Basel

Switzerland

Explore centuries of art and culture in Europe's most prestigious museums, all within walking distance of the charming Rhine riverfront.

Currency Swiss Franc (CHF)

Language German (primary), French, Italian

Time Zone CET (UTC+1)

Best Time to Visit Jun–Oct

Typical Duration 7-8 nights

Price Range $1,695–$8,240 per person

Port Type Departure & Port of Call

Tender Port No

Basel is a premier gateway to Rhine River cruises, offering access to some of Europe's most picturesque river valleys and historic cities along the Rhine, Moselle, and Main rivers.

Cruises that visit Basel

Build Your Day in Basel

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 9:00 PM

Usually about 13 hours ashore

Embarkation port — worth arriving early

My ship arrives around: Getting around:

Zoo Basel The aquarium portion was the highlight for my 2year old son. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 18k Closed · Opens 8 AM Thu

Basel Cathedral There is a fee to climb the tower, but students are able to get a discount. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 10k Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu

Markthalle Basel Service: Self service Atmosphere: Very casual and laid back. Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 9k

Mittlere Brücke ...there are many events on the bridge throughout the year! Bridge · ★ 4.6 · 7k

MANOR Basel The grocery store in the basement has high-quality food with good prices. Clothing store · ★ 4.3 · 6k Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Thu

Kunstmuseum Basel We got to see all the cooling unusual art in the courtyard Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 6k Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu

Tinguely Fountain Whimsical kinetic water-powered sculptures along tram line. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 5k

Spalentor What an awesome botanical garden unveiling two glass houses. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 3k

St. Jakob-Park Shopping Center Very convenient, good variety of shops for the daily shopping. Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 3k Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu

Border Triangle Basel Free activity and worth a visit, about a 10 min walk from the tram stop. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.2 · 3k

Restaurant Fiorentina Basel Best meal for the price we had in Basel! Italian · ★ 4.6 · 3k

Museum of Natural History Basel Super comfortable picnic area, a lot of interactive exhibits. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 3k Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu

tibits The buffet isn’t large, but everything is colorful and delicious. Vegetarian · ★ 4.5 · 2k

Gifthüttli The lamb shank was amazing, great flavor and very tender. Swiss · ★ 4.4 · 2k

Sandoase Awesome decor with sand and palm trees and a relaxing vibe. Bar · ★ 4.5 · 2k

Basler Papiermühle - Schweizerisches Museum für Papier, Schrift und Druck Great exhibits, very interesting and loved the hands-on activities. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.7 · 2k Closed · Opens 11 AM Thu

GLOBUS | Basel Great advice and excellent selection at Globus. Clothing store · ★ 4.1 · 2k Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu

Toy Worlds Museum Basel The Museum has 4 interactive floors of marvelous vintage toys on display. Toy museum · ★ 4.6 · 2k Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu

Döner Stop, Basel Barfüsserplatz Everything tasted very fresh and delicious and very big portions. Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 1k

Schnabel Everything was well presented, generous portions and delicious. Swiss · ★ 4.5 · 1k

Basler Pfalz A must see place in basel Has a great view Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 1k

Art Basel Fantastic art and exhibition space, friendly, welcoming staff. Arts organization · ★ 4.6 · 1k

Gartenbad & Sportbad St. Jakob Very nice swimmingpool, big gardens and a nice place to come with kids. Public swimming pool · ★ 4.2 · 1k Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu

Schlüsselzunft Every dish was perfectly cooked and served beautifully. Swiss · ★ 4.6 · 1k

Coop City Basel Am Marktplatz Nice location and complete super market with everything you might need. Department store · ★ 4.2 · 1k Closed · Opens 8:30 AM Thu

Räbgass-Center Very handy Lidl, Otto, Fust Stores under one roof. Shopping mall · ★ 4.2 · 1k Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu

Ufer7 Basel A wonderful spot for enjoying modern food in a calm and inspiring setting. Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 1k

Münsterplatz Basel Lots of nice buildings, museums, monuments. Historical landmark · ★ 4.7 · 1k

Basel Historical Museum - Barfuesserkirche Quirky Artsy park worth a stop as you stroll through Basel. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 1k Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu

Restaurant Stucki - Tanja Grandits A very good table, classy service outstanding dish. Fine Dining · ★ 4.8 · 1k

Le Rhin Bleu Food is ok, service is good, spot is spectacular. Mediterranean · ★ 4.5 · 1k

Gartenbad Bachgraben There are separate changing rooms, showers, and bathrooms for both genders. Outdoor swimming pool · ★ 4.1 · 1k Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu

Brasserie Les Trois Rois Flawless service and a unique, delicious menu for Christmas dinner. Brasserie · ★ 4.7 · 1k

Restauration zur Harmonie Food was delicious, portion sizes were generous and staff was friendly. Restaurant · ★ 4.4 · 1k

Valhalla Bar Basel Good music, tasty food, high variety of drinks, and lovely people! Bar · ★ 4.7 · 1k

St. Alban Tor Just down the hill you’ll find the paper mill museum and a cafe. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 1k Open now

Gartenbad Eglisee You can swim the whole month as much as you want for 35chf. Swimming pool · ★ 3.9 · 1k Closed · Opens 9 AM Thu

hotel brasserie au violon the dishes were delicious and beautifully presented. Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 1k

Nomad Eatery & Bar Very interesting and tasty menu in a stylish and refined environment Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 1k

Alchemist great service, very good food with a nice presentation. Restaurant · ★ 4.3 · 0k

Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel You can spend 2 hours here without getting bored. Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k Closed · Opens 10 AM Thu

Matt & Elly Brewery & Kitchen Great tapas style food combined with a wide range of beers. Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 0k

Irrsinn Bar A great bar in Basel, fun Cocktail menu and cool homemade infusion! Bar · ★ 4.7 · 0k

St. Alban Stübli Great food, excellent friendly service. Swiss · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Bibliothek Bar Lovely bar with great (and fun and creative) drinks and an excellent staff! Bar · ★ 4.7 · 0k

Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl Great food, service and location! Fine Dining · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Restaurant Portofino Basel Great location and delicious food at still reasonable prices. Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 0k

ManaBar Excellent drinks, events and atmosphere, you can also order food! Cocktail bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k

roots The food, service, atmosphere and the wine pairing were fantastic! Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 0k

Taverne Johann Good lunch menu, simple, well cooked food, friendly service. Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 0k

LA Restaurant Delicate food enhanced by elegant plating in a relaxed atmosphere. Fusion restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 0k

Restaurant zum Tell Great cosy atmosphere and great local traditional food and great service Swiss · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Max Restaurant Good local food, friendly service, cozy vibe. Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Rheinbad Breite No delivery Outdoor swimming pool · ★ 4.5 · 0k Open · Closes 11 PM

Barfly Beautiful cosy bar, excellent and attentive service and great drinks! Bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Restaurant Bel Etage (im Teufelhof) Delicious food with wine pairing, wonderful ambiente and lovely service. Haute French · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Herz Cocktailbar The team is lovely, the cocktails are yummy, and the bar food is elevated. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Joys Basel The food is locally sourced and tastes exceptionally fresh and flavoursome; Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Blaupause - Cocktailbar Excellent, balanced cocktails and nice staff Cocktail bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k

Messeplatz Let's party!!lots of things to experience and explore!! Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 0k

im Ackermannshof - Restaurant & Bar One of our best dining experiences and so worthy on the Michelin star. Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 0k

PURO great service, great food quality and the place is very nice Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 0k

White House Basel GmbH - Brautmode Basel You have restaurants in the same area as well. Shopping mall · ★ 4.3 · 0k Closed · Opens 11 AM Thu

Rheinbad St. Johann Refreshing swim with some comfort to lay and tan. Outdoor swimming pool · ★ 4.7 · 0k Closes soon · 9 PM

HERITAGE Basel Excellent food, beautiful presentation, and a great atmosphere. Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Derrière Cocktailbar Basel Unique drinks, fabulous atmosphere, the best service. Bar · ★ 4.9 · 0k

Hoosesaggmuseum Worth the walk if you like something different and quirky Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Hundestrand Basel It has a shore and water is shallow for non swimming dogs. Park · ★ 4.5 · 0k Open 24 hours

Kleinbasel Altstadt Historical landmark · ★ 4.6 · 0k

Barkarte Wonderfully inventive cocktails and friendly service. Cocktail bar · ★ 4.9 · 0k

Wettstein Rheinstrand Beautiful place to swim and enjoy sunset Park · ★ 4.6 · 0k Open 24 hours

MANOR Outlet Basel David at the Sephora helped me choose a product. Department store · ★ 3.5 · 0k Closed · Opens 1 PM Thu

Nudist Beach Basel-City Nudist park · ★ 4.3 · 0k Open 24 hours

Badestrand beim Wasserfall Tourist attraction · ★ 5 · 0k Open 24 hours

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Basel is an embarkation port. Many cruises start or end here — it's worth arriving a day early or extending your stay to explore beyond a single port day.

Next Departures from Basel

About Basel

Nestled where Switzerland, France, and Germany converge, Basel stands as one of Europe's most vibrant cruise destinations and a premier gateway to unforgettable river voyages. This sophisticated Swiss city serves as both a launching point for new adventures and a captivating port of call, making it an ideal choice whether you're beginning your journey or simply passing through. With five major cruise lines—including Viking River Cruises, Emerald Cruises, and Amadeus River Cruises—offering nearly 2,500 upcoming cruises, Basel has established itself as a hub for Rhine River exploration.

Passengers embarking from Basel typically enjoy leisurely seven-night itineraries that wind through some of Europe's most picturesque regions, with popular destinations including the charming wine towns of Strasbourg and Breisach, the dramatic Rhine gorge near Koblenz, and the cosmopolitan charm of Amsterdam. The port's peak season spans June through October, with August and September drawing the most travelers eager to experience the Rhine at its finest.

What truly sets Basel apart is its remarkable accessibility to world-class attractions. The city's compact old town, with its stunning red sandstone cathedral and vibrant cultural scene, lies just steps from the river. Beyond the port, passengers find themselves perfectly positioned to explore the region's renowned wine routes, medieval villages, and centuries of European heritage. Whether you're a first-time cruiser or a seasoned river traveler, Basel offers the perfect blend of convenient port facilities and authentic European discovery.

Reasons

Reasons To Visit

Renaissance and Art

Home to top museums including Kunstmuseum Basel and Picasso collections.

Historic Old Town

Stroll narrow streets and admire medieval architecture.

Rhine River Experiences

Relax by the Rhine, take ferries, and enjoy river views.

Vibrant cultural scene

Museums, markets, and festivals celebrate Breton culture.