near Marktplatz and City Hall, the route leads through Barfüsserplatz, home to the Historisches Museum Basel housed in the former Barfüsserkirche. From here, the walk flows toward one of Basel’s most beloved landmarks: the Tinguely Fountain.
Created by Jean Tinguely, a 20th-century artist famous for kinetic sculptures, the fountain’s mechanical figures whirl endlessly in water, bringing humour and motion into the heart of the city. The walk continues toward Theater Basel, reinforcing Basel’s reputation as one of Switzerland’s leading cultural capitals.
Walk 5: Life Along the Rhine
The Rhine is central to Basel’s identity, and this walk follows both riverbanks to reveal how art, commerce, and daily life flow together.
Starting near Marktplatz, the route crosses the Mittlere Brücke, the oldest bridge on the Rhine, originally constructed over 500 years ago. At its centre stands the Käppelijoch, now decorated with love locks but once a medieval site of execution for those banished from the city.
Along the river, the walk passes the Basler Papiermühle, a museum dedicated to paper-making and printing — industries that helped fuel Basel’s intellectual rise. The route then reaches the Kunstmuseum Basel, home to masterpieces by Hans Holbein the Younger, who lived and worked in Basel and is regarded as one of history’s greatest portrait painters.
The route continues along the riverbank toward the Kunstmuseum Basel, home to one of the world’s finest collections of Holbein’s work. Along the way, traditional Rhine ferries may be seen drifting across the water, guided only by the river’s current.
One Perfect Day in Basel Old Town: The Essential Highlights Walk
Basel is always bubbling with energy, yet its most important stories are written into its streets, bridges, and riverbanks. This route brings together the defining highlights of the Old Town into a single, immersive day on foot.
Begin at Marktplatz, taking time to admire the ornate Basel City Hall, before climbing toward the Basler Münster and stepping onto the Pfalz terrace for panoramic Rhine views. Descend toward the river and cross the Mittlere Brücke, pausing at the historic Käppelijoch.
From here, experience one of Basel’s most charming traditions: the Rhine ferries. These historic ferries are not rowed or powered, but guided across the river by a fixed rope, letting the current do the work. Several ferries operate along the Rhine, each with its own name, and holders of the Basel Card can ride at no extra cost.
Continue along the promenade past the Basler Papiermühle and the Kunstmuseum Basel, then loop back into the Old Town via Barfüsserplatz and the lively Tinguely Fountain. If time allows, extend the walk north toward the Three Countries Bridge, where the borders of Switzerland, France, and Germany meet along the Rhine — a powerful reminder of Basel’s role as a European crossroads.
End the day around Spalenberg, one of the Old Town’s most atmospheric streets and a hub for restaurants and bars. While Tibits is a convenient landmark, the surrounding streets are filled with excellent dining options, making it an ideal place to unwind after a day of walking.
Planning Your Basel Visit
Basel works exceptionally well as part of a broader Switzerland itinerary. It is easily combined with Zurich for urban culture, Lucerne for lake and mountain scenery, or extended west into France’s Alsace wine region. Thanks to excellent rail connections, Basel also serves as a practical arrival or departure point for international travellers.
Exploring Basel Old Town on foot reveals how seamlessly history, art, science, and geography intertwine. Whether you choose one themed walk or follow the full-day highlights route, Basel offers one of the most rewarding urban walking experiences in Switzerland.
