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Basel

One of Switzerland's underrated tourist destinations, Basel has a beautiful medieval old town centre, a fascinating carnival, and several world class art museums built by architects like Renzo Piano, Mario Botta and Herzog & De Meuron. Basel is also rich in architecture old and new, with a Romanesque Münster (cathedral), a Renaissance Rathaus (town hall), and various examples of high quality contemporary architecture, including more buildings by Herzog & De Meuron, Richard Meier, Diener & Diener, and various others.

Located in the Dreiländereck (three countries' corner), Basel is a gateway to the Swiss Jura mountains and nearby cities of Zürich and Lucerne, as well as the neighbouring French region of Alsace and the German Black Forest. There are a number of things to see and do if you have a few days to spend.

Understand
This town of almost 180,000 people (2021) lies in the north-western corner of Switzerland. The town shares borders with France and Germany and is the heart of this tri-national region - the Dreiländereck (three countries' corner). Besides its own attractions it can serve as a good entry point to the Alsace, Black Forest regions or the canton of Basel-Land.

The Rhine curves through the city and divides the town into two parts. Situated on the south and west bank is Grossbasel (Great Basel) with the medieval old town at its centre. Kleinbasel (Little Basel), featuring much of the night-life, is on the north bank.

Visiting Basel can be a holiday for your vocal cords if you plan to absorb the beautiful art in silence exhibited in the many first-rate museums. Once a year it also hosts Art | Basel (see Do) which is the world's premier fair for modern classics and contemporary art.

Basel has one of the most amazing carnivals you're likely to see, called Fasnacht. If you're there during the "three loveliest days" of the year, prepare to be amazed, and don't expect to be able to sleep. (See Do, Festivals).

Tourist information
BaselTourismus, +41 61 268 68 68, the local tourist information service, has several offices, including at the main station, Bahnhof SBB, and in the city centre, in the Stadtcasino building at Barfüsserplatz, directly across the street from McDonald's. To organize guided tours, you can also visit the office at Aeschenvorstadt 36, +41 61 268 68 32.

Talk
Basel is a cosmopolitan city because of its university and industry and its proximity to the borders of France and Germany. The official language of the city is German, but the majority of the population speaks Baseldytsch, an Alemannic dialect, as their mother tongue. German is taught in schools and fluently spoken by virtually everyone, so if you speak German and they notice that you are a foreigner, they will most likely answer you in German. Also widely spoken are English and French, both of which many people are able to communicate in comfortably enough to deal with everyday interactions and will gladly work to understand you. Borrowed French words are fairly common in everyday conversation; for example, Baslers often bid each other farewell with the French "adieu". Basically, the average Basler understands and speaks fluent Baseldytsch, German, English, and often French.

Get in
If you enter Basel from France, remember the name is spelled "Bâle" in French. You may not find "Basel" on maps.

By plane
The best airports for Basel are the city's own EuroAirport, 4 km away, or Zurich airport 90 min away by train. Other options are Geneva, with excellent flight connections but 3 hours away by change of train, and Bern (1 hr) and Strasbourg (90 min) which have fewer flights.

(, MLH, EAP) has flights to many cities in Europe, plus Istanbul, Tel Aviv and Morocco. English-speaking destinations are Bristol, Dublin, Edinburgh, Manchester, and several London airports. There are no flights within Switzerland as land travel times are short. Transat has summer flights to Canada, but there are otherwise no direct flights to North America; nor to the Gulf - so Zurich is better for Asia. As the airport sits near the convergence of three countries it has three IATA codes: BSL Basel, MLH Mulhouse, and (less often) EAP EuroAirport, so it may help flight search to try all three.

The airport lies in France, 4 km northwest of Basel - it's connected to the city and to Switzerland by a customs-free road. On arrival you either go through Swiss or French passport control and customs, into a small hall where you rejoin the people who went the other way. To reach the city:

 * Take bus 50 from the Swiss arrivals exit to Basel SBB main railway station (runs daily, takes 15 min). You'll need a two-zone ticket - buy it at the bus stop for Fr. 6.60 or equivalent in euros. This ticket is valid to anywhere in Basel, including transfer to trams. If you have a hotel booked in Basel, try showing your reservation to the driver, you might be allowed a free ride. Most hotels offer a free transport pass, which includes the airport bus, so the return to the airport will be taken care of.
 * Take bus 11 from the French arrivals exit to St Louis railway station and change to the commuter train to Basel main station. If you already have a trioregio local ticket, it covers this route.
 * Take a taxi. Or rent a car if you're exploring the region, but you won't want it in the city.
 * Flixbus runs directly from the airport to Zurich (4 per day, 1 hr 40 min), Freiburg Germany (12 per day, 1 hr) and Strasbourg (four per day, 2 hr 20 min).

Zurich Airport has its own railway station, with direct trains at least hourly to Basel SBB, and other frequent connections via Zurich main station. The journey takes 90 min and a walk-up single adult fare is Fr.20. If you fly with Swiss, the national airline, you can through-book via Zurich to Basel: the connection is by train and the IATA code in Basel is the railway station, not BSL the airport. You have flexibility over which train you take, and don't need a ticket, just a boarding pass (printed or mobile) that shows your barcode.

By train

Basel has two main railway stations. Almost all trains run from about 1 km south of city centre. Within Switzerland, SBB trains take just under an hour to Zurich and Bern, two per hour; there are good connections across the entire country. Paris is only three hours away via the TGVs of SNCF; change at Mulhouse for French regional connections. Direct trains also run to Strasbourg (1 hr 10 min) and Milan (4 hr 30 min). ICE trains into Germany follow the Rhine north via Karlsruhe to Frankfurt (3 hr), Cologne (4 hr), Hamburg (6 hr 30 min) and Berlin (7 hr). Direct ICE trains also depart from Amsterdam Centraal at 8:08 every day, and take about 6 hours and 30 minutes, also stopping at Utrecht Centraal. There are also sleeper trains once or twice nightly, taking 11 hours to Berlin or Hamburg, run by Nightjet, a subsidiary of Austrian ÖBB.

The trains into Germany also call at (abbreviated Basel Bad Bf), north of the river in Kleinbasel. However some regional trains to southern Germany start from Basel Bad and don't call at Basel SBB: these hug the border as far as Schaffhausen then follow the Danube to Ravensburg and Ulm.

By car
When arriving from Germany via the A5 highway, you pass the border control near Weil am Rhein just outside Basel and enter the city via the same highway, now named A2/3 (you're in Switzerland), which passes north of the city centre and continues on to other Swiss cities, including Zürich, Berne, and Lucerne. To get to the city centre in Grossbasel (the larger section of the city) look for signs to Bahnhof SBB; if you want to arrive in Kleinbasel (the smaller part on the other bank of the Rhine), look for Messe Basel. Arriving from Zürich or central Switzerland, you are on the same A2/3 highway, just in the opposite direction - same exits. For parking in the city, see below Get around - By car.

If you drive into Basel, make sure you have a valid Vignette (toll sticker) if you drive on the Autobahn! The Vignette costs Fr. 40 and is valid for the calendar year indicated on the sticker. If you do not and are caught without one, expect to pay a fine of Fr. 100 plus the cost of a Vignette.

By boat
In summer cruise ships (various operators) sail the Rhine between Amsterdam and Basel. But these are scenic cruises taking 8 days to tour the cities along the way; they're not point-to-point ferries.

By bus
Flixbus operates long-distance buses from Basel SBB direct to Frankfurt (5-7 hr), Munich (6-9 hr), Cologne (8 hr), Hanover (10 hr), Hamburg (13 hr), Milan (5 hr 30 min), Brussels (9 hr), Paris (9 hr), Amsterdam (13 hr), and Rome (14 hr).

By tram
The Basel tramway has international lines to Saint Louis (Haut-Rhin) in France and Weil am Rhein in Germany.

On foot
This is the standard mode of travel for many within the city. Old Basel isn't very large and there are many narrow and winding side streets with incredible slopes. The shopping streets in the old city are closed to car traffic. Tourists will walk a lot - and be pleased and impressed at every turn. But the walking can be a bit strenuous after a while, particularly when walking on cobblestone alleys in the old town, which can also get quite steep. Walking around Basel can be a real cardiovascular workout for some if you wander off the main streets - but it's the best way to experience the city.

Trams have the right of way over just about everyone - all the time. Keep an eye out for them as you cross a street, including on pedestrian crossings.

By tram and bus
Basel has an extensive tram (light rail) and bus network. The bright green trams and buses are the greatest amenity you can imagine: absolutely prompt, relatively inexpensive, clean and very convenient. Each stop has maps of the public transport system and a listing of arrival times.

The 8 and 10 trams and the 38 and 55 buses cross international borders - bear this in mind for carrying goods and identification!

Tickets

 * Ticket Machines: Buy single tickets here, there is no vending inside the trams and buses. Every stop has one - bright green as the trams. They take both Swiss Francs and Euros. Some train station vending machines also sell tickets for trams and buses.
 * Inside the city limits, all destinations farther than 4 stops away are 1 Zone and cost Fr. 3.80. As long as you are travelling away from the stop where you got on, you can ride on the same ticket for as long as the ticket is valid. The fare for buses and trams is the same and transfers (changing) is free. There are also special buses that connect to nearby towns in France and Germany.

 * Mobility Pass: All hotels in Basel, including the youth hostel, offer each registered guest a free "Mobility Pass" upon check in. This gives free unlimited travel in Basel and suburbs (including to and from the airport) for the duration of their stay. This is easily worth the price of a lunch every day you stay. (If you have written confirmation of a hotel reservation you can also use this to travel from the railway station or airport to your hotel. At least one respected hotel in Basel advertises this fact on their web site.)
 * Day Pass: You can also buy one-day passes (Press "Tageskarten" then "Basel + Agglomeration" buttons on the touch-screen ticket machine) with the same validity as the "Mobility Pass" above (zones 10, 11, 13 und 15) for Fr. 9.90. There are also multi-trip tickets or multi-day tickets.

 * 6-Trip One Zone Multi-Ticket (Mehrfahrtenkarte): 6 trips for the price of 5. Worth buying for a group or if you plan on spending more than a couple of days in Basel. Available at every kiosk in town and at ticket machines which have a credit card reader. Not significantly cheaper but it saves you having to fiddle around with change.
 * Halbtax-Abo: If you own a Halbtax-Abo (half-tariff card) issued by Swiss Railways SBB, you can buy half-tariff tram tickets as well. (The cost of the Halbtax-Abo is Fr. 150, worthwhile if you plan to spend more than Fr. 300 on Swiss train tickets during your trip or within one year - which can happen quite quickly).

Tram and bus travel is on the honour system. Nobody collects your ticket. Periodically, a number (4-8) of "tram police" (undercover agents) board a tram and quickly examine everyone's ticket before the next stop. If you don't have one, there is an on-the-spot fine of 80 Fr. Even in this exercise, there is efficiency - if you don't have cash available you'll be given the option to pay later at the office on Barfüsserplatz, but then it will cost you Fr. 100.

Handling trams and buses

To open the door from outside press the button near the door on newer (low floor) trams, or the orange lit button beside the door on older trams and buses. Inside, press a button on the door of the newer trams or the small black button on the grab rail near the door on older trams and buses, and the door will then open automatically as soon as the tram stops. Doors close automatically before the tram starts moving. Hold on! Trams accelerate quickly and brake quite abruptly. Upcoming stops are announced by a recorded voice in Standard German (as well as English and French at main stops) along with the numbers of connecting trams at that stop.

Trams change routes slightly at certain times of year (summer, Fasnacht). This will be signposted at stops, and usually also on the overhead screens that display departure times - see photo (look for a scrolling message highlighted with ***). If a tram is temporarily diverted because of an accident this is announced inside and at stops over PA - but in Swiss German: ask a fellow passenger or the driver if it's Greek to you.

By bike
Basel is a bicycle-friendly city, with many well-marked bicycle lanes throughout the city, and even traffic signals and left-hand turn lanes for bikes. While drivers are generally aware of bikers, be sure to use hand signals and ride defensively. Beware of the trams! If you are not careful, your wheels may also get stuck in the tram tracks and this can make you fly. Helmets are not required (although recommended), but lights and bells are. The Swiss are quite keen cyclists, so don't be surprised when an old lady goes flying past you on her bike while going uphill.

Besides local commuter bike lanes, there are specific bike trails that connect to other parts of Switzerland (via the Veloland Schweiz network, recommended for overland bicycling tours). These bike trails are indicated by signs at some intersections.

Bike rental

The most convenient option for the majority of short-term visitors wishing to cycle is the local bike-sharing system Velospot. Register on the website, get your method of payment verified, and you'll receive a PIN code tied to your account which can be used to lock and unlock the bright red bikes that can be found all over the city. As of September 2023, the standard tariff is Fr. 0.10/minute + Fr. 1.00 unlocking fee, but there are also daily, weekly and other concession passes. Daily cap for the standard tariff is Fr. 24.00 for traditional bikes and Fr. 48.00 for e-bikes. A bit oddly, there is no app and hence no QR code system common with other bike-sharing systems in Europe; use the map on the website to find bike stations. Bikes which are returned outside of stations attract a Fr. 20.00 penalty fee.

Alternatively, bikes can be rented locally from the Rent-a-Bike underground bike park,, at Centralbahnplatz, underneath the Basel SBB railway station. This option may be better if you stay in Basel for longer, need more flexibility or you're after something other than a city bike.

By boat

 * You can be carried across the Rhine by Fähri, one of Basel's four small ferry boats, which, hanging at a steel rope, are silently drawn by the current between the two banks of the river. One river crossing costs Fr. 1.60 for adults and 0.80 for children. The most popular one may be the one that starts in Grossbasel just below the Münster.
 * Various day excursions up and down the Rhine, on large motor boats, are offered by Basler Personenschiffahrt, Reservations phone . Boats depart from Schifflände, near the Grossbasel end of Mittlere Brücke.

By car
Driving in Basel is not recommended for visitors, as inner city streets can be confusing - and are shared with trams (cars must yield to trams). Parking in the old city is relatively expensive and scarce. Most mid-range or luxury hotels have or help with parking. In addition, there is a network of clean, safe (and payable) public garages at the periphery of the city centre, generally open 24/7. If you stay for the day only and are driving via highway into Grossbasel, try Centralbahnparking near the SBB Station; if you're entering in Kleinbasel, try Parking Badischer Bahnhof, near the German railway station. Closer to the city centre in Grossbasel are Steinen Parking at Steinenschanze 5 and Elisabethen Parking, at Steinentorberg 5, and in Kleinbasel Messe Basel Parking at Messeplatz. A handy website with availability and driving directions to all public garages can be found here.

Old Town

Basel Old Town is a compact, walkable area bounded to the north by the Rhine and to the south by the Zoo and SBB main railway station. There are many museums, some with a free opening hour at the end of the day.

 * A good start to a walking tour of the Old Town is Marktplatz, the market square. Lots of flowers, fresh fruit & veg, breads and pastries; Saturday mornings are the busiest. The Rathaus or Town Hall here is a beautifully renovated Renaissance palace. It's still in official use, but you can wander into the courtyard, or join a guided tour with Basel Tourismus.
 * Extra city walls were built after the great earthquake of 1356, and several gateways still stand around the city perimeter: Spalentor to the west, St. Alban Tor near Aeschenplatz to the east, and St. Johanns Tor to the north near the Rhine.

 * Bounding the Old Town to the north is the Rhine. The bridges give a good view, and a 3-km promenade stretches along the riverbank. The Faehri (ferry) plies along it - see "Getting Around". You can even take a dip in it if it's really hot, as many locals do (see "Do / Sports" and Stay safe).
 * Bounding the Old Town to the north is the Rhine. The bridges give a good view, and a 3-km promenade stretches along the riverbank. The Faehri (ferry) plies along it - see "Getting Around". You can even take a dip in it if it's really hot, as many locals do (see "Do / Sports" and Stay safe).
 * Bounding the Old Town to the north is the Rhine. The bridges give a good view, and a 3-km promenade stretches along the riverbank. The Faehri (ferry) plies along it - see "Getting Around". You can even take a dip in it if it's really hot, as many locals do (see "Do / Sports" and Stay safe).
 * Bounding the Old Town to the north is the Rhine. The bridges give a good view, and a 3-km promenade stretches along the riverbank. The Faehri (ferry) plies along it - see "Getting Around". You can even take a dip in it if it's really hot, as many locals do (see "Do / Sports" and Stay safe).
 * Bounding the Old Town to the north is the Rhine. The bridges give a good view, and a 3-km promenade stretches along the riverbank. The Faehri (ferry) plies along it - see "Getting Around". You can even take a dip in it if it's really hot, as many locals do (see "Do / Sports" and Stay safe).
 * Bounding the Old Town to the north is the Rhine. The bridges give a good view, and a 3-km promenade stretches along the riverbank. The Faehri (ferry) plies along it - see "Getting Around". You can even take a dip in it if it's really hot, as many locals do (see "Do / Sports" and Stay safe).

Further out

 * Bring your passport, as even a short bus or tram ride may carry you out of the country. It's in the Schengen area, but security checks are always possible.

Do
Basel is one of the major cities in Switzerland and offer all activities of an urban centre. Most popular is the Basel Carnival but the Basel ferry is the icon.

Basler Fasnacht
This is Basel's version of Carnival, and a premier event during the year, lasting for three straight days, beginning on the Monday following Ash Wednesday. Don't confuse it with the more raucous festivals in traditionally Catholic areas, such as the German Rhineland (Karneval) and Munich (Fasching), or Carnival in Rio or Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It can actually have a kind of somber feel, although with a distinct poetry and subtle humour, which you may learn to like. Many locals are dead-serious about it, often preparing their costumes and practising their skills on the traditional musical instruments (military drums and piccolo flutes) throughout most of the year. If you are not a Basler, avoid dressing up silly or putting on make-up, as this is neither customary nor appreciated by locals - who mostly prefer to stay among themselves for what many consider "the three loveliest days" of the year. But that's no reason to be discouraged (thousands of tourists aren't anyway), just have the right approach:

Fasnacht starts Monday morning with an eerie procession called Morgestraich: At precisely 04:00, street lights are turned off, and hundreds of traditional bands (cliquen), dressed up in elaborate costumes and masks (larven), parade through the densely packed streets of the old town. Arrive well in advance - and on foot - or you will not get through to the city centre. It's not recommended for the claustrophobic, although it is peaceful, despite the masses. Absolutely don't use flash photography! It ruins the atmosphere, marks you as a tourist and creates hundreds of instant enemies. Morgestraich lasts for about 2–3 hours, during which restaurants are open - if mobbed - and you can warm up with a traditional zibelewaie (a kind of quiche) and a mählsuppe (a soup made of sauteed flour). It's an acquired taste, so perhaps wash it down with a glass of white wine. Almost all of the restaurants mentioned in the Eat section below are open during Morgestraich - but perhaps don't choose McD. After Morgestraich, everyone goes home to get some hours of sleep - or sometimes to work, if you are a Basler.

There are similar parades, the cortège, by the cliquen on Monday and Wednesday afternoon, along a predetermined route through most of the inner city. The elaborate costumes and masks, and the large hand-painted lanterns (ladäärne), are the pride of each clique, and are often designed by a local artist. Each clique chooses a sujet, a motto that typically pokes fun at some (often local) political event of the past year and which is reflected in the costumes and lanterns. You don't need to understand the sujet to appreciate the beauty of the artistic renderings. The lanterns are also on display on Tuesday nights, at Münsterplatz. In the evenings, the cortège route is all but abandoned, and large and small cliquen roam through the smaller alleys of the old town (gässle). It is common for spectators who like the look or sound of one of the cliquen to follow it around on foot for a while. As the pace of the cliquen is a slow stroll, and as the music can be lovely, this may even be kind of romantic, particularly if you are holding hands with a date. But Fasnacht is nothing like Mardi Gras, so don't expect ladies baring their breasts. Overt sexuality is a no, and aggressive attempts at picking up are frowned upon, as is binge-drinking. Remember: it's an almost somber if poetic affair. Try to blend in with locals, perhaps express some friendly curiosity about a costume or a sujet when talking to someone, and you are likely to have a much better time.

Tuesday is the day of the children, and of the Guggemusig, noisy brass bands that intentionally play off key. On Tuesday night at 22:00, dozens of these bands play on two stages, at Claraplatz and Barfüsserplatz. This is the one day where things get much merrier, particularly in the more proletarian neighbourhoods of Kleinbasel, where many of the Guggemusige have their home.

 * Fasnachtsbummel. The three Sunday afternoons following Fasnacht, the cliquen tour the countryside and small towns around Basel and return to Basel for a final large evening parade - the bummel (lit. stroll). No costumes, just music.
 * Fasnachtsbummel. The three Sunday afternoons following Fasnacht, the cliquen tour the countryside and small towns around Basel and return to Basel for a final large evening parade - the bummel (lit. stroll). No costumes, just music.

Art | Basel and other art fairs

 * Art | Basel Mid-June. Co-founded by gallery owner Ernst Beyeler (see Beyeler Foundation) in the late 1960s, this is the world's premier fair for modern and contemporary art. Another event that seems to all but double the population of the city. The five day fair attracts major galleries and wealthy art collectors from around the world. ArtBasel showcases works by virtually every important artist from the late 19th century up to red hot trendsetters. Concurrently with Art | Basel, three other contemporary arts fairs are held in Basel each year, Liste, Voltashow and Hot Art. Liste and Voltashow feature international but generally younger and less established artists from around the globe, while Balelatina focuses on art from Latin America. All three "little sister" fairs tend to make room for (somewhat) more affordable artists than Art | Basel. Competition among galleries to get into Art | Basel is immense and prices for renting a booth astronomical. So expect the prices to reflect that. But Basel is well worth a trip just for this gigantic artfest if you are interested in seeing modern art, in being seen seeing modern art, and in buying modern art (if you can afford it). The international art world virtually takes over Basel for the week leading up to and during the fairs, with all kinds of art-themed parties and side events and much the same kind of beautiful (and somewhat self-important) people whose company you can enjoy, or not, in New York's Chelsea and London's East End. If you're serious about visiting the fairs, plan at least three days to see them all - Art | Basel alone is exhaustingly vast in scope and requires at least a day (unless you already know which Picasso or Rauschenberg you've got your eyes on).  By the way, because of its immense success, Art | Basel has branched out to a second fair, Art | Basel | MiamiBeach, held in December in Miami, Florida, by all accounts an even bigger zoo.
 * Basel is a permanent exhibit of the expertise of artisans. In the alleys near Barfüsserplatz and Marketplatz - and near the University, just look at the paving stones in the streets.  The patterns inlaid in the streets are beautiful!  Clearly, the handwork of artisans over the centuries is manifest in so many places. A simple walking tour - anywhere in Basel - reveals extraordinary performance. This standard extends in the modern time to the handcraft of the local pastries and chocolates.  There is a tradition here.  History sets the standard and in modern times - at least in some practices - the tradition continues.

Other fairs and markets

Art | Basel and BaselWorld shows take place at Messe Basel, Messeplatz (Kleinbasel) one of Switzerland's biggest trade fair venues, which also hosts several other trade shows throughout the year.

Theatre and classical music

Other theatre venues include Fauteuil and Tabourettli, box office +41 61 261 26 10, two small stages in a medieval manor on picturesque Spalenberg 12, near Marktplatz, presenting (very) light comedy, usually in Baseldytsch, and some Fasnacht-related events during the season; and Musicaltheater Basel, Feldbergstrasse 151, near Messe Basel, box office via Ticketcorner.

Dance, rock and jazz

 * Offbeat/Jazzschule Basel is a promoter of jazz concerts, often bringing big international names to the city. Concerts take place in various venues, including Stadtcasinoo and Theater Basel (see above). Check current programming via Offbeat, tickets also there, or at the Theater Basel box office.
 * Annex and Acqua, Binningerstrasse 14, Markthalle station. Hotspot near the zoo and the old city centre; very popular with a young crowd. They serve mostly Electronic at Annex. Acqua is part restaurant, part bar; chill out here in a unique environment and enjoy the DJs from a local radio station while they broadcast live from within the bar.
 * Offbeat/Jazzschule Basel is a promoter of jazz concerts, often bringing big international names to the city. Concerts take place in various venues, including Stadtcasinoo and Theater Basel (see above). Check current programming via Offbeat, tickets also there, or at the Theater Basel box office.
 * Annex and Acqua, Binningerstrasse 14, Markthalle station. Hotspot near the zoo and the old city centre; very popular with a young crowd. They serve mostly Electronic at Annex. Acqua is part restaurant, part bar; chill out here in a unique environment and enjoy the DJs from a local radio station while they broadcast live from within the bar.
 * Annex and Acqua, Binningerstrasse 14, Markthalle station. Hotspot near the zoo and the old city centre; very popular with a young crowd. They serve mostly Electronic at Annex. Acqua is part restaurant, part bar; chill out here in a unique environment and enjoy the DJs from a local radio station while they broadcast live from within the bar.
 * Annex and Acqua, Binningerstrasse 14, Markthalle station. Hotspot near the zoo and the old city centre; very popular with a young crowd. They serve mostly Electronic at Annex. Acqua is part restaurant, part bar; chill out here in a unique environment and enjoy the DJs from a local radio station while they broadcast live from within the bar.
 * Annex and Acqua, Binningerstrasse 14, Markthalle station. Hotspot near the zoo and the old city centre; very popular with a young crowd. They serve mostly Electronic at Annex. Acqua is part restaurant, part bar; chill out here in a unique environment and enjoy the DJs from a local radio station while they broadcast live from within the bar.
 * Annex and Acqua, Binningerstrasse 14, Markthalle station. Hotspot near the zoo and the old city centre; very popular with a young crowd. They serve mostly Electronic at Annex. Acqua is part restaurant, part bar; chill out here in a unique environment and enjoy the DJs from a local radio station while they broadcast live from within the bar.

Sports

 * Football: FC Basel play soccer in Super League, the Swiss top tier. Their home ground is St Jakobs Park (capacity 38,000) at Gellertstrasse 235, two km east of city centre next to Basel St Jakob railway station. In 2025 it hosts matches in the UEFA Women's Euro Finals, including the final itself on 27 July 2025.
 * Kick a football or fly a frisbee in one of Basel's parks, e.g., Schützenmattpark, reachable by tram No. 8 from central Barfüsserplatz (direction Allschwilerweiher); or in Kannenfeldpark, reached by tram No. 3, also from Barfüsserplatz (direction Burgfelden Grenze), or tram No. 1 from Bahnhof SBB.
 * Ashtanga Yoga and Japanese archery, among other things, are offered by Unternehmen Mitte, Gerbergasse 30, (see also the Drink section).
 * Swim the Rhine! While recommended only for good swimmers - and only during the height of summer, when the water temperature allows to actually enjoy it, it is a fun way of cooling off and getting free sightseeing of the medieval old town at the same time. There are several possible points of entry, including the Badhysli [bath house] Rheinbad Breite, St. Alban-Rheinweg 195,, on the Grossbasel bank of the river. Exit at the Badhysli Rheinbad St. Johann, St. Johanns-Rheinweg, +41 61 322 04 42, also on the Grossbasel bank, roughly 2 km (1.2 miles) below the Breite bath. Alternatively you can also enter the river on a variety of points on the Kleinbasel bank of the river, where the water is accessible along a promenade of about 3 km (1.8 miles). Since you'll be swimming with the current, you will have to either carry your clothes along in a sealed plastic bag (the Tourist Office sells bright orange ones), or be prepared to walk back in your bathing suit. It is probably best to take a swim with a local. The water is generally considered pretty clean, but you may wish to inquire about current conditions (including the strength of the current and other possible hazards) with one of the Badhysli. See also the Stay safe section below. Each August, there is a popular Rheinschwimmen with up to 3000 participants and accompanying boats providing some security. You can also just sunbathe and take a dip without swimming very far at either of the Badhysli, which both feature outdoor restaurants (with limited menus), showers, and locker facilities.
 * There are also several outdoor pools, including Gartenbad St. Jakob, St. Jakobs-Str. 400,, Gartenbad Bachgraben, Belforterstr. 135, and Gartenbad Eglisee, Egliseestr. 85, . But while these are popular as well, they are far less exciting than a swim in the Rhine.
 * Wintertime offers ice-skating on a number of large rinks: Eiskunstbahn Egliseee, on the grounds of the swimming pool of the same name (details see above); Kunsteisbahn Margarethen, Im Margarethenpark, ; or Genossenschaft St. Jakob-Arena, Brüglingen 33, (next to the St. Jakob public pool). All but St. Jakob-Arena are open only in the wintertime. Restaurant Kunsthalle (see Eat, Splurge) has in some past winters also set up a romantic ice rink in their garden.
 * Rockclimbing or, for the less adventurous, hiking in the nearby Jura Mountains. Falkenfluh, near the picturesque little town of Seewen (about 15 km/9 miles south of Basel, reachable by car or train and post bus) is a popular destination, featuring some 227 marked climbing routes, most of which are medium to challenging. To learn more about rockclimbing contact Irène & Martin Brunner, Rüttenenstrasse 19, 4513 Langendorf, Switzerland, . There is also an indoor rock-climbing centre near the SBB train station, called K7. It is family-friendly and offers courses. There is an even bigger climbing gym over the border in Germany, at Weil am Rhein with badminton, squash and ice skating facilities.

Learn
There's an abundance of learning opportunities in Basel.

Work
Basel is a centre of the pharmaceutical industry. The international pharma giant Novartis is headquartered in Basel. as well as the smaller Hoffmann-La Roche. There are also other large chemical and life sciences companies such as CIBA Specialty Chemicals, Syngenta and the aluminium company Lonza.

Basel also has several IT and software companies that offer international jobs.

Basel is (jointly with Zürich) headquarters of UBS, Switzerland's biggest and internationally active bank and home of the Bank for International Settlements.

Buy

 * Buy some Basler Läckerli, the local biscuit speciality, a kind of gingerbread (without ginger, however). Addictive, even if you buy the non-brand ones from the Migros supermarket chain.

Basel's "shopping mile" goes from Clarastrasse (Claraplatz) to Marktplatz and up Freiestrasse and Gerbergasse to Heuwaage and Bankverein. Much of the shopping here is in speciality stores and luxury boutiques, with a few department stores. Like other large Swiss cities, Basel has many jewelers, horologers (watches), and chocolatiers. Try to veer off the beaten track and check out Schneidergasse (off of Marktplatz), the hilly Spalenberg and adjacent little alleyways such as Heuberg, Nadelberg, which are not only lovely to walk through but where you are likely to find more original shops, selling artisan jewelry, antiques, specialty items, vintage clothing, books, art, etc. Retailers are generally cheery and very competent, polite and helpful.

There are many places in Basel, including bigger kiosks, where you can buy (relatively) cheap - and mostly kitschy - souvenirs, but if you're looking for something special, go to Heimatwerk (see below). Souvenirs are also available at the SBB Station.

Prices of name brands are generally uniform across the city - and across the country. Discounting has made inroads in Basel. Expect to pay the same price anywhere for a Swiss Army knife or a watch.

Most stores close M-F promptly at 18:30, except for Thursday when many stores are open until 20:00 or 21:00. Stores close by 17:00 on Saturday and nothing is open on Sunday. Exceptions are the stores in and around the train station, the supermarket Coop Pronto at Barfüsserplatz and a number of small family businesses in residential areas. VAT is included in prices, and there is generally no haggling. Some luxury stores offer tax-free shopping for tourists.

Basel market (in the Marktplatz) runs Monday to Saturday until 13:00, selling mostly local organic produce. Not cheap, but worth considering for a picnic.

For the very cheapest, try the Fleamarket in Petersplatz on Saturday.

Shops worth visiting

When you have filled your stomach with chocolates you may wish to move on to more substantial items:

 * Kiosk 18, Kasernenstrasse 34, Kleinbasel, . Conveys Swiss design fashion and accessories by brands such as beige, prognose, and Chantal Pochon. Try the colourful silk scarves by Sonnhild Kestler - they beat Hermès by a wide margin.
 * Flohmarkt. If Bucherer is outside your budget or range of interests, try the weekly Flea Market, each Saturday on Petersplatz (Grossbasel, tram no. 3). Find just about anything (except what you needed and came for), and enjoy what you usually never get to do in Switzerland: heavy haggling!
 * Kiosk 18, Kasernenstrasse 34, Kleinbasel, . Conveys Swiss design fashion and accessories by brands such as beige, prognose, and Chantal Pochon. Try the colourful silk scarves by Sonnhild Kestler - they beat Hermès by a wide margin.
 * Flohmarkt. If Bucherer is outside your budget or range of interests, try the weekly Flea Market, each Saturday on Petersplatz (Grossbasel, tram no. 3). Find just about anything (except what you needed and came for), and enjoy what you usually never get to do in Switzerland: heavy haggling!
 * Flohmarkt. If Bucherer is outside your budget or range of interests, try the weekly Flea Market, each Saturday on Petersplatz (Grossbasel, tram no. 3). Find just about anything (except what you needed and came for), and enjoy what you usually never get to do in Switzerland: heavy haggling!
 * Flohmarkt. If Bucherer is outside your budget or range of interests, try the weekly Flea Market, each Saturday on Petersplatz (Grossbasel, tram no. 3). Find just about anything (except what you needed and came for), and enjoy what you usually never get to do in Switzerland: heavy haggling!
 * Flohmarkt. If Bucherer is outside your budget or range of interests, try the weekly Flea Market, each Saturday on Petersplatz (Grossbasel, tram no. 3). Find just about anything (except what you needed and came for), and enjoy what you usually never get to do in Switzerland: heavy haggling!
 * Flohmarkt. If Bucherer is outside your budget or range of interests, try the weekly Flea Market, each Saturday on Petersplatz (Grossbasel, tram no. 3). Find just about anything (except what you needed and came for), and enjoy what you usually never get to do in Switzerland: heavy haggling!
 * Flohmarkt. If Bucherer is outside your budget or range of interests, try the weekly Flea Market, each Saturday on Petersplatz (Grossbasel, tram no. 3). Find just about anything (except what you needed and came for), and enjoy what you usually never get to do in Switzerland: heavy haggling!

Basel, home of the renaissance philosopher Erasmus of Rotterdam, also prides itself of many good bookshops. Here are some:

 * DomusHaus Buchhandlung für Architektur und Design, Pfluggässlein 3, city centre, + 41 61 262 04 90. Excellent design and architecture bookshop, off of Freie Strasse.
 * DomusHaus Buchhandlung für Architektur und Design, Pfluggässlein 3, city centre, + 41 61 262 04 90. Excellent design and architecture bookshop, off of Freie Strasse.

Eat
Basel has a thriving restaurant and café (see below Cafés) culture, and the streets of the old town are lined with outdoor seating in the summer.

Not all restaurants in Basel accept credit cards (though an increasing number do). If in doubt check first.

As in most of Europe, tipping is not a requirement. It is common (but not universal), to round up to the nearest 10 or 20 francs, for example by refusing the change from a note.

Budget
Food in Switzerland is generally more expensive than other countries in Europe, and those on a budget should consider preparing their own food from the grocery store (closed in the evenings), or taking a trip up to nearby France or Germany.

 * On the Marktplatz and Barfüsserplatz you usually can find some street vendors in these areas selling pretzels, sandwiches, pizzas, and sometimes crêpes, for around Fr. 3-5 each. On many days in Marktplatz you can buy a variety of tasty sausages (Wurst) hot off the grill from the yellow cart of the Eiche butcher for less than Fr. 6 each. These are served with a piece of bread and a condiment, and there are usually stands nearby where you can eat. During Herbstmesse (see To Do, Other Events), there are significantly more Wurst and other fast food carts and booths in various locations where the fair takes place.
 * If you are looking for a snack, the Coop Pronto convenience stores usually have fresh baked breads and pastries, and sometimes heartier pastries filled with meat and some packaged sandwiches. As can be expected, drinks are much cheaper at grocery stores than at cafés or restaurants.
 * Many of the excellent bakeries and confiseries in town sell petite sandwiches that you can take away, and usually you can get some kind of small snack at any street café.
 * Some of the large department stores in the city centre, Coop City, Pfauen, Migros and Manor, have self-service restaurants/cafeterias on the top floor. While they are not particularly cheap, they serve good food that is a reasonably priced alternative to a full-service restaurant. that salad bars often sell food by plate, not by weight.
 * On the Marktplatz and Barfüsserplatz you usually can find some street vendors in these areas selling pretzels, sandwiches, pizzas, and sometimes crêpes, for around Fr. 3-5 each. On many days in Marktplatz you can buy a variety of tasty sausages (Wurst) hot off the grill from the yellow cart of the Eiche butcher for less than Fr. 6 each. These are served with a piece of bread and a condiment, and there are usually stands nearby where you can eat. During Herbstmesse (see To Do, Other Events), there are significantly more Wurst and other fast food carts and booths in various locations where the fair takes place.
 * If you are looking for a snack, the Coop Pronto convenience stores usually have fresh baked breads and pastries, and sometimes heartier pastries filled with meat and some packaged sandwiches. As can be expected, drinks are much cheaper at grocery stores than at cafés or restaurants.
 * Many of the excellent bakeries and confiseries in town sell petite sandwiches that you can take away, and usually you can get some kind of small snack at any street café.
 * Some of the large department stores in the city centre, Coop City, Pfauen, Migros and Manor, have self-service restaurants/cafeterias on the top floor. While they are not particularly cheap, they serve good food that is a reasonably priced alternative to a full-service restaurant. that salad bars often sell food by plate, not by weight.
 * On the Marktplatz and Barfüsserplatz you usually can find some street vendors in these areas selling pretzels, sandwiches, pizzas, and sometimes crêpes, for around Fr. 3-5 each. On many days in Marktplatz you can buy a variety of tasty sausages (Wurst) hot off the grill from the yellow cart of the Eiche butcher for less than Fr. 6 each. These are served with a piece of bread and a condiment, and there are usually stands nearby where you can eat. During Herbstmesse (see To Do, Other Events), there are significantly more Wurst and other fast food carts and booths in various locations where the fair takes place.
 * If you are looking for a snack, the Coop Pronto convenience stores usually have fresh baked breads and pastries, and sometimes heartier pastries filled with meat and some packaged sandwiches. As can be expected, drinks are much cheaper at grocery stores than at cafés or restaurants.
 * Many of the excellent bakeries and confiseries in town sell petite sandwiches that you can take away, and usually you can get some kind of small snack at any street café.
 * Some of the large department stores in the city centre, Coop City, Pfauen, Migros and Manor, have self-service restaurants/cafeterias on the top floor. While they are not particularly cheap, they serve good food that is a reasonably priced alternative to a full-service restaurant. that salad bars often sell food by plate, not by weight.
 * Many of the excellent bakeries and confiseries in town sell petite sandwiches that you can take away, and usually you can get some kind of small snack at any street café.
 * Some of the large department stores in the city centre, Coop City, Pfauen, Migros and Manor, have self-service restaurants/cafeterias on the top floor. While they are not particularly cheap, they serve good food that is a reasonably priced alternative to a full-service restaurant. that salad bars often sell food by plate, not by weight.

Mid-range
Many of the restaurants in the historical part of Basel near Marktplatz are generally of good quality, these include the easily located Löwenzorn ("lion's fury"), Gifthüttli ("poison cabin"), and Hasenburg ("hare's castle"), all of which serve traditional Swiss dishes in a rustic environment - don't be scared by the names, no one gets devoured by wild animals or poisoned. These places are always packed during Fasnacht. In addition, here is a list of places, not necessarily in the old town but still worth a visit:

Drink
In Barfüsserplatz, the major beer hall (at least in years gone by) receives its resupply via a tanker truck from the brewery with a very large hose delivering its precious cargo into the tanks of the rathskeller. This looks a lot like a delivery of heating oil in most commercial enterprises! The consumption of beer in this area (near the University) is really serious!

Bars

 * Fassbar, see under Eat Mid-range.
 * Restaurant Kunsthalle, strictly the brown schluuch section. See under Eat Splurge.
 * Campari Bar, adjacent to Kunsthalle.
 * Fasnacht - "Cliquekeller". During Fasnacht many of the Cliques open up their practice/social rooms to the general public, to enjoy less expensive drinks and food than in most restaurants and bars. These places are often in cellars (hence the name), many in the alleys on the hill between the University and Marktplatz. Check for colorful Fasnacht lanterns above the doors. Worthwhile, as they sometimes easier to get into during Fasnacht than the standard bars - and more fun: decorated in Fasnacht regalia of past years, they are run by cheerful volunteers and homebase to the Cliquen, who come to relax after some hours of roaming the streets. The tone tends to be bit rough, but don't let that scare you, it's not personal. Be courageous and try out your Baseldytsch and see a bit of Basel normally closed to tourists. You also get to see a few of Switzerland's ubiquitous nuclear shelters, as some of the Cliquekellers double up as bunkers.
 * Fassbar, see under Eat Mid-range.
 * Restaurant Kunsthalle, strictly the brown schluuch section. See under Eat Splurge.
 * Campari Bar, adjacent to Kunsthalle.
 * Fasnacht - "Cliquekeller". During Fasnacht many of the Cliques open up their practice/social rooms to the general public, to enjoy less expensive drinks and food than in most restaurants and bars. These places are often in cellars (hence the name), many in the alleys on the hill between the University and Marktplatz. Check for colorful Fasnacht lanterns above the doors. Worthwhile, as they sometimes easier to get into during Fasnacht than the standard bars - and more fun: decorated in Fasnacht regalia of past years, they are run by cheerful volunteers and homebase to the Cliquen, who come to relax after some hours of roaming the streets. The tone tends to be bit rough, but don't let that scare you, it's not personal. Be courageous and try out your Baseldytsch and see a bit of Basel normally closed to tourists. You also get to see a few of Switzerland's ubiquitous nuclear shelters, as some of the Cliquekellers double up as bunkers.
 * Campari Bar, adjacent to Kunsthalle.
 * Fasnacht - "Cliquekeller". During Fasnacht many of the Cliques open up their practice/social rooms to the general public, to enjoy less expensive drinks and food than in most restaurants and bars. These places are often in cellars (hence the name), many in the alleys on the hill between the University and Marktplatz. Check for colorful Fasnacht lanterns above the doors. Worthwhile, as they sometimes easier to get into during Fasnacht than the standard bars - and more fun: decorated in Fasnacht regalia of past years, they are run by cheerful volunteers and homebase to the Cliquen, who come to relax after some hours of roaming the streets. The tone tends to be bit rough, but don't let that scare you, it's not personal. Be courageous and try out your Baseldytsch and see a bit of Basel normally closed to tourists. You also get to see a few of Switzerland's ubiquitous nuclear shelters, as some of the Cliquekellers double up as bunkers.
 * Fasnacht - "Cliquekeller". During Fasnacht many of the Cliques open up their practice/social rooms to the general public, to enjoy less expensive drinks and food than in most restaurants and bars. These places are often in cellars (hence the name), many in the alleys on the hill between the University and Marktplatz. Check for colorful Fasnacht lanterns above the doors. Worthwhile, as they sometimes easier to get into during Fasnacht than the standard bars - and more fun: decorated in Fasnacht regalia of past years, they are run by cheerful volunteers and homebase to the Cliquen, who come to relax after some hours of roaming the streets. The tone tends to be bit rough, but don't let that scare you, it's not personal. Be courageous and try out your Baseldytsch and see a bit of Basel normally closed to tourists. You also get to see a few of Switzerland's ubiquitous nuclear shelters, as some of the Cliquekellers double up as bunkers.
 * Fasnacht - "Cliquekeller". During Fasnacht many of the Cliques open up their practice/social rooms to the general public, to enjoy less expensive drinks and food than in most restaurants and bars. These places are often in cellars (hence the name), many in the alleys on the hill between the University and Marktplatz. Check for colorful Fasnacht lanterns above the doors. Worthwhile, as they sometimes easier to get into during Fasnacht than the standard bars - and more fun: decorated in Fasnacht regalia of past years, they are run by cheerful volunteers and homebase to the Cliquen, who come to relax after some hours of roaming the streets. The tone tends to be bit rough, but don't let that scare you, it's not personal. Be courageous and try out your Baseldytsch and see a bit of Basel normally closed to tourists. You also get to see a few of Switzerland's ubiquitous nuclear shelters, as some of the Cliquekellers double up as bunkers.
 * Fasnacht - "Cliquekeller". During Fasnacht many of the Cliques open up their practice/social rooms to the general public, to enjoy less expensive drinks and food than in most restaurants and bars. These places are often in cellars (hence the name), many in the alleys on the hill between the University and Marktplatz. Check for colorful Fasnacht lanterns above the doors. Worthwhile, as they sometimes easier to get into during Fasnacht than the standard bars - and more fun: decorated in Fasnacht regalia of past years, they are run by cheerful volunteers and homebase to the Cliquen, who come to relax after some hours of roaming the streets. The tone tends to be bit rough, but don't let that scare you, it's not personal. Be courageous and try out your Baseldytsch and see a bit of Basel normally closed to tourists. You also get to see a few of Switzerland's ubiquitous nuclear shelters, as some of the Cliquekellers double up as bunkers.
 * Fasnacht - "Cliquekeller". During Fasnacht many of the Cliques open up their practice/social rooms to the general public, to enjoy less expensive drinks and food than in most restaurants and bars. These places are often in cellars (hence the name), many in the alleys on the hill between the University and Marktplatz. Check for colorful Fasnacht lanterns above the doors. Worthwhile, as they sometimes easier to get into during Fasnacht than the standard bars - and more fun: decorated in Fasnacht regalia of past years, they are run by cheerful volunteers and homebase to the Cliquen, who come to relax after some hours of roaming the streets. The tone tends to be bit rough, but don't let that scare you, it's not personal. Be courageous and try out your Baseldytsch and see a bit of Basel normally closed to tourists. You also get to see a few of Switzerland's ubiquitous nuclear shelters, as some of the Cliquekellers double up as bunkers.

Cafés
You can choose between a wide array of old-style, trendy and alternative coffee houses. Many restaurants or bars also serve coffee outside meal hours and before nightlife begins and it is perfectly acceptable to nurse a cup for an hour while reading a newspaper or book. Some places have outdoor seating in the summer.

 * Fumare/Non-Fumare. Two cafés - for smokers and for non-smokers. See Unternehmen Mitte under Drink. Great café lattes and cappucinos.
 * Fumare/Non-Fumare. Two cafés - for smokers and for non-smokers. See Unternehmen Mitte under Drink. Great café lattes and cappucinos.
 * Fumare/Non-Fumare. Two cafés - for smokers and for non-smokers. See Unternehmen Mitte under Drink. Great café lattes and cappucinos.
 * Fumare/Non-Fumare. Two cafés - for smokers and for non-smokers. See Unternehmen Mitte under Drink. Great café lattes and cappucinos.

Sleep
Always a good plan to book early, and essential if you hope to stay in Basel during Fasnacht, BaselWorld, or Art | Basel.

Stay safe

 * As a rule of thumb, you are safe anywhere in Basel at any time. If you ever feel threatened, go into a restaurant or use a public phone, the emergency number is 117, and operators usually speak English.
 * Swiss police usually take on a relatively unobtrusive air. However, they are indeed serious about traffic violations. The upside to stringent traffic rules is that drivers are generally considerate and will stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, even if there are no traffic lights.
 * Football (soccer) games are the only notable exceptions to the above rules. Because of an unfortunate history of hooligan violence, games are generally overseen by a large contingent of police officers in riot gear, in case of any major unrest. Nonetheless, it is generally safe to watch a game—just use common sense and stay away from the stadium areas where the hardcore fans congregate (usually the least expensive seats).
 * The biggest threat may be pickpockets. Be mindful of how you carry your valuables, particularly on trams and buses.
 * The drinking age for beer, wine, and similar low alcohol drinks is 16, while the age for straight liquor is 18. The public consumption of alcohol in Switzerland is legal so do not be alarmed if you see a group of teenagers publicly drinking.
 * Watch out for the trams! Particularly the main downtown stops (Centralbahnplatz (Basel SBB), Barfüsserplatz, Marktplatz, Aeschenplatz, Messeplatz) can get very busy and be a bit of a maze. If you are not used to trams, you may easily be surprised by one sneaking up behind your back; their silent running makes them very difficult to hear at first.
 * If at night you feel uncomfortable alone on a tram or a bus, ride near the operator in the front. They are helpful if you run into any trouble or are lost. In case of an emergency, they can press a panic button to alert the police of the tram's location.
 * Be careful when swimming in the Rhine (see To Do, Sports) - it's not a lazy river! Don't go if you are a weak swimmer; ask locals for good and safe entry and exit points besides the ones mentioned above. Wear sandals or other footwear, as you may have to walk back up to 2 km (1.2 mi) to your point of entry. The tourist offices in Basel sell bright orange waterproof bags that allow you to take your clothing down the river as you swim and increase your visibility. The use of floating toys or swimming aids is forbidden by law. Stay clear of the many bridge abutments and the boat traffic, including the large commercial barges - they cannot and will not deviate from their course for you. Unless you are an experienced Rhine-swimmer, avoid the Grossbasel side of the river: the currents are very strong, exit points limited, and the section is part of the up-river bound trade shipping route. Swimming is safest along the Kleinbasel bank where the currents are weaker and there are many exits along the riverbank. Never try to swim across from one side to the other. Avoid overshooting the last bridge (Dreirosenbrücke): a large commercial port follows, without meaningful exit points but plenty of dangerous commercial boat traffic. If you do overshoot, pick your country of immigration: France to your left, Germany to your right. Jumping off bridges is not only forbidden but also dangerous and outright stupid, as is swimming the Rhine at night - don't do it!

Connect
As of Sept 2021, Basel has 4G from Salt, and 5G from Sunrise and Swisscom. It also has 4G from all French and all German carriers. Wifi is widely available in public places.

Attitude
Every Swiss takes great pride in his/her work. Every position is a profession demanding excellence. The bartender, housekeeper, tram driver, retail clerk, street sweeper, waiter and all other workers aim to be perfectly competent. This attitude is reflected in the everyday life you will experience in Basel and throughout Switzerland. Don't mistake the Swiss penchant for privacy and calmness as indifference. They are earnest and interested, but generally reserved - except during Fasnacht.

Chivalry towards women and the elderly is common. Do not be surprised if you see the pierced mohawk punk on a tram or bus give up his/her seat to an elderly person. Offering to help mothers board their strollers into older high-floor trams is also commonplace. On the same note it is not unusual to see elderly yelling or swatting at young passengers, who they feel are not behaving. Drivers are also known for their gentlemanly attitude towards passengers: even though they aim to be painstakingly punctual, they will find the time to wait for a passenger running towards the bus or tram and keep the front or rear door open.

Lost and found
If you happen to lose something, don't despair. There is a fair chance that the person who finds the item will try to contact you personally, if it has a name or address on it. Real story: A Basel resident found a credit card on the street and took the time to visit a number of nearby office buildings and inquire about the possibility of the card owner working in that building. The rightful owner was eventually found after several inquiries. If you don't want to wait for such a punctilious finder to find you, try the city's Lost and Found to check if anyone has returned the item for claim:

 * City Lost & Found: Fund- und Passbüro, St. Johanns-Vorstadt 51, telephonic inquiries: 0900 120 130 (Fr. 1.19 / min).
 * Railway Lost & Found: SBB Fundbüro, basement of the Basel SBB railway station.

In the case of the SBB Fundbüro, you may, for a fee, report a loss and provide an address to have the item sent in case it is returned.Given the tradition of good citizenry in returning lost items, it is a point of honour to offer a "finder's fee" of 10% of the property value.

Media
Local, national and international news are provided by the German-speaking dailies bz Basel and Basler Zeitung and a variety of other Swiss and international newspapers, many of which are available at many kiosks, particularly in the city centre or at the train stations.

Basel's mainstream local radio station is Radio Basilisk, FM 107.6 or internet stream, which broadcasts mainly Top 40 music and spoken word programs in baseldytsch (i.e., dialect).

English speakers may consider tuning in to Radio X, FM 94.5 or internet stream, which broadcasts in several foreign languages, including English (The English Show on Tuesday nights, from 18:30 to 20:00).

Go next
The following destinations are good day trips by train from Basel:
 * Zürich, Berne, Interlaken (see below), Lucerne (see below), Schaffhausen — all in Switzerland, 1–2 hours from the main station (Bahnhof SBB).
 * Freiburg and the Black Forest — these are across the border in Germany (bring a passport), roughly 1 hour from the German station (Badischer Bahnhof) in Kleinbasel.
 * Colmar — in Alsace (passport!), leaving from the French (SNCF) station, at the far end to the right of Bahnhof SBB)
 * Lucerne — One of the most picturesque towns of Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Lucerne, with terrific panoramic views of the Alps.
 * Interlaken — Scenic valley town in the Bernese Oberland, between two lakes (hence the name), and right at the center of the Alps. Interlaken is an ideal starting point for day hikes in the Alps, and for sightseeing three of their most famous peaks: Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
 * Lugano — At the southern end of Switzerland, near the border with Italy, lies the Ticino, the part of Switzerland where Italian and Swiss culture blend. There is a direct train from Basel to Lugano (3½ hours).
 * Laufenburg — Not as big and well known as the above-mentioned destinations, Laufenburg is a small but pretty medieval town, half Swiss half German, divided by the Rhine. It's a pretty half-hour drive or train ride along the Rhine from Basel. You can continue the drive for up to two more hours until you get to Schaffhausen and the Rhine falls.
 * Lörrach — Visit Rötteln Castle. The fortification was one of the most powerful in the southwest, and today is the third largest castle ruin in Baden. The outer castle is free and open year-round. The inner keep and museum is open each day in summer and on weekends at other times. It's a half-hour drive or train ride from Basel main station to Lörrach main station. In Lörrach ride Bus no. 16 to Röttelnweiler plus 15 minutes walk or about 50 minutes walk from the main station.
 * Saint-Louis (Haut Rhine) is just across the border in France, served by the Basel tramway and a popular shopping destination for Basel residents

title: Basel


text:
Northwestern Switzerland

Northwestern Switzerland is a region in Switzerland. It contains the cantons of Basel (Basel-City and Basel-Country) and parts of the cantons of Aargau and Solothurn.

Other destinations
Dornach - Goetheanum - Center of Antroposphische Gesellschaft by Rudolf Steiner

Augusta Raurica - an ancient Roman town - museum and archeological site.

Understand
This region is strongly dominated by Basel. The historical canton of Basel was split up into two half cantons in the 1830s after conflicts due to the privileges the inhabitants of the city of Basel had over those living on the countryside. The canton of Basel-Stadt (Basel-City) encompasses Basel and two adjacent municipalities. The rest of the territory is in the much larger Basel-Landschaft (Basel-Country).

Baseldytsch, a German dialect, is the main language of this region. German is the official language, though, and nearly everyone speaks it.

Because the border to France is only a few kilometres away, most people also understand French. It is also no problem to find somebody that understands English.

Public holidays
Public holidays vary by canton. These are the public holidays in addition to those observed in the whole of Switzerland:

 * St. Berchtold (2 January, observed in Aargau)
 * St Joseph's Day (19 March, observed in parts of Solothurn)
 * Labour Day (1 May, observed in Aargau, both Basel and as a half day in Solothurn)
 * Corpus Christi (60 days after Easter, observed in Aargau and most parts of Soloturn)
 * Assumption (15 August, observed in Aargau and most parts of Soloturn)
 * All Saints Day (1 November, observed in Aargau and most parts of Soloturn)
 * Immaculate Conception (8 December, observed in Aargau)

In the canton of Solothurn many towns have their own local holiday on the day of their saint patron.

Get in
Using public transportation is very convenient in Basel and Switzerland. You can use the train, bus, and tram to get around.

SBB Basel railway station - SBB - Swiss Railway & French Railway -

Badischer Bahnhof railway station - DB - German Railway

BVB - Basel Public Service - (public transport): Tickets at all bus stops - BVB - Savings and Special TiketTriRegio for buses and tram in Switzerland, France, and Germany.

Do

 * Zoo A somewhat dated zoo that is undergoing renovations. You will see all the standard zoo fare, plus a fairly extensive terrarium and gardens. There are two eating establishments in the park offering a wide range of cafeteria style and pre-made foods, ice cream, and so on. From the main Basel train station, follow the footpath signs for a less than ten-minute walk to the zoo.

 * Munster Cathedral overlooking the Rhine. Free admission, wonderful views of Basel, beautiful old church. From the Munster Platz outside, go down the stairs to the river, where you can take a ferry across the Rhine for only Fr. 3.20.

 * Ferry - Crossing the Rhine in a traditional way

 * Tripoint Basel - Border of Switzerland/France/Germany Tripoint Basel (ws).jpg

 * Fondation Beyeler - International Art Gallery

Eat
Traditional and international food, from simple food corner and fast food to world-class haute cuisine.

Eating out is quite expensive even for Swiss people - spaghetti or pizza start at about Fr. 20 in a restaurant. Coffee or 0,3l beer is Fr. 4-5!

But you can buy "cheaper" food and drinks in small and big food stores all over, even in the city centre.

Drink
There are a lot of nice restaurants, bars, cafés and clubs in the city centre and in Kleinbasel. Some are unique, multicultural and international. Some are very old and traditional.

Drinking alcohol in public is not prohibited in Switzerland - so in summer every evening there is a big crowd of people sitting peacefully along the river Rhine, having BBQ, music and drinks.

Go next
Gempen - Gempenplateau - Gempenturm - Most wonderful natural spot to overview Basel, Black Forest, Vogesen and sometimes see the Swiss Alps. About 20 km away.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Northwestern Switzerland


text:
Bashkir phrasebook

Bashkir (башҡорт теле) is a Turkic language, spoken in Bashkortostan, a republic in Russia.

Pronunciation guide and Alphabet
The Bashkir alphabet is almost identical to the Russian alphabet. The differences are italicized in the list below: the Bashkir alphabet has several additional letters, and some letters that are pronounced slightly differently from their Russian counterparts. Some letters are striken through; they are included for completeness, but are not found in native Bashkir words, only Russian loanwoards.

 * Аа : 	like English father
 * Бб : like boy
 * Вв : like won
 * Гг : like Russian гь, somewhat like English geek
 * Ғғ : guttural R, such as in French
 * Дд :  like do
 * Ҙҙ : like that
 * Ее : like yesterday
 * Ёё  : like yore
 * Жж : like English measure
 * Зз   : like zoo
 * Ии   : like machine
 * Йй   : like boy
 * Ҡҡ   : like Arabic Qatar; a k-sound further back in the mouth
 * Лл   : somewhat like English like
 * Мм   : like seem
 * Нн    : like net
 * Ңң    : like sing
 * Оо    : like score
 * Өө    : German ö; е pronounced with the upper lip rounded back
 * Пп    : like spigot
 * Рр    : heavily rolled as in Spanish rr in perro
 * Сс     : like sailor
 * Ҫҫ     : like think
 * Тт      : like tattoo
 * Уу      : like cartoon
 * Үү      : French or German y, ü; и pronounced with the upper lip rounded back
 * Хх : a guttural sound, moreso than the Russian, as in German Bach
 * Һһ : like help
 * Шш : like English shot
 * Щщ : The same as ш
 * Ыы : somewhat like a curt gut
 * Ээ : like the letter е above
 * Әә : like apple
 * Юю : like Yugoslavia
 * Яя      : like yacht, with the а pronunciation given above
 * Ээ : like the letter е above
 * Әә : like apple
 * Юю : like Yugoslavia
 * Яя      : like yacht, with the а pronunciation given above

Notice that some of these differences (А, Ж, and Ш) are closer to some sounds in English than the corresponding sounds in Russian, and so should be easier to pronounce.

Basics

 * Hello.:Сәләм. ( Säläm.)
 * Hello. (informal) : . ('salAm' 'a like in man')
 * How are you? :Бәләкәс нисек? ( Bäläkäs nisek?)
 * Fine, thank you. :Яҡшы, рәхмәт. ( Yaqşı, räxmät.)
 * What is your name? :Һеҙҙең исемегеҙ нисек? ( Heźźeñ isemegeź nisek?)
 * My name is ______ . :Минең исемем ______ . ( Mineñ isemem ______ . )
 * Nice to meet you. :Һәйбәт таныштырҙы. ( Häybät tanıştırźı.)
 * Please. :Зинһар. ( Zinhar.)
 * Thank you. :Рәхмәт. ( Räxmät.)
 * You're welcome. :Зинһар. ( Zinhar.)
 * Yes. :D. ( Д.)
 * No. :Юҡ ( Yuq.)
 * Excuse me. (getting attention) : . ( )
 * Excuse me. (begging pardon) : . ( )
 * I'm sorry. : . ( )
 * Goodbye : . ( )
 * Goodbye (informal) : . ( )
 * I can't speak Bashkir [well]. : [ ]. ( [ ])
 * Do you speak English? : ? ( ?)
 * Is there someone here who speaks English? : ? ( ?)
 * Help! : ! ( !)
 * Look out! : ! ( !)
 * Good morning. : . ( )
 * Good evening. : . ( )
 * Good night. : . ( )
 * Good night (to sleep) : . ( )
 * I don't understand. : . ( )
 * Where is the toilet? : ? ( ?)

Problems

 * Leave me alone. : . ( .)
 * Don't touch me! : ! ( !)
 * I'll call the police. : . ( .)
 * Police! : ! ( !)
 * Stop! Thief! : ! ! ( ! !)
 * I need your help. : . ( .)
 * It's an emergency. : . ( .)
 * I'm lost. : . ( .)
 * I lost my bag. : . ( .)
 * I lost my wallet. : . ( .)
 * I'm sick. : . ( .)
 * I've been injured. : . ( .)
 * I need a doctor. : . ( .)
 * Can I use your phone? : ? ( ?)

Numbers

 * 1 : ('ber' 'e like in pen')
 * 2 : ('ikE' 'E like in pen')
 * 3 : ( )
 * 4 : ('durt')
 * 5 : ('bish')
 * 6 : ( )
 * 7 : ('ete' 'yetE')
 * 8 : ('higEth' 'th like in that')
 * 9 : ( )
 * 10 : ( )
 * 11 : ( )
 * 12 : ( )
 * 13 : ( )
 * 14 : ( )
 * 15 : ( )
 * 16 : ( )
 * 17 : ( )
 * 18 : ( )
 * 19 : ( )
 * 20 : ( )
 * 21 : ( )
 * 22 : ( )
 * 23 : ( )
 * 30 : ( )
 * 40 : ( )
 * 50 : ( )
 * 60 : ( )
 * 70 : ( )
 * 80 : ( )
 * 90 : ( )
 * 100 : ( )
 * 200 : ( )
 * 300 : ( )
 * 1,000 : ( )
 * 2,000 : ( )
 * 1,000,000 : ( )
 * 1,000,000,000 : ( )
 * 1,000,000,000,000 : ( )
 * number _____ (train, bus, etc.) : ( )
 * half : ( )
 * less : ( )
 * more : ( )

Time

 * now : ( )
 * later : ( )
 * before : ( )
 * morning : ( )
 * afternoon : ( )
 * evening : ( )
 * night : ( )

Clock time

 * one o'clock AM : ( )
 * two o'clock AM : ( )
 * noon : ( )
 * one o'clock PM : ( )
 * two o'clock PM : ( )
 * midnight : ( )

Duration

 * _____ minute(s) : ( )
 * _____ hour(s) : ( )
 * _____ day(s) : ( )
 * _____ week(s) : ( )
 * _____ month(s) : ( )
 * _____ year(s) : ( )

Days

 * today : ( )
 * yesterday : ( )
 * tomorrow : ( )
 * this week : ( )
 * last week : ( )
 * next week : ( )

 * Sunday : ( )
 * Monday : ( )
 * Tuesday : ( )
 * Wednesday : ( )
 * Thursday : ( )
 * Friday : ( )
 * Saturday : ( )

Months

 * January : ( )
 * February : ( )
 * March : ( )
 * April : ( )
 * May : ( )
 * June : ( )
 * July : ( )
 * August : ( )
 * September : ( )
 * October : ( )
 * November : ( )
 * December : ( )

Colors

 * black :ҡара (kah-RAH )
 * white : аҡ (ah-KH )
 * gray : һоро (hoh-ORO )
 * red : ҡыҙыл (quh-DHUHL )
 * blue : күк (kh-OOKH)
 * yellow : һары (hah-RUH  )
 * green :йәшел (yae-SHEL )
 * orange : ҡыҙғылт һары (quh-DHEGH-uhlt-HAH-ruh )
 * purple : зәңгәр күк (zaeng-GAER-k-OOK )
 * pink : алһыу (ahl-HUH )
 * brown : көрән (koe-RAEN )

Bus and train

 * How much is a ticket to _____? : ( )
 * One ticket to _____, please. : ( )
 * Where does this train/bus go? : ( )
 * Where is the train/bus to _____? : ( )
 * Does this train/bus stop in _____? : ( )
 * When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : ( )
 * When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : ( )

Directions

 * How do I get to _____ ? : ( )
 * ...the train station? : ( )
 * ...the bus station? : ( )
 * ...the airport? : ( )
 * ...downtown? : ( )
 * ...the youth hostel? : ( )
 * ...the _____ hotel? : ( )
 * ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ( )
 * Where are there a lot of... : ( )
 * ...hotels? : ( )
 * ...restaurants? : ( )
 * ...bars? : ( )
 * ...sites to see? : ( )
 * Can you show me on the map? : ( )
 * street : ( )
 * Turn left. : ( )
 * Turn right. : ( )
 * left : ( )
 * right : ( )
 * straight ahead : ( )
 * towards the _____ : ( )
 * past the _____ : ( )
 * before the _____ : ( )
 * Watch for the _____. : ( )
 * intersection : ( )
 * north : ( )
 * south : ( )
 * east : ( )
 * west : ( )
 * uphill : ( )
 * downhill : ( )

Taxi

 * Taxi! : ( )
 * Take me to _____, please. : ( )
 * How much does it cost to get to _____? : ( )
 * Take me there, please. : ( )

Lodging

 * Do you have any rooms available? : ( )
 * How much is a room for one person/two people? : ( )
 * Does the room come with... : ( )
 * ...bedsheets? : ( )
 * ...a bathroom? : ( )
 * ...a telephone? : ( )
 * ...a TV? : ( )
 * May I see the room first? : ( )
 * Do you have anything quieter? : ( )
 * ...bigger? : ( )
 * ...cleaner? : ( )
 * ...cheaper? : ( )
 * OK, I'll take it. : ( )
 * I will stay for _____ night(s). : ( )
 * Can you suggest another hotel? : ( )
 * Do you have a safe? : ( )
 * ...lockers? : ( )
 * Is breakfast/supper included? : ( )
 * What time is breakfast/supper? : ( )
 * Please clean my room. : ( )
 * Can you wake me at _____? : ( )
 * I want to check out. : ( )

Money

 * Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : ( )
 * Do you accept British pounds? : ( )
 * Do you accept euros? : ( )
 * Do you accept credit cards? : ( )
 * Can you change money for me? : ( )
 * Where can I get money changed? : ( )
 * Can you change a traveler's check for me? : ( )
 * Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : ( )
 * What is the exchange rate? : ( )
 * Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : ( )

Eating

 * A table for one person/two people, please. : ( )
 * Can I look at the menu, please? : ( )
 * Can I look in the kitchen? : ( )
 * Is there a house specialty? : ( )
 * Is there a local specialty? : ( )
 * I'm a vegetarian. : ( )
 * I don't eat pork. : ( )
 * I don't eat beef. : ( )
 * I only eat kosher food. : ( )
 * Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) : ( )
 * fixed-price meal : ( )
 * a la carte : ( )
 * breakfast : ( )
 * lunch : ( )
 * tea (meal) : ( )
 * supper : ( )
 * I want _____. : ( )
 * I want a dish containing _____. : ( )
 * chicken : ( )
 * beef : ( )
 * fish : ( )
 * ham : ( )
 * sausage : ( )
 * cheese : ( )
 * eggs : ( )
 * salad : ( )
 * (fresh) vegetables :  ( )
 * (fresh) fruit : ( )
 * bread : ( )
 * toast : ( )
 * noodles : ( )
 * rice : ( )
 * beans : ( )
 * May I have a glass of _____? : ( )
 * May I have a cup of _____? : ( )
 * May I have a bottle of _____? : ( )
 * coffee : ( )
 * tea (drink) : ( )
 * juice : ( )
 * (bubbly) water : ( )
 * (still) water : ( )
 * beer : ( )
 * red/white wine : ( )
 * May I have some _____? : ( )
 * salt : ( )
 * black pepper : ( )
 * butter : ( )
 * Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): ( )
 * I'm finished. : ( )
 * It was delicious. : ( )
 * Please clear the plates. : ( )
 * The check, please. : ( )

Bars

 * Do you serve alcohol? : ( )
 * Is there table service? : ( )
 * A beer/two beers, please. : ( )
 * A glass of red/white wine, please. : ( )
 * A pint, please. : ( )
 * A bottle, please. : ( )
 * _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. : ( )
 * whiskey : ( )
 * vodka : ( )
 * rum : ( )
 * water : ( )
 * club soda : ( )
 * tonic water : ( )
 * orange juice : ( )
 * Coke (soda) : ( )
 * Do you have any bar snacks? : ( )
 * One more, please. : ( )
 * Another round, please. : ( )
 * When is closing time? : ( )
 * Cheers! : ( )

Shopping

 * Do you have this in my size? : ( )
 * How much is this? : ( )
 * That's too expensive. : ( )
 * Would you take _____? : ( )
 * expensive : ( )
 * cheap : ( )
 * I can't afford it. : ( )
 * I don't want it. : ( )
 * You're cheating me. : ( )
 * I'm not interested. : (..)
 * OK, I'll take it. : ( )
 * Can I have a bag? : ( )
 * Do you ship (overseas)? : ( )
 * I need... : ( )
 * ...toothpaste. : ( )
 * ...a toothbrush. : ( )
 * ...tampons. : . ( )
 * ...soap. : ( )
 * ...shampoo. : ( )
 * ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) : ( )
 * ...cold medicine. : ( )
 * ...stomach medicine. : ... ( )
 * ...a razor. : ( )
 * ...an umbrella. : ( )
 * ...sunblock lotion. : ( )
 * ...a postcard. : ( )
 * ...postage stamps. : ( )
 * ...batteries. : ( )
 * ...writing paper. : ( )
 * ...a pen. : ( )
 * ...English-language books. : ( )
 * ...English-language magazines. : ( )
 * ...an English-language newspaper. : ( )
 * ...an English-English dictionary. : ( )

Driving

 * I want to rent a car. : ( )
 * Can I get insurance? : ( )
 * stop (on a street sign) : ( )
 * one way : ( )
 * yield : ( )
 * no parking : ( )
 * speed limit : ( )
 * gas (petrol) station : ( )
 * petrol : ( )
 * diesel : ( )

Authority

 * I haven't done anything wrong. : ( )
 * It was a misunderstanding. : ( )
 * Where are you taking me? : ( )
 * Am I under arrest? : ( )
 * I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : ( )
 * I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : ( )
 * I want to talk to a lawyer. : ( )
 * Can I just pay a fine now? : ( )

title: Bashkir phrasebook


text:
Bashkortostan

Bashkortostan (Russian: Реуспу́блика Башкортоста́н rees-POOB-leek-uh buhsh-kuhrt-ah-STAHN) or Bashkiria (Башки́рия buhsh-KEE-ree-yuh) is a region in the foothills of the Ural Mountains, bordering Tatarstan to the west, Udmurtia to the northwest, Perm Krai to the north, Sverdlovsk Oblast to the northeast, Chelyabinsk Oblast to the east, and Orenburg Oblast to the south.

Cities

 * — the biggest (with over a million residents) city, the capital of Bashkortostan
 * — a small town in the Ural Mountains, known for its steel works and surrounding attractions like Mratkino ski resort, Bannoe lake, Abzakovo

Understand

Bashkortostan is named for its native Bashkir people, a Muslim people who speak a Turkic language. Bashkirs, Tatars, and ethnic Russians each comprise roughly one third of the population of the region.

Bashkortostan is sometimes called "second Switzerland": high mountains and expansive steppes, evergreen forests, 600 rivers and 800 lakes. Various kinds of tourism and sport are very popular here, for example rafting and alpine skiing.

Talk
Bashkir, a Turkic language closely related to Tatar, shares official status with Russian. Tatar is also widely spoken. But nearly everyone is at least bilingual in Russian. Students may understand English and German.

Get in
International flights arrive at  from Frankfurt, Tel Aviv, Sharm el-Sheikh, Baku, Yerevan and Istanbul. Domestic flights from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Syktyvkar, Krasnoyarsk, Yekaterinburg, and others.

Ufa train station is one of the principal stops on the South Ural route of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Trains also arrive from nearby cities Orenburg, Samara and Chelyabinsk. The daily train from Moscow takes 26 hours. It is also possible to arrive by train from northern Kazakhstan.

The capital of Bashkortostan — Ufa — is accessible from federal highways M5 and M7.

Get around

 * Bus. Entire cities are covered by local bus operators. A bus from one end of the city to another typically costs $0.3-0.5.
 * Intercity buses cost $10–25, depending on the distance. Buses are frequent and fast.

See
Picturesque villages are found across Bashkortostan.

Do

 * Skiing. One of the most attractive ski resorts in Bashkortostan is Mratkino, in the city of Beloretsk.

Work
Bashkortostan is one of the most socially and economically developed republics of Russia, although it is slightly less developed than neighboring Tatarstan. The average salary here is $ 250-350. The region as a place for earnings attracts not only residents of neighboring regions (for example, people from Repuplic of Udmurtia, Perm Krai and Chelyabinsk Oblast), but also foreign immigrants and labor migrants. Most of all there are visitors from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Bashkortostan residents consider people from these countries to be related and fraternal.

Stay safe
Bashkortostan is one of the safest regions of Russia, so you can observe basic precautions here. The danger can only be posed by pickpockets on public transport and in queues.

Although approximately 55% of the population of Bashkortostan are Muslims (moderate Hanafi Sunnis), this region (like neighboring Tatarstan) is quite secular, unlike the overly Islamized Dagestan, Chechnya or Ingushetia. But it is worth considering that there are many deeply religious Bashkirs and Tatars, as well as conservative Russians, so it is not uncommon to see women in a hijab or headscarf, and men in traditional headdresses. The capital of Bashkortostan Ufa is considered one of the centers of Islamic education in Russia. Meanwhile, Russian girls and women and secular Bashkirs and Tatars may dress too openly, in short shorts or skirts and with open shoulders.

title: Bashkortostan


text:
Basilan

Basilan is an island province of the Philippines in Mindanao, just off the southern coast of the Zamboanga Peninsula. Basilan is the biggest and northernmost among the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago.

Understand
Basilan has a variety of natural tourist spots that dot the island's pristine beaches and cool inland resorts; it has a peninsula point called Punta Matangal in Tuburan that offers a haven for surfers, very similar to those at the north shores of Hawaii. Basilan has gradually evolved into a charming, even surprisingly hospitable place where you could relax and enjoy a laid back, stress-free vacation, but the danger from rebels and pirates persists; it is badly affected by the Moro insurgency, and bombings on civilians and kidnapping of tourists pose risks.

There are three main ethnic groups; the Yakans and Tausugs are predominantly Muslim, while Chavacanos are primarily Christian. The lingua franca is Chavacano, a Spanish creole dialect, understood by more than 80% of the population. Tagalog/Filipino and English are also widely spoken and understood.

Tourist assistance

 * Hja. Gigi Carama-Junudi, Basilan Provincial Tourism Officer, Provincial Capitol Building, Isabela City, Basilan.
 * Jayson Tubil, Isabela City Tourism Officer, Isabela City Hall Complex, Isabela City, Basilan.
 * Pilar Raga, Guest Liaison Officer, "Isabela City Pasalubong Center", Basilan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc., J. S. Alano Bldg., J. S. Alano St., Isabela City, Basilan.

Cities

 * - Capital of Basilan

Get in
Access to the island province is usually through Zamboanga City which lies 31 km (17 nautical miles) (narrowest point of the Basilan Strait) due north. From there, a boat ride of 1 hour and 45 mins (for conventional passenger ferries), will take you to Isabela and Lamitan. The fare ranges from (student and senior citizen's discounted fare on some conventional ferries) to  (first-class w/ aircon).

Another fastest way to the location is by taking the "Fast Craft" which will only take about 45 minutes boat ride.

 * Isabela-Zamboanga-Isabela Route (1 hr, 30 min)
 * Lamitan-Zamboanga-Lamitan Route (1 hr, 30 min)
 * Maluso-Jolo-Maluso Route (6 hours)

Basilan joined the "Western Philippine Nautical Highway" through the construction of 3 new Roll-On-Roll-Off ("Ro-ro") ports located in the cities of Isabela and Lamitan, and in Port Holland, Maluso. A regular four door sedan is charged per trip, a van/light truck, while bigger trucks/heavy equipment may go up to  per trip.

Basilan is served by several light plane landing fields located in Isabela (2), Lamitan (1), Maluso (1), Lantawan (1) and Sumisip (1), all of which were constructed and maintained by the multi-national plantations and have since been turned over to the Farmer Beneficiary Cooperatives.

Talk
The lingua franca is Chavacano, a Spanish creole language, understood by more than 80% of the population. Tagalog/Filipino, English and Visaya are also widely spoken and understood. Native Yakans and Tausugs have their own language which consist of 80% of the population in the island.

See
Nature spots Churches and religious shrines Historical sites
 * Kumalarang River
 * Tabiawan and Busay Waterfalls
 * Balagtasan Waterfalls
 * Sumagdang Beach
 * Malamawi Island
 * Alano White Beach Resort
 * Sunrise/Lanote Resort Row
 * Bulingan Falls
 * Matagan beach paradise
 * Calugusan Beach
 * Palm Beach
 * St. Peter's Parish Church
 * Monte Santo
 * Chapel of Peace
 * Santa Isabel Cathedral
 * Monte Santo Shrine
 * Kaum Purnah Mosque
 * Datu Kalun Shrine
 * Museo ng Lamitan
 * Basilan Provincial Capitol
 * Isabela City Plaza (formerly Plaza Misericordia)/Plaza Rizal

Do

 * Araw ng Basilan
 * Lami-Lamihan Festival
 * Cocowayan Festival
 * Fiesta Santa Isabel
 * Semana Santa (Holy Week) - March/April (movable)
 * Flores de Mayo
 * Fonda de Barangay or Fiestas del Barangay
 * Pascua (Christmas)
 * Isra Wal Miraj
 * Eid al-Fitr/Hari Raya Puasa - (movable)
 * Maulidin-Nabi
 * Chinese New Year

Buy

A definite recommended "buy" would be the intricate Yakan weaves, trinkets and souvenir items usually made of woven material and hammered brass/bronze pieces, with colorful beads and hand-painted wooden bangles, rings, and handcrafted Yakan bags, table-runners, wall-decor, etc. Be sure to visit the Isabela City Pasalubong Center for authentic Yakan craft (1/F, J. S. Alano Zenith Bldg., J. S. Alano St.). Since you're already in Basilan, don't miss out on the "Basilan Brew" coffee available in nearby Lamitan town (only 45 minutes from Isabela City). A number of retail establishments may likewise be visited before 6PM (traditional closing time).

Eat
Sumptuous local delicacies may likewise be sampled. Not to be missed are hearty Muslim dishes such as:

 * tyula itum
 * pianggang manok
 * baulo,
 * kulma

Certain Yakan festivities likewise prepare a pyramidal dullang with the delectable mountain rice sappul.

title: Basilan


text:
Basildon

Basildon is a town in Essex, England. While not usually high on any list of places-to-go for people other than Depeche Mode fans (seeing that all members of the band grew up here), Basildon does have a few things to keep you occupied if you end up there.

By train
is on the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway (LTSR) line starting at London Fenchurch St station and terminating at Pig's Bay near Shoeburyness.

Drink
The main drinking area in Basildon is the Festival Leisure Park which is located about two miles from the town centre.

Stay safe
Basildon has a high crime rate compared to the rest of the UK so it is strongly suggested to take caution when visiting. Avoid the various suburbs out of town at all costs, especially the Laindon Link Estate which was known informally as Alcatraz for years due to its poor design.

Areas can be safe if you stick to yourself and take precautions.

Connect
As of Feb 2023, Basildon and its approach roads have 4G from Vodafone, and 5G from EE, O2 and Three.

title: Basildon


text:
Basilicata

Basilicata, also known as Lucania, is a region of Southern Italy.

Provinces
Basilicata is divided into two provinces:

Cities

 * — The regional capital and the largest city, home of Basilicata National Archaeological Museum
 * — One of the oldest towns, rich of religious architecture
 * — The "pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea" also known as "the town with 44 churches"
 * — The town of "Sassi" (UNESCO World Heritage), declared European Capital of Culture for 2019
 * — Norman age center of the Vulture Area with the Castle of Emperor Frederick II
 * — Beach resort on the Ionian Sea, with a National Archaeological Museum
 * — One of "Italy's most beautiful villages", birthplace of Horace with an important archaeological site

Other destinations

 * — Small village that preserves its Greek-Albanian origins
 * — Fascinating ghost town, set of numerous films such as The Passion of The Christ
 * — Small medieval village located on a hill and dominated by the silhouette of a Norman castle
 * — Resort on the Ionian Sea with the amazing remains of the Temple of Hera
 * — Renowned center of winery production and spa
 * — Beautiful and well preserved medieval town with an incredible variety of typical local dishes

Understand
"When you see Basilicata, you see fields, vineyards, beautiful landscapes, you see the land as it should be."

- Francis Ford Coppola

As a visitor, you'll find that Basilicata has much to offer. There's an abundance of religious, historical, and cultural attractions, fantastic seaside tourism opportunities, and great cultural opportunities. As is the case throughout Southern Italy, the pace of life is slow and relaxed. Still, with so many exciting things to do, Basilicata is a wonderful destination for a quiet getaway or a weekend adventure.

Etymology
The exact origin of the word "Basilicata" is unclear. It is possible that it comes from a Greek word, "basilikos" (Greek: βασιλικός).

At some point in its history, Basilicata was known as Lucania.

Modern history
"I have never seen in all my life such a picture of poverty."

- Carlo Levi describing the state of poverty in Basilicata during the 1940s

Throughout much of the 1940s, Basilicata was an impoverished, poorly developed region. The region suffered from great poverty, there was a dearth of food, illiteracy was common, and suffered from high child mortality rates. Many residents had no access to water or electricity and there was widespread discontent. Alcide De Gasperi, Italy's prime minister at the time, once slammed the slums of Matera as a "national disgrace".

It wasn't until the 1950s that things began to change for the better. With money pouring in from the Marshall Plan, Alcide De Gasperi then embarked on an aggressive, controversial campaign to rapidly develop the region. In the years to follow, Matera became the region's most well-known city and in 2019 it became the European Capital of Culture.

Even though the region has great tourism potential, it is one of the least visited, least developed, and least populated areas in Italy; the region has some of the highest poverty and migration rates in Italy, and the fact that the local government doesn't do much to promote the region means that most tourists who visit Italy don't know about what all this beautiful region has to offer. This aside, the Lucanians are quite friendly and helpful and are happy with what they have.

Tourist information

 * Basilicata tourism website

By plane
Bari-Palese International Airport is 64 km distant from Matera and is linked to the town by the regional bus company COTRAB. This airport is the best choice to reach the eastern-Ionian area of Basilicata, while Naples International Airport is the best option to exploring the western-Tyrrhenian area of the region. The Autolinee Liscio bus company provides linking from the Naples International Airport to the regional capital Potenza (170 km) in about two hours.

By train
It is possible to reach Potenza from Rome in about 5 hours with one change at Salerno station, using the trains of the national operator. Ferrovie Appulo Lucane is a regional operator that provides connections from Potenza and Matera to Bari, but the trip can be quite long and sometimes uncomfortable since the service is far from efficient.

By car
Three autostrade (toll roads) can be used to reach Basilicata from other parts of Italy:
 * A2 — Motorway of the Mediterranean Sea, links Salerno to Reggio Calabria passing through the area of the Pollino National Park (southern part of the region). It has a ramification that directly connects Potenza to Salerno
 * A14 — Adriatic Motorway, links Bologna to Taranto passing near Matera and Metaponto
 * A16 — Motorway of the Two Seas, links Naples to Canosa passing near Melfi and the Vulture area

For more information you can check the website of Autostrade per l'Italia.

Get around
Strade statali (trunk roads) can be used for reaching internal destinations or the surrounding regions:
 * Strada Statale 106 Italia.svg — Jonica, links Reggio di Calabria to Taranto through Basilicata Ionic coast
 * Strada Statale 407 Italia.svg — Basentana, links Potenza to Metaponto
 * Strada Statale 598 Italia.svg — Fondo di Valle d'Agri, links Atena Lucana to Scanzano Jonico through Val d'Agri area
 * Strada Statale 655 Italia.svg — Bradanica, links Foggia to Matera
 * Strada Statale 658 Italia.svg — links Potenza to Melfi

Archaeological sites

 * Grumento Nova — Archeological park of the Roman city of Grumentum.
 * Metaponto — Well preserved remains of the ancient Greek city of Metapontion.
 * Rupestrian Churches of Matera — A high number of troglodyte churches excavated in the rock during the early Middle Ages (UNESCO World Heritage).
 * Policoro — Remains of the Greek city of Herakleia.
 * Venosa — Paleolithic park of Notarchirico, remains of the Roman city of Venusia and Jewish catacombs.

Castles

 * Castle of Lagopesole in Avigliano.
 * Castle of Cancellara
 * Castle of Lavello
 * Castello Tramontano in Matera.
 * Castello del Malconsiglio in Miglionico.
 * Castle of Muro Lucano
 * Castle of Valsinni
 * Aragonese Castle in Venosa.

Museums

 * Exhibition venue of Palazzo De Lieto in Maratea
 * Exhibition venue of Palazzo Ducale in Tricarico
 * Museum-Workshop of the Peasant Culture in Matera.
 * National Archaeological Museum of Alta Val d'Agri
 * National Archaeological Museum of Basilicata "Dinu Adamesteanu" in Potenza.
 * National Archaeological Museum "Domenico Ridola" in Matera
 * National Archaeological Museum of Melfese "Massimo Pallottino"
 * National Archaeological Museum of Metaponto
 * National Archaeological Museum of Muro Lucano
 * National Archaeological Museum of Siritide in Policoro.
 * National Archaeological Museum of Venosa
 * National Museum of medieval and modern art in Matera

Nature reserves
Approximately the 30% of Basilicata's total area is occupied by nature reserves. Here are the most relevant ones:
 * Abetina di Laurenzana Regional reserve — Oasis rich of fauna such as the Italian wolf.
 * Appennino Lucano-Val d'Agri-Lagonegrese National Park — a 70,000 hectare protected area in the heart of Apennines.
 * Murgia Materana Regional Park — Characterized by the presence of rupestrian churches surrounded by the impervious territory of the Murge plateau (UNESCO World Heritage).
 * Pantano di Pignola Lake — A WWF oasis near Potenza.
 * Pollino National Park — With peaks that reach the heights of 2.260 meters, it is the largest national park of Italy and an UNESCO World Heritage site.
 * Regional park of Gallipoli Cognato e Piccole Dolomiti Lucane
 * San Giuliano Lake Regional reserve — A WWF oasis ideal for birdwatching.
 * Volcanic Lakes of Monticchio Regional reserve — Two small likes situated under the Mount Vulture and surrounded by a dense forest.

Check for a detailed map of Basilicata's natural protected areas:

Villages

 * Acerenza — Town of ancient Greek origins with a remarkable cathedral. One of Italy's most beautiful villages.
 * Aliano — Surrounded by the striking landscape of "calanchi" (badlands), it is famous for having being the home of Carlo Levi during his exile in the fascist period.
 * Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa — Two of Italy's most beautiful villages, both located in the heart of Basilicata's Apennines.
 * Guardia Perticara — Fascinating medieval town in the Val d'Agri territory, one of Italy's most beautiful villages.
 * Rotondella — Known as the "Balcony of the Ionian Sea", it is perched on a hill with an amazing view over the Gulf of Taranto.
 * Tricarico — One of the best preserved medieval historic centers of the region.
 * Viggianello — Enchanting town surmounted by the massif of Pollino. One of Italy's most beautiful villages.

Do

 * Take part in the Marriage of The Trees Festival in different parts of the region.
 * Visit the Vulture region, the area of production of the world-famous DOC wine Aglianico del Vulture.
 * Relax or take a bath in one of the resorts along the Ionic coast.
 * If you are not afraid of heights try the incredible experience of "Volo dell'Angelo" (the Angel Flight): a flight between the towns of Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa on a suspended steel cable. You will reach the speed of 120 km/h at 1020 meters of height!
 * Walk one of the longest footbridges,.

Eat
The cuisine of Basilicata is deeply anchored in peasant traditions. Its typical traits are a large use of stale bread crumbs as a condiment and chili and horseradish as spices. Basilicata is widely known for the peperoni cruschi (crunchy peppers), nicknamed "The red gold of Basilicata", a dry and sweet-flavoured variety that can be found in most regional dishes or even consumed as a chip. It is the dried form of the Peperone di Senise, one of the most popular Italian varieties. Basilicata is also renowned for Pane di Matera (Matera Bread), Lucanica sausage, cheeses like Pecorino di Filiano and Canestrato di Moliterno and Fragola Cadonga, a variety of strawberry cultivated in the Metaponto plain.

Some of the most characteristic dishes include:
 * Pasta con i peperoni cruschi — pasta dish with peperoni cruschi and fried bread crumb
 * Tumact me tulez — pasta dish with tomato, anchovy, bread crumb and walnuts
 * Fusilli con pezzente e rafano — pasta dish seasoned with a ragù sauce made from pezzente salami and horseradish
 * Gnummareddi — Sheep or goat's offal rolled in bowels
 * Grattonato — Sheep's offal with eggs, pecorino cheese and peperoni cruschi powder
 * Baccalà a ciauredda — a fish dish made from stockfish, tomato, onion, olives and raisins
 * Rafanata — baked frittata with horseradish and Pecorino cheese
 * Pastizz — baked turnover with pork meat, eggs and cheese
 * Calzoncelli — fried or baked pastries filled with a cream of almonds and chocolate
 * Scorzette — baked pastries made from egg white, hazelnuts and melted chocolate

Drink

 * Aglianico del Vulture — a world-famous DOCG red wine produced in the Vulture area
 * Amaro Lucano — a herbal liqueur usually used as an apéritif or digestif
 * Sempre Freddo — a liqueur made from a mixture of the Aglianico wine, black cherry and vanilla
 * Birra Morena — a multi-awarded beer

Stay safe
The region is one of the safest in the country. Pickpocketing and violent crimes are extremely rare.

Go next

 * Apulia — It borders Basilicata to the east. You can explore the Alta Murgia National Park or the nearby cities of Foggia, Bari and Taranto.
 * Calabria — It borders Basilicata to the south. Visit the stunning beaches of Praia a Mare on the Tyrrhenian coast, or the Archaeological remains of the Greek colony of Sibari on the Ionic coast.
 * Campania — It borders Basilicata to the west. The Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park (UNESCO World Heritage) is quite close to Potenza and Maratea, while the green Irpinia district lies to the north just beyond the two lakes of Mount Vulture (an extinct volcano).

title: Basilicata