There are many opportunities for families travelling with children to enjoy activities and attractions together and some where the younger ones have the chance to try out their creative talents.

Art Basil
Art Basil in an important annual exhibition held in the summertime, drawing more than 50,000 visitors, with huge numbers of artists, collectors, curators and dealers participating. It’s considered by many to be one of the world’s best contemporary arts fairs and you’ll also find plenty of fun exhibits and activities for youngsters here. The event showcases 20th and 21st century art and is held at the Messeplatz Convention Centre. Basel’s population has long been committed to art and culture and the city boasts more arts museums per square mile than any other urban area in the world.

Doll House Museum
This delightful museum boasts several floors that feature toys and dolls dating back as far as the 18th and 19th centuries. Among the many items you’ll find here are more than 2,000 teddy bears and exhibits of rooms filled with miniature furniture. With the wealth of toys and playthings available to children that you’ll see represented here, you may leave wondering why kids spend so much time watching TV.

Schützenmattpark
There are a number of parks in the city where you and the family can fly a Frisbee, toss a ball around or just relax together. Schützenmattpark can be reached by tram (Number 8) from the central Barfüsserplatz station and Kannenfeldpark can be reached by tram Number 3, also departing from Barfüsserplatz.

Zoologischer Garten Basel
Basel’s zoo ranks among the world’s best. Established in 1874, it’s renowned for its programmes involved in the breeding of endangered species that are held in captivity. The zoo covers 26 urban acres in an area that’s only a seven minute walk from the main rail station. It is home to 4,500 animals representing over 600 different species. You’ll see shows in which sea lions and trained elephants perform and a Vivarium featuring all sorts of animals, from reptiles to penguins. Website: www.zoobasel.ch.

Basel is home to many types of museums and attractions of cultural interest. There are at least 27 museums specialising in historical artefacts, fine art, and even dolls and comics. The city also is considered an important centre for antiques.

Historisches Museum Barfüsserplatz
Basel’s main historical museum is housed in a former 14th century Franciscan church in the centre at Barfüsserplatz. The name of this square translates as ‘Barefoot Square’, due to the shoe-less friars who walked here centuries ago. The museum features collections of items from Basel’s medieval period, including rare tapestries and objects of ecclesiastical art. Two of the museum’s pieces are particularly well known: the late Gothic sculpture of a babbling king and the gold and silver reliquary bust of St Ursula. Phone: +41 61 211 05 05

Kunstmuseum (Fine Arts Museum)
Basel’s fine arts museum is Switzerland’s oldest and houses one of the most remarkable collections to be found anywhere in Europe. Works of art in the collection range from Old Masters through to paintings from the 20th century. In particular, the development of Upper Rhine Valley art in the period of the 14th to 17th centuries is well-represented and works by prominent modern artists are as well. The Impressionist and modern art collection includes works by the artists Chagall, Gauguin, Klee, Picasso and van Gogh. In front of the museum’s entrance is a sculpture courtyard, with representative works of Calder and Rodin among others. Phone: +41 61 206 62 62

Museum für Gegenwartskunst (Museum for Contemporary Art)
This museum of contemporary art, located at Alban-Rheinweg 60, ranks among Europe’s best, and it specialises in the artists working from the 1960s to the present day. Examples of those represented here include: Joseph Beuys, Jonathan Borofsky, Donald Judd, Richard Long, Bruce Nauman and Frank Stella. Phone: +41 61 206 62 62

Museum Jean Tinguely
The museum building was designed especially to house the sculptures of Jean Tinguely, one of the country’s greats, who died in 1991. Seventy mechanical sculptures that are on display here represent the artist’s work over four decades: from the printing machines of the 1950s to the metaharmonies of the 1990s, adding the sound of their clanking to the visual effect. Swiss architect Mario Botta, the designer of the museum, created space that would allow for the blending of the visual and acoustic impact of the sculptures. You’ll find that the building is a major attraction itself, constituting a modern landmark in red sandstone at the edge of the Rhine. A bold, steel construction known as the barca sits atop the museum building. Phone: +41 61 681 93 20

Basel’s reputation for having the highest concentration of museums in an urban area is probably matched by its collection of superb upscale eateries. Not only is there a wide selection of restaurants, there are more than two dozen boasting Michelin stars that are within a 45-minute drive of the centre. Traditional hospitality and impeccable service are the hallmarks of all of Basel’s best, whether the venue is a guild hall or historical inn, a wine tavern or an old and established pub. Most of the best places to eat in the city are located in the centre, quite close to the Barfüsserplatz.

The native Swiss cuisine is influenced significantly by the culinary traditions of neighbouring Germany and France. Sausages and beer may be the snack food of choice here, but classic French cuisine in the evening is equally favoured. What would most likely be regarded as the city’s premier specialty dish is salmon that’s been marinated in a light and fruity local white wine, served with fried onions. Other local specialties include the famous leckerli; a ginger cookie made from flour, honey, almonds, spices, and candied citrus rind and a drink called hippocras, an ancient medicinal potion concocted from an assortment of wines, with added spices and sugar.

Shopping in Basel is mostly centred on high-quality, top-end goods. This is a city that’s very prosperous and sophisticated and the shopping here reflects both aspects. Some of the finest antiques shops and art galleries to be found anywhere in the country are located here as well as a number of top-end boutiques.

Upscale house wares, including quality crystal, porcelain and gift items are a specialty of Füglistaller, while Bally Schuhfabriken features shoes and top-line men’s and women’s fashion. Fine quality tobacco products and accessories can be found at Davidoff, and you will find dozens of shops that specialise in watches.

Chocolates and other confections are a Basel specialty. The premier chocolatier in town is Confiserie Schiesser, selling expensive but delectable confections. Upstairs you’ll find a Viennese tearoom dating to 1870, offering delicate pastries and small sandwiches as well as views of the busy market square below.

Handicrafts and gift items are a specialty of Heimatwerk, which stocks everything from wooden toys to collectible ceramics. Globus is a leading department store, where you’ll find all sorts of general merchandise.

Swimming, ice skating, hiking and rock climbing are all popular outdoor activities that are well-catered for, as the local residents particularly enjoy spending time out-of-doors and keeping fit.

Swimming
At the height of the summer, there are daring locals and visitors who take to the Rhine for an invigorating swim. This is actually only recommended for accomplished swimmers and only when the water temperatures are warm enough. As the swim is a one-way trip, following along with the current, you’ll either need to carry your clothing in a waterproof bag or walk back in your swimsuit. Making the swim with a local is a good idea, for safety reasons, and also for the sightseeing that you can do along the way. Although the river is typically quite clean, it’s a good idea to check on the current status at one of the bathhouses (‘Badhysli’). If you’d prefer to sit on the bank and sunbathe, watching others do the swimming, it’s possible to do this at one of the Badhysli, where you can also take a dip in the water without making the full river swimming jaunt. You’ll find locker facilities, showers and outdoor eateries as well. 

Several outdoor pools are available for visitors’ use, including Gartenbad Bachgraben, Gartenbad Eglisee and Gartenbad St Jakob.

Ice skating
During the winter months, ice-skating is a feature at a number of large city rinks, such as Eiskunstbahn Eglisee, Kunsteisbahn Margarethen or Genossenschaft St Jakob-Arena. St Jakob-Arena is open year-round, while the others are outdoor rinks open only in winter. The Restaurant Kunsthalle also opens a lovely and romantic ice rink in its gardens during the wintertime.

Rock Climbing
The nearby Jura Mountains are a draw for serious rock climbers, with Falkenfluh, about nine miles to the south of Basel, a popular destination reachable by public transport as well as by car. Falkenfluh boats 227 climbing routes that are well-signposted, ranging from moderate difficulty to challenging.

Hiking
Hiking in the countryside surrounding Basel can provide a good respite from walking around the busy city streets and visiting urban attractions. Just outside Basel you can find a range of excellent hiking trails, in an area known as the ‘Wanderweg’. To reach this area, you’ll need to first go to Reigoldswil, from which point a cable car will take you to the summit of Wasserfallen Mountain. On arriving at the peak, you can head off on hiking trails that lead in a number of directions. Other alternatives for hiking enthusiasts include crossing into France to explore the Vosges region, or into Germany,\ to hike in the immensely popular Black Forest.