Switzerland » Basel

Basel is a city in Switzerland. Located in the Dreilndereck (three countries' corner), the city of Basel is a gateway to the Swiss Jura mountains, nearby cities of Zrich and Lucerne, as well as the neighbouring French region of Alsace and the German Black Forest. The Swiss part of the region Basel (Regio Basiliensis) extends over 555 square kilometres (BL: 518 km², BS: 37 km²) and has a population of about half a million (BL: 255'000, BS: 193'000). Basel is also known under the names: Oberrhein, Dreiland, TriRhena and Belchendreieck.

The Rhine River runs through the city in a right-angle curve and divides the town into two parts. Located on the south and west bank is Grossbasel (Great Basel) with the medieval old town at its center. Kleinbasel (Little Basel), featuring much of the night-life, is located on the north bank. Crossing the river Rhine offers you a spectacular view of the city, old buildings on the river side, trees all in their fall colours. 

Basel has a comprehensive tram (light rail) and bus network. The bright green trams and buses are the greatest pleasantness you can imagine: absolutely prompt, relatively economical, clean and very comfortable. Each stop has maps of the public transport system and a listing of arrival times. Some train station vending machines also sell tickets for trams and buses. There are also special buses that connect to nearby towns in France and Germany. One nice benefit you'll get when staying in Basel is the Basel Mobility Card, free with your hotel stay. If you don't get one upon checking in, ask at the front desk. The card gives you free tram and bus transportation throughout the city.

Most of the "old town" attractions in Basel are in a walk able area between the Basel Zoo (just south of the Basel SBB train station) and the Rhine. Since most stores are closed on Sundays, it is a good day to plan to see one of the many museums, which are usually open.

Some of the attractions in Basel are Mnster (Cathedral), Basler Zoologischer Garten, Foundation Beyeler, Historisches Museum Barfss, Kunsthalle, Kunstmuseum (Fine Arts Museum), Museum fr Gegenwartskunst and Museum Jean Tinguely.

University of Basel (Universitt Basel) is the Switzerland's oldest university, which was founded in 1460. The main campus is on and around Petersplatz, reachable by tram no. 3.