Switzerland · BASEL TOURS
Basel sits on the Rhine where three countries meet, and it has more art per head than anywhere else in the country. These 15 cover the old town, the Münster terrace and the river itself, with prices and walking distances.
Walk Basel’s Old Town with a professional guide, from the Tinguely Fountain to Spalenberg. Expect Basel Minster, the red Town Hall, market squares, fountains, architecture, and local stories. Tours may be in English and German, so check the language format before booking.
“Very good guide, very good experience. The structure of the tour let us learn a lot of Basel during 2 hour tour.”
Spend about three hours walking Basel’s Old Town with a local guide such as Gina or Jean. Taste Swiss cheese, chocolate, a traditional spice biscuit, and a seasonal market item while learning about Basel Minster, the Rathaus, Swiss cheese making, and the country’s chocolate trade. Some tastings take place indoors.
“I was disappointed with tour, . Wanted to hear more info on Basel . Disappointed in guides cheese and chocolate shop. Would have loved to buy some chocolate to take home, but it wasn’t a store. He didn’t offer us water during cheese/chicolate tour and there was only one chair to sit down in store. When we went to bakery, had to sit on a window ledge to eat pastry. This tour was not worth the money . He was late for our tour(he did email and let us know) and left us after tour to get back to hotel. Wouldn’t recommend this tour to anyone . Debbie marx”
Ride through Basel for about two hours with an audio guide, smartphone app, headsets, and selected shopping vouchers. The route starts near the Tinguely Fountain and may include river views, the Paper Mill, and Stücki Park. Check the boarding point carefully and arrive early, since buses can fill up.
“The tour was very interesting. We learned a lot about Basal. The driver was amazing. Not sure how she maneuvered through the streets. Gave us a good taste of what Basal is”
Travel from Basel to Lucerne with a guide, ride up or down Mount Pilatus by cable car and cog railway, and cruise Lake Lucerne. Guides including Anna, Rose, Michael, and Ray have earned strong praise for local insight and care, but transport plans can change.
“The most memorable part is when I was at the top of Mount Pilatus with a magnificent and breathtaking view and the cable car ride from 7,000 feet elevation to the bottom. The boat ride is very smooth with fantastic views. Our tour guide, Michael, is the best! Aside from giving us a very informative tour, he made sure that everybody is safe, directing us where to find the best view, He is very patient, answered all our questions and stayed with us until we returned to Basel. I would recommend him and this trip. The best tour ever!”
Spend 90 minutes walking Basel’s historic center with an English-speaking local guide. You’ll see the 500-year-old Town Hall, Basel Minster, Grossbasel streets, the original opera house, Tinguely fountain, and sample Swiss sweets. Guides such as Jonas, Lina, Jean, and Ray have led this tour.
“Fabulous tour. Our guide Ray was outstanding. Extremely knowledgeable and accomodating! One of the best guided tours during our trip.”
Meet your English-speaking cheese expert at Binningerstrasse 15 in Basel for a relaxed tasting of up to seven Swiss cheeses. Learn how regions, farmers, milk, and aging shape each bite, with Gruyère AOP and local varieties on the table. Groups are capped at 15 people.
“It was tasty, easy, delicious and our host was charming. All for a small amount, in a country where everything is expensive. It was great!”
Explore Basel privately with a local guide such as Rahel, Michael, Marc, or Luisanna. Choose a two to eight-hour route shaped around history, architecture, food, shopping, photography, or local life. Hotel and cruise-terminal pickup are available, though meals and city transport cost extra.
“It was a great tour. Micheal was very knowledgeable and we learned allot about the city. Would recommend it”
Travel from Basel in a private group of 2 to 6 with guide Colin Bell, visiting Alsace wine villages and family-run wineries. Expect wine tastings, medieval streets, vineyard views, and regional history. Pickup is available from hotels and Airbnbs, with half-day and full-day options offered.
“This is the best wine tour I’ve ever had! Colin is a sommelier who really knows his wines! He went out of his way to show us the different grapes and hills where we would be sampling wines, and educate us on the various soils. It was a fabulous day!”
Travel from Basel through Chur and Andermatt on a full-day Swiss rail adventure to Lucerne. You’ll ride the Glacier Express route, see Oberalp scenery, explore the Old Town, and learn Swiss history from a guide such as Jean, Rose, or Ana. Expect several trains, a brisk schedule, and lunch at your own cost.
“Train ride was fantastic. Our tour guide-Ana was extremely knowledgeable and the best. We did feel rushed at stopping points. Also the start time for our tour was delayed which was a bit confusing and resulted us seeing Lucerne in the dark which was the one key point we really looked forward to having seen in the daytime. We felt the price was a bit high for not providing a meal as well. Also get clear directions as to the meeting point and the time to meet to ensure you arrive timely. The glazer express views were incredible . Confusion as well to the premium railway pass regarding a meal.…”
Meet a chocolate expert at Binningerstrasse 15 for a 35-minute English tasting of six grand cru chocolates, with cacao from different regions. You’ll hear about Swiss chocolate heritage, taste cacao beans and handmade pieces, and return to the same meeting point. The small room suits curious adults and older children best.
“My mom and I were really excited for this tour until her dad suddenly passed away hours before, and we didn't know what to do. I canceled the rest of our flights and hotels and asked to get this tour refunded as well. They said no and that they could've just moved the tour to another day for us. What an awful and strange response. I'm glad this wasn't an experience we had paid tons for, but a heads-up to be aware of the people behind it. If the guides are anything like them, the only tasting you'll get on this tour are of their sour and salty attitudes.”
Join Rafael for a 1-hour-20-minute to 1-hour-40-minute walk through Basel’s central sights. See the BIS Tower, Elisabeth Church, Tinguely-Brunnen, Münster, Pfalz, Freie Strasse, and Rathaus, then finish near the market and Rhine.
“I had an amazing experience with the City Tour Basel guide, Rafael. His extensive knowledge and enthusiasm truly brought the city to life. Thanks to his insights, I felt motivated to explore Basel even more and discover its many beautiful sights. Highly recommended!”
Explore Basel with a private Lokafyer for 2 to 6 hours. Your host can focus on Old Town, architecture, photography, neighborhoods, street art, or local life. Guides such as Alina, Francis, Alistair, and Walid have created flexible tours, but guide quality and historical knowledge can vary.
“Tour didn’t happen. Our tour guide was confirmed to be Alina, but she was a no show. We waited half an hour. We tried to contact her as did the support group, no answer from her. Our details had all been confirmed, so it was disappointing and our money is to be refunded”
Start at Marktplatz and follow a one-hour to 90-minute VoiceMap walk through Basel’s historic center. In English, GPS-guided audio leads you past the Town Hall, Middle Bridge, Basel Minster, Pfalz, Tinguely Fountain, Theater Basel, and Stadtcasino before ending at Barfüsserplatz.
“I used this as an “Intro to Basel” and it was perfect! Showed me around to major cultural areas and gave good suggestions for coffee or things to do during my stay.”
Travel from Basel to Zermatt by scenic Swiss trains, walk the old village, visit the mountaineers’ cemetery, and ride the Gornergrat railway to about 3,100 meters. A local guide handles the connections and explains the Matterhorn area. Guides may include Michael, Emil, Feyssal, or Eddie.
“The tour guide took us on a 4 hour train ride to Zermat and the Matterhorn. The scenery was fantastic but as we looked around the friendly guide explained what we were looking at as well as history of the area. He answered all our questions and was a pleasure to be with. Then the Matterhorn was fantastic!”
See Basel’s key Old Town sights in a small group of up to eight, with a local guide who adjusts the pace and route to your interests. Expect photo stops at Basler Münster, Town Hall, Hotel Les Trois Rois, Spalentor, and St. Alban City Gate, plus practical tips for exploring on your own.
“Our guide was friendly and personable. It ended there as he met us and said “what do you want to see?” We told him we’d never been here so points of interest, some history and places he’d recommend. We meandered through parts of town and he’d point out buildings but then didn’t know anything really about them. We were his 2nd tour. He needs to learn some history about the area and have a plan.”
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