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Basel River Cruises

About Basel 

Cosmopolitan Basel is Switzerland’s third largest city and the point at which you’ll start or end your Rhine cruise before transferring overland to Lucerne if your voyage concentrates on exploring the lower regions of this epic river. It has the distinction of being one of the few cities in the world where three different nations come together; in the case of Basel, France, Germany and obviously Switzerland. This geographical meet of nations makes a Basel a fascinating multicultural city to explore and if you’re in the city for more than a day, also offers the opportunity to experience a little of the beautiful Swiss Rhineland which surrounds it. Aside from its beautiful medieval old town centre, it’s famous for being home to a number of exceptional art museums. 

Exploring Basel  

Basel is a real city of culture and one of its most popular attractions is the distinctive and beautiful Munster cathedral, made of red sandstone and featuring a multi-coloured tiled roof. As well as being an architectural eye-catcher, its lofty hilltop position means that you can enjoy some fabulous views of Basel while there. Another landmark in keeping with the red stone theme is the beautiful Rathaus or Town Hall, which features some splendid architecture and stone engravings. 

As a true cultural giant, Basel boasts more museums than anywhere else in Switzerland and holds one of the world’s most respected art markets each year – no surprise then that the Fine Arts Museum is one of its most popular attractions. Take a look inside and you’ll find a wealth of works by the likes of Picasso, Van Gogh, Renoir and Rodin to name but a few. Other notable museums include the Natural History Museum and another of the city’s most popular attractions, the Paper Mill Museum, which offers a unique insight into the history of paper-making, where you can see craftsmen at work and even try your hand at creating your own sheet of paper. Or for something completely different, take a trip out to the Jean Tinguely Museum, where you’ll be able to view a number of this ingenious artist’s works of moving metal.

Basel also acts as the gateway to some of the country’s most beautiful scenery, so it follows that there is some bountiful green spaces to enjoy during your visit. The University Botanical Garden offers some superb glasshouse exhibits and provides a welcome escape from the city, while Solitude Park certainly lives up to its name, offering leafy respite and a pleasing riverside Rhine walk. It’s also where you’ll find the aforementioned Jean Tinguely museum if you want to combine two attractions in one visit. As well as a pleasing outdoor space, Tierpark Lange Erlen is also a free zoo which offers plenty of space for the animals to roam and is not so big that you won’t have enough time to look around. 

Basel tips 

As a place where several nations meet, Basel’s a foodie's delight and boasts some exceptional gourmet restaurants – perfect if you’ve got a little more time to spend in the city. Basel also has an extensive tram network which makes it easy to get around, but also keep a lookout for trams if you’re exploring on foot, as they’re efficiently silent.

Basel Itineraries

Heidelberg

Rhine Christmas Markets with Switzerland

3 sailing dates December 2023 to December 2024
11 Nights From Amsterdam, to Zurich
Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £4159pp
Mainz

The Majestic Rhine & Berlin: Basel - Berlin

2 sailing dates June 2023 to August 2023
9 Nights From Basel , Switzerland to , Berlin
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Koblenz

Zurich - Lucerne & The Majestic Rhine

2 sailing dates June 2023 to August 2023
10 Nights From Zurich, to Frankfurt
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £2899pp
Strasbourg

Berlin & The Majestic Rhine: Berlin - Basel

2 sailing dates July 2023 to September 2023
9 Nights From Berlin, to Switzerland , Basel
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £2599pp
Rudesheim

The Majestic Rhine & Lucerne - Zurich

2 sailing dates July 2023 to September 2023
10 Nights From Frankfurt, to Zurich
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £2899pp
Koln

Jewels of the Rhine & Copenhagen

6 sailing dates April 2023 to September 2023
10 Nights From Copenhagen, to Switzerland , Basel

Flash Sale | Receive a FREE Premium drinks package PLUS NEW reduced prices - save up to £2,200 per couple. Book and pay in full to receive these price

Emerald Cruises logo FROM £2649pp
Koln

Zurich - Lucerne & Jewels of the Rhine

26 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2024
10 Nights From Zurich, to Amsterdam
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £2759pp
Mainz

Christmas Time on the Rhine: Frankfurt - Basel

1 sailing date November 2023
4 Nights From Frankfurt, to Switzerland , Basel

Flash Sale | Receive a FREE Premium drinks package PLUS NEW reduced prices - save up to £2,200 per couple. Book and pay in full to receive these price

Emerald Cruises logo FROM £1599pp
Heidelberg

Christmas Markets on the Rhine from Amsterdam

1 sailing date December 2023
7 Nights From Amsterdam, to Switzerland , Basel
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Zurich

Jewels of the Rhine - Amsterdam to Basel

4 sailing dates June 2023 to October 2024
9 Nights From Amsterdam, to Zurich
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £2699pp
Lucerne

Jewels of the Rhine - Zurich to Amsterdam

21 sailing dates April 2023 to October 2024
12 Nights From Zurich, to Amsterdam
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £3249pp
Zurich

Amsterdam & Jewels of the Rhine - Amsterdam

3 sailing dates June 2023 to August 2024
12 Nights From Amsterdam, to Zurich
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £3459pp
Frankfurt

Discover the Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle

2 sailing dates July 2023 to August 2023
14 Nights From Frankfurt, to Switzerland , Basel
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £3419pp
Breisach

Discover the Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle

2 sailing dates June 2023 to August 2023
14 Nights From Basel , Switzerland to , Frankfurt
Emerald Cruises logo FROM £3419pp
Koblenz

Charming Castles & Vineyards from Basel

6 sailing dates April 2023 to September 2024
7 Nights From Basel , Switzerland to Germany , Mainz

New incredible savings on 2023 European River Cruises - available for a limited time only!

Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £2399pp
Breisach

Charming Castles & Vineyards from Frankfurt

6 sailing dates May 2023 to October 2024
7 Nights From Frankfurt, to Switzerland , Basel

New incredible savings on 2023 European River Cruises - available for a limited time only!

Scenic River Cruises logo FROM £2749pp
Breisach

Rhine & Moselle Christmas Markets from Basel

1 sailing date December 2023
7 Nights From Basel , Switzerland to , Amsterdam

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APT Cruising logo FROM £1739pp
Amsterdam

Grand Rhine & Moselle - Amsterdam To Basel

1 sailing date April 2023
17 Nights From Amsterdam, to Switzerland , Basel
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Ghent

Captivating Europe (Southbound)

1 sailing date April 2023
14 Nights From Amsterdam, to Switzerland , Basel
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Basel

Legendary Rhine - Basel to Amsterdam

4 sailing dates June 2023 to November 2023
7 Nights From Basel , Switzerland to , Amsterdam
Crystal Cruises logo CALL

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