Basel, Switzerland
Cultural discoveries are my favorite pastime, albeit that being a very general categorization of travel itself. Each and every time that I wander into a new country, city or even a village in the countryside, my eye is caught by the beauty around me. It is for this reason that I write; this is my attempt to capture even a whisper of the beauty that I've discovered and share it with you, to inspire you to do the same.
My most recent exploration took me to the city of Basel, Switzerland. This is not the largest city in the country, but it does have the honor to sit up against both the borders of France and Germany, thus granting it an even more intoxicating mix of people, languages and design.
Where to Start Your (Cultural) Journey
My colleague and I took the city head-on as two globe trotting redheads: starting with a search for food. There were many options, naturally, ranging from French cafés to Swiss restaurants, but we decided on ordering a pile of fresh American breakfast at the Union Diner. I highly recommend this place, not just for the hipster vibes and overall cleanliness, but mostly because the food is top quality and made right in front of you.
Keep wandering down the shopping street just for pedestrians, "Steinenvorstadt," and pop into some boutiques for beautiful Swiss or otherwise international fashion and gifts. You'll be able to sneak off into smaller paths through here and climb upward to reach city overlooks as you please. Nearby, you'll find the Historical Museum of Basel where you can find delightful exhibits on music and fashion for those of you who crave a little more cultural spin on your Swiss visit. If that suits you, then I highly recommend taking a visit to the Museum of Culture which is located just off the Münsterplatz overlooking the river Rhein. The entrance fee for this fascinating museum is 16 Swiss francs, which is quite common for museums. Be prepared to have some extra cash saved up for when you come to this stunning, though protectionist country.
If you have some free time for strolling, grab some warm chestnuts from the local street vendor and head out for the river walk along the Rhein. You can cross the river in a northwesterly direction from here to reach the more modern side of Basel by taking the ferry or finding a bridge. Both of these options are spaced out equally several blocks apart along the main stretch of river, so you won't be stuck if you choose to wander over.
Staying for the Evening
Nighttime in Basel does offer some fun things to do, though in winter of course most are inside and many are culturally-themed. Head to the Kult-Kino for a wide array of theatre, cinema, poetry readings, live opera broadcasts, and showings of film festival favorites in a variety of languages. The theatres are cozy and clean, with the option for many snacks and both non- and alcoholic beverages to better enjoy your evening. There's not a bad seat in the house and you're bound to meet some fellow expats or internationals who speak your language as you wander in here for your cultural tank refill of the day. If you have a student or intern ID, most people under 30 receive a discount on tickets, knocking the pricey premium from a normal 18 down to 14 Francs. For the portfolio the theatre keeps on hand, though, it's definitely worth coming down here.
Things to See
Try to include a visit to the Basel Cathedral (just to the right of the Kult Kino). This stunning feat of architecture is reminiscent of the massive, gothic-style cathedral in Cologne, Germany due to the dual towers, but the similarities stop there. The Basel Cathedral has a beautiful bright aura about it due to the red sandstone walls and colorful ceiling tiles.
Just on the outskirts of the city, you'll find St Alban's Gate, dating back to the 1400s and marking the remnants of the original city fortification. While the gate itself is gorgeous to see, the St. Alban's district is well-worth a stroll to get a feel for the old layout of the city. The buildings still hold architectural memories of days gone by and your Instagram feed will thank you.
If you have a bit more time to kill, swing by the Basel Zoo! Open since 1874, the zoo has some really cool conservation projects going on like coral in Zanzibar, mountain gorillas in Cameroon, and African penguins in South Africa and Namibia. Apparently back in 1952, 5 young elephants that arrived in Basel from East Africa became local celebrities; they regularly went for walks through the Allschwiler Forest or strolled through the city centre. Imagine if this tradition were carried on today! (It's not, unfortunately, because that would be way cool)
With so much language diversity, array of interesting places, and conjunction of country borders, Basel really is a place of unlimited culture. Come enjoy it for yourself! Let me know in the comments below or on my Instagram where you went and if you have any additional Basel tips!
